Get an excellent opportunity to see the elephant herds, deer, and tigers roaming freely in their natural habitat in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in kerala , which is a popular rejuvenating retreat in Kerala with a bit of adventure and recreation. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kerala where you can find a variety of rare and endangered flora and fauna. A wonderful getaway for wildlife lovers, this wildlife sanctuary is also quite famous among bird watchers. We hope that after reading this blog, you will be finally convinced with your decision of taking a trip to Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
About Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary In Kerala
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Set up in 1973, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary extends from Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu to Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka. It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. Founded in 1973, it is the home to rare as well as endangered species of both flora and fauna. Spread across an area of 345 square km, this sanctuary comprises two parts namely Upper Wayanad and Lower Wayanad. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiris Biosphere which is the first biosphere out of the 14 present in India.
Also Read: Periyar National Park
Things To Do At Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary In Kerala
Here is the list of top places to explore in a wildlife sanctuary to learn about flora and fauna.
1. Elephant Ride
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After taking special permission from the official department of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, you can go for an elephant ride and explore the forest. While riding the elephant in the forest, you can spot a wide range of wildlife animals in their natural habitat.
Highlight: Arranged by Kerala Forest Department
Duration: About 30 minutes
2. Birding Tour
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If you are a bird watcher, you can hire a professional birder and a naturalist to guide you on a birding tour in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to a variety of beautiful avifauna that makes it a perfect place for the bird lovers. Make sure you do not forget to carry a pair of binoculars, a notebook and pen to keep a note of all the names of the birds that you see. Apart from this, you can also carry a zoom-lens camera to capture these majestic birds.
Highlight: Arranged by Kerala Forest Department
Duration: About 2-3 hours in the morning and evening
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3. Walking Tour Of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
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Taking a walking tour of the sanctuary is the best way to explore the forest from deep inside. The tour of the sanctuary is about 12 km long, you just need to ensure that your attire is comfortable enough for the long walk. Just remember that there are no shops inside the forest, so carry a reusable water bottle with you on the tour.
Highlight: Observe rare and endangered species of plants
Duration: About 2-3 hours
4. Jeep Safari
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Jeep Safari in Wayanad Sanctuary is an ultimate experience in itself as it takes you on a tour of the outer zone of the sanctuary. In this jeep safari, you will be assisted with a forest guide who is well versed with the topography of the forest. The timings for the jeep safari is from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
Highlight: Arranged by Kerala Forest Department
Duration: About 3-4 hours
Related Post: Things To Do In Wayanad
Top Attractions To See Near Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary In Kerala
Don’t forget to explore the top attractions nearby to this wildlife sanctuary for a memorable experience.
1. Banasura Dam
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With exotic panoramic views, Banasura Dam is one of the largest earthen dams in India and the second-largest in Asia. This picturesque Banasura Sagar dam located in the Wayanad district is the nearest tourist attraction to Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. From here, you can trek up to the Banasura Peak from where you can witness a mesmerising view of streams, a variety of flora, fauna, and majestic waterfalls.
Boating on the Banasura reservoir and trekking to Meenmutty falls are the major attractions for tourists at Banasura Dam. You can visit this dam any time of the year, however, the best time to enjoy the scenic beauty around it would be during the months of November to May when the weather is pleasant.
Location: 58 km away from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
2. Edakkal Caves
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If you are into caves and rock formations, then we are sure that Edakkal Caves would be a paradise for a tourist like you. One of the popular tourist places near Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Edakkal Caves are two naturally occurring alcoves located in the Wayanad district of Kerala. Lying 1200 metres above the sea level, these caves are 96 feet in length and 22 feet in width. You will have to trek for around one and a half hours to reach the entrance of the caves. These caves have immense historical and archaeological significance due to their exquisite rock and wall carvings that date back to the Neolithic era that is the late Stone Age
Location: 25 km away from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Timings: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Related Post: Wayanad Hotels
3. Chembra Peak
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A beautiful tourist spot near Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, standing at an altitude of 2000 metres above sea level is the Chembra Peak. The highest peak of the Wayanad Hill Range, this place attracts a large number of tourists to get a spectacular view of not only the entire Wayanad district but also of Kozhikode, Malappuram and Nilgiris districts. Chembra Peak is surrounded by lush green landscapes along with the famous heart-shaped lake that makes it a paradise for travellers.
The trek to Chembra Peak is considered the best trek in Kerala. The starting point of the trek is the foothill of the Chembra Peak where you can see an extensive landscape of tea estates.
Location: 53 km away from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Timings: Open for visitors throughout the day
The Best Time To Visit Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala
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Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the few wildlife sanctuaries in India that remain open throughout the year. With changing seasons, you can witness different aspects of the wildlife sanctuary, however, if your trip to Wayanad is all about sightings, you should visit this sanctuary in the summers. In the month of April to June, the scorching heat in the forest forces most of the wild animals to come out of their hideouts towards the water bodies giving you a clear view.
The winter and spring season from October to March is another good time to visit Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Though you won’t enjoy sight sightings that much because of the fog and mist, you can spot several migratory birds filling the woods. In this weather, you also get to witness a variety of gorgeous flowers and lush foliage. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary remains open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm for walking tours, however, jeep safari is available from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
Related Post: Wayanad Tourist Places
Entry Fee For Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary In Kerala
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Entry fee:
- Entry fee for Indian adults is INR 20
- Entry Fee for children under the age of 12 and students is INR 10
- Entry Fee for Foreigners is INR 110 per head
- The charge for carrying a still camera is INR 25
- The charge for carrying a video camera is INR 150
Other charges:
- Parking cost for cars and two wheelers is INR 50
- Parking cost of buses and other heavy vehicles is INR 150
- It is better to hire a guide as they are well-versed in the routes of the forest, have a sharp eye for sightings, and can also understand bird and animal calls. The charge for a guided tour is INR 100.
One of the most popular and best ways to explore the sanctuary is through a jeep safari which costs INR 300. IN a jeep safari, you get around 2 hours to explore the forest.
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Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. There is something about Wayanad Sanctuary that nature lovers can never get enough of this place and a jeep safari is the best way to explore this place to the fullest. We are sure after reading this article now you know a lot about this wildlife sanctuary that can help you in planning a trip to Wayanad .
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Frequently Asked Questions About Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary In Kerala
Why is Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary famous?
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for having the world's largest recorded population of Asian Elephants and Tigers. It is famous for its rich biodiversity, elephant population, scenic beauty, and bird watching with over 200 bird species, including domestic and migratory birds.
What animals live in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala?
A variety of animals live in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary including large wild animals such as gaur, Indian elephant, deer and Bengal tiger. You can also spot a few unusual birds in the sanctuary, particularly Indian peafowl.
Which river flows in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary?
Kabini river flows in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Kabini River originates from Panamaram River and Mananthavady River located at Wayanad.
Which is the first largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala?
Periyar is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. After Periyar, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala, covering an area of 345 square km, extending from Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu to Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka.
Which tribes live in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary?
Tribes living in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary include Kattunaikkans, Paniyas, Kurumas, Adiyans, Ooralis, and Kurichiyas. Paniyas are one of the largest tribal communities in Wayanad. Interestingly, Kurumas are skilled in various crafts, such as basket making, traditional architecture and more.
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