Overview of the destination Mudumalai is part of the Nilgiri bioshpere - a vast forest land spreading across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Excellent location to sight wild animals, particularly elephants, bisons, peacock, pythons and rarely tiger and panthers. The forest department offers jeep/van safaris inside the reserve area. However, it is better to stay a few days in one of the private jungle resorts in Masinagudi, 5 km away. These resorts offer jeep safaris and guided forest treks into nearby forests outside the reserve areas.
Food, sight-seeing and shopping The forest treks and jeep safaris are offered by the jungle resorts in Masinagudi. One can reach Bandipur too staying in Mudumalai, where the chances of spotting tiger and panther are more. The advantage of staying in Mudumalai or Masinagudi is that it offers some excellent locations and views.
Activities & things to do Forest treks and wild sighting are the main activities. It is advisable to get a very well experienced guides for these trips, which the local resorts offer. A variety of jungle resorts are listed under Masinagudi location in India Resorts Survey.
Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc. Mudumalai is situated on the Mysore-Ooty highway. From Ooty, the ride offers excellent scenery, descending 36 hairpin bends. Animals are sighted after the rains in May as they try to escape insects in deep jungle. Similarly in February as the water sources inside the forests dry up, they come in search of water in the streams watered by the Pykara and other dams. Though the forest department offers van safari, (elephant safari has been stopped), it is worthwhile to make a stay in one of the private resorts at Masinagudi. Sometimes (as in our case) you can watch deers and elephants near your rooms in these jungle resorts.
Rejuvenation Camp for Elephants - Every year working elephants in Tamil Nadu, are send to a "rejuvenation" camp where they receive medical care, nutritional attention, exercise and play time.
Mudumalai Blog - Blog post about a trip to Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary with Photographs.
Official Websites
Government of Tamil Nadu - Tamil Nadu Government portal covering diverse topics including health, tourism, culture, climate, Tenders and e-Governance.
Tamil Nadu Tourism - Tamil Nadu Tourism Government portal - Official website of Dept. of Tourism, covers Tamil Nadu Entry formalities, Places of Interest in Tamil Nadu, List of Tourist Guides in Tamil Nadu and Transportation in Tamil Nadu.
