Area : Mudumalai 32,155 hectares.
Established : Mudumalai, 1940 as a sanctuary.Mudumalai wildlife reserve is a continuation of the Bandipur National Park. The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore – Ooty highway runs through the park. The 321 sq. km. reserve is situated in Tamil Nadu Mudumalali wildlife reserve was the first sanctuary in south India. The terrain is extremely varied with hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses and swamps. The vegetation comprises of tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrub forests. Compared to the nearby reserves, the climate is warmer in Mudumalai.
The best time to visit the reserve is from February to June. The sanctuary can be reached by road. The nearest railway station is Udakamandalam. The nearest airport is Coimbatore. Accommodation can be arranged at forest rest house, guesthouses at Masinagudi, Kargudi, Abhayaranyam and Theppakkadu.
The fauna include Elephants, Gaur, Banner, Macaque, Common Langur, Tigers, Leopards, Chital, Panther, Sloth Bear, Python, Barking Deer, Four Horned Antelope, Otter, Crocodiles (Mugger), Giant Flying Squirrel, Sambar, Hyena, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Hare, Porcupine and Mongoose.
The birds listed in this sanctuary are Peacock-our National bird, Grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl, Grey Partridge Quails, Goggle Eyed Plower, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Large Racket-Tailed Dronge, The Magpie-robin, Spotted Babbler, Small Green Barbet, Green Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Bulbuls, Mynahs, etc. Among birds of prey, Eagles, Hawks, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons and King Vulture are predominant, besides some migratory water birds.
| SEASONS |
| June To September: The climate is invigorating, the forest lush, tender and green. Game spotting is at its peak. As we are located in a rain shadow area, we do not receive torrential rainfall. Our monsoon is characterized, rather, by short spurts of rain, strong wind and temperatures between 16 degree celcius to 28 degree celcius. |
| Attire: A good pair of walking shoes is a necessity. Jeans or tough trousers and a windcheater will save your hide should you should choose to walk through bush. If you prefer short walks or plan on lazing it, though, shorts and a T shirt should suffice. Oh – and don’t forget your umbrella! |
October To November: In this season, you should see plenty of wild life, as the undergrowth thickens for the winter. The temperatures range from 13o C to 21o C.The mornings are misty, with the clouds sitting on the mountain ranges. The North-East Monsoon sets in and is through by the end of November. |
| Attire: A sweater may be required. You will definitely need an umbrella or a raincoat, and a tough pair of shoes to help you over wet ground and rocks . A couple of pairs of socks would be a good idea – and a second pair of shoes in case you decide to walk into a puddle. |
December To January: Our winter boasts clear blue skies, cool, starry nights and sunny days. Temperatures drop significantly. Mornings are generally misty.Attire: The air is a bit nippy, and a sweater would be a good thing to have with you. We do offer the more exciting option of a bonfire on clear nights, though. |
February To April: The advent of summer is characterized by dry warmth. The deciduous forest is bare. Game is usually spotted around water holes. There are often small forest fires, which burn some of the undergrowth by day, only to be extinguished by dew at night.Attire: Light clothing, sun glasses, hats and sunscreen would be appropriate. Again, don’t forget those walking shoes and trousers! |
May: May weather is uniformly unpredictable – Pre-monsoon showers, warm days that draw in clouds, thunder bolts, short blasts of rain – and the jungle comes alive . The vegetation revives and sprouts fresh shoots . The birds sing louder. All in all the flora and fauna come alive.Attire: Light clothing (think Baywatch) with sunscreen lotion (think sunburn). |
