Mudumalai National Park: The Land Of Majestic Wildlife In South India’s Tamil Nadu

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Just a few months before visiting the Mudumalai National Park, I had watched The Elephant Whisperers, which was extensively shot here. The Oscar-winning Netflix documentary had offered a breathtaking glimpse of the verdant forest. Thus, we started off our road journey from Mysore with a glint in our eyes, hoping to see at least one wild animal. 

As our taxi entered the forest and drove through the lush green, dense woodlands, we pulled down the car’s windows to breathe in the fresh air and the earthy aroma of the jungle. The sight of the unkempt wilderness offered a much-needed respite from city life, rejuvenating all our senses. 

A short while later, to our pleasant surprise, we started spotting herds of majestic elephants with their babies, and chital deers grazing on the way. The untouched forest lands, with little cascading streams and rivers flowing through, offered a perfect home to these majestic creatures. That night, we slept in great anticipation of what was to come during the jungle safari, scheduled for the next morning. 

In this article, I’ll take you through the entire safari experience at Mudumalai National Park, one of the best getaways from Bangalore and Chennai. This guide also includes the prices, vehicle options, safari timings, what to expect and more. Let’s begin?

Best Parts About Mudumalai National Park

# Home to over 50 mammal species & 200+ birds species

Mudumalai National Park is estimated to be a habitat for 55 species of mammals and 227 species of birds, besides many other reptiles and amphibians. So, not surprisingly, we spotted several elephant families, peacocks, deers and many colorful birds here. 

# Borders many other national parks in the Nilgiri Biosphere

Though the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve alone is spread across 321 sq km, it shares borders with Kerala and Karnataka, thus extending to other national parks such as Bandipur, Silent Valley, Wayanad, Nagarhole and Mukurthi, altogether spanning 3300 sq km of forest area! Thus, you can imagine the vast eco paradise the region entails, offering a breathtaking setup for both nature and wildlife lovers.  

# Offers a chance to watch excited elephants being fed 

Within the national park, the Tamil Nadu forest department has set up Theppakadu Elephant Camp, where the gentle giants are fed every morning (8:30-9:00 AM) and evening (5:30-6:00 PM). Watching the older elephants nod happily for the food, while the younger ones throw tantrums, was one of the most memorable experiences in the forest. 

You can see what each elephant is fed against their name plates, which usually includes balls of rice, ragi, jaggery and coconut. Here, we also got a chance to meet the elephant Raghu and the couple Bomman-Bellie from The Elephant Whisperers. 

Entry to the camp costs INR 30 for Indian adults, INR 20 for Indian children, INR 300 for foreign adults and INR 200 for foreign children. 

Note: We do not recommend activities like elephant safaris as it is a violation of the animal’s basic rights. 

Details Of Wildlife Safari At Mudumalai National Park

Timings: The wildlife safari at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is organized in two time slots – 6:30 AM to 10 AM and 2 PM to 5 PM. We recommend the morning slots as the weather is quite pleasant during these hours. 

Booking: You can do advance booking of safari tickets online or reach the reception centers at any one of the safari gates to purchase your tickets. You will need to display your valid photo ID proof. 

Vehicle options: For the safari, you can choose between a jeep (10 cap.), gypsy (6 cap.) and mini bus (20 cap.). The rides are usually one-hour-long. 

Look out for: The forest is home to several animals like Indian elephants, gaur, tiger, leopard and deer, who you can spot during the safari, purely depending on luck. Our safari driver made sure to slow down or stop and inform us whenever he spotted any animals. Thus, we could capture great photographs on our phone. 

Entry fee: You don’t have to pay any fee to enter the national park. However, you will need to obtain a permit from the forest department at the entrance. Here are the pricing details of the safari:

For Indians 

Jeep & gypsy safari – INR 4200 + INR 130 for each person

Mini bus safari – INR 340 (for adults) & INR 173 for children

For foreigners

Jeep & gypsy safari – INR 4200 + INR 400 for each person

Mini bus safari – INR 2500 (for adults) & INR 825 for children 

TWT Tip: In case you have not done advance booking online, you might want to reach the safari reception centers well in advance as the tickets get sold out quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. 

Things To Do In Mudumalai National Park

Mudumalai National Park boasts a sprawling forest land with a rich biodiversity. Here are the top things you can do during your visit to the jungle:

• Go on a thrilling wildlife safari on a jeep or bus to spot a variety of flora and fauna. 
• Witness how elephants are fed at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp. 
• Catch a glimpse of the gushing Moyar waterfalls from the view point. 
• Relax on the banks of Moyar river. 
• Try overnight forest camping in the designated areas.
• Keep an eye out for elephants and other wildlife passing by even when you’re not on the safari ride. 
• Try wildlife photography as you can spot many animals and birds quite close to the roadways. However, remember to keep a safe distance. 
• Trek to the many hills nearby. 
• Interact with the local tribal communities for an offbeat experience. 
• Shop for wildlife souvenirs at Wildlife Gift Shop, which works towards conservation of animal habitats. We bought some great quality T-Shirts from here featuring motifs of tigers and elephants. 
• Go on a day trip to Ooty, Mysore or Wayanad.

Places To Visit Near Mudumalai National Park

Within the Mudumalai forest area itself, you can visit the Theppakadu Elephant Camp and Moyar waterfalls besides exploring the jungle on a trek or safari. However, there are several other places to visit outside the Mudumalai national park that are in close proximity. Some of them are:

1. Bandipur Tiger Reserve
2. Ooty
3. Mukurthi National Park
4. Kalhatti Falls
5. Pykara Falls
6. Moyar dam
7. Wayanad
8. Mysore
9. Kozhikode Beach

Location Of Mudumalai National Park & Best Way To Reach

Mudumalai National Park is located at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. It is a part of the state of Tamil Nadu.

The forest is just a few hours drive away from major cities and tourist places like Bangalore, Chennai, Ooty, Coimbatore and Mysore. Thus, you can reach any of these destinations and then take a taxi or bus to Mudumalai National Park.

The nearest railway stations and airport to the reserve are in Mysore, Calicut and Coimbatore, while the nearest bus stops are in Bandipur and Ooty. 

Precautions To Take At Mudumalai National Park

• It is crucial to remain silent during the safari as any kind of noise can scare away the animals and reduce your chances of animal sighting.
• Wear earthy colors and avoid bright-hued outfits as you might not want to attract unnecessary attention in the jungle.
• Do not throw any plastic or trash in the forest. You could end up paying a fine if you’re caught doing so. Store trash in your bag till you find a dustbin. 
• Entry to the core areas of the tiger reserve is restricted to private vehicles. You can only explore the inner areas on safari vehicles. 
• Listen to the safari guide’s instructions carefully as you don’t want to miss out on important guidelines. 
• Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are strictly prohibited within the forest.
• Remain inside your vehicle at all times during your safari until your safari guide tells you to get down.
• Respect the animals and do not tease or throw objects at any creature. Refrain from feeding them as well, as their diets are very different from ours. 
• Many private jeep drivers lure you into availing their safari services by charging a higher price. However, it is always advisable to opt for the official safari services for safety reasons. 

Ideal Time To Visit Mudumalai National Park

The best time to visit Mudumalai National Park is between October and May. If you wish to enjoy your jungle safari in pleasant weather, the Winter months of October to February would be your ideal time to plan a trip to Mudumalai. 

Did You Know?

If you wish to increase your chances of sighting tigers and leopards, summers are a great time to visit any tiger reserve, as these animals come out more often in search of water. 

Where Can You Stay In Mudumalai National Park?

We stayed at Wild Pastures by Nature Resorts, a beautifully-designed B&B built on a sprawling grassland in Masinagudi. It is located just a 30-minute drive away from the reserve’s official counter and offers stunning views of the Nilgiri hills from its porch, besides quicker reservations of the safari. 

However, Mudumalai National Park offers several lodges and resorts, including accommodations set up by the Tamil Nadu government. Here are some other top-rated places to stay:

• Abhayaranyam Government Guest House
• Government Forest Rest House
• Masinagudi Log House
• Theppakadu Tusker Suite
• The Nest Inn
• Mudumalai Holiday Village Resort
• The Midway Jungle Resort
• Secret Ivory Resort
• Tiger Paw Resort
• Bandipur Safari Lodge
• The Windflower Tusker Trails
• The Serai Bandipur

TWT Summary Of Mudumalai National Park

The vast green expanse of Mudumalai National Park, filled with dense verdure and river streams, in itself makes for a refreshing nature retreat, even if you don’t end up seeing any wildlife. However, the animal sightings are like an icing on the cake, making the experience all the more worthwhile. 

While we spotted several elephants, deers and peacocks during our trip in the month of December, the summer months offer a better chance of sighting leopards and tigers as well. Don’t miss visiting the Theppakadu Elephant Camp to watch how elephants are fed. While you can thoroughly enjoy the jungle safari, remember not to disturb the animals or throw any trash in the forest. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Mudumalai National Park

1. What is the size of Mudumalai National Park?

The core area of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve spans 321 sq km. However, it borders many other national parks in Karnataka and Kerala, together spread across 3300 sq km. 

2. Which animals can be spotted in Mudumalai National Park?

The reserve is home to many wild animals such as deers, elephants, tiger, leopard and gaur. However, the animal sightings are completely a matter of luck in a jungle. 

3. What safari options are available at Mudumalai National Park?

Mudumalai National Park offers jeep safari, gypsy safari and mini bus safari for tourists. We do not recommend the elephant safari as it is a violation of the gentle giant’s rights. 

4. Are there any restrictions for visitors at Mudumalai National Park?

Just like any other wildlife reserve, Mudumalai National Park also forbids visitors from smoking, consuming alcohol, littering the forest with any kind of garbage or plastic, speeding in the forest, disturbing the animals and making loud noises.

5. Are tigers present in Mudumalai National Park?

Yes, as per the 2010 census, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is home to approximately 11 tigers in every 100 sq km. However, it is easier to spot tigers in the summer season more than winters as they go around looking for water. 

 

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