Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: Complete Guide To Kerala’s Wildlife Haven

While animal sightings depend on luck, each safari brings new excitement. The best part? You don’t need to be a wildlife expert to enjoy this natural wonder. From casual tourists to nature photographers, there’s something here for everyone. Whether it’s a morning drive or an afternoon adventure, the Wayanad Sanctuary is one of the most diverse Wildlife and safari parks in India that offers unforgettable experiences.

History Behind The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Kerala’s border, next to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states. It connects to three other parks: Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks in Karnataka, and Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu. Together, these parks form one big rainforest pathway across all three states.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary has two main parts: North and South. These parts used to be joined by a forest, but the land between them was cleared to grow tea, splitting them apart. The sanctuary is quite large, covering 345 square km, with Muthanga located in the southern part. Since it’s part of the Deccan Plateau, the sanctuary is split into four areas based on its mountains: Tholpetty, Kurichiat, Sulthan Bathery, and Muthanga.

Suggested Read: Meenmutty Waterfalls In Wayanad: Kerala’s 3-Tiered Wonder

Best Things To Do At Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

• Take Fun Elephant Rides: Take a special elephant ride through the forest after getting permission from the Wildlife Warden. While riding, you will see many beautiful butterflies, insects, and wild elephants roaming freely in their natural home. It’s a unique way to experience the forest from a different perspective.
• Enjoy Bird Watching Adventures: Join expert bird and nature guides to spot beautiful birds that live in the sanctuary. Remember to bring binoculars for better viewing, a notebook and pen to record your sightings, a camera with a good zoom lens, and a monopod to help take steady pictures, especially of flying birds. 
• Visit The Elephant Training Camp: Watch something special at Muthanga’s elephant training centre. Here, baby elephants (called Kumki) learn important skills from their trainers (mahouts). You can see how elephants learn to follow commands, their training with timber work, and how trainers are taught to manage wild elephants that stray into human areas. 
• Trekking In Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: For fitness enthusiasts, try the 12 km walking tour inside the sanctuary. Don’t forget to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, stay hydrated, be prepared for a long walk as there are no shops inside, stay alert, and follow guide instructions. 
• Experience Jeep Safari: The most popular activity is the jeep safari around the sanctuary’s outer areas. Join a guided tour led by experienced forest rangers, which is perfect for groups. Make sure to grab a window seat for the best wildlife-viewing experience. You’ll have a good chance to spot tigers and other wildlife, though keep in mind that, unlike other sanctuaries, the jeeps here are covered.

Suggested Read: 20 Amazing Things to Do in Wayanad: Best Traveller’s Guide

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Timings & Entry Fee

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Ticket Price 

• Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary ticket price for Indian adults: INR 20 per person
• Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary ticket price for Children: INR 10 per person
• Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary ticket price for Foreigners: INR 110 per person

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Timings

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Timings: 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Location 

Thirunelli Pakshipathalam Trek, Pothumoola, Panavally, Kerala, 670646, India.

How To Reach Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Learn how to reach Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary depending on how much time you want to spend and how far you’re coming from.  There are several travel options to reach this remote sanctuary.

By Air: 

• Fly to Kozhikode Airport (also called Calicut Airport)
• From there, take a 3.5-hour taxi ride (125 km) to the sanctuary
• The airport has flights from many Indian cities and nearby countries

By Train: 

• Get off at Kozhikode Railway Station
• It’s 112 km from the sanctuary
• Take a taxi for a 3-4 hour ride

Note: Book train tickets early (between 1-4 months ahead) 

By Bus: 

• Get to Sulthan Bathery bus stop
• It’s only 14 km from the sanctuary
• Grab a taxi from there

By Car: 

•  It is the easiest option
• Just rent a car in Wayanad

Tip: Book a cab online beforehand to avoid bargaining with local taxi drivers

Interesting Facts About Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

• Size: It’s the second biggest animal sanctuary in Kerala.
• Local People: Tribal communities actually live both inside and around the forest. The Kerala Forest Department works hard to protect both the wildlife and these tribal people.
• Historical Significance: The sanctuary has an interesting history. Back in 1805, a brave leader named Pazhassi Raja fought against the British here, playing a part in India’s fight for freedom.
• Forest Types: The sanctuary has different kinds of forests: Some parts stay green all year. Other parts lose leaves seasonally. You will find many special trees like teak, eucalyptus, rosewood, and bamboo. 

Wildlife In Wayanad Sanctuary

• Mammals: There are 45 different types of mammals here! You might see Big cats like tigers, leopards, panthers, and Deer like spotted deer, barking deer, sambhar, and other animals like bears, wild boars, monkeys, squirrels, and more. 
• Birds: Bird lovers will be thrilled! There are 203 different bird species, including Hornbills, peacocks, woodpeckers, owls, and various water birds. 
• Reptiles: The sanctuary has 45 types of reptiles like different kinds of snakes, monitor lizards, and other interesting lizard species. 
• Fish: You can find 59 types of fish, including some dangerous ones like the African catfish. 
• Amphibians: There are 30 different types of frogs and toads, with unique names like the golden-backed frog, Kerala Warty Frog, and Malabar Torrent Toad. 
• Endangered Vultures: The sanctuary is home to rare vultures, but sadly their numbers are dropping because of harmful drugs being used in the area.
• Tribal Communities: Several tribal groups live here, including Paniyas, Kattunaikkans Kurumas, and several others.

• Tiger Population: 75 tigers live here! That’s almost half of Kerala’s total tiger population of 176.
• Special Smells: The forest has two main scents: Eucalyptus from the many eucalyptus trees and Coffee from nearby coffee plantations.
• Protection: There are 17 special stations to stop people from hunting animals illegally.
• Visiting Rules: Tourists can only visit the outer parts of the sanctuary. The inner area, which has more plants and animals, is reserved for forest officials and researchers.

Suggested Read: Trekking In Wayanad: 9 Best Trails For Adventure Seekers

Tips For Visiting Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Before you visit, make sure to get a permit from forest authorities. You can’t enter the Muthanga Range without this official permission. This helps authorities track visitors and maintain the sanctuary’s safety.

2. Dress Code For Wildlife Viewing

Choose your clothes wisely to blend in with nature. Wear colours like dark green, brown, or off-white, as these help you blend with the surroundings. Avoid bright colours like red, orange, yellow, or anything fluorescent, as these can disturb or alarm the animals and birds.

3. Protection From The Sun

The afternoon safaris can get very hot, so prepare yourself well. Wear a safari cap or hat that covers your neck, and bring a scarf for extra protection. Most importantly, apply plenty of sunscreen (SPF 40 or higher) to prevent sunburn. 

4. Managing Scents & Smells 

Animals have a sensitive sense of smell, so be careful with fragrances. Skip strong perfumes and sweet-smelling lotions or hair products. Stick to a basic deodorant with mild musk or citrus scents. This helps avoid attracting or irritating wildlife.

5. Maintaining Quiet For Wildlife

If you’re bringing children, teach them about the importance of staying quiet during the visit. Loud noises and sudden screams can scare animals and make them stressed. Remember that birds and animals are sensitive to human sounds, and being quiet increases your chances of seeing more wildlife.

6. Photography Equipment

For the best wildlife photos, bring the right camera equipment. If you’re new to photography, a good point-and-shoot camera works well. For more serious photographers, bring a DSLR with a zoom lens and a monopod for stability. This helps you capture clear, steady shots of the animals from your jeep.

7. Protection From Insects

Before entering the forest, protect yourself from insects by applying mosquito repellent cream or spray on any exposed skin. This is crucial as encountering insects is a natural part of the forest experience, and being prepared helps make your visit more comfortable.

8. Pet Policy

The sanctuary has a strict no-pets policy to protect both wildlife and domestic animals. If you’re travelling with pets, arrange for them to stay at your resort or with a caretaker. This rule helps maintain the natural balance of the sanctuary’s ecosystem.

9. Prepare For Walking Nature Trails In Wayanad Sanctuary

If you choose to take the walking trail in Muthanga, be prepared for a challenging 12 km journey that takes about 2 hours. Here’s what you need to know:

• Wear sturdy, comfortable all-terrain shoes
• Bring enough water for the entire trek
• Use metal flasks instead of plastic bottles (the sanctuary is a plastic-free zone)
• Remember that plastic items are strictly prohibited, so plan accordingly with eco-friendly alternatives for carrying water and other essentials.

Suggested Read: 30 Top Places To Visit In Wayanad | Kerala’s Hidden Gem

Popular Places To Visit Near Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Explore the best places to visit near Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

1.  Seetha Devi Temple

2. Kuruva Island

Imagine a special island where no one lives. It’s a 950-acre protected area sitting in the middle of streams that flow into the bigger Kabini River. What’s really interesting is that while there are several small islands in this group. Kuruva Island is special because it stays above water even during rainy seasons, while the other islands often go underwater. You will find lots of different birds, healing plants, and beautiful orchids growing there. But here’s the fun part: you can’t just walk to it! The only way to visit this hidden paradise is by taking special rafts or boats run by the tourism department.

3. Valmeekam Tribal Museum

If you drive about 51 km from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, you will find a special museum that shows off tribal art. It is very affordable to visit and only costs 30 rupees per person! The museum stays open every day of the week from 9 AM to evening 6 PM.

Inside, you can see beautiful artwork made by tribal people, including their paintings and sculptures. While it’s not run by the government ( privately managed), it does a great job of preserving tribal culture. You can even buy some tribal paintings from the museum’s shop. The prices start at 2,000 rupees and go up to 15,000 rupees. It is a great place to learn about and support local tribal art and culture!

4. Begur Reserve Forest

Just a 2-hour drive from Muthanga, in a place called Kalpetta, you will find the beautiful Begur Reserve Forest. It is located in the Western Ghats mountains and is covered with two types of forests. This mix makes the forest look wonderfully green!

If you love wildlife, you; ‘re in for a treat! The forest is home to many exciting animals:

• Big Animals: elephants, bison, bears, and panthers
• Smaller Creatures: deer, monkeys, wild boars, and wild dogs
• Special Sighting: You might even get lucky and spot a tiger as there are quite a few here!

Bird watchers will also be happy because you can see lots of different birds like kingfishers, woodpeckers, bulbuls, thrushes, mynas, and peacocks. It’s like nature’s own safari park where animals roam freely in their natural home!

5. Thrissilery Shiva Temple: 

About 60 km from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, along the Mananthavady-Mysore Highway, you will find this special Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. One of its unique features is a temple pond that is always filled with water.

The temple has two big celebrations:

• First Festival: Happens in March and April (during the Malayalam month of Meenam)
• Second Festival: Called “Puthari”, celebrated in October-November (during the month of Thulam).

If you want to visit, the temple has specific opening hours: 6:30 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 6:30 PM daily.