The Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu covers an area of 321 sq km. Within the Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, there is a national Park which is spread over an area of 103 sq km. The Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located exactly at that point where the Nilgiri Hills, an extension of the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats at a height of about 1000 m above MSL. It is the first sanctuary in South India.
The topography of the land of this wildlife reserve is not uniform. There are flat lands as well as rolling lands. Along with the parklands and grasslands there are swamplands as well. The beauty of the valleys within the Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu is enhanced by the presence of a number of waterfalls that have been formed by the Mayyar River.
In keeping with the character of the land, the vegetation of Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary also displays a lot of variety. Trees belonging to the most deciduous and dense mixed variety are found in abundance. It receives an annual rainfall of about 2300 m.
The animals that are to be spotted in the Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu includes Elephant, Gaur, Bonnet, Macaque, Common langur, Tigers and Leopards, Chital, Dhole Panther, Sloth Bear, Python, Barking deer, Four-Horned- Antelope, Otter, Crocodiles (mugger), giant flying squirrel, Sambhar, Hyena, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Hare, Porcupine and Mongoose.
You can also admire the beauty of several feathered creatures like peacock, grey jungle fowl, Malabar whistling thrush, large racket-tailed dronge, the shama, the magpie-robin, spotted babbler, small green barbet, green pigeons, little brown dove, Malabar grey hornbill, bulbuls, mynahs etc. Some of them have a sweet humming voice that will surely enthrall you.
Prey birds like eagles, hawks, buzzards, harriers, falcons and king vulture are also to be sighted in the Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Some migratory birds make this sanctuary their home at certain times of the year.
The Elephant Safari within the Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is thoroughly enjoyed by all the visitors. Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is easily accessible. The Ooty-Mysore highway runs through it. Ooty is at a distance of about 65 km from this wild life reserve and Mysore is 95 km away.
It is best to visit the Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the months of September to May. The rainy season should be avoided.
