WAYANAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY District : Comprises of Two districts – Cannanore in N and Calicut in S Stretch : Latitude 11°15' in the North to Longitude 76°30' in the East Coverage Area : 345 sq. km Altitude : 650 m above Sea Level

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary - "When There Is a Wild, There Is a Way"

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"In some mysterious way woods have never seemed to me to be static things.
In physical terms, I move through them; yet in metaphysical ones,they seem to
move through me."

- John Fowles

You might have not seen anything more greener than the mysterious and untamed green stamps of the Wayanad Wildlife Reserve. Impeccably blended with fresh aroma of coffee, cardamom, vanilla and orange, this vulnerable tract of forest land is known to shield the true essence of the wilds, more strategically than anywhere else. Despite man's best efforts, there are still some clandestine places where tall trees feel free to interwine with the neighbouring thick vines, where the early morning mist travels all the way through the dark, lush thickets, just to evaporate with the first sun ray, where vicious animals roam freely as in the days of yore. Spend a night or two at the forest bungalow, and exhaust your days exploring the corners of this vast pad of green and your nights listening to the spine-chilling calls of the hyenas (and tigers, if you are lucky). Wander through the sinister bushes, where one can easily encounter elephants at every turn, or take away the beauty of a spotted deer with you in your cams.

Wayanad Sanctuary As on The Records

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Natural Park is juxtaposed to the reserved area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. An integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region, the sanctuary presents a rich and enticing arena of bio-diverse flora and fauna. The reserve is known mainly for its elephants, whose number has increased geometrically over the past few years, after the sanctuary was included in Project Elephant, launched in 1991-92 to protect wild elephant population. Beside the eye-soothing greenery of the Western Ghats, this unexplored patch has its own charm, for people who have been to Wayanad are enthralled by the pastoral serenity and the slow pace of life, they witness everywhere.

What to do?

The best way to know the jungle more closely is to take a jeep safari, in the early hours or in the evening just before sunset. It is amazing to see dainty deer strolling gingerly through the bushes or caring gaur licking the forehead of their loved ones. In the course of a day's drive, one can expect to see herds of spotted deer, jackals, wild pigs in significant number, may be a leopard or the much celebrated great Indian king cobra. As darkness engulfs the forests and moon emerges from behind the tall bamboos, one can expect to see dark shapes looming out of the thick curtain of the night. As you hear some infuriating stories related to a tiger seen 'yesterday' or 'last week' or 'a couple of days ago', you think if you have that traveller's luck and out of that sense of self-pity, you see a pair of glowing bulbs amidst the creepers. Petrifying, isn't it? A single visit to the interiors of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is enough to give you a lifetime experience to boast of. In the morning, hire a friendly guide and set out to explore the forest on foot. Enjoy the grand vista of the fluttering avians perched on tree tops. Look at the crested serpent eagle on its perch making a marvellous picture of sovereignty and refinement. Gaze at those alluring red-wattled lapwings, busy in practicing a variety of aerial acrobatics, or the tiger butterflies flying just above your head, all for your fun.

A Hike Through The Hills

Wayanad Hills - Kerala

If one manages to visit the ecological reserve at Wayanad, spare some time to trek to the Chembra Peak (near Vythiri). Located at a majestic height of 6890 ft, Chembra has now became such a tourist obsession that some people come to Wayanad just to scale the peak and return after doing nothing else. To get to the summit is a whole day affair and one should preferably start early, before the sun gets uncomfortable. Four hours is what the local people say they need, to get to the peak from the base camp, but for a novice city-bred climber, it could take an hour more. About halfway on the route, at about 4921 ft, a crystal clear lake temporarily nullifies the exhaustion of the climb, and one can enjoy a cup of hot tea of the Nilgiris before continuing further. For more information related to the trek, tourists can contact the District Tourism Office, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad, Kerala.

How to reach

The best way to reach the jungle is by road, as one can enjoy the picturesque landscapes, throughout the journey. Vythiri is on NH 212, that links Kozhikode to Kollegal via Mysore. You will have to travel on the same highway, if coming from Karipur International Airport at Kozhikode (88 km). Take the NH up to Thamarassery Ghat Pass via Kunnamangalam, and take a short break at Kalpetta before turning towards the interiors of the jungle.