Wildlife Sanctuaries

Once you have seen the rich wildlife of South India, once you have experienced the wilderness of its wildlife Sanctuaries, once you have known the smell of the earth of its dense forests, you will never forget the mesmerizing experience for the rest of your life. South India is not only a big hit with tourists for its temples and backwaters but is also loved by them for the wilderness it offers in its wildlife Sanctuaries. South India is truly an abode of a wide variety of wildlife species enjoying their life in the natural habitat. The varied climate and topography of South India make it a rich destination when it comes wildlife. The best time to visit the wildlife sanctuaries of South India is between March to October.

Some of the most famous Wildlife sanctuaries of South India are:

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary:

Location: Idukki district, Kerala
Main Attractions: Rich population of a variety of animals
Other Attractions: Tea and Coffee gardens in Idukki district

Sandwitched between the beautiful Periyar and Cheruthoni rivers, the sanctuary is a home to several animals such as elephant, bison, sambhar, deer, beer, jungle cat, tiger, leopard, barking deer,  langur, jackal, civet, wild boar and  wild dog.

Bandipur National Park
Location: Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka
Main Attractions: Asian Elephants and Gaurs

Bandhipur National Park is an abode of an exotic wildlife species such as elephant, tiger, sloth bear, wild dog, chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar and much more. These wildlife species are found in abundance here. The fauna varies from scrub forests to dry deciduous forests and tropical mixed deciduous forests. The sanctuary is really picturesque. Best time to visit the Park is April to October.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Tamil Nadu
Main Attractions: Nilgiri Langur, Lion Tailed Macaque, and Birds

Covering an area of 321 sq km, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It has a river Moyar which is very beautiful. It was the first sanctuary of South India established in 1940. The flora here comprises of  tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrub forests whereas the fauna consists of Elephants, Gaur, Banner, Macaque, Common Langur, Tigers, Leopards, Chital, Panther, Sloth Bear, Python, Barking Deer, Four Horned Antelope and  Nilgiri Langur and the Lion Tailed Macaque. The different birds found here are Peacock, Grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl, Grey Partridge Quails, Goggle Eyed Plower, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Large Racket-Tailed Dronge, The Magpie-robin, Spotted Babbler,  Mynahs., Green Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Bulbuls and Small Green Barbet

Other wildlife sanctuaries in South India are Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli Kali Wildlife Sanctuary, Crocodile Bank, Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakam Bird Sanctuary and Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary and many more.