10 Best Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in South India

The southern part of India is wonderful with its flora and fauna. Here, you can experience nature at its best. There are several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the major states of south India, like Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamilnadu. The picturesque land looks more beautiful for its natural treasure.

Therefore, this part of the country is a paradise for photographers and nature lovers. The subcontinent of south India houses over 1225 birds, 1600 types of reptiles, and amphibians. There are 57000 types of species of insects in this part of India. Here, in this post, we will discuss some wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in South India.

List of the Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in South India:

1. Eravikulam National Park

This national park was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered species of the wild goat. This goat species is found only in the southern part of the Himalayas. This park was established in 1978. The Eravikulam national park is enriched with forest and grasses, and it lies along with the ranges of the western coast in the Munnar Forest Division in Kerala. Read Also: 10 Best Tourist Places to See in Munnar.

This national park is situated on the border of Kerala and spreads to Tamil Nadu. In northern Tamil Nadu, this national park is the Annamalai National Park. In this national park, you can see various animals like elephant Gaur, Leopard, Tiger, Giant Squirrel, Sambar, and Lion-Tailed Macaque. Also, read Top 20 Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu.

2. Bandipur National Park

This national park of Karnataka was the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore once. Later in 1974, it was formed as the reserve under the Project Tiger. Bandipur national park is enriched with wildlife. Presently, it has become a popular tourist destination. From Mysore, this national park is situated within 80 kilometers. Read More: 5 Most Famous national park in Karnataka.

There is a ban on traffic from 9 pm to 6 am in this park due to many wildlife casualties. This particular rule ensures the safety of animals in the national park. Bandipur national park is the first Biosphere Reserve in India. This national park can witness various animals like deers, elephants, sloth bears, hornbills, panthers, pythons, etc. Read Also: Top 20 Tourist Places to Visit in Karnataka.

3. Periyar National Park

This national park is one of the most important tourist destinations in Kerala. Besides, near this national park, there are several resorts. Also, here you will get the advantage of a boat safari within the sanctuary. In the Periyar national park, Thekkady, you can see wild elephants, wild boars, bison, and various birds.

Here, you can enjoy bamboo rafting as well. If you want to experience more excitement, then make sure to go for the night trek in the wildness of Periyar. Undoubtedly you will get a unique and unforgettable experience in this Periyar national park.

4. Nagarhole National Park

This national park is located in the Mysore district of Karnataka. In the Nagarhole national park, you can see rich wildlife, flora, and fauna. This national park is not very far from the Bandipur national park. If you want to explore nature at its best, make sure to visit this national park. Also, read 10 Best Places to Visit in Mysore.

Here you can explore the best wildlife, varied topography, and forest cover. Also, here you can witness gushing streams, shallow valleys, and gentle slopes. The Nagarhole national park will be a living paradise on earth for every nature lover. Here you can see various wildlife like tigers, elephants, panthers, jackals, sambars, gaurs, mongoose, hyenas, civet cats, etc. Read Also: Top Places to See around Mysore Palace.

5. Kudremukh National Park

Kudremukh is another famous biodiversity and scenic beauty of south India. This place got its name after a mountainside that looks like a horse’s face. Kudremukh is mainly a hill range in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, and it is a popular hill station in Bangalore.

The peak of this hill seems like a paradise for nature enthusiasts and trekkers. The floral and fauna diversity will surely captivate you. This biodiversity hotspot looks gorgeous with rolling meadows, dense forests, and grasslands. Indeed, it is an enchanting place to visit for its natural beauty. Here also you can witness various animals.

6. Bannerghatta National Park

This national park is situated within a distance of 22 kilometers from Bangalore. Bannerghatta national park is mainly a sanctuary for a wide variety of flora and fauna. This massive national park is spread over a massive area of approximately 104.27 square kilometers. In 1971, this national park was established. Read Also: Famous Destinations Near Bangalore for 2 Day Trip.

Here, you can see India’s first-ever butterfly park as well. Here you can explore ten other reserve forests, a zoo, an aquarium, a children’s park, a snake park, a crocodile farm, and a prehistoric animal’s park. So, you will get the chance to witness the wondrous wildlife from very close. Also, you can enjoy the jungle safari within this national park. Also, read Most Famous Places to See in Bangalore.

7. B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

It is another fantastic place to explore in South India. This wildlife sanctuary is spread over an area of 540 square kilometers. It is situated between the Eastern and Western Ghats. B.R hills wildlife sanctuary includes forests and shoals. This sanctuary is the home to a good population of Chital and Gaur.

In 2010, this sanctuary was declared as a tiger reserve. In this sanctuary, you can notice mammals mostly. Wild elephants are the most common animals over there. Inside this sanctuary, there are around 17 tigers. Also, here you can witness gaur and bovines, sambhar, chital, leopard, barking deer, four-horned antelope cats, etc.

8. Silent Valley National Park

This national park is situated in the middle of the Kundali Hills in Kerala. Silent valley national park is an excellent tropical evergreen forest present in India. The area is enriched with rich biodiversity. The vivid landscapes of this national park have water streams, hills, tropical greenery, and undulating slopes. For its amazing beauty, this national park is considered one of Kerala’s most sought wildlife tourism destinations.

Also, this national park is famous as a tourist destination for its rare and unique herbs and plants. In this national park, you can see a significant number of reptiles, including snakes and lizards. We recommend not to visit this national park only in the monsoon due to heavy rainfall.

9. Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary

It is one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in India. Nagarjunasagar wildlife sanctuary was established in the catchment area of river Krishna. It is spread over five districts, including Prakasam, Guntur, Mahboobnagar, Kurnool, and Nalgonda. It is one of the largest tiger reserves in India. The vast landscapes of this wildlife sanctuary include cliffs, gorges, ridges, and plateaus.

Here you can witness exotic flora and fauna. In 1973, this forest was declared a wildlife sanctuary under the Project Tiger. In this wildlife sanctuary, you can see various animals like chinkara, blackbuck, sloth bear, giant flying squirrel, four-horned antelope, striped hyena, sambhar, palm civet, etc.

10. Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary

It is another one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in South India. Kabini wildlife sanctuary is famous for its versatile wildlife species. Here you can get the opportunity to witness the rare black panther. This wildlife sanctuary gives shelter to huge wildlife.

Here you can see various animals like leopards, panthers, elephants, bison, monkeys, antelope, spotted deer, sambhar, crocodiles, etc. Also, 250 species of birds are available in the Kabini wildlife sanctuary.

Conclusion

Nothing can beat the beauty of the spectacular charm of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in south India. Here, we have mentioned all the best wildlife destinations you must visit while coming to South India. Indeed, the exotic flora and fauna of these destinations will amaze you. So, get ready and explore these fantastic wildlife sanctuaries and national parks to experience nature at its best.