Designated as Bhutan’s Crown Jewel and famed as a paradise for birdlife, the Royal Manas National Park is the Bhutan’s oldest park instituted in 1964 in the south central foothills of Bhutan. Spanning over 1,059 km, the national park falls within the jurisdiction of three districts; Zhemgang, Sarpang and Pemagatshel and is connected to another 3 wildlife sanctuaries through biological corridors. The park shares a porous border with the Indian Manas National Park and Manas Tiger Reserve (a world heritage site).

Located at the convergence of the Indo- Gangetic and Indo-Malayan bio-geographical realm in the southern foothills of the Himalayas, The Royal Manas National Park forms a part of the 10 Global biodiversity hotspot constituting a remarkably diverse and rich eco-system of international significance. The Park was opened to visitors only in 2010 and is currently one of the most popular emerging tourist attractions in Bhutan.

The Park is a home to great variety of wildlife including several species of endangered animals like the Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, great one horned rhinoceros, clouded leopard, Himalayan black bear, golden langur and many more.

More than 365 species of birds have been officially recorded in the Royal Manas National Park. Species found here includes the globally threatened rufous– necked hornbill, pallas fishing eagle, great white – bellied heron, spotted wren blabber, blue headed rock thrush and emerald cuckoo. It is also extremely rich in different species of fauna, about 900 species of plants.

With the wildlife viewing/jungle safari in the heart of the park as the highlight the other activities possible are water sports (rafting, kayaking), fishing, birding, excursion of remote and ethnic villages and overnight stay at various eco lodges and campsites.

The Lost Land of the Tiger, a documentary series produced by BBC Nature History Unit in the year 2010 features the Royal Manas National Park. BBC Biologist and military veteran Steve Backshall along with a team of scientists document their dramatic expedition searching for endangered Tigers, their status on distribution and population density and in search of rare animals and plants.