Mudumalai National Park

Mudumalai covers around three hundred and twenty square kilometres on the Tamil Nadu side of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, contiguous with Bandipur, Wayanad and Nagarhole, and its position at the junction of three states makes the block collectively the largest protected Asian elephant habitat in South Asia. Vegetation ranges from dry thorn to moist deciduous forest across the reserve. Tiger, leopard, dhole, gaur, sambar and a long bird list are present. Safaris are in park buses on a set route, with jeep safaris available through some lodges. The highway through the park closes to traffic overnight.

What you actually see

• The elephant herds - part of the largest protected population in South Asia.
• The vegetation gradient - thorn to moist deciduous across the reserve.
• The park bus safari - a fixed route through the tourist zone.
• The night closure - the highway shut through the park after dark.

When to go

October to May; sightings improve from March as water concentrates. Fire risk closes parts of the reserve in the driest weeks. Safaris run twice daily and slots are limited.

Honest expectations

Safaris are mostly in shared buses on a short fixed route, which disappoints those expecting jeep access. Tiger sightings are uncommon. Private vehicles cannot enter the core.

Nearby

Ooty lies south; Bandipur is north across the state line.