Top National Parks in South India
Here is the list of 19 Top National Parks in South India
1. Periyar National Park, Kerala - India's Largest Tiger Reserve
Known For : Periyar National Park Periyar Tiger Trail Bamboo Rafting in Thekkady
Periyar National Park in Kerala, famous for its tiger reserve. It is also known for the elephant reserve. This park is located in the Western Ghats, immersed in luxuriant greenery. It is composed of Savannah grasslands and is reachable all the year round. The place is also known as Thekkady. Here you would be enthralled to spot herds of elephant, which are indeed a sight to witness. You will be ushered to the park by varieties of bird, spotted deer, and macaque and of course a number of reptiles. The high point of the tour is the boat ride, which will take your spirits high amidst the natural beauty of this national park in South India.
Best Time: Throughout the year
2. Madumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu
Known For : Madumalai National Park The Jungle Safari Theppakadu Elephant Camp
Mudumalai National Park is a part of the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, located at a distance of 150 kilometres from Coimbatore, in the Nilgiri District of Tamilnadu. It connects the Western Ghats to the Eastern Ghats and owes its popularity to the fact that it’s home to many vulnerable and endangered animal and bird species. The neighbouring states of Kerala and Karnataka both have their borders adjacent to this national park in South India. The Ooty-Mysore highway passes through the forest, curving around the Moyar river which separates Mudumalai and the Bandipur National Park.
Best Time: December to June
3. Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka - Of national parks and bird sanctuaries in South India
Located in the Mysore district of Karnataka, Nagarhole National Park boasts of rich wildlife including both flora and fauna. Located near Bandipur National Park, this beautiful national park in South India is packed with the bounty of raw nature in its best form. A myriad variety of animals such as Elephant, Jackal, Tiger, Panther, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted deer, Mongoose, Civet cat, Hyena, and Sloth Bear, and almost 250 varieties of birds call this place their home. Bestowed with best of wildlife and varied topography, this place offers gushing streams, lush green forests, gentle slopes and shallow valleys. The place is a paradise for nature lovers and those seeking solitude.
Best Time: October to May
4. Bandipur National Park, Karnataka - Tiger reserves in the Nilgiris
Known For : Gopalaswamy Hills Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Bandipur National Park in Karnataka was once the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore. It was later established as a reserve in 1974, and these deciduous forests rich in wildlife and flora have become a popular tourist attraction since then. Bandipur is neighbours with the Nagarhole and the Wayanad Wildlife sanctuaries, and at a distance of a few minutes from the Mudumalai National Park, this national park in South India is home to a number of endangered species.
Best Time: October to May
5. Anshi National Park, Dandeli
Known For : River Rafting in Dandeli Kali Tiger Reserve Magod Falls
Anshi National Park is a part of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and covers about 500 square kilometres of the natural reserve. It is a famous Tiger Reserve in South India and is now called the Kali Tiger Reserve. With high biodiversity that is most specific to the Western Ghats of India, this national park in South India is a favourite amongst nature and animal lovers.
Best Time: October to May
6. Anamudi Shola National Park, Idukki
Known For : Hill View Park Idukki Arch Dam Kulamavu Dam
Kerala's breathtaking beauty has wooed travellers from all over the globe. Gorgeous beaches, meandering rivers, beautiful waterfalls, and exotic flora and fauna, Kerala has it all. This national park in South India is located in the Idukki district along the western ghats and is a remarkable national reserve spread over 7.5 km square. Anamudi Shola National Park is famous for its tranquil environment and biodiversity, preferred by thousands of travellers that flock in here to get away from the city life.
Best Time: Throughout the year
7. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Dhanushkodi
Known For : Dhanushkodi Beach Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park Adam's Bridge
The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park in South India is a group of 21 small and breathtakingly beautiful islands, along with some adjacent coral reefs and shallow water habitats. This park is also the core area for the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve and is home to a myriad of plants and animals in its marine, intertidal and near shore habitats. When it comes to marine biodiversity, it boasts of being one of the wealthiest areas.
Best Time: October to February
8. Kudremukh National Park, Kudremukh
Known For : Kudremukh Trek Kudremukh National Park Hanuman Gundi Falls
Located in the midst of mountains, Kudremukh National Park is popular for its scenic beauty. Designated the status of a national park in Karnataka in the year 1987, the 600-kilometre square area is one of the most well preserved national parks in the state. This national park in South India is jewelled with natural beauty, high rising peaks studded with a plethora of flora and fauna to picturesque trekking routes overseeing verdant grasslands, there is much to experience here! The wildlife protected area is the second largest belonging to a tropical wet evergreen forest in the zone of the Western Ghats.
Best Time: October to May
9. Kumarakom National Park, Kerala
Known For : Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Kumarakom Backwaters Thanneermukkom Bund
Kumarakom is an exotic and enchanting national park in Kerala. It is located on the banks of Lake Vembanad, in the backwaters of the beautiful city of Kochi. It is the abode of the maximum number of migratory birds in the country. These beautiful creatures on wings which are sure to charm you include spot larks, cuckoos, herons, owls, flycatcher and Siberian crane. Some of these birds migrate from Siberia and others form the gigantic Himalayas. It has an apt tropical climate, which is suitable for tourists as well as birds. It would indeed be the perfect start for exploration and is a paradise for an ornithologist.
Best Time: October - February
10. Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore
Located 22 km away from Bangalore, the Bannerghatta National Park is an asylum for a large variety of flora and fauna. Spread over a massive area of around 104.27 sq. km, this national park in South India was established in the year 1971. The park itself has a number of establishments within its confines, which includes the country's first butterfly park as well. Other attractions here are ten Reserve Forests of Anekal Range of the Bangalore Forest Division, an aquarium, a zoo, Children's park, Crocodile Farm, Snake Park, Prehistoric Animals' Park and a museum. This national park in South India has lots of offers including a jungle safari, which is a popular activity to pursue.
11. Silent Valley National Park, Palakkad
Known For : Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Silent Valley National Park Vadakkanthara Temple
The Silent Valley National Park in Kerala is located approximately 200 kilometres far from the district of Idukki. It is known for its reservoirs of tigers. It is the abode to the largest number of lion-tailed macaque, which is an endangered species of primates. It is a rainforest area and is home to many other species of flora and fauna. It is located in the Nilgiri Hills. And is a must see environment.
Best Time: July to March
12. Kabini, Karnataka - Home to the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Known For : Jungle Safari, Kabini Boating in Kabini
Once a private hunting area for the British, this national park in South India is the ultimate destination to explore a rich variety of flora and fauna. Kabini has in store hints of various elements of nature, be it a huge variety in the plantation, an abundance of wildlife ranging from carnivores to mammals to birds or the terrain where each type is a part of and a compliment to the other.
Best Time: Throughout the year
13. Muthanga (Wayanad) Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
Also known as Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in South India, this area is home to a large variety of wild animals such as Indian Bison, tigers, elephants, and deer, Panthers, jungle cats, civet cats, monkey, wild dogs and bears.
Best Time: October to May
14. Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Coorg
Known For : Abbey Falls Raja's Seat Mandalpatti
Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is the place to be for all nature lovers. This popular coffee producing hill station is not only popular for its beautiful green hills and the streams cutting right through them. It also stands as a popular destination because of its culture and people. The Kodavas, a local clan specialising in martial arts, are especially notable for their keen hospitality.
Best Time: October to March
15. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Ponmudi
Known For : Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary Golden Valley Mini Zoo, Ponmudi
Open all year round, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary in South India is located along the catchment area of the Peppara Dam on the Karamana River. The sanctuary rich in flora and fauna offers a natural habitat to around 43 species of mammals, 233 species of birds, 46 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians and 27 species of fishes.
Best Time: November to May
16. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala
Known For : Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Bhoothathankettu Dam
Located near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam on the northern bank of the Periyar River, this bird sanctuary in South India is also called Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and is famous for its rich and varied birdlife.
Best Time: Throughout the year
17. Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve
Known For : BRT Wildlife Sanctuary Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Adventure Activities
Devoted to Lord Ranganatha, this temple is situated atop the highest peak of the BR Hills. It is also a wildlife sanctuary in South India known diverse flora and fauna since 1972. It was named as a tiger reserve in Karnataka as per the declaration in 2011.
Best Time: April to October
18. Dubare Elephant Camp, Karnataka - A land of elephants
Known For : Dubare Elephant Camp Nisargadhama Adventure Activities
A sparkling past nestled in its forests and wildlife and an equally vibrant present interacting with the elephants and a number of adventure activities, Dubare is an experience you don't get to witness every day. Dubare is an untamed beauty, popular for its elephant training camp where visitors can watch, learn about and get involved in a number of activities. It is a part of the Nagarhole National Park in South India.
Best Time: September to May
19. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
Known For : Vedanthangal Bird sanctuary Karikili Bird Sanctuary
This bird sanctuary in South India is a popular migratory home for around 40,000 different species of birds from all over the world. It is said that such a vast number of birds are attracted to this location because of its various small lakes that prove to be a fertile feeding ground for the birds. As soon as one enters here, the birds can be seen eating, swimming, homemaking, diving, squawking or simple perching on the trees.
Best Time: November to February