Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries In Kerala That You Must Visit For An Enthralling Jungle Time

Undulating hills, lush blankets of greenery, sun-kissed beaches with sandy shores, serene landscapes, and mouthwatering cuisine - Kerala ticks all the right boxes and more. But did you know that Kerala, God’s Own Country, is also celebrated for its abundant biodiversity and numerous exotic floras & fauna? We bet you didn’t!

So, here’s a handy guide to all the wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala that you must add to your bucket list if you’re a wildlife enthusiast. Read on!

1. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, a hidden gem nestled in the lush Palakkad district of Kerala. This sanctuary is a paradise for nature lovers, offering a unique glimpse into the diverse wildlife of Kerala in their natural surroundings. With its candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Parambikulam is recognized for its ecological importance and stunning beauty.

Home to an impressive roster of wildlife, including 39 mammal species, 16 amphibians, 268 bird varieties, 61 reptiles, and 124 butterflies, the sanctuary is a biodiverse hotspot. It’s also the ancestral home of four tribal communities, adding a rich cultural tapestry to the natural splendor.

Timings: 7 AM - 4 PM

Best Time To Visit: October-March

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore airport (55 km)

Nearest Railway Station: Coimbatore Junction (85 km), Palakkad Junction (100 km)

Places To Stay Nearby: VANYA by Citrine, Bison Valley Estate, Hill Valley Farm House

2. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Cradled amidst the undulating hills of the Western Ghats, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, stands as a celebrated jewel in Kerala’s crown of natural wonders. Encompassing a vast expanse of 675 square kilometers, this sanctuary serves as a haven for a myriad of unique, scarce, and imperiled wildlife species.

The sanctuary derives its name from the serene Periyar Lake that lies at its heart, creating a thriving habitat for an impressive array of flora and fauna. The sanctuary boasts a rich tapestry of biodiversity, including 1,800 species of vibrant flowering plants, 171 varieties of grasses, 143 exotic orchid species, 35 different mammals, and a remarkable 265 bird species.

A bustling hub of activity, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary offers a glimpse into the lives of majestic elephants, graceful sambars, playful langurs, and stately storks. It’s a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts, revealing sights of the elusive Malabar Giant Squirrel, the aerobatic flying squirrel, and the charismatic lion-tailed macaques.

Timings: 6 AM - 7 PM (Everyday), 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM (Guided Nature Walks), 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Border Hiking & Bamboo Rafting)

Best Time To Visit: October-June

Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport (140 km away), Cochin International Airport (190 km)

Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam (114 km)

Places To Stay Nearby: Coffee and Pepper Plantation Homestay, Spice Villa Thekkady, Lush Acres

3. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Nestled amidst the tranquil waters of the Cheruthoni and Periyar rivers, the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary emerges as a verdant gem in Kerala’s crown. A mere 40 km journey from Thodupuzha unveils this 77 square kilometer haven of biodiversity. The sanctuary, cloaked in a lush tapestry of evergreen trees, offers sanctuary to an array of fauna.

Idukki’s rich tapestry of life includes majestic Sambhars, elusive Wild Dogs, stealthy Jungle Cats, and the regal Tigers. For the intrepid spirit, the forest paths welcome trekkers, granted they have the forest department’s blessing. Moreover, the rivers’ gentle embrace invites visitors to partake in boat rides, offering sweeping vistas of this enchanting sanctuary.

Timings: 9 AM - 6 PM

Best Time To Visit: October-February

Nearest Airport: Cochin Int. Airport (69 km)

Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam

Places To Stay Nearby: 10 Degrees North By Avni Holidays, Gee Resort & Heights, Snowdonia Ecostay By GrassHopper Hotels

4. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Encompassing an area of 90 square kilometers within the Idukki district, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary stands out with its unique thorny scrub forest, a stark contrast to the lush greenery typically found in other reserves. This sanctuary is graced with rainfall for a mere 48 days annually, giving rise to its distinctive flora. Nestled along the Marayoor-Udumalpet Road, Chinnar is celebrated for its aromatic sandalwood groves and captivating waterfalls.

Currently, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is being evaluated for designation as a World Heritage Site, a testament to its ecological significance. Within its bounds, strategically placed watch towers offer sanctuary visitors the chance to spot wildlife in their natural habitat. Moreover, the sanctuary invites nature enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the tranquility of the wilderness through nature walks, trekking, and camping experiences.

Timings: 8 AM - 2 PM

Best Time To Visit: December - April

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (120 km away)

Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam Railway Station

Places To Stay Nearby: Misty Range Resorts, Cure Monastery, VanaJyotsna Forest Home

5. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Nestled in Kerala’s uppermost reaches, the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary stands as a majestic testament to nature’s splendor. Unlike its counterparts, the sanctuary boasts a series of rolling hills, with altitudes ranging from a modest 50 meters to the towering 1145 meters. The summit of Katti Betta reigns supreme, draped in a verdant cloak of semi-evergreen forests.

As an integral part of the biodiverse Western Ghats, Aralam is a treasure trove of botanical and zoological diversity, offering a sanctuary to a vast array of plant life and a menagerie of animals. Here, amidst the Kerala sanctuaries, one can encounter the stealthy leopard, the elusive jungle cat, and a spectrum of squirrels, each unique to this verdant paradise.

Timings: 8 AM - 3 PM

Best Time To Visit: November-May

Nearest Airport: Karipur Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Thalassery (45 km away), Kannur (70 km away)

Places To Stay Nearby: Agraharam Resorts, Wayanad Village Resort, Koomankolly Resort

6. Anamudi Shola National Park

Nestled in the verdant embrace of the Western Ghats in Kerala’s Idukki district, the Anamudi Shola National Park stands as a testament to nature’s splendor. This park, a canvas of green that stretches over 7.5 square kilometers, was honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, celebrating its rich tapestry of biodiversity.

A trio of shola reserves—Mannavan, Idivara, and Pullardi—form the heart of this ecological haven. Here, a symphony of wildlife awaits the keen observer. From the acrobatic leaps of langurs to the stealthy prowl of leopards, from the elusive civet cats to the majestic tigers, and from the soaring flight of flying squirrels to the gentle giants that are elephants, the park is a sanctuary for some of Kerala’s most iconic creatures. It’s a place where the wild thrives, offering a glimpse into the untamed beauty of the region’s fauna.

Timings: 7:30 AM - 4 PM

Best Time To Visit: October-March

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (159 km)

Nearest Railway Station: Aluva (170 KM)

Places To Stay Nearby: Southern Panorama Campnoel Munnar, Golden Fern Resort, Nexstay Ministers Mansion

7. Amarambalam Wildlife Sanctuary

Nestled within the Kalimpuzha National Park, a rich tapestry of over 1600 varieties of plant life and around 34 species of wildlife awaits enthusiasts and explorers alike. During your journey through this natural haven, you may encounter an array of exquisite creatures such as the Nilgiri pipit, the white-bellied blue flycatcher, the grey-headed bulbul, the Nilgiri wood pigeon, and the ample-tailed grass warbler, among others.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM (Tuesday Closed)

Best Time To Visit: October - June

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore International Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Palakkad Railway Station

Places To Stay Nearby: Deer Meadows, Whispering Willows

8. Eravikulam National Park

Nestled within the enchanting Devan Hills, the Eravikulam National Park unfolds over 97 square kilometers, offering a sanctuary for the unique shola-grassland ecosystem. This national treasure is a haven for the biodiversity that thrives here. As you traverse the park, you may be greeted by the sight of the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered species of South Indian goat that calls these hills home. The park’s rich tapestry of life also includes the elusive Nilgiri langur, majestic tigers, robust Indian bison, stealthy leopards, and a myriad of other species.

The park is thoughtfully sectioned into three distinct zones: the core, the buffer, and the tourism area. For those wishing to immerse themselves in the beauty of Rajamalai, the tourism area, it is here that visitors are warmly welcomed to explore and experience the wonders of Eravikulam.

Timings: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Best Time To Visit: October - December and April - May

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (120 km), Madurai Airport (142 km)

Nearest Railway Station: Aluva (120 Km from Munnar), Coimbatore (165 Km)

Places To Stay Nearby: Blanket Hotel & Spa, The Panoramic Getaway, Misty Wonders

9. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

For those with a passion for avian wonders, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a must-visit destination. Renowned for its role as a haven for migratory birds, this sanctuary unfolds across a lush expanse of 14 acres, under the careful stewardship of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Here, amidst the verdant embrace, you’ll encounter an array of indigenous birds—graceful waterfowl, the melodious cuckoo, the vigilant owl, elegant egrets, poised herons, industrious cormorants, the serene moorhen, the sleek darter, and the majestic brahminy kite. The sanctuary’s claim to fame, however, lies in its seasonal guests: the migratory birds. Visitors can marvel at the sight of the noble Siberian crane, the chattering parrot, the delicate teal, the tuneful lark, and the vibrant flycatcher, all of which converge here in a symphony of feathers and songs.

Timings: 6:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Best Time To Visit: November - February

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (80 km away)

Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam (14 km)

Places To Stay Nearby: Kumarakom Wood Castle Serviced Appartments, Hotel Kottayam Grand, Kumarakom Park Resort

10. Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary

Nestled in the lush embrace of Wayanad’s northern reaches, the Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary invites you on a journey through its lush expanses, a haven for the wild at heart. A tapestry of thriving flora and fauna unfurls within its bounds, a testament to nature’s splendor. Since its inception in 1973, Tholpetty has been a sanctuary not just in name but in spirit, cradling a rich array of wildlife amidst its green bosom.

Here, the air thrums with the calls of elusive birds and the rustle of rare creatures, each a precious jewel in the crown of this protected realm. Under the vigilant gaze of the Protect Elephant initiative, the sanctuary stands as a guardian to these gentle giants. Perhaps the most enchanting spectacle is the symphony of elephants, their trumpets and footfalls a resonant echo as they traverse the forest paths, a magical whisper through the trees that beckons the soul to listen and marvel.

Timings: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Best Time To Visit: October - February

Nearest Airport: Kozhikode International Airport (100 km away)

Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode Railway Station (Calicut)

Places To Stay Nearby: Coffee Cradle Wayanad, VPK BORDER STAY COTTAGES, Antelope Wildstay

So, which of the above-listed wildlife sanctuaries are you going to add to your Kerala itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.

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