Mudumalai is a city in Indian southern state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on southwest side of Nilgiri Mountains. Nilgiri literally means Blue Mountains and one can easily imagine by the name how the landscape would be looking like. Mudumalai is mainly popular as Mudumalai National Park. Mudumalai is famous for housing many exotic animals. As a matter of fact, most of the tourists come here only to see these exotic creatures. Mudumalai is also an ideal place to watch various birds as Mudumalai is also the home to various species of birds.

Mudumalai national park :

Mudumalai national park was established way back in 1940 AD.  Earlier the park was spread over an area of 60 sq km and now it occupies an area of 320 sq km. It is home to primates like the bonnet macaque and the gray Langur. Tigers, leopards, dholes, striped Hyemnas, Asian elephants, golden Jackals and sloth bears are seen in the park. The park is also home to various birds like the crested serpent eagle, crested hawk-eagle, Malabar grey hornbill and Malabar Trojan. Striped tit- babbler can also be seen here.

Jangle Safari :

Mudumalai is also the place where one can take the joy of Jangle Safari. Elephant safaris and vehicles safaris offer the rare chance of watching many exotic animals with their natural habitat. Vehicles for safaris are available on first come first served basis. Jeep and van are used as vehicles safaris. Jeep can accommodate 6 people at a time while van accommodates 25 people at a time. Elephant safaris allow four people on an elephant at a time. These Jungle safaris are available in the morning and in the evening.

Theppakadu Elephant Camp :

Theppakadu Elephant Camp is another interesting place in Mudumalai. The camp was set up in 1972.  The camp is place where elephants are trained. It is interesting to see two elephants performing Pooja to lord Shiva every day.

How to reach:

By road:

Mudumalai is well linked by many state run buses and other private vehicles to Coimbatore, Mysore, Madurai, Chennai, Bangalore and other many cities and towns of the state and the country.

By train:

Udagamadalam railway station serves the nearest railhead to Mudumalai. It is just 64 km away from Mudumalai and connected to other cities and towns of the state and the country.

By air :

Coimbatore airport is nearest airbase to Mudumalai and is about 160 km away from it and well linked to other major cities of India. Booking a taxi or cab in advance before travel will ensure that you have a taxi waiting for you at the airport when you land.

Located in Indian state of the Tamil Nadu, Anamalai is known for its abundant wildlife. It is a small village situated in the district of Coimbatore. The village of Anamalai exists near the wildlife area where different kinds of animals like panthers, crocodiles, tigers, elephants, spotted dear and wild boars are found in great number. The village also has many beautiful landscapes views around it.
Though Tamil is native language of the region, Malayalam and English are also widely spoken. Temperature there varies from 35 to 40 c in summer and from 22 to 33 c in winter. The best time to visit Anamalai is from June to March.
Anamalai is major tourist spot with many places of interest around it.

Parambikulam wild life sanctuary :
Parambikulam wild life sanctuary is major tourist spot in Anamalai and it offers tourists Jungle safaris. The sanctuary is situated near another Anaimalai wild life sanctuary. Parambikkulm Sanctuary is mainly known for Parambikkulam Dam that is located there. Surrounded by amazing green forest Thoonakkadavu Lake is beautiful place to explore. The lake is formed by Parambikkulam Dam and it offers tourists wonderful experience of Lake Cruise. Great care should be taken while exploring the lake as many crocodiles live near the water’s edge. Mt. Stuart Block near Aanaimalai is home to ancient forest department bungalow. The place houses the grave of Hugo wood. Hugo wood was a British officer whose work was especially dedicated to conserving this forest.

Anamalai Sanctuary :
Anamalai Sanctuary, named as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, is home to many exotic animals and birds and it offers its tourist very interesting place to explore. Animals that are found there in large number include panthers, tigers, elephants, spotted deer and wild boars. Rocket-tailed drongo, spotted dove, tree pai and red whiskered bulbul are some of the birds found there.

Kolikamuthi Elephant Camp :
Kolikamuthi Elephant Camp is another interesting place to visit. The camp is famous for housing trained elephants. About 50 Malisar tribe families live there. These people are very skilled to handle the Asian elephants. Known for its scenic nature.

Anamalai Hills :
Anamalai Hills is also ideal place for trekking. The hill offers its tourist wide variety of trekking routes from simple to difficult trek. So if you are novice this place is the right place for trekking. Top Slip and Varagaliar Elephant Camp are some of the other places worth visiting in Anamalai.

How to reach: 

Road connects Anamalai to other major cities and town of the state. Many state run buses connects it to Chennai and Coimbatore and many other cities of the state. Nearest airport is situated in Coimbatore which is 96 km away from Anaimalai. The air port is connected by domestic flight to Chennai and other major cities of India. Nearest railway station is also situated in Coimbatore which is connected to other major railway heads of the state.
Other details: Pongal is a major festival celebrated in Anamalai with great enthusiasm. The festival comes in the month of January.

Kanha National Park Image credit:flickr

Kanha National Park is situated in state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The national park is famous for its tiger reserve.  This 940 sq km national park is spread over an area of two districts Mandla and Balaghat. The present Kanha National Park was earlier divided in to two sanctuaries Hallon and Banjar. It was late in 1955 that it got the status of a National Park. It now mesmerizes the visitors by its rich flora and fauna.

Kanha National Park is home to about 100 tigers. Leopard, sloth beers and wild dogs can also be found here. Samber, barking dear and spotted-deer can be sited more frequently here.

The national park houses more than 200 species of flowering plants. Sal and other mix trees intermingled with meadow can be found on large scale in lower land area of the forest. The highland forest provides quite distinct look from other parts of the forest. Trees on slopes like bamboo and Kullu offer a beautiful view of the forest.

Best time to visit Kanha national park:

Kanha National Park remains closed from 1st June to 15th October. It is best visited during the period from October to June. From November to March is best for nature lover and ideal for bird watching because as this is the monsoon way back period so all the surrounding get rejuvenated.
Opening hours of the park is form 6.30 am to 10.30 am in the morning while it is 3.30.pm to 6.30 pm in the evening.

For accommodation there are many hotels in National park most of them are situated near Kisli village.

How to reach Kanha national park:

You can get here via Jabalpur or Nagpur which are well connected to the National Park. Many state run buses and other private vehicles like cars on rents are available from these cities to the Kandala which is further linked to Kisli gate by state run buses. Kisli gate is one of the major points from where you can enter the core area of the Kanha National Park.