Periyar Tiger Reserve : Wildlife Tours in Kerala

Access :
Nearest Airport - Madurai (143 Kms)
Nearest Railhead - Kumarakom, (114 Kms).
Nearest Town - Kumily (4km), The entry point to the reserve is Thekkady, which is accessible by good roads from Madurai, Cochin & Thiruvananthapuram.

Area :
Total - 777 Sq.Km. Core: 350 Sq.Km. Periyar Lake 26 Sq. Km, Forest Cover : 360 Sq.K.M. This is one of themost prestigious regions on thehigh ranges of the western ghats.

One of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, the Periyar reserve is noted for its geomorphology, diverse Wildlife Tours in Kerala and beautiful landscape kerala wildlife tour. The drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through Tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles.

The sanctuary, declared a tiger reserve in 1978 under the project tiger scheme, attracts travellers from all over the world kerala wildlife tour. This is the only sanctuary in India where the wild elephant can be observed and photographed at close quarters. There are two watch towers in the Periyar forest.

The Periyar lake formed by the construction of the dam across the Uullaperiyar river in 1895, the lake harbours within itself a unique aquatic eco system. The numerous little islets in the lake are witness to the intricate inherent interrelationship among the terrestrial aquatic and subterranean life forms. A boat cruise on the lake is perhaps the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve tours in kerala beaches.

Best time to visit :
Kerala Wildlife Tour, October - May entry to the reserve 0600 - 1800 hrs

Vegetation :
Over 1800 flowering plants including 171 grass species and 143 species of orchids. The only south indian conifer podocarpus wallichianus grows here.

Wildlife Population :
Mammals - 35 Species Including The Wild Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Wild Dog, Gaur, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Civet, Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur Etc.

Reptiles - King cobra, Viper, Krait, a number of non poisonous Snakes, Bicoloured Frogs, Tortoise and Crocodiles.

Avifauna - 265 Species including Migrants. The great Indian Hornbill, Peafowl, Brahminy kite and black - Winged Kite. Aquatic birds Like Darter, Little Cormorant, Kingfisher, Black - Necked stork Etc.

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary :

Access :
Nearest Airport - Cochin (71 Km)
Nearest Railway Station - Aluva (48 Km).

Area :
Total - 25.16 Sq.Km.
The Thattekkad bird sanctuary, constituted in 1983, occupies the catchment area of the Bhoothathankettu dam. The only one of its kind in Kerala, this sanctuary was designed by Dr. Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist. He is reported to have identified 167 bird species and his student - dr. Sugathan, 207. In addition, the bombay natural history society has identified 253 species here. The Thattekkad bird sanctuary attract nature lovers from all over the world.

Vegetation :
Tropical Evergreen Forest - Vellapine, Karanjili, Palai, Kunthirikam, Bhadraksham, Kanala, Kurangatti etc.

Wildlife Population :
Mammals - Leopard, Bear, Porcupine Etc. The Elephant Is An Occasional Visitor.

Birds - Indian Roller, Cukoo, Common Snipe, Crow Pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Woodpecker, Large Pied Wagtail, Baya Sparrow, Grey Jungle Fowl, Indian Hill Myna, Robin, Jungle Babbler And Darter.

Reptiles - Python, Cobra etc.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary :

Access :
Good Roads And Rails Connect The Sanctuary with Kozhikode (Calicut), Mysore and Ooty - all Within a 110 Km Radius.The nearest airport is Kozhikode (Calicut).

Area :
Total - 77 Sq.Km.

Climate :
Warm Months - March - May, Moonsoon : June - August. Rainfall : 2000 mm. Established in 1973, the Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarahole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu. Rich in biodiversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve, which was established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region.

Vegetation :
Moist Deciduous Forest - Teak, Maruthi, Karimaruthi, Rosewood, Venteak, Vengal, Chadachi, Mazhukanjiram, Bamboo etc.

Wildlife Population :
Mammals - Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Jungle Cat, Monkey, Wild Dog, Bison, Deer, Bear Etc. The Elephant Occupies Prime Position Interstate Seasonal Migration Of Elephants Is Common. The Tiger Population In The Sanctuary Is Fairly Good.

Birds - Peacock, Babbler, Cuckoo, Owl, Woodpecker, Jungle Fowl Etc.

Reptiles - Monitor Lizard And A Variety Of Snakes.