Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a huge nature reserve meant for the protection of around 266 species of wildlife. A safari into the jungles is a thrilling and enjoyable experience. Read the article to know more.
Mudumalai National Park in the foothills of the Nilgiri Hills is a vast expanse of nature reserve which pans an area of about 321 sq. k.m. This sanctuary has been divided into five different ranges which are known as Masinagudi, Mudumalai, Kargudi, Theppakadu, and Nellakota. Mudumalai sanctuary is highly significant as it acts as a corridor a number of protected areas around the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The whole region has a network of sanctuaries such as Bandipur National Park and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and all these total to an area of 3,300 sq. k.m. which implies this huge zone is a shelter to thousands of species of wildlife. For all the wildlife admirers, there are plenty of hotels in Masinigudi for accommodations.
Mudumalai sanctuary or Masinagudi can be reached through NH 67. The nearest railway station is in Ooty which is a small junction about 70 k.m. away. The major nearest rail head is Coimbatore. Bangalore is the closest airport about 40 k.m. from the park. Taxi services run through the place connecting it to these points.
Mudumalai National Park protects about 48 tigers as of now and the park is home to about 266 species of wildlife. 34 reptilian species, 50 species of fishes, 21 amphibian species, 55 mammalian species, and 227 avian species are found in the area. Of all the of birds found in India, Mudumalai sanctuary inhabits about 8 percent of them. This is not all as there is further diversity of the wildlife. For example, from that 227 species of birds, 62 are carnivores, 110 are insectivorous, 23 are fishivores, 20 are granivores, and 12 are omnivores. This differentiation alone shows how remarkable the entire region is.
The park offers a number of safari rides around the different roads built around the park. The most popular one among these is the open jeep night safari of Masinagudi, which is a thrill in itself. There are various budget hotels in Masinigudi where you can stay if you want to be onboard the night safari. Other attractions at Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary are Moyar River Gorge which runs 20 k.m. long up to Moyar falls, Elephant Feeding Camp which is an enlightening show of how elephants are trained and fed, Mudumalai museum where some wild animals are preserved, Kallatty falls, Pyara Lake – a scenic location where a summer boat race is also held, Kargudi viewpoint, Chief Minister’s Watchtower, Ombetta lake, etc.
The main engagements of the tourists visiting the Mudumalai National Park besides the jungle safari are bird watching, stay in the tree house, water hole visit, village tours, and camping in the wild. The hotels in Masinagudi around Mudumalai National Park are full during peak seasons. Hence, making an advance booking is suggestible.