There is nothing more fulfilling than wandering in nature and experiencing wildlife in its natural habitat. With some of the country’s popular National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries endowed with natural beauty and amusing wildlife, the state of Tamil Nadu attracts nature and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world. If you really want to immerse yourself in nature and spend time with animals in the wild when in Tamilnadu, consider planning a getaway to one of its amazing National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Recommended tour packages
- 3 Nights / 4 Days – Arupadai Veedu Temple Tour Package
- 3 Nights / 4 Days – Navagraha Temple Tour Package
- 4 Nights / 5 Days – Pancha Bootha Sthala Tour Package
- 4 Nights / 5 Days – Honeymoon Tour Package
- 5 Nights / 6 Days – Hill Station Tour Package
Here is the list of Top National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamilnadu that would make great options for a perfect wildlife getaway:
Mudumalai National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary
Mudumalai National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the foothills of the Nilgiris in Tamilnadu. Established in the year 1940, Mudumalai is the first wildlife sanctuary in South India and was declared a National Park in 1990.
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Mudumalai National Park is home to several endangered and vulnerable species including the Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Indian Leopard, and Gaur among others. You can also spot here critically endangered Indian white-rumpled vultures and long-billed vultures. Elephant Safari is the best way to explore the breathtaking views and wildlife of Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Must visit the Elephant Feeding Camp where one can interact with elephants and see how they are fed.
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park is an exceptional tiger reserve in Tamilnadu, locally known as Anamalai Tiger Reserve. It shares the borders between Tamil Nadu and Kerala state. Nurtured by opulent nature and adorned with compelling wildlife, the enthralling sanctuary offers a wonderful wildlife experience.
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Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park is the perfect place to quench much of your evergreen curiosity to see tigers. The adventurous ones can explore the sanctuary by trekking while there is a Safari van for the others. What makes this sanctuary truly unique is the fact that it is an anthropological reserve. It hosts around six different tribal groups, one of which is endemic to the area.
Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary
Vallanadu is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Tamilnadu, tucked away on a secluded hilltop in Vailandu in the Thoothukudi district. Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary is majorly famous for its blackbuck antelopes.
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Besides blackbucks, other equally fascinating wild animals that reside here are monkeys, macaques, black-naped hares, vipers, rat snakes, jungle cats, and more. If you are lucky, you can spot a jungle crow, a crested hawk eagle, herons, peafowl, sparrows, storks, and the horned owl, while exploring the sanctuary. The place is also well-known for its peacock farm where you can relish the surreal sight of peacock dancing.
Guindy National Park
Located inside the bustling city of Chennai, Guindy National Park is India’s eighth-smallest national park. Though small in size, it abounds in rich flora and fauna. Blackbuck is the pride of Guindy National Park. Jackal, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, Chital, Hyena, and Indian Spotted Chevrotain, to name a few also find a safe habitat here.
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Guindy National Park houses a Snake Park that features some unique reptile species such as King Cobra, viper, python, fascinating sea snakes along with turtles. But the major crowd-puller is the Children’s Park – a beautiful play area where animals like Spotted Deer, Blackbuck, Monkeys, and lovely birds wander freely. Kids will have fun exploring the place and will truly feel like a part of nature. Make sure you pay a visit to Guindy National Park for a weekend getaway with your kids.
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is one of India’s most distinctive national parks which is bestowed with rich marine biodiversity. It is a group of 21 small and breathtakingly beautiful islands enclosed by coral reefs and shallow underwater habitats that are located in the Gulf of Mannar in the Indian Ocean, between Dhanushkodi and Thoothukudi.
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Seagrass, Coral Reefs, and Mangroves make up the wondrous marine ecosystem of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. To explore this exotic National Park, one has to take glass-bottom boat rides. The ride offers you jaw-dropping sights of the astonishing underwater world which is splendid and awe-inspiring with spectacular corals, brightly coloured fishes, and many other marvelous marine creatures.
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Sanctuary
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Sanctuary is the second-largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, nestled in the Southern Western Ghats in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts. It is home to various amazing wild animals like Tiger, Leopard, Indian Pangolin, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Mouse Deer, King Cobra, Flying Lizard, Python, Monitor Lizard, and Pit Viper among others that resides here.
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The wonderful sanctuary provides all wildlife enthusiasts with great opportunities for thrilling wildlife encounters in Tamil Nadu. It is also known for its exotic feather species that attract a lot of bird lovers. To add a dash of adventure, you can go trekking or night safari with prior permission from the forest officials. Kalakkad Mundanthurai Sanctuary is definitely a perfect stopover to come closer to nature and admire its wildest creations.
Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary
Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary is noted for being home to the endangered Giant Squirrel Ratufa Macroura. The sanctuary is also known as Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Here at Srivilliputhur, one can spot varieties of Grizzled Giant Squirrels along with other enthralling animals like Nilgiri Tahr, Bonnet Macaque, Leopard, Elephants, Sambar, Porcupines, Lion-Tailed Macaques, Common Langur, and compelling species of birds like Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White-Backed Vulture, Red-Faced Malkoha, White-Bellied Shortwing, Nilgiri Flycatcher, and more. Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit in Tamilnadu and a jungle safari here will surely be a richly rewarding experience for you.
Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary
The breathtaking beauty and animal wealth of Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary make it a favourite haunt of nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Not only it is counted as the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, but also it is deemed as the most expansive wildlife sanctuary in South India, spanning across 1,411 sq. km.
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Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary is snuggled at the confluence of scenic Western and Eastern Ghats in the Erode district of Tamilnadu. Sathyamangalam is the fourth Tiger Reserve of the state, having a high population of tigers with as many as 54 tigers. Notable species other than the tigers are Black Buck, Elephants, Four-Horned Antelopes, Mugger, Gaur, White-Backed Vulture, Deer, and Civets, along with innumerable reptiles and avifauna species.
Mukurthi National Park
Mukurthi National Park enthralls everyone with its remarkable assortment of lavish flora and captivating fauna. It is positioned in the western corner of the Nilgiris Plateau in Tamil Nadu. Mukurthi National Park was basically built to protect the endangered mountain goat- the Nilgiri Tahr and was formerly known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park.
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It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 1st, 2012. Although casual tourists are not permitted inside Mukurthi National Park, it provides a unique opportunity for people to trek and camp here. These trekking paths are quite tough yet breathtakingly scenic that offer a high-end trekking experience in Tamil Nadu. Treat yourself to an unparalleled wildlife adventure at Mukurthi National Park.
Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary
Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary situated in the Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu is one of the top and most-loved wildlife sanctuaries in the state. It was established with the sole purpose of protecting and conserving the endangered Black Antelopes. The beautiful sanctuary fascinates visitors with its enthralling assortment of animals and birds.
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You can find here wild animals like Wild Boar, Chital, Bonnet Macaque, Blackbuck, Spotted Deer, Monitor Lizards, etc. Since Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by the vast sea and serene beaches, it provides a safe ground for large congregations of waterbirds, especially greater flamingos, which arrive here every winter. The dancing show of friendly Dolphins and the unhurried turtles walking near the shore make your visit more enjoyable.
The supremely scenic and splendidly diverse National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamilnadu are waiting for you to explore! Visit them and get in tune with your wild side.
Have you ever been to any of these National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamilnadu? If yes, share with us your wonderful wildlife experience in Tamilnadu.
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