Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
elephant country in the Western Ghats
Forest safaris at Muthanga and Tholpetty, misty hills, coffee and tea estates, and the Edakkal caves — how to plan a private Wayanad trip.
Forest safaris at Muthanga and Tholpetty, misty hills, coffee and tea estates, and the Edakkal caves — how to plan a private Wayanad trip.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in North Kerala is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and joins Bandipur, Nagarhole and Mudumalai, so it is one of the best places in South India to see wild elephants. Jeep safaris run from Muthanga and Tholpetty with limited daily permits. It is generally best from October to May, though the forest may close in the dry summer fire season. Plan 2–3 nights, reached from Kozhikode or Bengaluru.
Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary has two parts: Muthanga and Sulthan Bathery in the south-east, and Tholpetty in the north near the Thirunelli temple. Together with Bandipur and Nagarhole in Karnataka and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu it forms one of India’s largest forest landscapes for Asian elephants.
Wildlife includes elephants, gaur, sambar and spotted deer, langurs and macaques, leopards and tigers (rarely seen), and rich birdlife in the moist deciduous forest.
Permits are limited each day and issued by the Kerala Forest Department; the sanctuary may close at short notice in the summer fire season. We check the current rules for your dates.
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A travel designer replies within one working day — private, customised, no obligation.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Oct–Jan | Green, cool and pleasant; good for safaris and treks. |
| Feb–May | Drier, with good wildlife sightings, but the sanctuary may close for the fire season. |
| Jun–Sep | Monsoon; misty and very green, but some safaris and treks are limited. |
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Every trip is private and customised — dates, hotels and pace are changed to suit you. Price on enquiry.
Yes. Wayanad is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and one of the best places in South India to see wild elephants, along with gaur, deer and rich birdlife.
From two ranges of the sanctuary — Muthanga near Sulthan Bathery and Tholpetty in north Wayanad — by jeep with a forest guide.
Permits are limited each day and issued by the Kerala Forest Department. Rules can change, so we check and plan the safari for your dates.
It may close during the dry summer fire season (often around February to May) and at times in heavy monsoon. We confirm the status before your trip.
October to May for safaris and sightseeing; June to September is the lush monsoon season with some limits on treks and safaris.
Two to three nights cover a safari, Edakkal Caves, a lake or dam and a plantation stay.
By road from Kozhikode or Kannur airports (about 3 hours each) or from Bengaluru via Mysuru (about 6 hours).
Yes. Safaris and plantation stays are easy; Edakkal Caves and Chembra need a steep climb, which we can skip or replace.
Wayanad is better for jeep safaris and elephants in a large forest landscape; Periyar is better for a lake cruise, bamboo rafting and combining with Munnar.
Yes. Wayanad, Coorg and Mysuru make an easy private road trip of about 6–7 days from Bengaluru.
Tell us your dates and how you love to travel. Your personal designer will send a tailored itinerary and quote within one working day — no obligation, no hidden charges.
