Tamil Nadu Tourism - Mudumalai

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is an extension of Bandipur National Park. The river Moyar flows and the park is ideal for bird watching, the national park falls on the boarder of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The extremely diverse terrain of the park consisting mainly of small hillocks, gorges, water bodies and swamps with sparse vegetation of tropical deciduous and scrub forests provide ideal habitat for the wild denizens. The place is the nest of colorful razz and in the winters the whole atmosphere fills with the vibrancy and life.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Mudumalai

* Jungle Safari
The Jungle Safari is a place that allows people to come and experience exotic animals living in their natural habitat. Both vehicle safaris and elephant safaris are available through the Forest Department. One Jeep is used and is operated on a first come first served basis. The jeep can only accommodate six people at a time. Van safaris are available as well. The van holds 25 people at one time. The elephant safaris allow you to travel into areas that regular vehicles are not capable of. Four people ride on an elephant at one time. There are safari trips available both in the morning and in the evening.

* Mudumalai National Park
The Mudumalai National Park was established on 60 square kilometers back in 1940. At that time it was the first wildlife sanctuary established in southern India. Today, the park has expanded to include 321 square kilometers. Primates such as the gray langur and the bonnet macaque are both living in the park. You can also expect to see such animals as tigers, leopards, striped hyenas, dholes, sloth bears, Asian elephants, and Golden Jackals. Many birds can also been seen in the park. The crested hawk-eagle, the crested serpent eagle, the Malabar Trojan, and the Malabar grey hornbill all call this area home. You may also see a striped tit-babbler.

The vegetation at Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary consists mainly of moist deciduous forests with trees like bamboo, terminalia, grewia, aredesia, abumusum and solanancea, found in abundance. The tropical climate and varied terrain has resulted in the increase in population of animals such as gaur, langur, leopards, chital, sloth bear, barking deer, wild dog and other numerous species of rare and endangered animals. The park can be visited any time of the year, the best time to visit are the months from February to June when the water dries up and the animals come out in search of food and water near whatever water bodies remain in the area. This is probably the best time when you have a chance of spotting some rare animals.

* Theppakadu Elephant Camp
The Theppakadu Elephant Camp was officially established in 1972 although a similar predecessor existed nearby since 1910. This camp allows people to interact with elephants in a controlled environment. The camp is used to train as well as house elephants. Today there are 23 elephants that reside in the camp. Every day two of the elephants perform pooja to Lord Vinayaka inside the camp. The elephants are used to provide joy rides for a fee early in the morning and then again in the evening. Tourists are also welcome to come and see the elephants fed during their evening feeding time.