Mudumalai

About Mudumalai

Mudumalai wildlife reserve is a continuation of the Bandipur National Park. The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the park. The 321 sq. km. reserve is situated in Tamil Nadu
Mudumalai wildlife reserve is a continuation of the Bandipur National Park. The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the park. The 321 sq. km. reserve is situated in Tamil Nadu Mudumalali wildlife reserve was the first sanctuary in south India. The terrain is extremely varied with hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses and swamps. The vegetation comprises of tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrub forests. Compared to the nearby reserves, the climate is warmer in Mudumalai.

Langur, bonnet macaque, tiger, leopard, wild dog, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, Indian muntjac, mouse deer, wild boar, rodent and flying squirrel are part of the wildlife in Mudumalai. It has a rich bird life that includes Malabar trogan, Grey hornbill, crested hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, etc.

The best time to visit the reserve is from February to June. The sanctuary can be reached by road. The nearest railway station is Udakamandalam. The nearest airport is Coimbatore. Accommodation can be arranged at forest rest house, guesthouses at Masinagudi, Kargudi, Abhayaranyam and Theppakkadu.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

1.Jungle Home
12 / 464, Thorappalli,
Gudalur, Nilgiris District
Tamil Nadu.
Ph: 04262 - 264198

2.Bear Mountain
Bokkapuram
Masingudi P.O.
Nilgiris-643 223
Tamil Nadu.

3.Jungle Retreat
Bokkapuram,
Masinagudi P.O. 643223,
Nilgiri Dist. Tamil Nadu
Ph: 91-423-2526469/70, Fax: 91-423-2526659
Email - Contact Us

4.Forest Hills Farm & Guesthouse
Bokkapuram,
Masinagudi P.O.,
Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu 643223
Ph: 0423-2526216, 2526399
Email - Contact Us

5.Blue Valley Resorts
Bokkapuram, Masinagudi,
Nilgiris, Tamilnadu,
Ph : 91- 0423-2526244, 2526344; Fax : 91- 0423-2526319

Location info

• **Address:**Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu.

• **District:**Udhagamandalam.

• **Nearest City:**Nilgiri District, Coimbatore.

• Best time to visit: February to May and September to October.

Climate & weather

Maximum Temperature 24.30°C
Minimum Temperature 4.80°C

History of Mudumalai

The park was created in 1940 to become the first wildlife sanctuary in southern India. Originally 60 square kilometres, the sanctuary was enlarged to 295 km2 in 1956 and subsequently to its present size of 321 km2. The sanctuary is contiguous with Bandipur National Park , Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary (344 km2), Sigur and Singara reserve forests. The park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster, including all of Mudumalai National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.

How to reach Mudumalai

• **Nearest Railway Station:**The sanctuary is located at a distance of 65-km from Udhagamandalam railway station and 95-km from Mysore station.

• **Nearest Airport:**The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 160-km away.

**Road Transport:**Gudalur (16-km) is the nearest town to the sanctuary, which is situated along the Udhagamandalam - Mysore highway. This sanctuary could be reached from Mysore as well. There are regular buses from Udhagamandalam, Mysore and the neighbouring towns to the sanctuary.

Nearest visiting places

1.The Elephant Feeding Camp - A place where you can interact with Elephants and also see how they are fed.
2.Museum - Near the Elephant feeding camp there is a museum where dead animals are preserved. These preserved animals ones lived in the Mudumalai Jungle.
3.Moyar River - See how the Moyar river runs through the dense forest. Spotting animals while they come to drink water in the river is fun.
4.Elephant Safari and Van Safari Conducted by Tamilnadu forest department.
5.Kallatty falls - Located 30Km from Mudumalai forest department . A beautiful falls with breathtaking view.
6.Pykara Lake - Located 40 Km from Mudumalai Safari office . It is a clean and scenic lake in between the hills. It is an isolated lake free from pollution and maddening crowed . Boating is conducted here . It is a place worth visiting when you plan to visit Mudumalai.You will remember this scenic spot throughout your life
…….

Nearest petrol pump

Highway to Nilgiri or Gundlupet.

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**100

• Nearest Hospital: In Nilgiri District

• Society/Community Phone Number

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Mudumalai

October to May is the best time for wildlife viewing. During the dry months (February to May), animals congregate around water sources, making sightings more frequent. The sanctuary is closed during the monsoon (July to September). December to February offers pleasant weather for safaris.

Timings & opening hours

Safari timings: Morning safari 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM, Evening safari 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM (timings vary by season). The sanctuary is typically closed during the monsoon season (July to September) for breeding and forest regeneration.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: ₹50-₹100 for Indian nationals, ₹400-₹600 for foreign nationals. Safari vehicle charges: ₹600-₹2000 for a shared gypsy or bus safari. Guide fee may be additional. Camera fee: ₹50 for still, ₹200 for video. All fees are subject to change.

Duration needed

A typical safari lasts 2-3 hours. One safari is sufficient for a basic experience, but staying overnight and taking both morning and evening safaris increases wildlife sighting opportunities significantly.

Safety tips

Stay inside the safari vehicle at all times. Do not get out of the vehicle inside the sanctuary. Do not feed or tease animals. Maintain silence for better wildlife viewing. Wear earth-toned clothing. No smoking or littering inside the forest. Follow the guide’s instructions at all times.

Things to carry

Binoculars for wildlife viewing, camera with zoom lens, water bottles, hat/cap, sunscreen, insect repellent, light snacks, and identification documents for safari booking. Wear earth-toned clothing — avoid bright colours.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station varies by sanctuary location — typically Mysore, Shimoga, or Hubli. Nearest airport: Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Mysore Airport (MYQ), or Hubli Airport (HBX). KSRTC buses connect nearby cities to the sanctuary approach road.

Things to do at Mudumalai

Take guided jungle safaris to spot wildlife in their natural habitat. Elephant safaris are available at some sanctuaries. Bird watching — Karnataka’s sanctuaries are home to hundreds of bird species. Nature walks with forest guides (in permitted areas). Visit interpretation centres to learn about local ecology.

Things to visit & highlights

The main wildlife viewing areas where tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, and other mammals are commonly sighted. Watchtowers and waterholes offer concentrated wildlife viewing. The sanctuary entrance has interpretation centres. Nearby reservoirs attract birds and animals.

Frequently asked questions

What animals can I see? Karnataka sanctuaries are home to tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur, deer, wild boar, and numerous bird species. Sightings depend on season, time of day, and luck.

How do I book a safari? Safaris can be booked online through the Karnataka Forest Department website or at the sanctuary entrance. Advance booking is recommended during peak season.

Is the sanctuary open year-round? Most sanctuaries close during the monsoon (July-September) for breeding season. The best wildlife viewing is from October to May.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Wildlife Sanctuaries

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Mudumalai

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Mudumalai on popular travel photography sites and social media.