Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary - Safari Guide & Timings

Wayanad, KeralaWILDLIFE

Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, this sanctuary is known for its large elephant population and guided jeep safaris through dense deciduous forests.

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WILDLIFE

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2-3 hours

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an important conservation area in the Western Ghats, forming an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It's composed of two main sections: Muthanga in the east and Tholpetty in the north. The sanctuary is characterized by moist deciduous forests, teak plantations, and patches of semi-evergreen forests, creating a habitat for a wide variety of animals. Visitors primarily come here for the jeep safari experience, which takes them along designated forest tracks.

Contact Information

Phone: +91-4936-220454

Website: www.wayanadtourism.org/destination/wild-life-sanctuary-muthanga.html

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Location & Address

Muthanga Range, Sulthan Bathery & Tholpetty Range, Mananthavady, Muthanga / Tholpetty, Wayanad, Kerala, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best period to visit is from October to March. During these months, the weather is cool and pleasant, and the forest is lush green after the monsoons. Animal sightings are generally better as vegetation is not overly dense and animals come out to bask in the sun. The summer months of April and May can be hot, but sightings near water bodies increase. The sanctuary is often closed during the peak monsoon season (June to August) due to heavy rains and inaccessible trails.
Peak Crowd: December-January, weekends, and public holidays like Christmas and Onam, due to pleasant weather and holiday season.
Moderate Crowd: October-November and February-March, during weekdays.
Low Crowd: April-May due to heat, and June-September when the sanctuary may be partially or fully closed for monsoons.

How to Reach

Air

Calicut International Airport (CCJ) is the nearest airport, located about 110 km away from Sulthan Bathery. It takes around 3-4 hours to reach by taxi.

Train

Kozhikode Railway Station (CLT) is the nearest major railway station, approximately 100 km away. It is well-connected to major Indian cities. Taxis and buses are available from the station to Wayanad.

Road

Wayanad is well-connected by road. NH 766 passes through the district. It's about 100 km from Mysuru, 110 km from Kozhikode, and 280 km from Bengaluru. State-run and private buses operate regularly from these cities.

Local Transport

To reach the sanctuary gates at Muthanga or Tholpetty, you need to hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw from nearby towns like Sulthan Bathery or Mananthavady. The safari itself is conducted in jeeps provided at the sanctuary.

Food & Dining

Nearby restaurants near Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

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