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Kerala is famous as God’s own country, due to sun-drenched beaches, backwaters, and Ayurvedic treatments.There are numerous wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala that would allow one to enjoy the natural beauty. This also displays the sophisticated abilities of the wild animals in the lap of great natural beauty. There is an aspect that goes into it in much needed quality to seem like a paradise. These sanctuaries are a storehouse of knowledge and excitement for people who get excited about the fauna.
Top 15 Wildlife Sanctuaries In Kerala
Some of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala include the following, with each of them housing a wide array of wildlife species:
1. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
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Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is present in the Idukki area. This is 18 km north of Marayoor town along State Highway 17. There are nearly 225 (recorded) species of birds across the sanctuary in an area of about 90 square km—a dream of a birdwatcher. The critically endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrels are seen darting across the parched prickly landscaped woodland. The other animals that form the wildlife of the park include Spotted Deer, Tiger, Bonnet Macaque, Gaur, Elephants, and Nilgiri Tahr. Snakes, Indian star tortoises, and a large number of Keralan mugger crocodiles. These stay in Chinnar and form the remaining reptile population.
Best Time To Visit: December to April
Suggested Read: Theme Parks In Kerala
2. Eravikulam National Park
Photo: Photos Worldwide / Wikimedia Commons
This national park area is present in the Idukki district among the Western Ghats, sprawling across 100 sq km. It is 13 km to the northeast of Munnar and is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr mountain goat. Hunting expeditions brought this timid and unsuspecting animal perilously close to extinction during the British period. The Kerala Department of Forests and Wildlife Conservation recovered the species to a respectable population of 750. Besides Nilgiri Tahr, the Eravikulam National Park houses about 25 other animal species that one can find here, like the Indian Muntjac, Golden Jackal, Tiger, Leopard, and Small Clawed Otter. Other less-known species are the Indian Porcupine, Nilgiri Langur, and Indian Porcupine.
Best Time To Visit: April to June & September to November
3. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Photo: Ganesh Mohan T / Wikimedia Commons
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala. It’s a shelter to an incredible range of Indian birds like cormorants, egrets, herons, ducks, and Brahminy kites. This sanctuary also houses numerous elegant migrant species that include Siberian storks, darters, teals, and egrets. Sometimes called Vembanad Lake Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary lies on the eastern side of Vembanad Lake. Boasting more than 100 different species, Vembanad’s wetlands will even appease an ichthyologist, as they support abundant freshwater and coastal fish.
Best Time To Visit: June and August
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Summer In Kerala
4. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Mehmet Turgut Kirgoz / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the confines of Thekkady, in the state of Kerala, in the districts of Idukki, and Pathanamthitta. This sanctuary was primarily present as a water reservoir around the Periyar Lake. Around 26 square kilometres of the lake forms the park area and allows the visitor to wander around in a boat. It is appropriate for animals like Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Sambar, Gaurs, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Viper, krait, woodpecker, Grackle, Kingfisher, and many more. The park is a Tiger reserve, so the Tiger would possibly be the most important wildlife, followed by the wild animals.
Best time To Visit: November to April
5. Begur Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Dinesh Valke / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Located at the plateaus of the Western Ghats, Begur Wildlife Sanctuary hosts a strange variety of animals. It is amongst the highly visited state animal sanctuaries. Its justifiable climate attracts for tourists and its superb surroundings. The variety inside the trees and the fauna living suggest the balance of nature.
Best Time To Visit: December to May
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6. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
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Parambikulam Tiger Reserve lies in the midst of the Western Ghats in the south of Palakkad District and has a truly picturesque landscape. In 2009 the reserve was declared a Tiger Reserve. Recent data from a 2010 census shows the reserve’s tiger population to be on the rise. There are more than 250 species of birds in the reserve. This attracts bird watchers year after year to this natural treasure.
Best Time To Visit: October to April
7. Peechi Vazhani Wildlife
Photo: Srichakra Pranav / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Established in 1958, Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is the second oldest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. Situated in the district of Thrissur, this wildlife sanctuary is unique as it is encased between two dam reservoirs, namely Peechi and Vazhani, compared to the others in Kerala.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
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8. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
Photo: Dhruvaraj S / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is an ecologically sensitive area located in the central part of Kochi. A forest of mangroves is the resting point of various resident and migratory birds as it becomes home to many in a huge lot when the season changes. Birding in Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is a major attraction, with the most sighted ones being the Little Cormorant and Black-crowned Night Heron.The total area of the park is 2.74 hectares, including a very small pond surrounded by mangrove trees. Both semi-mangrove and mangrove vegetation have created shelters for various permanent and migratory birds.
Best Time To Visit: May & June
9. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
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The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 55 sq km and lies on the western slopes of the Western Ghats. This park has 50m touching 1145m of altitude covering the tropical to semi-evergreen woods. The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, established in the year 1984, houses a spectrum of rich flora and fauna that is part of the Western Ghats. Aralam is also situated in the southeast part of the Kannur District and plays host to a number of species like Jungle Cats, Bison, Elephants, Boar, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Leopards, and various squirrels.
Best Time To Visit: June to October
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10. Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary
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This natural paradise boasts various kinds of forest cover types, including semi-evergreen, evergreen, and moist deciduous. The greatness of the park also contains the magnificent lake that has been developed upon the dam, on top of the River Chimmini. Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Mukundapuram taluk of the district of Thrissur, will provide lots of opportunities to anyone wishing to couple with wildlife tours within the arena of adventure tourism. These dense, peaceable environs give way to the most thrilling holidays with trekkings and camping amidst the wild inhabitants of the park.
Best time To Visit: October to March
11. Amarambalam Reserved Forest
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This sanctuary is noted to hold some of the rarest bird species in the country that would otherwise be extinct. Being one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, it is under heavy rainfall, has a very dense forest cover, and has a good range of plant species due to its geographical position. It houses over 32 mammal species, more than 500 species of butterflies, and over 292 species of birds, making it the perfect holiday getaway for all nature and wildlife enthusiasts.
Best time to visit: November to March
Suggested Read: Adventure Sports In Kerala
12. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
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Located in the south-eastern fringe of the Western Ghats, this sanctuary covers a total area of 128 square kilometres. The Neyyar Dam was built across the Neyyar River, and the Lake formed by the Dam adorns this sanctuary. It is a wonder that one can experience boating in the crystal blue water of the lake formed by the Donga river. The forest type shows affinity from moist evergreen to grassland at the different elevations along the surface. Major attractions in the park are the crocodile breeding centre, deer and elephant rehabilitation centres, Lion Safari Park, etc. A 9.06 square kilometre area has a diverse range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.
Best time To Visit: October to March
13. Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Jaseem Hamza / Wikimedia Commons
It’s a unique reserve in Kollam district.The year 1984 saw the establishment of this sanctuary. This is a very important forest reserve in the list of wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala. It also holds a very high place of reputation worldwide for its richness. Keep your cameras handy and eyes open because it includes roughly 34 species of mammals, 245 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, 22 species of amphibians, and 42 species of fish.
Best time To Visit: October to March
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14. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: James Lee / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary tops the Kerala wildlife sanctuaries list. It is located between the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluka in Idukki, sprawling in 77 square kilometres. Closer to it is located Asia’s fourteenth largest arch dam, known as Idukki Arch Dam, which is 167.68 m above sea level. The lake is also used by tourists for boating purposes. The region is covered with a mixture of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist-deciduous forest cover.
Best Time To Visit: December to April
15. Silent Valley National Park
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Being one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, it ranks in the list of the best preserved variety amongst the tropical rain forests. It is also christened as the ‘Garden of Eden’ in the close circuits of nature lovers, biology students, and life-sciences scientists. The bio-diversity that exists over there will literally astound you. In this whole region, this is one of the tiniest insertions of national parks and, surely enough, it has the ability to live up to the name that it holds.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
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Every reserve, from the endangered Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam National Park to the Grizzled Giant Squirrels at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, comes with its very own kaleidoscope of unique flora and fauna. Whether you’re a birdwatcher at Kumarakom or a wildlife enthusiast at Periyar, these wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala are a testimony to the state’s commitment to the preservation of its rich biodiversity. You can plan your trip with Trip XL to witness the untouched beauty and wild side of Kerala.
Cover Photo: Dinesh Kannambadi / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
