Manas National Park Safari Guide (from Bansbari)
A stay at Sikhiri Cottages is built around getting into the forest at first light and coming back to a quiet cottage. This page is the practical safari brief we give guests — ranges, timings, what you are likely to see, and how booking actually works.
The ranges you will hear about
Manas is not one loop. Your driver and the forest department will talk in ranges.
Bansbari
The range most first-time visitors use. Jeep routes commonly run toward Mathanguri on the Manas river, with grassland and mixed forest. This is the default if you have only one safari.
Bhuyanpara
A different slice of the park — useful if you are doing two or three drives and do not want to repeat the same track.
Panbari
Less crowded than the main Bansbari circuit on many days. Good as a second-morning option when Bansbari permits are tight.
Kahitama (Kahitma)
A newer / less-used option that recent guests have asked us to arrange. Worth it if you have an extra morning and want a quieter road.
Ask the lodge which range has permits on your dates. The forest department decides availability, not the hotel.
Jeep safari
- Morning: starts 6:00 am
- Afternoon: starts 1:30 pm
- Duration: about 3–4 hours, longer if sightings hold the vehicle
You ride an open jeep with a forest guide. Carry a warm layer for the morning drive even in March. Afternoon light is better for photographs; morning is better for movement in the grassland.
We pack a lite bite (sandwiches, fruit, juice) when the drive includes a rest stop. Tell the kitchen the night before if anyone is vegetarian-only or needs a vegan plate.
Read the activity page: Jeep safari at Sikhiri.
Elephant safari
- Slots: 6:00 am and 7:00 am
- Duration: about 45 minutes
- Booking: must be reserved in advance; numbers are limited
The ride is short and early. It is not a replacement for a jeep drive — it is a different height and a different pace, useful for grassland birds and a first look at the forest floor. Confirm the current Forest Department rules when you book. Policy on elephant rides can change.
Activity page: Elephant safari.
Raft safari on the Beki
Rubber-boat rafting on the Beki River is the third park-side activity. Expect birds along the bank and, on some days, mammals coming to drink. This is weather- and water-level dependent. After heavy rain the lodge will say no.
Activity page: Raft safari.
Bhutan: Bansbari to Panbang
A day safari can run from Bansbari across to Panbang in Bhutan — village life, a different bird list, and the border landscape.
Rules we enforce at check-in: – Open to Indian nationals only – Adults: valid passport or voter ID – Children: birth certificate
No ID, no crossing. Do not leave documents in Guwahati.
What you may see (and what you may not)
Manas holds elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, wild water buffalo, gaur, hog deer, sambar, and a recovering tiger population. Golden langur and capped langur are the primates people ask about. The bird list is long — this is an Important Bird Area.
Sightings are not a menu. Rhinos are seen often enough that guests mention them in reviews. Tiger is possible and not typical on a two-drive trip. That is normal for a big, well-watered park with tall grass.
How to book the permit
- Safari permits are issued by the Forest Department.
- Do not buy “guaranteed tiger safari” packages from random WhatsApp sellers.
- Message Sikhiri Cottages with your dates. We line up the jeep, the slot and the guide.
- Carry a government photo ID on every drive.
How many safaris to book
| Stay | Sensible plan |
| 1 night | One morning jeep. Arrive the previous afternoon. |
| 2 nights | Morning + afternoon jeep, or morning jeep + elephant. |
| 3 nights | Two ranges + raft or village visit morning. |
A full sample plan is here: 2 nights 3 days in Manas.
When the park is closed
The core safari season is November to April. The park is generally closed June to September because of monsoon and flooding. October and May are shoulder months — call before you lock tickets.
Details: Best time to visit Manas.
Need a vehicle on your dates? WhatsApp +91 6002809693 with arrival date and how many people.