Mudumalai National Park, in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, India, is a prominent wildlife sanctuary. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, including the nearby Wayanad and Bandipur National Parks. It spans over 321 sq km, forming a critical ecological corridor connecting the Western Ghats with the Eastern Ghats. This corridor is the pathway for elephants to move through different wildlife.
With the Mudumalai National Park safari, you can explore not only the diverse wildlife here but also its dense forests, wetlands, and savanna grasslands. It is an ideal place for nature enthusiasts, trekkers, and especially for wildlife photographers. Several endangered species, including leopards and Indian bison, call the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve their home.
➔ Summers: From March to June, it is the summer season with temperatures rising from 35°C to 40°C. Due to the extreme heat, wildlife is seen near the water sources of the park. With a Mudumalai National Park safari package, your chances of spotting wildlife become higher. Thus, it is a prime time for sightings, but the scorching heat and humidity make long treks uncomfortable here.
➔ Monsoon: From July to September, the park receives moderate rainfall; the average is around 1500 mm. Due to the rains, the monsoon transforms the park into a lush green place, but due to heavy rains, safari rides suffer, and accessing a few areas also becomes problematic. However, if you are a bird lover, do come here during the monsoon because you will be able to spot many migratory species here.
➔ Winter: From October to February, it is winter and the best time to head for a Mudumalai National Park jeep safari with the temperature ranging from 15°C to 25°C. The cooler weather makes wildlife safari easier, and spotting animals is easier too, as the animals are quite active during these months.
The prominent national park is situated in the northern part of Tamil Nadu at the merging of three states—Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The park lies in the Nilgiri District, and the coordinates are roughly around 11°25′N 76°39′E. Forming a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO area, it is one of the best weekend getaways for nature and wildlife lovers. Mudumalai National Park is roughly 221 km from Bangalore, making it a perfect retreat for the locals.
Moreover, the park is located just 60 km from Ooty, so combining the hill station in your itinerary is quite easy for anyone visiting the Nilgiris. Near Mudumalai Park, you will also see Bandipur National Park in the west and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, in the south. This is an important combination for thriving biodiversity and creating a passage for animals to move.
The Mudumalai National Park safari is quite famous amongst wildlife and nature enthusiasts. But do you know it has a rich and deep history rooted in conservation efforts? It is one of the oldest protected areas of India and was established as a sanctuary in 1940 but was designated as a ‘National Park’ in 1998. The park became more significant in 2007 with the establishment of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. It is part of India’s ‘Project Tiger’ with the aim of protecting and increasing the number of tigers.
In the past, the area near Mudumalai was always rich in wildlife with dense forest cover. During British rule, the maximum forest cover was cleared for agriculture and tea plantations. It was the start of losing crucial wildlife habitat. After independence, conservation efforts started, and Mudumalai was declared an official sanctuary protecting the ecosystem, wildlife, and especially the endangered Bengal Tiger. In the year of 1976, the national park of Mudumalai became part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, making it more prominent as a biodiversity hotspot. Even now, it is one of the best conservation spots for not just tigers but other wildlife too.
The Mudumalai National Park has a wide variety of plant species, including the dry deciduous and semi-evergreen categories. The major tree species here include rosewood, sandalwood, ebony, teak, and sai. The forest also has a wide variety of creepers, medical plants, and shrubs helping maintain the ecological balance of the park. At higher elevations, you will find shola forests supporting unique vegetation, including ferns, rhododendrons, and oaks.
Mudumalai National Park is a diverse wildlife area due to the rich biodiversity and the Moyar River supporting the growth of the wildlife. With a jeep or elephant safari in Mudumalai National Park, you will get to explore the diverse wildlife here, including:
It is a haven for large mammals, especially the 'Royal Bengal Tiger’, Indian elephant, Indian bison, sloth bear, leopard, and wild boar. You will also see other smaller mammals here, including spotted deer, langurs, chital, and sambar deer. The elephant safari takes you through a dense path, not ideal for jeep safaris, to let you explore the park deeply.
The fauna here also includes reptiles like Indian pythons, monitor lizards, and cobras. Due to the rich flora here, you will also see a variety of insects, including beetles, dragonflies, and butterflies. This makes the night safari in Mudumalai National Park a fun experience, especially for kids.
➔ Forest Cover: Tropical dry deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
➔ Type of Forest: Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest, Semi-Evergreen Forest, and Grasslands.
➔ River: Moyar River
➔ Average Temperature: Summer: 35°C (95°F); Winter: 15°C (59°F)
➔ Annual Rainfall: Approximately 1,500 mm (59 inches)
➔ Distance from Bangalore: 236 km, approximately 6-7 hours by road.
➔ Distance from Ooty: 40 km, approximately 1-1.5 hours by road.
➔ Best Time To Visit: October to May
➔ Timings: 6 am to 6 pm
➔ Nearby Attractions: Pykara Lake, Bandipur National Park, Ooty, and more.
➔ Safaris: The Mudumalai National Park jeep safari is one of the most adventurous things to do here. It is a great way to explore the wildlife here and spot tigers, leopards, elephants, and more. One can also enjoy an elephant safari, ideal for paths that are not equipped for jeeps.
➔ Trekking: Another thing tourists can do in the national park is trekking to the nearby Niligiri hills. The views awaiting you are surprisingly unmatched.
➔ Birdwatching: If you love birds, it is a haven for you with over 200 species of birds seen in the park.
➔ Boating: You can head to Pykara Lake to enjoy boating and have a relaxing day.
➔ Visit nearby attractions: There is Ooty or Bandipur National Park near Mudumalai, the ideal place to visit and explore after enjoying your safari rides in Mudumalai National Park.
The winter months between October and March are the best time to book tickets to the Mudumalai National Park safari.
Mudumalai National Park is approximately 236 km from Bangalore and 41 km from the city center (Tamil Nadu).
➔ By road: It has a good network of roads connecting to major cities nearby. Many private or state-run buses can drop you at a nearby bus station. Or you can take a cab directly to Mudumalai National Park.
➔ By air: The nearest airport to reach to enjoy Mudumalai National Park night safari is Coimbatore International Airport, only 128 km away. It is connected to major Indian cities. From the airport, take a cab to head towards the park, a journey of 4-5 hours.
➔ By rail: Ooty, or Udagamandalam railway station, is the nearest railway station, 42 km from Mudumalai National Park. You can also take a train to Coimbatore or Mysore Junction, with distances of approximately 127 and 86 km, respectively. From the station, take a cab to the national park.
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I wanted a break from routine, and heading to Mudumalai National Park for a safari was the best idea. The calm environment with beautiful wildlife sightings was simply perfect. Our guided safari was the best part of the entire trip. Definitely recommend this to everyone.
I went to Mudumalai National Park in the summer, and it was pretty hot during this time. But I booked the evening safari from BanBanjara, and our guide was amazing. We spotted deer, leopards, and many birds, but no sight of the tiger, though.
I went to the park during the peak season, and it was overcrowded. The safaris were packed; we saw many animals, but the views were not as spectacular as I would have liked. I would recommend booking safaris either in advance with a good tour operator or going in the off-season.
Mudumalai is one of the best places for nature lovers like me. I went with my partner and stayed in one of the jungle resorts. We went on both morning and evening safaris and spotted wild boars, elephants, and more. If you want to experience the greenery here, do head here during the monsoon season.
The park is stunning, and our packages for safari in Mudumalai Park were comfortable with such good sightings. We were not able to see a tiger, but connecting with nature and seeing different wildlife was a superb experience.
I am a wildlife and nature photographer, and Mudumalai National Park was the perfect muse for me. I booked a Mudumalai National Park safari package and was lucky to spot a tiger, elephants, and diverse birds. A tip: take a strong zoom lens to ensure your photographs come out beautifully.
I went to Mudumalai National Park with my kids, and it was such a great experience. Our guides were knowledgeable, and we learned so much about the habits of the animals from them. The kids also enjoyed spotting the animals; especially the herd of elephants bathing in the river was an enjoyable moment for them.
I liked my safari ride into Mudumalai National Park. It was a great experience, but I also felt it was a bit too commercialized. There were many shops and touristy things to do, which for me was a bit of a letdown. Though spotting a tiger made up for all this.
Our visit to Mudumalai National Park was a perfect 2-day vacation for my kids. They loved the safari rides and were so happy to spot the tigers, walking near the river. It was such a great site and made our entire trip worth it.
Last weekend, we headed for the Mudumalai National Park safari from Bangalore. The drive was itself so much fun and adventurous. After we reached the park, the safari ride was impressive as we saw diverse wildlife here. A must-visit national park for all.
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Mudumalai National Park is famous for its diverse wildlife and for being a ‘Tiger Reserve’ under the ‘Project Tiger initiative.’ It is situated in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is home to a wild number of animals, including Asian elephants, Indian bison, or gaurs, Bengal tigers, leopards, and more. Also, it is rich in biodiversity with its wetlands, grasslands, and tropical forests.
Confused between Bandipur and Mudumalai National Park booking? Well, these two parks offer distinct wildlife experiences. Here are a few distinctions between the two, allowing you to choose which one you will prefer to head to.
The towns: Talking about the towns of Bandipur and Mudumalai, Bandipur offers wildlife, ancient temples, a calm environment, and lush gardens. Mudumalai is known for its picturesque tea estates, calm water bodies, and spice plantations. You can also head for trekking and camping here. So, for adventure seekers, Mudumalai seems like a better choice, while for peace-seekers, Bandipur is an ideal match.
The national park: Bandipur National Park is ideal for nature lovers with its rolling hills, vibrant biodiversity, and lush forests. It is a tiger reserve, so the number of these apex predators is high here, 173 as per the last count. Mudumalai National Park is famous for its dense forest, diverse landscape, water bodies, and numerous wildlife species. Here you will find tigers, leopards, and even gaurs. It is known for being a corridor for elephants to move between the Eastern and Western Ghats.
Safari: Bandipur safaris include bus and jeep safaris, letting the visitors explore wilderness up close. The safaris with experienced guides help you spot elephants, tigers, and other animals. With Mudumalai National Park safari packages, you can choose between elephant and jeep safaris, with the former one quite popular amongst the tourists here enjoying the diverse flora and fauna.
It is not an easy task to choose between the two, but take time and make your decision or enjoy visiting both the national parks.
The majestic Moyar River flows through Mudumalai national park. It is a major source of water, nurturing the wildlife and ecosystem of the national park. The river starts from the Nilgiri Hills and flows through the park to create dense forests and lush valleys. The river is the major source of water, so during safaris you will see many animals like elephants or tigers or birds near the water to quench their thirst.
Bandipur and Mudumalai National Park are situated in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, separated by ‘The Moyar River.’ The river flows southward, acting as a geographical divider between both the parks, part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The river’s location and water resources also create an ecological link, facilitating the movement of wildlife across the parks. It is an integral feature in the broader conservation efforts of the Western Ghats.
The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is home to a massive population of around 50-60 tigers. With the Mudumalai National Park safari, you have a high chance of spotting a tiger here. The reserve also plays a huge part in preserving the Bengal Tigers, and the result is in front of us as the numbers of the tigers are increasing steadily. These conservation efforts include anti-poaching patrols, community involvement, and habitat restoration. Mudumalai, along with Bandipur and Wayanad national parks, creates a crucial part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
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