Mudumalai National Park Entry Fee
30 per person Entry fee
53 for Still Camera
315 for Video Camera
340 per person For Bus safari
4200 per trip For Jeep safari
1120 per trip For Elephant safari
Mudumalai National Park Phone
0423 2444 098
Rating: 
| 4.2/5 stars
Based on total 89 reviews
Mudumalai National Park Address: NH 67, Gudalur NH 67, Gudalur, Devarshola, Tamil Nadu, 643223, India
Where is Mudumalai National Park located?
The Mudumalai National Park, one of the first forest ranges to be declared as a National Park, is located in the Nilgiri district on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The park is located in the Ooty-Mysore route and can be entered from both Ooty and Mysore.
About Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai National Park is one of the most critical ecological systems in the country, with Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole National Park to the north and the Wayand wildlife sanctuary to the south. In between them they house more than 500 species of animals, birds, reptiles and even more species of insects.
Famous for its tiger population, the National park was recently declared a Tiger Reserve with a population of about 103 tigers. Needless to say the place is breathtaking and captivating for anyone who appreciates nature.
As you ride through the forests you are bound to see elephants roaming freely in the wilderness and different types of deer for starters. As you move deeper into the jungle, if luck favors you, you will see many endangered species of birds and animals.
High on the list of endangered birds are the vultures. Monkeys like the Grey Langurs are common in the forest. You also find varieties of snakes like the Great Indian Rock Python, Spectacled Cobra, Pit Viper and so on.
In addition to animals like tigers, elephants, panthers and deer among others, you find scores of amphibians and many exotic birds, like different types of parrots, eagles, vultures and some others which you have never seen in your life, and will never see anywhere else. It is said that 13 percent of all mammal species in India are present in Mudumalai National Park. The Indian Giant Squirrel, the Flying Lizard, Indian Leopard, which are in the endangered list are found here.
Trees like teak, sandalwood, mahogany and also bamboo grow uninhibited and tall, almost cutting the sunlight even when the sun is high in the sky. So it is advisable to reach the reserve during noon or just after noon and also carry alternate sources of light with you.
The Mudumalai sanctuary connects the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats together. The Moyar River runs through the reserve and you are assured to see a large variety of fauna coming there to quench their thirst. The park is one of the very few places in the country where you can see the animals in their true natural habitat, where you actually see the tiger with all its ferocity. A must place for a true nature lover.
The Forest Department maintains many forest houses at various locations inside the Mudumalai National park which are provided on a first come first serve basis and they need to be booked in advance by calling the Ooty office of the National Park.
Things to do in Mudumalai National Park
1. Jungle Safari – The Mudumalai National Park van safari is the most popular activity there. The buses take you to the core area of the national park where you can follow the wildlife trail. Barking deer, python and macaque are common sights, but you can also spot tigers, panthers and leopards in shades or around ponds.
2. Elephant Safari – Near the reception, you can choose an elephant for a ride in the forest. However, unlike the jungle safari by a jeep/bus, elephants don’t go deep in the woods. But watching the greenery around and above, from an elephant’s back is a memorable experience in itself.
3. Elephant camps – Mudumalai National Park also acts as a rejuvenation and recreation point for the elephants. At these camps, you can play with elephants and their calves and also bathe them, feed them or just watch them relax in their natural habitat.
4. Trekking in the Mudumalai forest – Officials of the forest department don’t allow anyone to walk or roam around, inside the core forest area. However, plenty of guided trekking trails and mountain hiking activities are available through the lodgings and travel planners nearby. So, put on your boots and go on exploring the areas around the national park.
5. Bird watching – Apart from the tall, dark forests and abundance of wildlife, Mudumalai also boasts of abundant birdlife. While peacock, jungle fowl and Malabar grey hornbill are common, you can also find different migratory birds. The park is also home to birds of prey like eagles, hawks and vultures.
Best time to visit Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai National Park safari runs throughout the year. The climate of the area is tropical wet in nature. So the best time to visit Mudumalai National Park would be early summer or just after the monsoons. However, your best shot at spotting native animals is during the beginning of summer season, between February to May. Animals stroll down to lakes and other water sources quite often, and migratory birds too make Mudumalai their home for the time being.
If you prefer cooler temperatures, you can visit the park during September and October. But with the fall in temperature, the chances of animal sightings also decrease.
Avoid Mudumalai during the monsoon season which usually prevails during July and August. The trails are muddy and unsuitable for trekking and other activities.
Time to explore Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai bus safari takes you for a one-hour ride in the jungle. But during rush hours or weekends, you might need to wait for an hour or so, until a vehicle is available for you. So, if all you plan is to go for the jungle safari in Mudumalai National Park, 2-3 hours would be enough.
You can choose to book a night stay if you want to spend time trekking around those thick forests. Rooms and dormitories are available at your disposal.
Image Gallery of Mudumalai National Park
Entry Fee and Timings for Mudumalai National Park
You can visit the national park anytime during the year. The regular opening hours are from 6 AM to 6 PM, and Mudumalai National Park entry fee is ₹30 per person. You also have to pay ₹53 for a still camera and ₹315 to use a video camera.
The bus safari timings are between 7 AM and 10 AM and then again in the evening from 3 PM to 6 PM. Each ride is for one hour and the tickets can be purchased from the reception at Theppakadu. There is no option for online booking or reservation for Safari. The tickets at the counter are available for ₹340 per person. Mudumalai National Park jeep safari costs ₹4,200 per trip. Many private jeep operators also offer their services, but they take you only to the “buffer area” of the park. Most animals can’t be seen there.
The elephant safari can be availed from 7 AM to 8 AM and from 4 PM to 5 PM. The booking is made at the reception, and each 30-minute ride is priced at ₹1,120.
How to Reach Mudumalai National Park?
Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the road that connects Mysore and Ooty. It is about 90 km from Mysore and only around 70 km from Ooty. To be there, you can take one of the regular buses from Ooty to Mysore and get down at the reception counter in Theppakadu. If you’re staying in Ooty, you can avail a private cab from top car rental companies in Ooty to take you to this tiger reserve and then drop you back.
Here are ways to reach Ooty.
By road – Ooty is accessible via buses and taxis from nearby towns. Regular buses run to and from Bangalore (300 km), Coimbatore (85 km), Mysore (125 km) and other tourist destinations nearby. A cab will be a better option as it allows you to stop at will and enjoy the scenic views of the slopes, tea plantations and vegetation on the way.
By rail – The nearest railway station is Ooty itself, and the steam-powered toy train connects it to Mettupalayam (40 km). Mettupalayam has regular connectivity to other towns of India and has daily trains from Chennai and Coimbatore.
By air – The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, about 85 km away from Ooty and 160 km from the Mudumalai National Park. Flights from Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities are available regularly. For the international travellers and nature lovers, Bangalore airport (around 300 km away) is the best choice to get access to the wilderness in Mudumalai National Park.
Places to visit near Mudumalai National Park
1. Needle Rock View Point – It is situated in Gudalur, about 15 km from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. All you need is to trek for a few hundred metres to savour amazing views of the national park and the villages nearby. You won’t find many people here, thus giving you a perfect opportunity to capture some candid photographs.
2. Pykara Lake – Pykara Lake is about 34 km from Mudumalai on the way to Ooty. It is formed because of the dam and power plant constructed on the Pykara River, and the place is a popular spot for boat rides and hiking. The cascading Pykara Falls lies a few hundred metres away and is accessible by foot.
3. Wenlock Downs – On the way to Ooty, you will see vast stretches of rolling grasslands. These are known as Wenlock Downs. It is a scenic tourist spot that offers breathtaking views of the Nilgiris and 360-degree views of the neighbourhood. The places near 6th Mile Ooty and 9th Mile Ooty have appeared in many Indian movies and are thus also popular as shooting points.
4. Pine Tree Forests – About 45 km from Mudumalai National Park, lie the dense pine forests, on the way to Ooty. It is another tourist destination in Ooty known for being a preferred venue for Hindi and regional language movie shoots. Horse riding is available there for adventure seekers.
5. Tea Estate View Point – Ooty offers numerous viewpoints to glance at the green slopes covered with tea plantations, but you shouldn’t miss the tea estates near Doddabetta. Here, you can trek down the trails among tea plantations, and also, experience for yourself how tea leaves are processed and produced for consumption. It is near Ooty city, about 60 km away from the national park.
Things to keep in mind while visiting Mudumalai National Park
Now that you have all the information about Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, given below are a few things to take care of during your visit.
1. Jeeps run by private travel operators remain out of bounds of the main forest area. They only take you around the park and not inside.
2. Chances of tiger sighting are more during dawn, so opt for the morning safari if possible.
3. Be there early for safari, at least an hour before the official times, so that you can avoid any rush during rides.
4. Because of thick forests, it gets dark even before sunset. Warm clothes are a must as it gets cold from the evening onwards.
5. An umbrella or raincoat is not a bad idea, because the rainfall is quite erratic in these parts and sometimes occurs just out of the blue.
Ooty is a famous hill station that is frequently visited by tourists from all over the country. To make your Ooty trip a memorable holiday experience, we at Ooty Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA have created Ooty tour packages that are affordable as well as customisable. Please fill the Contact Us form and we will get back to you.
