The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains), in Nilgiri District, about 80 km north-west of Coimbatore in the westernmost part of Tamil Nadu, on the interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala states in South India.

Mudumalai wildlife Sanctuary is situated at an elevation of 1000 metres and extends over an area of 321 sq. km. The sanctuary has a variety of fauna, which includes elephant, gayr, tiger, panther, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse, wild boar and porcupine. The avifauna is varied with minivets, hornbills, jungle fowls etc. The reptilians are represented by python, monitor lizard and flying lizard etc. Flora includes tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest dry teak forest, secondary grasslands and swamps.
The birds that can be spotted in the sanctuary are Peacock, the country’s National bird, Grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl, Grey Partridge Quails, Goggle Eyed Plower, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Large Racket-Tailed Dronge, The Magpie-robin, Spotted Babbler, Small Green Barbet, Green Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Bulbuls, Mynahs, etc. Among birds of prey, Eagles, Hawks, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons and King Vulture are common, along with some migratory water birds.

Other picturesque scenic spots in the sanctuary include the Mayar Waterfalls, the Chief Minister's watchtower. Ombetta Swamp, Theppakad elephant camp etc. Elephant and vehicle rides in the sanctuary along visitor routes can be made on payment.

How to get there?

» By Air - The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 160-km away.

» By Rail - The sanctuary is located at a distance of 65-km from Udhagamandalam railway station and 95-km from Mysore station.

» By Road - Gudalur (16-km) is the nearest town to the sanctuary, which is situated along the Udhagamandalam - Mysore highway. This sanctuary could be reached from Mysore as well. There are regular buses from Udhagamandalam, Mysore and the neighbouring towns to the sanctuary.