5 Best Wildlife Sanctuaries near Trivandrum

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, especially for wildlife enthusiasts. Situated about 82 km from Munnar, 143 km from Kochi, and 211 km from Trivandrum, it is one of the must include places in Kerala tour packages.

Established in the year 1950, the sanctuary is spread across 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is a thick evergreen forest. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. Among the top tourist places in Kerala, Thekkady is famous for Asian Elephants, Tigers, Gaurs, Sambars, Lion-tailed Macaques, Nilgiri Langurs, Wild Boars, Spotted Deer, Nilgiri Tahr, etc. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can watch wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat from the lake. The main attraction of the sanctuary is a group of wild elephants that come to play in the lake.

Thekkady offers elephant rides, jeep safari, boating in the lake, tiger trails, and forest treks. Murikkady, Chellar Kovil, Anakkara, Mangala Devi Temple, Suruli Falls, and Pullumedu are the popular places to visit as part of Thekkady packages.

Distance from Trivandrum: 209 Kms

At a distance of about 29 Kms from Trivandrum Central Railway Station, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 128 sq. kms at the foot of Western Ghats. The Neyyar Dam built over Neyyar River is located within the Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary is the home of unique species of flora and fauna. From wild boars and elephants to the vast range of medicinal herbs, Neyyar is truly a nature lover's paradise. The crocodile farm, the lion safari park and the deer park are some of the main attraction of the Neyyar Sanctuary. Boating facility is available in the reservoir of the Neyyar Dam.

The best time visit Neyyar Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary is October to March.

Distance from Trivandrum: 29 Kms

At a distance of 78 km from Kollam, Shendurny Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Kollam district of Kerala. Located at the edge of Thenmala Dam's catchment area in the Western Ghats, it is one of the lesser-known wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, and among the major places to visit as part of Kollam holiday packages.
 
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary comes under the control of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. It was established in the year 1984 and comprises 172 sq. km. The name is a corruption of the Chengurinji, a tree endemic to the region (Gluta travancorica). The sanctuary is a valley of green splendour acclaimed for its rich biodiversity lying on either side of the Shendurney river.

The sanctuary is spread across 26 sq. km artificial lake formed by Thenmala Dam. According to recent archaeological findings, this place has witnessed one of the oldest river valley civilizations in India, even older than the Indus valley. Remains of Stone Age culture dating back 5210-4420 BC have been excavated from a large cave near the river. The cave also contains ancient paintings.

Among the top Kollam places to visit, the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is a treasure house of plant diversity. About 1257 species of flowering plants belonging to more than 150 families are reported from this ...

Distance from Trivandrum: 92 Kms

At a distance of 18 km from Iritty and 58 km from Kannur, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Valayamchal village in the Kannur district of Kerala. This is the northernmost wildlife sanctuary of Kerala and among the prime places to visit near Kannur as part of wildlife tour in India.

Established in 1984, the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the northwest slopes of the Western Ghats contiguous with the forests of the Coorg district of Karnataka. It was formed by carving out areas from the Odanthode Malavaram of Thalassery special division and the Kottiyoor Reserve Forest of Wayanad Forest Division. The sanctuary covers 55 sq. km of tropical and semi-evergreen forests. The headquarters of the sanctuary is near Iritty. It is one of the best places of sightseeing in Kannur.

The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is among the finest places of wildlife in Kerala. The tropical forests of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary support diverse plant and animal life. About 23 species of mammals spotted here include Sloth Bear, Mouse Deer, Elephant, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, and Gaur. Leopards, Tigers, and other Wild Cats are also present though they are hard to be sighted on a typical sanctuary visit as part of Kannur sightseeing packages. Besides, the ...

At a distance of 32 km from Ponmudi and 40 km from Trivandrum, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located near Ponmudi in the Trivandrum district of Kerala. It is one of the popular wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, and among the must-visit sightseeing places in Ponmudi.

The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary derives its name from Peppara Dam which is commissioned in 1983 to augment the drinking water supply to Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. The area was formerly a part of the Paruthippally range of the Thiruvananthapuram territorial division. Considering the ecological significance of the area, it was declared a sanctuary in 1983. The terrain is undulating with elevation ranging from 100 m to 1717 m. The area of the sanctuary is 75 sq. km with tropical moist evergreen forests and myristica swamps. It consists of part of the Palode reserve (24 sq. km) and part of the Kottoor reserve (29 sq. km).

Open all year round, the sanctuary rich in flora and fauna offers a natural habitat to around 43 species of mammals, 233 species of birds, 46 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians, and 27 species of fishes. Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, elephant, sambar (deer), bonnet macaque, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri tahr are the main mammals found in the sanctuary. One can found birdlife like small sunbird, Malabar grey hornbill, white-bellied ...