Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: Muthanga & Tholpetty Jeep Safaris & Elephant Herds

The Wild Heart of the Western Ghats Elephant Corridor

Covering 344 square kilometers in northeastern Wayanad, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife reserve in Kerala. Forming a continuous, contiguous forest corridor with Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, it is the most critical sanctuary in South India for the conservation of wild Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, leopards, and Indian bison (gaur).

The Two Safari Ranges: Muthanga vs Tholpetty

• Muthanga Wildlife Range: Located in South Wayanad near the Tamil Nadu border (Sulthan Bathery). Characterized by moist deciduous teak and bamboo forests. Famous for frequent sightings of large breeding herds of wild elephants with playful calves, spotted deer, barking deer, and Malabar giant squirrels.
• Tholpetty Wildlife Range: Located in North Wayanad near the Karnataka border (Mananthavady). Surrounded by dense evergreen trees and natural watering holes. Renowned for frequent sightings of gaur, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, and rare glimpses of leopards.

Safari Operations & Timings

The Forest Department operates daily open-top 4x4 jeep safaris in two designated shifts: Morning (07:00 AM to 10:00 AM) and Afternoon (03:00 PM to 06:00 PM). Each safari lasts approximately 2 hours along designated forest tracks accompanied by certified forest guides.