MUDUMALAI TIGER RESERVE
The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in 1940, becoming the first sanctuary in Southern India. Covering a stretch of 60 sq km initially, the sanctuary was expanded to 295 sq km by 1956 and thereafter to its present size of 321 sq km. Poaching of elephants for ivory has been a major problem here, as is smuggling of timber.
Also declared as a Tiger Reserve, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary lies in District Nilgiri, about 12 km from Ooty. Experience the thrill of walking amidst the wild and the wilderness, with a surprise that might be waiting for you at the next corner.
It's home to some of the majestic tigers in the country, and if lucky, you might see them walking the wild in full splendour.
Also declared as a Tiger Reserve, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary lies in District Nilgiri, about 12 km from Ooty. Experience the thrill of walking amidst the wild and the wilderness, with a surprise that might be waiting for you at the next corner.
It's home to some of the majestic tigers in the country, and if lucky, you might see them walking the wild in full splendour.
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state spread over 321 sq.km. at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and it plays an unique role by forming part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the first Biosphere Reserve in India, declared during 1986. It has a common boundary with Wyanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the West, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the North, and the Nilgiris North Division on the South and East and Gudalur Forest Division on the South West, together forming a large conservation landscape for flagship species such as Tiger and Asian Elephant. Reception Centre is located at Theppakadu. The name Mudumalai means ” the ancient hill range”. Indeed, it is as old as 65 million years when Western Ghats were formed.
LOCATION
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is about 240 Km from Bangalore, about 90 Km from Mysore, about 68 Km from Udhagamandalam (Ooty) and about 124 Km from Calicut by road. The reserve straddles the Ooty -Mysore interstate national highway, roughly midway between the two cities and thus could be approached with equal facility either way. From Ooty, another approach is through extremely steep ghat road via Kalhatti having 36 hair-pin bends on a narrow road, but with a truncated distance of approximately 40 Km. The nearest railway stations to Mudumalai are Mysore, about 100 Km and Udhagamandalam about 68 Km by Hill track. The nearest airports are Coimbatore (160 Km) , Bangalore (240 Km) and Calicut (124 km). The nearest town for medical facility, petrol bunks and with telephone networks is Gudalur (15 Km) and Masinagudi (7 Km). The nearest township from Karnataka is Gundalpet, about 32 Km from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
The climate of Mudumalai is moderate. Mudumalai experiences cold weather during the month of December or the beginning of January and hot weather is experienced during the months of March and April.
ACTIVITIES AND STAY
- VEHICLE SAFARI
- Visitors would be taken on a 60 minutes ride through the tourism zone of the Tiger Reserve in buses run by the Tiger reserve management. Visitors should present themselves 1 hour before their turn.
- Please note that no private Vehicles are allowed / permitted for safari rides within the Core area of the Tiger Reserve: only department- run vehicles are engaged for safaris.
- For availability services of the vehicle safari rides, visitors are requested to approach the new reception centre at Theppakadu, located about 100 meters from the main road; and purchase tickets.The vehicle rides is on first come first serve basis.
Timings Morning: 7.00 AM to 9.00 AM,Evening: 3.00 PM to 5.30 PM
2.ELEPHANT SAFARI
- 30 minutes elephant safari in the tourism zone.
- Current booking undertaken at Theppakadu Reception Range
- Elephant rides are subject to dry and favourable weather conditions prevailing.
Timings Morning: 7.00 AM to 8.00 AM,Evening: 4.00 PM to 5.00 PM
3.VISIT TO ELEPHANT CAMP
3.VISIT TO ELEPHANT CAMP
- Tourists are permitted to visit the famous Elephant Camp during their feeding times. This is located at Theppakadu, not far from the reception centre.
- Visitation is restricted to morning and evening.
- Visit to the elephant Camp is rewarding experience. One can learn about the feeding habits of the elephants, especially camp elephants and their routine.
- This Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is one of the oldest camps in the Country. It was established way back in 1927. Presently 24 Elephants are maintained in the Theppakadu Elephant Camp.
Timings Morning: 8.30 AM to 9.00 AM,Evening: 5.30 PM to 6.00 PM
4.Staying in Forest Guest (Rest) House
There were large no of Forest Rest Houses managed by Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Authorities and they could be booked online thru their website.Room tariff start Rs. 2900
