Kerala in South India, also called God's Own Country, is home to many rare and special forms of animal, bird and marine life. The wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala provide refuge to different forms of wildlife in Kerala and provide tourists with an opportunity to see these rare creatures in their natural surroundings.

Some of the unique wild animals that tourists can see on tours of Kerala, with Kerala Backwater are elephants, Nilgiri Tahr, tigers, leopards, lion-tailed macaque, deer, monkeys, civet cats, squirrels including the Malabar giant squirrel. You can see different varieties of birds including woodpeckers, Malabar hornbills, kingfishers, cormorants, darters, plovers, and brahminy kites along the backwaters of Kerala. You're also likely to see many species of butterflies and moths, flutter by as you float along a Kerala Backwater. On the shoreline you can see many species of crabs, mudskippers, turtles and deeper in the water you can see fish and even crocodiles.

Enjoy seeing exotic wildlife in Kerala as you relax on a houseboat on Kerala Backwater Tours.

Access :
Nearest Airport - Coimbatore and Cochin.
Nearest Railway Station - Pollachi (60 Km) And Aluva (200 Kms).

Area :
Total - 90.422 Sq.Km.

Climate :
Rainfall - 100 Mm. Unlike Other Regions In Kerala, Chinnar Gets Only 48 Days Of Rain ( Northeast Monsoon : October - November) Annually.

Located in the rain shadow region of the western ghats, the sanctary occupies the forested region on either side of the Marayoor - Udumalped road. This is the second habitat of the endangered giant grizzled squirrel of india. The location of sanctuary offers the unique advantage of watching its fascinating wildlife at close quarters from the road without venturing deep into the jungle. The Marayoor sandal forest and the beautiful Thoovanam waterfalls are located here.

Vegetation :
Forest Types - Thorny Scrub Forest With Xerophytic Species. Dry Deciduous Forests, High Sholas And Wetlands.

Wildlife Population :
Mammals - Elephant, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Panther, Sambar, The Endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Rabbit Etc.

Access :
Nearest Airport - Cochin (155 Kms)
Nearest Railway Station - Aluva (114 Kms) From Munnar.

Area :
Total - 97 Sq.Km. Core: 350 Sq.Km. Periyar Lake 26 Sq. Km, Forest Cover : 360 Sq.K.M.

Climate :
This is one of the wettest regions of the world. Rainfall : 4500 mm. Frost is common in the winter months - december to february. 15 Km North Of Munnar. Established In 1975 To Protect The Nilgiri Tahr, The Eravikulam Sanctuary Was Declared A National Park In 1978 Considering Its Ecological, Faunal, Floral, Geomorphological And Zoological Significance. The Park Is Breathtakingly Beautiful And Comparable To The Alpine Ranges. This Land Of The Neelakurinji Is 7 Km From The Rajamalai Hills.

Vegetation :
Forest Types - Rolling Grasslands and on a Higher Level, Shola Forest.

Wildlife Population :
Mammals - Tigers , Panther, Wild Dog, Civet Cats, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Wild Boar, Nilgiri Tahr etc.

Access :
Nearest Airport - Madurai (143 Kms)
Nearest Railway Station - Kumarakom (114 Kms).
Nearest Town - Kumily (4km), the entry point to the Reserve is Thekkady, Which is Accessible by Good Roads from Madurai, Cochin & Thiruvananthapuram.

Area :
Total - 77 Sq.Km.

Climate :
Monsoon : June - November
Rainfall : 2200 Mm. 40 kms from Thodupuzha town. Spread over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district, the sanctuary was formed in 1976. The Idukki arch dam, the first major hydroelectric project in Kerala, is situated here. The 33 sq.km scenic lake around the santruary - the Idukki reservoir - is formed by the three dams Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu.

Vegetation :
Tropical Dense Evergreen Forest : White Pine, Kuntherekka Pine, Punnappa, Bhadraksham, Palai, Vediplavu, Maravuri, Vayana Etc.

Wildlife Population :
Reptiles - Elephant, Deer , Bear, Leopard Tiger, Wild Pig Etc.
Mammals - Cobra, Viper, Python, Rat Snake, Etc.
Reptiles - Hornbill, Kingfisher, Woodpecker.

Located on the banks of the vembanad lake, the kumarakom bird sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Other common varieties like the woodpecker, skylark, crane, water hen and parrots can also be spotted here. A cruise along the vembabad lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. Pathiramanal, an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed by boat from here.

Best Time :
Between June And August. (Migratory Birds : November - February)

Pathiramanal :
This 10 acre island on the backwaters is home to may rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world.

Access :
Nearest Airport - Madurai (143 Kms)
Nearest Railhead - Kumarakom, (114 Kms).
Nearest Town - Kumily (4km), The entry point to the reserve is Thekkady, which is accessible by good roads from Madurai, Cochin & Thiruvananthapuram.

Area :
Total - 777 Sq.Km. Core: 350 Sq.Km. Periyar Lake 26 Sq. Km, Forest Cover : 360 Sq.K.M. This is one of the most prestigious regions on the high ranges of the western ghats. One of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, the Periyar reserve is noted for its geomorphology, diverse wildlife and beautiful landscape. The drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through Tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles. The sanctuary, declared a tiger reserve in 1978 under the project tiger scheme, attracts travellers from all over the world. This is the only sanctuary in India where the wild elephant can be observed and photographed at close quarters. There are two watch towers in the Periyar forest.

The Periyar lake formed by the construction of the dam across the Uullaperiyar river in 1895, the lake harbours within itself a unique aquatic eco system. The numerous little islets in the lake are witness to the intricate inherent interrelationship among the terrestrial aquatic and subterranean life forms. A boat cruise on the lake is perhaps the best way to watch the wildlife in the reserve.

Best time to visit :
October - May entry to the reserve 0600 - 1800 hrs

Vegetation :
Over 1800 flowering plants including 171 grass species and 143 species of orchids. The only south indian conifer podocarpus wallichianus grows here.

Wildlife Population :
Mammals - 35 Species Including The Wild Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Wild Dog, Gaur, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Civet, Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur Etc.

Reptiles - King cobra, Viper, Krait, a number of non poisonous Snakes, Bicoloured Frogs, Tortoise and Crocodiles.

Avifauna - 265 Species including Migrants. The great Indian Hornbill, Peafowl, Brahminy kite and black - Winged Kite. Aquatic birds Like Darter, Little Cormorant, Kingfisher, Black - Necked stork Etc.

Access :
Nearest Airport - Cochin (71 Km)
Nearest Railway Station - Aluva (48 Km).

Area :
Total - 25.16 Sq.Km.
The Thattekkad bird sanctuary, constituted in 1983, occupies the catchment area of the Bhoothathankettu dam. The only one of its kind in Kerala, this sanctuary was designed by Dr. Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist. He is reported to have identified 167 bird species and his student - dr. Sugathan, 207. In addition, the bombay natural history society has identified 253 species here. The Thattekkad bird sanctuary attract nature lovers from all over the world.

Vegetation :
Tropical Evergreen Forest - Vellapine, Karanjili, Palai, Kunthirikam, Bhadraksham, Kanala, Kurangatti etc.

Wildlife Population :
Mammals - Leopard, Bear, Porcupine Etc. The Elephant Is An Occasional Visitor.

Birds - Indian Roller, Cukoo, Common Snipe, Crow Pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Woodpecker, Large Pied Wagtail, Baya Sparrow, Grey Jungle Fowl, Indian Hill Myna, Robin, Jungle Babbler And Darter.

Reptiles - Python, Cobra etc.

Access :
Good Roads And Rails Connect The Sanctuary with Kozhikode (Calicut), Mysore and Ooty - all Within a 110 Km Radius.The nearest airport is Kozhikode (Calicut).

Area :
Total - 77 Sq.Km.

Climate :
Warm Months - March - May, Moonsoon : June - August. Rainfall : 2000 mm. Established in 1973, the Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarahole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu. Rich in biodiversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve, which was established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region.

Vegetation :
Moist Deciduous Forest - Teak, Maruthi, Karimaruthi, Rosewood, Venteak, Vengal, Chadachi, Mazhukanjiram, Bamboo etc.

Wildlife Population :
Mammals - Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Jungle Cat, Monkey, Wild Dog, Bison, Deer, Bear Etc. The Elephant Occupies Prime Position Interstate Seasonal Migration Of Elephants Is Common. The Tiger Population In The Sanctuary Is Fairly Good.

Birds - Peacock, Babbler, Cuckoo, Owl, Woodpecker, Jungle Fowl Etc.

Reptiles - Monitor Lizard And A Variety Of Snakes.