​Mudumalai National Park

The Mudumalai National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary resides on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains), in Nilgiri District, about 150 km northwest of Coimbatore city in Kongu Nadu region of Tamil Nadu. By sharing its boundaries with the states of Karnataka and Kerala, the sanctuary is divided into 5 ranges – Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi, and Nellakota.

The Mudumalai Sanctuary is an important wildlife habitat due to its strategic position as a Wildlife corridor between several other protected areas making it an essential part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Its north is crusted with Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole National Park and at its west is the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary along the south corner it flourished with Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley National Park. These parks, sanctuaries, and the adjoining Reserve forests cover over 3,300 sq km of forest supporting a population of 1800–2300 elephants.

The area is also being termed as Madumalai Tiger Reserve due to the presence of around 48 tigers in the Nilgiri Reserve across which tigers are free to roam. In April 2007, the Tamil Nadu state government declared Mudumalai as a Tiger Reserve, under section 38V of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, in an effort to conserve the country's dwindling Tiger populations. Afterward, about 350 families living in the core area have been evicted from the park bringing 1 million rupees ($20,800) as compensation.

Those residing in the 5 km of buffer area around the park were in fear that they too will be evicted but as a matter of pleasure nobody was dislodged from the buffer zone. In fact, some people in this zone were kept involved in the project as trackers and guides to enhance their income through ecotourism.

Things to do in Mudumalai National Park

1. Jungle Safari – The Mudumalai National Park van safari is the most popular activity there. The buses take you to the core area of the national park where you can follow the wildlife trail. Barking deer, python and macaque are common sights, but you can also spot tigers, panthers and leopards in shades or around ponds.
2. Elephant Safari – Near the reception, you can choose an elephant for a ride in the forest. However, unlike the jungle safari by a jeep/bus, elephants don’t go deep in the woods. But watching the greenery around and above, from an elephant’s back is a memorable experience in itself.
3. Elephant camps – Mudumalai National Park also acts as a rejuvenation and recreation point for the elephants. At these camps, you can play with elephants and their calves and also bathe them, feed them or just watch them relax in their natural habitat.
4. Trekking in the Mudumalai forest – Officials of the forest department don’t allow anyone to walk or roam around, inside the core forest area. However, plenty of guided trekking trails and mountain hiking activities are available through the lodgings and travel planners nearby. So, put on your boots and go on exploring the areas around the national park.
5. Bird watching – Apart from the tall, dark forests and abundance of wildlife, Mudumalai also boasts of abundant birdlife. While peacock, jungle fowl and Malabar grey hornbill are common, you can also find different migratory birds. The park is also home to birds of prey like eagles, hawks and vultures.