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Best Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala

The Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary is situated in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Blessed with rich flora and fauna, the sanctuary offers excellent opportunities to experience Kerala wildlife in their natural habitat. Situated adjacent to the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is now under consideration of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to be declared as a World Heritage Site. 

Apart from 39 species of mammals, 16 species of amphibians, 268 varieties of birds, 61 species of reptiles and 124 types of butterflies, the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to four indigenous tribes that have made their colonies in the sanctuary.

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, the Parambikulam Sanctuary is the best place to sight animals such as Lion Tailed Macaques, King Cobras, storks, rollers etc. Trekking is allowed within the forest but you will need prior permissions. There are watchtowers constructed within the sanctuary to help visitors in sighting wildlife.

Best time to visit - November to April.

Nearest railhead - Palakkad

Nearest airport - Coimbatore

Nearest town - Palakkad

Location: Parambikulam Road, Anappady, Thunakadavu, Palakkad 678661

The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is situated between two rivers Cheruthoni and Periyar. This is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala and is situated at a distance of 40 km from Thodupuzha and spread over 77 sq kilometres. Covered in a dense canopy of evergreen forests, the sanctuary is home to a wide range of wildlife.

The wildlife of Idukki includes animals such as Sambhars, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tigers etc. Trekking is possible within the forest with prior permission from the forest department. You can also enjoy boat rides in the rivers which provide a panoramic view of the surroundings. 

Best time to visit - December to April.

Nearest railhead - Kottayam

Nearest airport - Madurai Airport

Nearest town - Thodupuzha

Location: Vellappara, Painavu, Idukki, Kerala 685603

The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary spreads over 90 sq km in the Idukki district and is distinct from other sanctuaries due to its thorny scrub forest. This sanctuary receives rain for only 48 days in the year and hence this peculiar vegetation. The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on either side of the Marayoor-Udumalpet Road and is famous for sandalwood forests and waterfalls.

The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is under consideration for being declared as a World Heritage Site. There are watch towers inside the sanctuary from where you can observe animals. You can also enjoy nature walks, trekking or camping inside the sanctuary.

Best time to visit - December to April.

Nearest railhead - Aluva

Nearest airport - Nedumbassery

Nearest town - Ernakulam

Location: Munnar - Udumalpet Road, Munnar, Kerala 685612

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an extension of the Bandipur National Park and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere. Comprising of thick deciduous forests, the sanctuary is home to a wide variety of animals including tigers, leopards, elephants, wild dogs, civets, bears etc. You can enjoy elephant rides within the forest. Spread over 344 sq km, this sanctuary is part of the Wayanad Plateau. 

The area experiences a salubrious climate. There is a beautiful valley called Lakkidi situated within the sanctuary and experiences the highest average rainfall in Kerala. The sanctuary is also home to tribal groups consisting of the Paniyas, the Kurumas, the Adiyars, Kurichyas, Ooralis and Kattunaikkans.

Best time to visit - June to October.

Nearest railhead - Kozhikode

Near airport - Kozhikode

Nearest town - Sulthan Bathery

Location: Bathery- Puthupally Road, Sultan Bathery, Kerala 673592

Much smaller in comparison to other Wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary spreads across 9.06 sq km. It is situated near the Agasthyakoodam hill which gets its name from the Sage Agastya. Home to a large variety of wild animals including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, elephants, sambhars etc, and the sanctuary offers opportunities for lion and tiger safaris. 

The sanctuary also has an Elephant Rehabilitation Centre and a Deer Rehabilitation Centre. There is a crocodile farm within the sanctuary, which was established in 1977. This farm is home to about 20 mugger crocodiles.

Best time to visit - October to March.

Nearest railhead - Neyyattinkara

Nearest airport - Thiruvananthapuram

Nearest town - Neyyattinkara

Location: Kallikkad, Kerala 695572

The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 53 sq km and is located at about 50 km from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. The forests of the sanctuary occur in the catchment area of the Peppara dam which stands across the Karamana River, is something to see in the wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala.

The sanctuary is known for its thick forests, eucalyptus plantations, crystal clear streams and rugged terrain. It is home to a wide variety of species such as tigers, panthers, wild dogs, mouse deer etc and to about 13 native tribal groups that are still untouched by civilisation.

Best time to visit - October to March.

Nearest railhead - Thiruvananthapuram

Nearest airport - Thiruvananthapuram

Nearest town - Thiruvananthapuram

Location: Thiruvananthapuram-Ponmudi Road, Thiruvananthapuram.

The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the northernmost part of Kerala.  In comparison to other wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, this sanctuary has a number of hill ranges that have an elevation between 50 m to 1145 m. The highest peak is of Katti Betta and its slopes are covered in lush semi-evergreen forests. 

Being a part of the Western Ghats, the Aralam Wildlife sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna and has a huge variety of plants and animals. You can spot leopards, jungle cats and different kinds of squirrels in these wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala.

Best time to visit - June to October.

Nearest railhead - Thalassery

Nearest airport - Karipur

Nearest town - Kannur

Location: Kannur, Kerala 670674

Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is one of the eco-sensitive wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala. Almost 18 acres its land is embedded with thick mangroves which are also the roosting sites of migratory as well as home birds.  The sanctuary is christened as ‘the green lung of Kochi’ due to its central location.

Sprawls right behind the Kerala High Court building in Kochi, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is also blessed with scenic backwaters landscapes. A survey study conducted in 2006 reported the presence of 194 birds of 32 varied species.

Best time to visit: Winter season, especially the month of January, February and March witness the arrival of migratory and exotic birds.

Nearest railhead: Ernakulam South Railway Station.

Nearest airport: Nedumbassery International Airport, Kochi.

Nearest town: Ernakulam

Location:High Ct Rd, Ayyappankavu, Kochi, Kerala 682031

Caressed by the branches of Periyar river which is Kerala’s longest river stream, Thattekad Wildlife Sanctuary is a low-land forest which is flocked by more than 500 bird species.

Some of the highly populated birds in this region are Hawk Eagle, Orange-headed Thrush, Blue Kingfisher, Jerdon's Nightjar, Indian cuckoo, Oriental Darter, Created Woodpecker, Whiskered Terns, Black Headed Oriole, Bronzed Drongo, Grey-fronted green pigeon, Yellow-browed bulbuls etc. Mammals such as Leopard, Sloth Bear, Elephants, and Jungle cats dwell in this small strip of forest which sprawls on the Northern bank of Periyar river.

On the emphatical recommendation by Dr Slaim (a famous ornithologist), Kerala Government established this sanctuary in the year 1983.

Best time to visit: Throughout the year. It is always advisable to avoid monsoon season since it pours heavily in Kerala.

Nearest railhead: Aluva 

Nearest airport: Cochin 

Nearest town: Kochi/Cochin

Location: Kothamangalam-Pooyamkutty Road, Nyayapally PO, Thattekad, Kerala 686681

If you are a bird enthusiast then you should definitely visit this bird sanctuary in Kumarakom. This bird sanctuary is best known for the migratory birds. The sanctuary spreads over an area of 14 acres. It is maintained by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. 

You will get to see a variety of local birds like waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, cormorant, moorhen, darter, and brahminy kite. As it is known for the migratory birds, you will find migratory birds like Siberian crane, parrot, teal, lark, and flycatcher.