Mudumalai National Park

Mudumalai National Park has one of the most diverse ecological systems in the nation. More than 500 animal species, including birds, reptiles, and even more bug species, are housed in Mudumalai. With a population of roughly 103 tigers, the national park is well known for having a large tiger population. Anyone who likes nature will find the location magnificent and appealing. Elephants graze freely in the wild, and several species of deer are likely to be seen as you ride through the woodlands. You can also spot numerous endangered birds and animals as you venture deeper into the jungle. When you get home, you’ll have many unique images, beautiful memories, and a deep sense of accomplishment.

Quick Fact
The Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, gaur, and Indian leopard are endangered and vulnerable animals that call the protected region home. The sanctuary is also home to at least 266 bird species, including the highly endangered Indian white-rumped and long-billed vultures.

History of Mudumalai National Park
The name “Mudumalai Forest” was already used when the British Government rented the forest from the Raja of Neelambur for logging purposes in 1857. On the Sigur Plateau, substantial forest sections were designated reserve forests 1914 for systematic logging. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary was created in 1940 and spanned roughly 60 square kilometers (23 square miles). 1977, the sanctuary was expanded, and in 1986, it was added to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It was recognized as a “critical tiger habitat” in December 2007 and as a “tiger reserve” under Project Tiger in April 2007. In reserve, 28 hamlets were inhabited in 1947, and 1,060 cattle were kept there. Resettling them was recommended in 2010. Activists and environmentalists, however, attacked this notification as undemocratic and opaque. In the framework of Project Tiger, the National Tiger Conservation Authority authorized the money flow to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in 2010. In addition, the governments of India and Tamil Nadu provided funds for Project Tiger in 2020, extending it until 2021.

Flora and Fauna of Mudumalai National Park
The park is home to various plants, animals, and bird species. One can spot 50 to 80% of these during the peak season of the Mudumalai forest. Some famous flora of Mudumalai National Park are Bamboo, Natural Teak, Aredesia, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Jacaranda, Mango, Jamun, and Tamarind. Mudumalai National Park is home to 55 species of mammals and over 80 Bengal tigers. The mammals spotted here include Deer, Gaur, Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, Striped hyena, Golden jackal, Bonnet macaque, Leopard cat, and Jungle cat. You will have a fantastic wilderness experience and enrich your wildlife holiday.

Places to Visit Near Mudumalai National Park
Many places near Mudumalai are worth your time and effort. In addition, these locations are great for weekend vacations and leisure pursuits.

Needle Rock Viewpoint: This breathtaking viewpoint provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountain peaks, fluffy clouds in the distance, and the lush dales at your feet.

Nambalakottai Temple: The 1,700-year-old temple, a shrine to the tribal god Betarayasvami, is a revered destination for the Todas and Mandarin Chettis.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta: With a height of 1,450 m, Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta is the tallest peak in Bandipur National Park.

Kotagiri: It’s the oldest hill station in the Nilgiris and is less crowded than Ooty and Coonoor. Kotagiri offers beautiful landscapes, trekking trails, and stunning viewpoints.

Wayanad: Just across the border in Kerala, Wayanad is known for its lush greenery, spice plantations, wildlife sanctuaries, and trekking trails to Chembra Peak and Edakkal Caves.

Gudalur: A small town en route to Ooty, Gudalur is known for its serene atmosphere, tea estates, and proximity to Mudumalai National Park.

Kalhatti Falls: Situated near Ooty, these picturesque waterfalls are famous for nature lovers and offer a refreshing break amidst lush greenery.

Safari in Mudumalai National Park

Elephant Safari
Elephant Safari is among the best choices for discovering the park’s rich natural flora and fauna collection. You’ll have a fantastic time going on an elephant safari. On your tour, you can see unique wild animals strolling around in their natural surroundings. The howdah, a comfy seat, is kept on the back of elephants so that tourists can conveniently sit on it and enjoy their safari. While riding on an elephant, you can walk through the dense jungle where vehicles can’t be reached. Moreover, with a better outlook on the jungle and its landscape, this ride is an excellent choice.

Elephant Safari timings
Summer Timings

  • Morning: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  • Evening: 04:00 p.m. – 05:00 p.m.

Jeep Safari
Jeep Safari lets you go on an unforgettable journey where you make your way through the terrains of the dense in this national park. Riding in a jeep is a chance to spot the wild animals closely and get a better outlook on wildlife. They also offer you the best chances of spotting a herd of elephants or other fantastic beasts. While riding in a jeep, wildlife photographers enjoy photography and admire the landscape of this jungle.

Jeep Safari Timings

  • Morning: 07:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
  • Evening: 03:00 p.m. – 06:00 p.m.

Night Safari
The night jungle safari takes you through the park’s dark forest to see the nocturnal animals that lurk there—a night with a full moon, an impenetrable forest, and hundreds of crawling things around you. The park is one of the top wildlife attractions in the nation due to its unique biodiversity. Discover the wildlife of Mudumalai National Park while taking in the beautiful atmosphere after the sun goes down.

Night Safari Timing
You must contact the forest department for complete information about this safari timing.

Canter Safari
Canter is the most affordable way to see Mudumalai National Park wild animals in their natural habitat. This shared safari, or “canter,” is a large open-air jeep with two guides inside. See the wildlife up close on a Canter safari to enthrall your spirit with the natural surroundings. Switching to the buffer zone gate rather than the core gate would be best. On this all-inclusive safari, 22 people can be accommodated at once. This minivan will take you to the deep forest and add more value to your Mudumalai trip. The canter’s height is designed to make your viewing experience mind-blowing and longer.

Canter Safari timings

  • Morning: 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Evening: 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Mudumalai National Park Range and Gates
Mudumalai National Park, located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, is divided into five major forest ranges, each offering diverse flora and fauna. The park has multiple entry points or gates that provide access to these different zones.

Zones of Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai Zone: It is the national park’s leading and most visited range. The Theppakadu entrance is used to access this range. It’s known for its abundant wildlife and the Elephant Camp.

Moyar Zone: Accessible through the Theppakadu entrance, this range is known for its Moyar River, and it offers sightings of elephants, gaur, and various bird species.

Kargudi Zone: Located in the eastern part of Mudumalai, the Kargudi range is accessible from the Theppakadu entrance. It’s known for its diverse habitats and rich biodiversity.

MasinagudiZone: This range is accessible through the Masinagudi entrance and is famous for its proximity to the jungle and wildlife sightings. It is known for safaris and wildlife exploration.

Nellakotta Zone: This range is accessible through the Nellakota entrance and is less explored than other zones. It’s known for its quiet and serene environment.

Mudumalai National Park Gates

Theppakadu Gate is the main entry point for the Mudumalai, Moyar, and Kargudi ranges.

Masinagudi Gate: Provides access to the Masinagudi range and surrounding areas.

Nellakotta Gate: Offers entry to the Nellakota range.

Resorts in & around Mudumalai National Park
One of Tamil Nadu’s top destinations for wildlife tourism is Mudumalai.`To get the best of what this wildlife offers, it is advised to choose the jungle resorts in and around Mudumalai. Some of the best hotels in Mudumalai National Park are:

  • The Windflower Jungle Resort & Spa, Bandipur
  • Singaras Coffee Country 
  • Avadale Masinagudi 
  • Dhole’s Den Bandipur
  • The Serai Bandipur

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    BEST TIME TO VISIT MUDUMALAI NATIONAL PARK

    SUMMER SEASON

    (April to June)

    The weather in Mudumalai during this season of the year is a bit hot, with temperatures ranging between 20 to 37°C. However, this is the best time to spot animals and birds. Early mornings are ideal for a safari ride and exploring the wilderness. The summer is also a great time for wildlife photographers and even bird watchers. Hence, despite the heat, you can take a trip to Mudumalai during this time of the year.

    MONSOON SEASON

    (July to September)

    Despite the lovely weather at this time of year, it is not a good time to visit Mudumalai. Safari rides are not available because the majority of the animals are in their shelters and the area is swampy. The mesmerizing beauty of the highlands during the monsoons, however, may be enjoyed indoors if you don’t have any intentions of going on a safari.

    WINTER SEASON

    (October to March)

    The ideal time of year to visit Mudumalai is during the winter. The area’s rich vegetation appears fascinating as its attractiveness multiplies tenfold. This is the peak season when you can witness and experience the beauty of nature. You might be able to capture animals if you’re fortunate enough to see them. For photographers and wildlife lovers, this is a fantastic time to visit.

    HOW TO REACH MUDUMALAI NATIONAL PARK

     
    By Flight
    By Train
    By Road
    The Coimbatore International Airport at Peelamedu is the closest. Domestic flights from Chennai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Mumbai, as well as international flights to Singapore, Colombo, and Sharjah, are all serviced by the city. From the airport, you can take a taxi to Mudumalai National Park. After reaching the Coimbatore international airport, tourists can take a private car from us and reach the Mudumalai National Park conveniently and easily. 
    The national park is located about 90 km from Mysore, which has the closest railway station to  Mudumalai. Several major cities in the country have good train connections to Mysore. You could reserve a rail ticket to Mysore and travel from Mysore to Mudumalai by bus or taxi. The following choice is to take a train to Coimbatore, around 120 km from Mudumalai. A train service connects Coimbatore to the nation’s major cities as well. From Coimbatore to Mudumalai, you could take a taxi.
    The closest town to Mudumalai is Gudalur, around 16 km away. Gundlupet, which is a larger town, is about 32 km away. From Ooty, Coimbatore, Gudalur, Mysore, and Bengaluru, a number of government and private buses travel to Thepakadu, the primary bus station for Mudumalai. You could take a taxi or a vehicle from Thepakadu to the park. You could alternatively travel to Mudumalai by car from Mysore through Gundlupet or from Ooty via the Kalhatti (Segur Ghat), both of which take you through picturesque scenery with some of what are reputed to be South India’s challenging climbs.

    TIPS FOR MUDUMALAI NATIONAL PARK

    • It would be really fantastic to travel through the forests of Masinagudi and Bandipur if you enjoy midnight wildlife safaris. You need to get the right clearance from the authorities before embarking on a forest excursion. For a nighttime safari, hiring experienced drivers is always strongly advised.
    • To protect yourself from the dangerous nature critters, you should refrain from causing any disturbances inside the national park with your party.
    • Enjoy a jungle safari, a road safari, or an elephant safari whenever you visit a wonderful location.
    • To obtain a sense of the rural setting, you should also think about visiting some of the neighboring waterfalls and villages.

    FAQs

    Why is Mudumalai National Park famous?

    In India, one of the renowned tiger reserves is Mudumalai National Park. The Coimbatore area of Tamil Nadu state’s Coimbatore city is where the Wildlife Sanctuary is situated. The Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, gaur, and Indian leopard are just a few endangered and vulnerable animals that call the protected region home.

    In which state Mudumalai National Park is located?

    The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

    Is Mudumalai National Park worth visiting?

    The largest tiger population in India can be found in Mudumalai National Park, which, together with Bandipur National Park and Nagarahole National Park, makes up a vast forest area. In addition to tigers, there are lots of elephants in this area. So be sure to have your cameras ready if you want to visit.

    Which animal is famous in Mudumalai?

    The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve’s Mudumalai National Park and the nearby Sigur Reserve Forest create a significant wildlife corridor that offers the highest level of landscape connectivity for the area’s population of Asian elephants.