Kerala’s 10 Worth-Visiting National Parks And Wildlife Sanctuaries

Kerala is a spectacular place to see the beauty of nature from a very close angle. And as you go deeper, you’ll get a chance to explore diverse wildlife, rare birds, and animals living here. The wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Kerala will make you believe that it’s truly God’s own country.

However, the numbers of these natural habitats are not higher than in other states of India. There are only 6 parks and 18 reserved areas for wildlife protection, but all are worth visiting. Several unusual animals like Bonnet Macaque, Great Grizzled Squirrel, and rarely seen birds such as Egret, Siberian Stork, etc reside here.

List Of Wildlife Sanctuaries In Kerala One Must Visit

1. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kottayam

Start with this beautiful home of birds which comes from Himalayas, Siberia, and other locations. The place is spread in 14 hectares and situated near Kerala’s largest freshwater lake- Vembanad. It is thus, also called as Vembanad Lake Bird Sanctuary.

What to see– Siberian Stork, waterfowl, egrets, white lbis, etc
Visiting hours and entry fee- morning 6 am to evening 6 pm | Rs 100 per head
When to go– June and August as it when you can see some of the rarest bird species such as herons, Indian darter

2. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Ernakulam

Kerala got its first bird sanctuary in a small area of Ernakulam district, Kothamangalam Taluk. The place is suitable for several species for bird due to its peaceful environment and rich forestry.

This is why the place is crowded with 500 species of birds which are visible throughout the year. At the northern side of Thattekad, there is a very famous and important river of Kerala, Periyer. It is longest in the state.

What to see– Sunbird, Hornbill, Jungle Fowl, Night Heron
When to go– May and July
Visiting hours and entry fee– Morning 7 am to evening 5 pm | Rs 40 per head

Also Read: 5 Best Hill Stations In South India To Visit For A Soul-Satisfying Vacation

3. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Ever imagine you could see animals at the top of hills, come to Aralam and you will get the answer. The area protects different species of animals such as Hanuman Langur, bison, jungle cats, sambar deer, etc.

These animals found the environment here comfortable because of the tropical trees and semi-evergreen forests here. You’ll also find Aralam suitable as you can do trekking, camping, hiking, and more.

What to see– Orange–headed thrush, Oriental darter, Yellow-browed bulbuls, Green pigeon
Visiting hours and entry fee- 7:30 am to 3 pm | Rs 115 per person
When to go- September to May

4. Paramikulmam Wildlife Sanctuary

Parambikulam is preserved by the local tribes of the Palakkad district and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spreads across 285 square Kms and has more than 30 species of mammals, 60+ reptiles, and 16 types of amphibians.

Visitors will also get to see wide variety of colorful and unseen birds in Parambikulam along with 124 species of butterflies. Apart from the rich wildlife, the place also has challenging hills and routes for trekkers. Jungle safari is the second best thing to do here.

What to see– King cobras, Royal Bengal tiger, panther wild dog, barking deer, gaur
When to go- November to April
Visiting hours and entry fee– 7 am to 6 pm | Rs 25 per person

5. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar is famous for the wild tigers and massive amount of elephants living in their natural habitat here. It is also a home to langurs and macaque. But more than these animals, visitors come here to enjoy the adventurous activities offered here.

Jeep Safari, guided nature walks, trekking, boat safari, bamboo rafting, jungle camping, and elephant rides are popular among tourists. If this isn’t enough for you, go for a spice plantation visit at Kumily.

What to see– Sambar deer, lion-tailed macaques, Indian bison.
When to go– October to June
Visiting hours and entry fee– 6 am to 7 pm |Rs 500 per person inclusive of boat ride

[Note- You have to pay extra for trekking, safari, and other activities at these parks] 

5 National Parks In Kerala To Explore On Your Trip

1. Silent Valley National Park

Just as its name, this national park of Kerala is quiet and a peaceful place to see the magic of nature as it’s situated at the backdrop of Nilgiri Hills. It has astounding species of flowers, animals and birds. The place is magical for another reason as it has a connection from Mahabharata.

According to legend, Panchali (Draupadi) hid here along with pandavas, thus Silent Valley is also known as Sairandhrivanam.

Where- Mannarkkad, Palakkad district
When to go– October to February
Visiting hours and charges– Morning 6:45 am to 2:45 am |Rs 50/person

2. Eravikulam National Park

It’s famous among tourists for the natural blossoms of Neelakurinji flowers which appear in every 12 years. Besides this, the park is also known for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr which is Tamil Nadu’s state animal.

Where- Munnar, Idukki district
When to go– November to April
Visiting hours and charges– 7 am to 6 pm | Rs 200

Also Read: Top Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Kerala: The God’s Own Country

3. Anamudi Shola

After visiting Eravikulam, you can begin a trip to another national park in Idukki. But this one is a bit different, as it is famous for the types of trees and herbs that grow inside the forest.

Where- Idukki
When- November to April
Visiting hours and charges- 7:30 am to 4 pm |Rs 20/person

4. Muthanga

It is the second biggest park in Kerala and is a protected area for elephants. Tigers, deers, panthers and other big animals are also seen here. Muthanga is covered with semi-evergreen trees and fall under the category of deciduous and dry deciduous forest. It is also known as Wayanad wildlife sanctuary.

Where- Wayanad
When- June to October
Visiting hours and fees- 7 to 10 am, 3 to 5 pm | Rs10/ person

5. Pampadum Shola

Last on our list of national parks in Kerala is Pampadum Shola which is small in size than others. But it is very beautiful, dense, and rich in medicinal herbs. The endangered Nilgiri marten, Indian wild dogs, and other notable animals and birds are found here. It is also called as a forest where the snake dances because of its name.

Where- Idukki
When- April to September
Visiting hours and fees– 6 am to 10 pm| Rs 65/person

A day at any of these parks will give you a treasure for life. That is why tourists from every corner of India as well as globe come at these fascinating national parks of Kerala. So, come and spend some time with nature and their best friends.