Location - 15 kms from Calicut,
in north-east Kerala
Area Covered - 345 sq. km.
Prime Attractions - Elephant and Bison
Ideal Time to Visit - From June to October
Entry Fee - Indians/ Rs 10, Foreigners/ Rs 100
Sanctuary Timings - 0600 hrs to 0900 hrs and 1500 hrs to 1800hrs
About the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary India
Established
in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife National Park is located in the north-east region
of the southern Indian state of Kerala. It lies adjacent to the protected
areas of Nagarhole and Bandipur National Park in Karnataka, and Mudumalai in
Tamil Nadu. Stretching over an area of 345 sq. km. The Wildlife Sanctuary at
Wayanad Kerala is home to
a variety of flora and fauna. The sanctuary now forms a part of the Nilgiri
Biosphere Reserve, a specially formed wildlife conservation body. In the
year 1991-92, the protected area of the sanctuary also came under the
Project Elephant to protect the wild elephant population. It is also the
second largest sanctuary in Kerala.
Climate
The sanctuary experiences a moderate climate throughout the year. The
average maximum and minimum temperature of Wayanad varies between 29 degrees
C and 18 degrees C respectively. The region receives heavy rainfall from
June to September by the south-west monsoon and in October-November by the
north-east monsoon. The average annual rainfall in Wayanad is around 300 mm.
The ideal time to visit the sanctuary is from June to October.
Wildlife Species
» Flora - The major portion of the Wayand Wildlife
Sancutuary India is
covered with eucalyptus, rosewood, artocarpus, silver-oak and several
species of caussia. These trees provide shelter to a verity of wildlife
species.
»
Fauna - The Wayanad Wildlife National Park is home to a large number of animal species
including elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, panther, wild pig, civet cat,
deer, bear, monkeys, mongooses, hare and bison.
» Avi-fauna - The Wildlife Sanctuary at Wayanad
Kerala is inhabits a large number
of bird species including the crested-hawk eagle, the king vulture, the
serpent eagle, the Malabar grey horn-bill, red-wattled lapwings and
nightjars. But the most common birds that one can spot while roaming inside
the sanctuary are owl, cuckoo, peacock, bablers, woodpecker and jungle
fowls.
Accommodation in the park
The inspection bungalows are the only accommodation options within the
Wayanad Wildlife National Park. But there are some well furnished guest houses and hotels in the
nearby Manthavady and Sulthan Bathery. Some of the renowned resorts are :
» In Mananthavady : Pachyderm Palace, Mansa Saras
Elite Tourist Home.
» In Sulthan Bathery : The Orchid
Resort, the Edakkal Hermitage, The Resorts
Other Attractions & Activities
A jeep safari is an interesting and fascinating option to explore the
riches of the sanctuary. This is the best way for animal sightings and can
be best enjoyed in the early hours of morning and in the evening. The
Wildlife Sanctuary at Wayanad Kerala tour can also be combined with a visit to the nearby temple at Thirunelly and a lovely trek to the Pakshipathalam.
Accessibility
» Air - Karipur International Airport at Kozhikode
is the nearest one and is about 125 kms from the sanctuary.
» Rail - The nearest railhead is at
Kozhikode(100km) and that has links with some of the major destinations of
South India.
» Road - Frequent deluxe and express buses connect
the sanctuary with Kozhikode, Kalpetta and Thirunelly.
