At Manas ASSAM BENGAL NAVIGATION now has its own jungle accommodation, The Bansbari Lodge, situated in prime position right at the entrance to the national park, with tea gardens on one side, jungle and views of the Himalayan foothills on the other. The16 large twin-bedded rooms all have attached bathrooms and the Lodge is simply but comfortably furnished. The Lodge also has electricity.

There is a welcoming atmosphere to the Lodge, which includes an attractive dining room and a lobby where you can relax on sofas, browsing through books from our library. In fine weather tables and chairs are set outside for breakfast and the spacious grounds are fast becoming a delightful garden in which to stroll. Each bedroom has comfortable twin beds, a writing-cum-dressing table, cane chairs to relax in, and good hanging cupboard space, while the bathrooms have excellent hot and cold showers with basin and w.c. Our policy at ABN is to provide employment as much as possible within the area and most of our furniture has been beautifully made by local craftsmen to our specification.

Although simpler in style than ABN's Brahmaputra river cruises, our renowned standards of service prevail at The Bansbari Lodge as well. Our smiling staff includes an excellent chef who produces delicious home-cooked meals, be they of local Assamese cuisine, north Indian, Chinese or Continental origin.

2005 is the Centenary Year for Manas, elevated to National Park status in 1990. It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and because of its beauty and importance to the environment was made a Biosphere Reserve in 1989. It is indeed breathtakingly beautiful, situated between the Sankos river in the west, the Dhansiri river in the east. Bounded by Himalayan foothills, the dense jungle forest alternates with alluvial grasslands, low alluvial savannah woodland and Assam valley semi-evergreen forests, providing a rich wilderness for a great variety of wildlife, including many endangered species. The Tiger Project reserve extends over an area of 2837 square kilometres with a core area of 519 sq. kms.

Three unique residents of Manas are the rare Pygmy Hog, the Hispid Hare and the Golden Langur, and the park is a haven for no less than 20 highly endangered species.

The diverse animal population of Manas includes some fierce or potentially aggressive creatures such as Tigers, Elephants, Indian one-horned Rhinoceros, Golden Cat, Fishing Cat, Wild Buffaloes, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Civet Cat, Wild Dog, Indian Fox, Gaur and Himalayan Black Bear, as well as more timid creatures such as many varieties of deer.

Due to its climatic conditions and topography, Manas is home to many bird species, both resident and migratory. Amongst these are the Bengal Florican, Giant Hornbill, Jungle Fowls, Bulbul, Brahminy Duck, Khaleej Pheasant, Egret, Pelican, Fishing Eagle, Serpent Eagle, Falcon, Scarlet Minivet, Bee-eater, Kingfisher, Magpie Robin, Pied Hornbill, Gray Hornbill, Merganser, Harrier, Osprey, Heron, Buzzard, Lapwing, Plover, Sandpiper, Snipe, River Tern, Woodpecker, Warbler, Chat, Thrush, Tit, etc.