Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Aralam, a village in Thalasserry, The Sanctuary is spread over 55 sq kms of undulating forested highlands on the slopes of the Western Ghats. The highest peak here - Katti Betta - rises to a majestic 1145 m above sea level.
Covered with tropical and semi evergreen forests, the Aralam Sanctuary is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats. Herds of deer, elephant, boar and bison are common sights. Leopards, jungle cats and various types of squirrels are also seen here.
Begur Wildlife Sanctuary
The district of Wayanad lies on mountainous plateau in the Western Ghats.
In this virgin land, which has not seen much human habitation later, is the Begur Wildlife Sanctuary. The forests here are amongst the most beautiful locales of Kerala. The region has a wealth of diverse species of plants and animals and is of great interest to nature lovers.
The Begur wildlife sanctuary has a huge variety of animals ranging from elephants, deer, tigers, boars, leopards, etc. Besides the animals, one can also find a number of birds in this sanctuary. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from the months of December to May.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Idukki Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is spread over an area of 90 square kilometers. It is located at a height of 500-2400 meters above sea level.
The Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is home to the endangered species of the Giant grizzled squirrel. Besides the squirrel, one can find animals like elephants, deer, tigers, gaurs, Hanuman monkey, etc. also. A number of reptiles like vipers, kraits, cobras, pythons, etc. can also be found here. A common sight is that of beautiful peacocks walking down the pathway in the sanctuary. One can also avail the boating facilities that are provided by the concerned authorities of the sanctuary. The uneven terrain provides ample of opportunities for trekking and mountain climbing.
Eravikulam National Park
A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills.
Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc.
An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
An ideal destination to watch herds of wild elephants, the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous with the protected area network of the Nagarhole National Park and the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in the neighbouring State of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu. This sanctuary spread over 345 sq km is rich with fauna and flora, and comes under Project Elephant.
Elephants roam freely here and tigers are sighted frequently. A drive along the road to Muthanga and further, offers chances to watch these roaming beasts. Elephant rides are arranged by the Forest Department.
Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary
(40 km from Mananthavady) This sanctuary in Karnataka state extends over an area of 643.39 sq km. The park houses diverse species of plant and animal life.
Visiting time: 0600 - 0800 hrs and 1500 -1730 hrs.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Parambikkulam is a valley between the Anamalai ranges of Tamilnadu and the Nelliyampathy ranges of Kerala. The Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary spreads over an area of 285 sq km on the Western Ghats.
The fauna here include bonnet macaques, Nilgiri langurs, lion tailed macaques, tigers, spectacled cobras, kraits, vipers, turtles, darters, little cormorants and black eagles.The sanctuary also has a variety of trees mainly teak, neem, sandalwood and rosewood. The oldest teak tree 'Kannimari' stands tall here.
Boat cruises can be arranged in the Parambikkulam Reservoir. Trekking in the sanctuary is possible with the permission of forest officials. There is a tree-house in the Reserve Forest area in Thoonakkadavu, the headquarters of Parambikkulam, which has to be booked in advance.
Peechi Vazhani Wildlife
Peechi – Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is 125sq km and about 20 km east of Thrissur, in the catchment area of the Peechi and Vazhani dams. The sanctuary is part of the Palapilli – Nelliampathy forests and forms the northern boundary of the Chimmini Sanctuary.
Having an abundance of enchanting flora and fauna and a lake where you can go boating, this place is a treat for the nature lover. There are more than 50 different kinds of orchids, innumerable rare medicinal plants, teak, rosewood, and so on. The wildlife population includes over 25 types of mammals including carnivores like the leopard, the tiger and the fox and herbivores like the elk, deer, barking deer, spotted deer, the bison and the elephant. More than 60 types of birds and 10 types of snakes are also found.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Lying on the outskirts of the capital city, the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 53 sq. km. on the Western Ghats . The place is fascinating for its damsite, thick forest areas, eucalyptus plantations, crystal clear streams and rocky terrains ideal for adventure expeditions.
The sanctuary has a rich population of mammalian fauna and is emerging as a big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts and ornithologists. Elephants, sambar, leopard, lion-tailed macaque and cormorant are commonly seen here.
Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary
The Shenduruny forest gets its name from an endemic species of tree called Chenkuruny (Gluta travancoria). In the central region of this moist, mixed deciduous forest, spread over hilly terrain of over 100 sq km, is the 26 sq km artificial lake formed by the Parappar dam built across the Shenduruny and Kulathupuzha rivers.
Here u will see elephants, tigers, leopards, bisons, sambar, wild boar, lion-tailed macaques, langurs, deer - and most of the other regular inhabitants of a wild, West Coast tropical evergreen forest.
Silent Valley National Park
The Silent Valley National Park has an area of 90 sq km is located in the north eastern corner of the district. It rises abruptly to the Nilgiri Plateau in the north and overlooks the plains of Mannarkkad in the south.
The core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the Silent Valley National Park. Despite its name, the Silent Valley (the clamour of Cicadas is conspicuously absent here) echoes with the sounds of teeming wildlife. The denizens of this sprawling habitat of endangered virgin tropical forests include rare birds, deer and tiger,over a 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of moths and other fauna like the Ceylon Frog Moth, Great Indian Hornbill, the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush and the Lion-tailed Macaque.
Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Idukki
Thattekkad is made up of dense tropical evergreen and deciduous forest and grassland patches, housing a population of over 500 species of exotic birds. This globally acclaimed bird sanctuary owes much of its fame to Dr. Salim Ali, the internationally renowned ornithologist.
Spread across 25 sq. km. the sanctuary lies between the tributaries of the river Periyar like a peninsula. Rare birds like the Crimson-throated Barbet, Bee eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black Winged Kite, Night Heron, Falcon, Grey Jungle Fowl, White-Breasted Water Hen, Hornbill, Ceylon Frogmoth, Rose-billed Roller and Blue-winged Parakeet live here.
The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
A land-locked district, Idukki is one of the most nature rich areas of Kerala. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary here spreads over an area of 77 sq km in the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of the district. Situated at an altitude of 450-748 m above sea level, this sanctuary occupies the forest land between the Cheruthoni river and the Periyar river. There is a scenic lake around the sanctuary, covered by an enchanting canopy of tropical ever-green and deciduous trees, and offers boat rides.
Elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger, wild boar etc are seen here apart from various species of snakes including cobra, viper, kraits and numerous non-poisonous ones. Birds include jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher etc. The wildlife here is similar to that of Thekkady. This sanctuary lies adjacent to the world renowned Idukki Arch Dam.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.
In addition to elephant rides, cruises on the lake ,this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters.
Lake Palace and Aranya Nivas are two idyllic accommodation options set in the sylvan lake side background. The romantic Lake Palace, formerly a summer retreat of the Maharaja of Travancore, is built on a small island accessible only by boat. Aranya Nivas a stone lodge with rubble masonry and colonial style of architecture at the head of the lake is a premium property of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary (20 km east of Mananthavady): This sanctuary has a wide variety of animals. Visiting time: 0600 - 0800 hrs and 1500 -1730 hrs. Permitting authority Asst. Wildlife Warden, Tholpetty
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km. The Agasthyakoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the sanctuary. Elephants, gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri tahr, jungle cat, wild boar, Nilgiri langur etc. are seen. A crocodile rearing centre, deer farm and lion safari park are the main attractions
Declared as a sanctuary in 1958, it is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar.
Shenduruni Wildlife Sanctuary
Pathanapuram taluk, 66 km from Kollam town on the Kollam - Shencotta road. The Shenduruny forest was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984. The Name Shenduruny comes from an endemic species of tree called Chenkuruny (gluta travancoria), mainly confined to this region. The artificial lake formed by the parappar dam built across the shenduruny and kulathupuzha rivers occupies the central region of the sanctuary.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is home over one hundred varieties of native birds and over 60 species of migratory birds that flock to the area in large numbers The sanctuary is actually spread over several islands at the estuary of the Kadalundi River.
Terns, Gulls, Herons, Sandpipers, Whimbrels, and other migratory birds flock to Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary in November and return again in April each year.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
12 Kms from Kottayam, Kerala, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Vembanand Lake. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is known for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here.
Sprawling over 101 acres of enchanting wooded land and lake, the Kumarakom Tourist Complex, which was built around the 50-year-old 'Baker's Mansion', has been renovated in grand style by the Taj Kerala Resorts Ltd. Earlier this complex was a small hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).