Mudumalai National Park

This one is for all the Safari lovers. Unlike most other national parks, Mudumalai offers three types of wildlife safaris. Apart from the usual Van and Jeep safaris, it also offers elephant safaris.

There is no provision for booking and the system works on first come first serve basis. Van and elephant safaris are in high demand, and it is advisable to reach the safari office at least 30 minutes before the starting time.  The safari office is in Thepakadu, at a distance of 10 km from Deep Jungle Home. The 10 km long stretch passes through the forest, making it a mini-safari before you go for the actual one.

Mudumalai National Park Safari Timings - The park is open all days of the week. Timings and fee depend on the type of safari. Private vehicles or taxis are not allowed inside the park.

Van Safari
The timing is 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM in mornings and 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM in evenings. The fee is INR 45 per person. It is free for children below the age of five. The duration of safari is 30 minutes per trip, and one van can accommodate 25 people.

Elephant Safari

Elephant safaris can carry up to four people at a time and cost INR 100 per person. The duration is same as a van safari. The timing is 07.00 AM to 08.30 AM in mornings and 03.30 PM to 05.00 PM in evenings.

Jeep Safari

Jeep safaris are organised by private drivers and therefore, timing, duration, and the fee all depend on the driver. Usually, the tour lasts for about an hour. The typical rate for a one hour trip is INR 1500.

Also, this safari does not go into the national park and circles the area around it. Chances of sighting animals are relatively low.

The entire park is divided into five ranges - Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota.

Masinagudi lies 7 kilometres from the core park area. The most popular tourist activity in this area is bird watching. It also offers the option for plantation visits as coffee, pepper, and tea plantations are part of this area. For an overnight stay, options are easily available in the form of lodges and resorts.

Thepakadu forms the entrance to the park and this is where jeeps can be hired to explore the area. Elephant safaris are also booked at this very spot. Thepakadu is popular for its elephant camps where travellers can see the play of elephant calves and even play with the calves themselves.

Mudumalai is the main park area where the majority of safari activities are concentrated. Lakes and some watering holes are found in this area. Many mammals and birds can be spotted here. Walking is strictly prohibited and even official vehicles are allowed to go inside up to a distance of 15 kms only.

Kargudi is the best spot for sighting the Indian leopard, along with other carnivores found in the park. It’s known for its natural beauty which is considered to be the most scenic in the entire park. A swamp is also part of this range, populated with elephants and bisons. Some dormitories can be found around this region for those looking for stay options.

Nellakota in the west is filled with dry deciduous forests, scrubs, and elephant grass. Fruit trees like jamun and figs grow here in plenty and Tigers, Indian Bisons, and elephants can be easily spotted.

Diverse and abundant flora thrives here. The terrain and vegetation significantly differ from one part of the forest to the other. Smooth grassland, swamps, valleys, nullahs, and flatlands are all part of the same terrain in the forest. The eastern part of the sanctuary is scantily forested, but the central and western parts are thickly populated with varied forestation. Benne block in the west receives higher rainfall than other regions and is covered with tropical mixed and moist deciduous vegetation. Bamboo, Mango, Java Plum (Jamun), Peepal, Banyan, Tamarind, Anogeissus latifolia (dhaora), Terminalia(saaj) and Grewia are commonly found here. Precious timber trees like Rosewood and Teak grow here in abundance. Flowering trees and plants like Jacaranda, Plumeria, and Solanaceae give the landscape a colourful touch.

Mudumalai has an abundance of diverse wildlife, with the highest density of tigers and the largest tiger population in the country. You can sight four wild cat species here, the Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Jungle Cat, and Leopard Cat. Indian wild dog (Dhole), Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, and Golden Jackal are other carnivores found in the area. Several hundred elephants live in the area along with the Gray Langur and Bonnet Macaque. Herbivores are also aplenty here. Cheetal, Gaur (Indian Bison), Sambhar, Indian Muntjak, Wild Boar, and the Indian Spotted Chevrotain are common residents of the forest. You can also spot the Indian Giant Tree Squirrel and the Red Giant Flying Squirrel here. The most sighted reptile species here is the Monitor Lizard. Crocodile, Flying Lizard, Python, Spectacled Cobra, Asian Pit Viper, and Krait are also commonly found. Bird watchers are in for a treat as Mudumalai is home to a stunning 227 species of birds, 8 percent of all bird species found in India. Malabar Trogon and Malabar Gray Hornbill are endemic to the region. Eagles, Hornbills, Golden Orioles, Wagtails, Pompadour Green Pigeons, Fairy Bluebirds, Chloropsis, Alpine Swifts, Jungle fowls, Grey Francolins, Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters, Lesser Yellownapes, White-bellied Woodpeckers, Emerald Doves and Loten’s Sunbirds are some other commonly sighted species. It also provides a home to 50 fish species and 21 amphibian species.

A 2-day trip is ideal to explore the beautiful surroundings and enjoy some leisure time at the resorts located in the area. Upon arrival in Coimbatore, day 1 can be spent sightseeing in Ooty and spending the night at a hotel/resort. Day 2 should be reserved for the safaris in the national park.

The top places near to Madumalai are Ooty which is 24 km from Madumalai, Wayanad which is located 51 km from Madumalai, Coonoor which is located 37 km from Madumalai, Bandipur national park which is located 12 km from Madumalai, Coorg which is located 128 km from Madumalai

The Udagamadalam station (64 km) is the nearest railhead. One can take a taxi from here to reach Mudumalai, and it takes about INR 1500 for the ride. However, major railway station nearby is Coimbatore Junction (160 km) which is connected to all the major parts of the country. The nearest airport is also in Coimbatore, which is nearly 160 km away from the Mudumalai. Connectivity from Coimbatore is also excellent, and one can take a bus or a taxi to reach Mudumalai.
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Since this is a national park, you might not find elaborate or well laid out restaurants here and options tend to be somewhat limited, other than those attached to hotels, resorts and lodges. Hence, these tend to be the most convenient options and can provide you a decent variety. There will be small tea shacks in and around the area. It is advisable to carry your own snacks (chips, cake, etc.) or make personal arrangements for your trip here, to be on the safer side.
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December to June are the best months to visit Mudumalai. Monsoons offer moderate rainfall while summers a greater chance to spot tigers. The weather during winters is delightful while the whole place is covered in lush greenery. The chilly weather is perfect to indulge in safari and explore the endless wilderness replete with flora and fauna. Monsoon season in Mudumalai begins from July and continues till September bringing heavy rainfall. However, this is the least ideal time to travel to Mudumalai.
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Mudumalai is an ideal destination and one of the popular sightseeing places to enjoy the vacation with family. It is a haven for wildlife photographers and can be visited by nature lovers and bird lovers. 

The cuisine is predominantly South Indian with limited eateries. Bull elephants are a problem in the area (be alert at all times).