Kerala wild photography 

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From Munnar in the North to Kovalam in the South, Kerala offers a diverse terrain to suit the tastes and requirements of its visitors. A large number of tourists throng the state in pursuit of peace and tranquility or for a fun filled holiday with some exciting adventure activities.

The rugged mountain ranges of the Western Ghats provide for an exciting opportunity of trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing etc, while the crystal clear backwaters of Alleppey take you on transcendental journey on pretty houseboats which offer you a glimpse of the rustic countryside.

The lush green landscape of Kerala has a forest area of 11,125 sq km and houses 5 National Parks and 13 wildlife sanctuaries. From tigers to wild elephants and exotic birds, wildlife in Kerala is a major draw for tourists. Innumerable wildlife enthusiasts flock to Kerala to witness these beautiful animals frolicking in their natural habitat.

Thrillophilia has some exciting packages for Kerala wildlife tours to offer. These packages are carefully designed and packaged to ensure that you have the best of everything during your trip.

Here are the 10 most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala:

Nestled in the hills of the Western Ghats, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourism hot spots in Kerala. Spread over an area of 675 sq km, this wildlife sanctuary is a reservoir of several endemic, rare and endangered species of animals. Named after the Periyar Lake, which is located within the sanctuary, this wildlife reservoir is home to 1800 flowering plants, 171 grass species, 143 species of orchids, 35 species of mammals and 265 species of birds.

Teeming with animals such as elephants, sambar, langurs, stork etc, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is an excellent place to spot some really interesting wildlife such as the Malabar Giant Squirrel, flying squirrel etc, lion tailed Macaques etc.

You can indulge in trekking and boating at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or take an elephant ride into the jungle.

Trekking Trails – Mangaladevi Hills, Mullakudy, Thannikudy, Vellimala

The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Blessed with rich flora and fauna, the sanctuary offers excellent opportunities to experience Kerala wildlife in their natural habitat. Situated adjacent to the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is now under consideration of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to be declared as a World Heritage Site.

Apart from 39 species of mammals, 16 species of amphibians, 268 varieties of birds, 61 species of reptiles and a 124 types of butterflies, the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to four indigenous tribes that have made their colonies in the sanctuary. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, the Parambikulam Sanctuary is the best place to sight animals such as Lion Tailed Macaques, King Cobras,storks, rollers etc.

Trekking is allowed within the forest but you will need prior permissions. There are watch towers constructed within the sanctuary to help visitors in sighting wildlife.

The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is situated between two rivers Cheruthoni and Periyar. This is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala and is situated at a distance of 40 km from Thodupuzha and spread over 77 sq kilometers. Covered in a dense canopy of evergreen forests, the sanctuary is home to a wide range of wildlife. The wildlife of Idukki includes animals such as Sambhars, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tigers etc.

Trekking is possible within the forest with prior permission from the forest department. You can also enjoy boat rides in the rivers which provide a panoramic view of the surroundings.

The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary spreads over 90 sq km in the Idukki district and is distinct from other sanctuaries due to its thorny scrub forest. This sanctuary receives rain for only 48 days in the year and hence this peculiar vegetation. The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on either side of the Marayoor-Udumalpet Road and is famous for sandalwood forests and waterfalls. The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary too is under consideration for being declared as a World Heritage Site.

There are watch towers inside the sanctuary from where you can observe animals. You can also enjoy nature walks, trekking or camping inside the sanctuary.

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an extension of the Bandipur National Park and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere. Comprising of thick deciduous forests, the sanctuary is home to wide variety of animals including tigers, leopards, elephants, wild dogs, civets, bears etc. You can enjoy elephant rides within the forest. Spread over 344 sq km, this sanctuary is part of the Wayanad Plateau.

The area experiences a salubrious climate. There is a beautiful valley called Lakkidi situated within the sanctuary and experiences the highest average rainfall in Kerala. The sanctuary is also home to tribal groups consisting of the Paniyas, the Kurumas, the Adiyars, Kurichyas, Ooralis and Kattunaikkans.

Much smaller in comparison to other Wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary spreads across 9.06 sq km. It is situated near the Agasthyakoodam hill which gets its name from the Sage Agastya. Home to a large variety of wild animals including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, elephants, sambhars etc, and the sanctuary offers opportunities for lion and tiger safaris.

The sanctuary also has an Elephant Rehabilitation Centre and a Deer Rehabilitation Centre. There is a crocodile farm within the sanctuary, which was established in 1977. This farm is home to about 20 mugger crocodiles.

The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 53 sq km and is located at about 50 km from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. The forests of the sanctuary occur in the catchment area of the Peppara dam which stands across the Karamana River, is something to see in the wildlife sanctuaries in kerala. The sanctuary is known for its thick forests, eucalyptus plantations, crystal clear streams and rugged terrain.

It is home to a wide variety of species such as tigers, panthers, wild dogs, mouse deer etc and to about 13 native tribal groups that are still untouched by civilisation.

The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the northernmost part of Kerala.  In comparison to other wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala this sanctuary has a number of hill ranges that have an elevation between 50 m to 1145 m. The highest peak is of Katti Betta and its slopes are covered in lush semi-evergreen forests.

Being a part of the Western Ghats, the Aralam Wildlife sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna and has a huge variety of plants and animals. You can spot leopards, jungle cats and different kinds of squirrels in these wildlife santuaries in kerala.

The Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is a bird watcher’s paradise. Situated in the heart of Kochi, this bird sanctuary is remarkable for its mangroves and the thick population of communally breeding birds. The most commonly sighted birds at the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary are the Little Cormorant and the Black Crowned Night Heron.

The Thattekad Wildlife Sanctuary or the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala. The sanctuary is best known for its thick population of birds, which is comparable only to that of the Eastern Himalayas. It is home to as many as 500 species of exotic birds and the most commonly sighted avians in the sanctuary are the Falcon Grey, Ceylon Frogmoth, Night Heron etc.

Camping at Modern Hill District Club, W...

A Kerala trip can be a family holiday. It can be a honeymoon for those in love. It can be an adventurous experience. It can be rejuvenating and ...

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