12 Best Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala

Kerala, often called God’s own country, is home to a remarkable collection of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that offer visitors a perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and wildlife experiences. With 14 wildlife sanctuaries, 6 national parks, and 2 tiger reserves, Kerala provides an exceptional opportunity to witness rare flora and fauna in their natural habitat.

Top Wildlife Sanctuaries In Kerala To Visit!

So, wake up your wild side and plan a wildlife tour in Kerala. And if you are a nature enthusiast, you will surely have the wildest experience in Kerala. Here are the best wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala for you to answer your call of the wild!

Periyar National Park
Silent Valley National Park
Eravikulam National Park
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

1. Periyar National Park

Located in the Western Ghats’ Pandalam and Cardamom Hills, this 777 sq km sanctuary is one of South India’s premier wildlife destinations.

Key Attractions:

Bengal tigers and various reptile, bird, and butterfly species
Wildlife adventures including rafting and jungle safari
Boat safaris on Periyar Lake

Practical Information:

Location: Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts
Timings: 6 AM-7 PM daily
Entry Fee: Indians – ₹45; Foreigners – ₹500
Best Time to Visit: December-February
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Cochin (158 km); Nearest railway station – Kottayam (101 km)

[ Get best Offers on Periyar Tour Packages here. ]

2. Silent Valley National Park

Established in 1984, this tranquil sanctuary nestled in the Nilgiri hills is home to the endangered lion-tailed macaque.

Key Attractions:

Rich biodiversity with tigers, leopards, and elephants
Over 110 species of orchids
Pristine evergreen forests

Practical Information:

Location: Mannarkkad, Palakkad
Timings: 8 AM-1 PM (Closed Fridays)
Entry Fee: ₹50 per person; Jeep safari – ₹1600
Best Time to Visit: September-April
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Peelamedu (73 km); Nearest railway station – Olavakkode, Palakkad (52 km)

3. Eravikulam National Park

Home to South India’s highest peak (Anamudi) and the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.

Key Attractions:

Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once every 12 years
Rare terrestrial and epiphytic orchids
Nilgiri Langur, leopards, and Indian Bison

Practical Information:

Location: Munnar
Timings: 7 AM-4 PM daily (Closed February-March during Nilgiri Tahr calving)
Entry Fee: Indians – ₹125; Foreigners – ₹420
Best Time to Visit: September-November, April-June
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Cochin (135 km); Nearest railway station – Aluva (115 km)

4. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1982, this sanctuary surrounds the Idukki reservoir and offers diverse wildlife viewing opportunities.

Key Attractions:

Elephants, bison, sambar deer, and tigers
Various venomous and non-venomous snake species
Birds like Grey Jungle Fowl and Malabar Grey Hornbill

Practical Information:

Location: Vellappara, Painavu
Timings: 9 AM-6 PM daily
Entry Fee: Indians – ₹10; Foreigners – ₹150
Best Time to Visit: December-April
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Cochin (190 km); Nearest railway station – Kottayam (114 km)

5. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Known for promoting ecotourism and offering excellent natural trekking trails.

Key Attractions:

Tropical and semi-evergreen forests
Rare butterfly species
Elephants, gaur, sambar, and Malabar Giant Squirrel

Practical Information:

Location: Kannur
Timings: 8 AM-4 PM daily
Entry Fee: ₹15 per person
Best Time to Visit: September-May
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Kozhikode (136 km); Nearest railway station – Thalassery (50 km)

6. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Home to the endangered Great Grizzled Squirrel of India, with fewer than 200 individuals remaining worldwide.

Key Attractions:

Great trekking opportunities
Gaur, elephants, spotted deer, and peacocks
Unique dry tropical forest ecosystem

Practical Information:

Location: Munnar-Udumalpet Road
Timings: 6 AM-6 PM daily
Entry Fee: Indians – ₹10; Foreigners – ₹100
Best Time to Visit: December-April
How to Reach: Nearest airports – Coimbatore (115 km), Cochin (208 km)

7. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary

An ideal picnic spot featuring a deer park, lion safari park, and crocodile rehabilitation center.

Key Attractions:

Neyyar Dam and boating opportunities
Travancore Tortoise and King Cobra
Tiger, Asian Elephant, and Slender Loris

Practical Information:

Location: Kallikkad
Timings: 9 AM-4 PM (Closed Mondays)
Entry Fee: Indians – ₹250; Foreigners – ₹300
Best Time to Visit: Winter months
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Trivandrum (34 km); Nearest railway station – Thiruvananthapuram (30 km)

8. Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the catchment area of the Peechi and Vazhani Dams, offering scenic valley views.

Key Attractions:

Boat rides and picnic areas
Over 25 mammal species and 100+ bird species
Impressive panoramic views from 923m elevation point

Practical Information:

Location: Chimmini Dam Road, Pariyaram
Timings: 8 AM-6 PM daily
Entry Fee: Adults – ₹10; Children – ₹5
Best Time to Visit: March-October
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Cochin (84 km); Nearest railway station – Thrissur (42 km)

9. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary

Known for excellent trekking options near Thiruvananthapuram.

Key Attractions:

Trekking from Kannithara to Vazhvanthol (5 km)
Endemic species like White-bellied Treepie and Malabar Grey Hornbill
Views of Peppara Dam

Practical Information:

Location: Peppara Dam Rd, Mannoorkara
Timings: 10 AM-6 PM daily
Entry Fee: Indians – ₹50; Foreigners – ₹150
Best Time to Visit: December-March
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Trivandrum (39 km); Nearest railway station – Trivandrum Central (38 km)

10. Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary

A part of Eravikulam National Park focused on protecting endangered species.

Key Attractions:

Various bird species including woodpeckers, Indian Cucooks, and Gray Jungle Fowl
Stunning natural landscapes
Protected wildlife viewing opportunities

Practical Information:

Location: Munnar
Timings: 7 AM-4 PM daily (Closed February-March)
Entry Fee: Indians – ₹125; Foreigners – ₹420
Best Time to Visit: October-March
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Cochin (135 km); Nearest railway station – Aluva (115 km)

11. Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1984, it’s the only wildlife sanctuary in Kollam known for its biodiversity.

Key Attractions:

Trekking trails including Sky Walk and Reservoir Walk
Rare Chenkurunji tree species (Glutatravancorica)
Safari opportunities to see deer, monkeys, and bison

Practical Information:

Location: Thenmala near Kollam
Entry: Free, but permit required
Best Time to Visit: November-February
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Trivandrum (52 km); Nearest railway station – Sengottai (14 km)

12. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Home to a diverse range of wildlife and lush evergreen deciduous teak forests.

Key Attractions:

Tigers, elephants, panthers, and various deer species
Rich birdlife
Jeep safaris and nature trails

Practical Information:

Location: Bathery-Puthuppally Road, Sultan Bathery
Timings: 7 AM-10 AM, 3 PM-4:30 PM daily
Entry Fee: Indians – ₹20; Foreigners – ₹110
Best Time to Visit: August-February
How to Reach: Nearest airport – Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode (123 km); Nearest railway station – Kozhikode (111 km)

[ Also check our Wayanad tour packages. ]

Kerala Tour Packages

Explore more of Kerala with these specialized tour packages:

As Vincent Van Gogh once said, “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” Kerala’s wildlife sanctuaries offer the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature and experience the magic of wildlife in their natural habitat.

Manmeet Kaur

A writer by profession and a storyteller by heart, Manmeet has a passion for traveling and treating her taste buds to different cuisines. Besides, she loves to binge-watch movies and series every now and then. She is also an avid reader, which keeps her engaged.