Tamil Nadu is rich in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, which are home to diverse species of flora and fauna. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the top wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Tamil Nadu for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Table of Contents
1. Anamalai Tiger Reserve
- Location: Coimbatore and Tiruppur Districts
- Area: 1,479 square kilometers
- Famous For: Tigers, Elephants, Lion-tailed Macaques
- Highlight: A major tiger reserve in the Western Ghats, home to rich biodiversity and part of the Project Tiger initiative.
- Best Time to Visit: October to May
- Activities: Safaris, trekking, birdwatching
2. Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur)
- Location: Vandalur, Chennai
- Area: 602 hectares
- Famous For: Captive breeding programs, large animal enclosures
- Highlight: The largest zoo in South Asia, featuring over 2,000 species of animals, including lions, tigers, elephants, and reptiles.
- Best Time to Visit: November to February
- Activities: Zoo tours, educational programs
3. Bhavanisagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Erode District
- Area: 78 square kilometers
- Famous For: Elephants, Leopards, Birds
- Highlight: A lesser-known sanctuary, perfect for birdwatching and spotting elephants and leopards in the wild.
- Best Time to Visit: October to January
- Activities: Wildlife watching, birdwatching
4. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Idukki District, Kerala (near Tamil Nadu border)
- Area: 90 square kilometers
- Famous For: Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Elephants, Tigers
- Highlight: A UNESCO World Heritage site with dry forests, grasslands, and riparian vegetation, making it unique compared to other Western Ghats regions.
- Best Time to Visit: November to May
- Activities: Trekking, wildlife safaris
5. Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Virudhunagar District
- Area: 485 square kilometers
- Famous For: Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Langur, Elephants
- Highlight: Established to protect the endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrel, the sanctuary is also home to tigers, leopards, and a variety of bird species.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Activities: Wildlife watching, trekking
6. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Coimbatore District
- Area: 958 square kilometers
- Famous For: Tigers, Elephants, Indian Gaur
- Highlight: One of Tamil Nadu’s largest wildlife sanctuaries, also known as the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, part of the Western Ghats ecosystem.
- Best Time to Visit: October to May
- Activities: Safaris, trekking
7. Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
- Location: Tirunelveli District
- Area: 895 square kilometers
- Famous For: Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Elephants
- Highlight: A significant part of the Western Ghats, the reserve is one of India’s earliest tiger reserves.
- Best Time to Visit: November to February
- Activities: Wildlife safaris, trekking, birdwatching
8. Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Kanyakumari District
- Area: 402 square kilometers
- Famous For: Elephants, Tigers, Leopards
- Highlight: The southernmost sanctuary in India, known for its rich biodiversity and connection to the Western Ghats.
- Best Time to Visit: October to February
- Activities: Trekking, birdwatching
9. Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Dindigul District
- Area: 600 square kilometers
- Famous For: Nilgiri Tahr, Elephants, Leopards
- Highlight: A sanctuary in the high-altitude Palani Hills, with beautiful forests and grasslands.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Activities: Trekking, wildlife spotting
10. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Nilgiri District
- Area: 321 square kilometers
- Famous For: Tigers, Elephants, Leopards
- Highlight: A significant part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, known for its rich wildlife and connectivity to Bandipur and Nagarhole parks.
- Best Time to Visit: October to May
- Activities: Jeep safaris, birdwatching
11. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
- Location: Kanchipuram District
- Area: 30 hectares
- Famous For: Migratory Birds, Pelicans, Herons
- Highlight: One of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India, attracting migratory birds from across the globe.
- Best Time to Visit: November to March
- Activities: Birdwatching, photography
12. Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Tirunelveli District
- Area: 567 square kilometers
- Famous For: Tigers, Elephants, Leopards
- Highlight: Part of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, known for dense forests and rich wildlife diversity.
- Best Time to Visit: November to February
- Activities: Safaris, trekking
13. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- Location: Nilgiri District
- Area: 5,520 square kilometers
- Famous For: Tigers, Elephants, Gaur, Nilgiri Tahr
- Highlight: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that spans across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, containing some of the most well-preserved forests in India.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Activities: Trekking, birdwatching, safaris
14. Thiruvidaimaruthur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Thanjavur District
- Area: 2.51 square kilometers
- Famous For: Birds
- Highlight: A small sanctuary primarily focused on bird conservation, providing habitats for migratory and resident species.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Activities: Birdwatching
15. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Kerala (near Tamil Nadu border)
- Area: 643 square kilometers
- Famous For: Tigers, Elephants, Indian Gaur
- Highlight: Known for its biodiversity and scenic beauty, the sanctuary is part of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Activities: Wildlife safaris, trekking
16. Periyar National Park
- Location: Kerala (near Tamil Nadu border)
- Area: 925 square kilometers
- Famous For: Elephants, Tigers, Indian Bison
- Highlight: One of the most popular wildlife parks in South India, known for its Periyar Lake and rich wildlife.
- Best Time to Visit: November to April
- Activities: Boat safaris, trekking
17. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
- Location: Nagapattinam District
- Area: 21.47 square kilometers
- Famous For: Migratory Birds, Blackbucks, Olive Ridley Turtles
- Highlight: A major bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, famous for flamingos and other migratory birds.
- Best Time to Visit: November to January
- Activities: Birdwatching, nature walks
18. Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary
- Location: Thiruvallur District
- Area: 759 square kilometers
- Famous For: Migratory Birds, Flamingos, Pelicans
- Highlight: Located on Pulicat Lake, this sanctuary is a critical stopover for migratory birds like flamingos, pelicans, and herons.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Activities: Birdwatching, boating
19. Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Thoothukudi District
- Area: 16 square kilometers
- Famous For: Blackbuck Antelope
- Highlight: One of the few places in Tamil Nadu where the endangered blackbuck antelope is protected.
- Best Time to Visit: November to March
- Activities: Wildlife photography, birdwatching
20. Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Erode District
- Area: 1,411 square kilometers
- Famous For: Tigers, Elephants, Leopards
- Highlight: A vital part of the Nilgiri Biosphere, Sathyamangalam was declared a tiger reserve in 2013.
- Best Time to Visit: October to January
- Activities: Safaris, trekking, nature walks
21. Suruli Falls Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Theni District
- Area: 142 square kilometers
- Famous For: Waterfalls, Tigers, Elephants
- Highlight: Known for the picturesque Suruli Falls, the sanctuary also serves as a habitat for diverse wildlife.
- Best Time to Visit: November to March
- Activities: Nature walks, trekking
