Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamilnadu. It is bordered by Bandipura Tiger Reserve to the north and Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary to the west and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. At an elevation of 1000m today this sanctuary is spread across 321 square kilometres with 108 sq.km of it being a National Park area.
Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary was the first sanctuary in India. The Tamilnadu state government declared Mudumalai as a Tiger Reserve under section 38V of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The Mysore - Ooty highway that runs north to south splits the Park. The river Moyar that flows along the border of Karnataka and Tamilnadu separates this park from Bandipur national park.
Flora
It has extremely diverse terrain which consists of low hills, valleys, open grassland, water bodies and swamps. This sanctuary has varied vegetation. It has tropical moist-deciduous vegetation towards the western parts of the sanctuary while tropical dry-deciduous occurs in the middle and thorn-scrub along the east. The flora here consists of teak trees, tall grasses called ‘Elephant grass’, Bamboo, Rosewood, Mathi, Vengai, Ventea bamboo, terminalia, grewia, aredesia, abumusum, shrubs like Indian laburnum, Flame of the forest and Coral trees and blooming trees like Indian Labumusum, Aredesia, Solanancea etc.
Fauna
Mudumalai is best known for its Elephant herds. It also is home to Gaur, Chital, Sambar, Wild Boar, Bonnet Macaques, Langur, bonnet macaque, tiger, leopard, wild dog, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, spotted deer, Indian muntjac, mouse deer, flying squirrel etc.
Many bird species are also found in this sanctuary which includes Peacock, Grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl, Grey Partridge Quails, Goggle Eyed Plower, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Large Racket-Tailed Dronge, the Magpie-robin, Spotted Babbler, Small Green Barbet, Green Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Bulbuls, Mynahs, Eagles, Hawks, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons, King Vulture etc.
The main attraction here is the elephant and jeep safaris offered by the forest department. Mini bus safaris are another major tourist attraction. An Elephant camp located inside the sanctuary also attracts many tourists. Theppakadu elephant camp is located just nearer to Theppakadu Reception Centre.
Best time to visit the reserve is from October to May. During the time between February and May the water dries up and the animals come out in search of food and water near the water bodies and so there is good chance of spotting the big cats near the water bodies.
How to Reach Madumalai Wildlife Reserve
Madumalai is well connected by extensive network of roads with other places in the region. The nearest railway station is Ooty which is at a distance of 64 km. The nearest airport is Coimbatore which is 160km away.
Accommodation
Tourists can avail the accommodation facilities provided by the Tamilnadu Forest Department in Forest Rest Houses in Abhayaranayam, Kargudi, Masinagudi and Teppakadu. Apart from this there are many private lodges located outside the sanctuary that cater to different budgets. Being a wildlife sanctuary this place also has many resorts and home stays nearby.