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Andhra Pradesh is renowned for its history and cultural significance but it is also quite popular for its diverse and thriving ecosystem. From coastal plains to hilly terrains, the state has a fairly diverse landscape, which makes it a great spot for a variety of wildlife to thrive in. There are multiple wildlife sanctuaries in Andhra Pradesh, each catering to the best interests of the endangered wildlife and bird species. The next time you are planning a trip around this South Indian state, consider adding a few wildlife sanctuaries to your itinerary to make the most out of your experience.
10 Wildlife Sanctuaries In Andhra Pradesh
These wildlife sanctuaries in Andhra Pradesh offer a glimpse into the diverse flora and fauna that thrives
1. Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Arkadeep Meta / Wikimedia Commons
To begin the list, we have Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located in the Godavari Delta. Coringa is India’s largest mangrove forest and this unique ecosystem is home to a diverse range of wildlife and bird species. The sanctuary is roughly 18 km away from Kakinada and stands out with its unique bird population. Some of the major attractions you can’t miss out on in this sanctuary are endangered fishing cats and the black-capped kingfisher. Also, various migratory birds often visit this sanctuary throughout the year.
Location: Coringa, East Godavari Dist, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
2. Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Srichakra Pranav / Wikimedia Commons
Second on the list is Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located near the bustling city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Amidst the urban chaos, this acts as a nature’s retreat. Its rugged terrain is home to a captivating array of wildlife, including the elusive leopard and the playful sloth bear. The sanctuary is spread across an area of 70.7 sq.km and you might spot sambar or spotted deer now and then.
Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
3. Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: PJeganathan / Wikimedia Commons
If you are visiting the Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh and want to explore the rich biodiversity around, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary is a pretty great place to consider exploring. However, the expansive grasslands and water bodies do contribute to its growing popularity too. The highlight of this sanctuary is that it is home to the Great Indian Bustard and a variety of other rare bird species. Spread across an area of 6.14 sq.km, the sanctuary was recognised in 1988.
Location: Rollapadu, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 9 AM to 6:30 PM
4. Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: ShashiBellamkonda / Wikimedia Commons
After you finish offering your prayers to Tirupati Balaji in Tirumala, consider spending the rest of your vacation exploring the sightseeing spots around the city, Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary is one of them. It is part of the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve and is home to a wide range of wildlife, which you can witness in real time. Some of the most notable wildlife you can witness there are leopards, sloth bears, and the majestic Indian gaur.
Location: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM (Summers) and 9 AM to 5 PM (Winters)
5. Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Sanctuary
Photo: Diego F.Parra / Pexels / Image For Representation
Among the wildlife sanctuaries in Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Sanctuary is usually a less explored spot. The sanctuary encompasses the Nalgonda and Prakasam districts and has the Krishna River flowing right by. Tigers, leopards, and elephants roam freely in this expansive habitat, offering thrilling encounters for wildlife enthusiasts, especially when you are indulging in a jeep safari experience. It is the largest tiger reserve in India and is spread across an area of 3,568 sq. km.
Location: Pedachama, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 7 AM to 5 PM
6. Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Adityamadhav83 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Not just Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, but even Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned for its amazing mangrove ecosystem. It has one of the world’s rarest mangrove ecosystems, which explains why it has gained so much popularity among nature enthusiasts. Due to the expansive area of the sanctuary, it crosses Krishna and Guntur districts in Andhra Pradesh. What’s unique about this spot is that the sanctuary is further broken down into multiple forest reserves like Kothapalem Reserve Forest, Sorlagondi Reserve Forest, Yelichetladibba Reserve Forest and Molagunta Reserve Forest as well.
Location: Gullalamoda, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
7. Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Garry Mrahar / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Located in the Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is another one of the must-visit wildlife sanctuaries in the southern Indian state. Featuring dense forests and rocky hills, the landscape around this wildlife sanctuary is unique. The highlight of this sanctuary is that it doubles as an Elephant Reserve and is home to the elusive Asian Elephants. Seeing the surge in the population of elephants, the government decided to label it as a wildlife sanctuary to conserve their population.
Location: Near Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 7 AM to 5 PM
8. Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Dương Nhân / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
An often less explored and talked about wildlife sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh is the Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary. While lesser-known, this sanctuary is a haven for birdwatchers, especially with the diverse population of colourful bird species. The sanctuary is spread across an area of 1194 sq.km and is home to a variety of wildlife and unique plant species too. During your safari, you can spot sloths, tigers, pythons and wild dogs too.
Location: Velgode, Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 7 AM to 5 PM
9. Papikondalu Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Rufina Rusakova / Pexels/ Image For Representation Only
Located in the West Godavari district, the Papikondalu Wildlife Sanctuary is located along the Papikondalu hills, covering an area of around 1,012 sq.km. It is home to various species such as tigers, leopards, and different types of deer. Initially, the sanctuary was an important biodiversity area for a variety of native birds and endangered species of both plants and wildlife. The sanctuary was established in 1978 when it was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
Location: Dharvada, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
10. Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary
Photo: Aranyaparva / Wikimedia Commons
Located along the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is another popular wildlife sanctuary that you can consider visiting. Pulicat Lake is a Ramsar site renowned for its rich avian diversity. The highlight of this bird sanctuary is during the migration season when countless species of migratory birds flock to the shores of the lake during the winter season. The main attraction in this bird sanctuary are the Greater Flamingos. Every year thousands of pelicans and storks also migrate to the bird sanctuary.
Location: Attakanitippa, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
Andhra Pradesh offers a diverse range of wildlife sanctuaries, catering to different interests. Whether you want to witness endangered bird species or want to spot tigers in their natural habitats, or take a stroll amidst lush meadows, these wildlife sanctuaries in Andhra pradesh cater to all interests. You can plan your trip with TripXL and immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Andhra Pradesh.
Cover Photo: Tejalee / Wikimedia Commons
