Kerala National Park Visit In 2024

Kerala is renowned for more than just its abundant biodiversity, long sandy beaches, and stunning backwaters. The state, frequently referred to as “God’s Own Country,” has a lot more to offer in terms of lovely evergreen forests. Kerala’s forests are located in the Western Ghats’ southern region. Hence, they receive unending vegetation. Here is a list of the most popular national parks in Kerala that allow you to experience the state’s scenic beauty and lush surroundings. 

 

 

Also read: National Parks in Madhya Pradesh for a fun-filled experience

 

How to reach Kerala? 

By Air: Trivandrum International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Calicut International Airport, and Kannur International Airport are the four international airports in Kerala, making it the second state in India to have four such airports.

 

By Rail: Kerala has more than 200 railway stations that connect the state’s small towns and major cities. In addition, direct trains are available from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Kolkata, among others, to several locations in Kerala.

 

By Road: Kerala has good road connections to most states nearby. In all major and minor regions of the state, private taxis and buses are easily accessible. In addition, people from nearby cities can travel to Kerala by driving their own vehicles. 

 

Must-visit National Parks in Kerala 

Here are some of the top national parks in Kerala to head to on your next vacation.

 

Top national parks in Kerala #1: Anamudi Shola National Park

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Sprawled across 7.5 km square area, Anamudi Shola National Park is located 45 kilometres from Munnar in Kerala’s Idukki District along the western ghats. The park also provides hiking opportunities and other sights like the Thoovanam waterfall, Chinnar River, and Pambar River. A few endemic animals and various plants can be found in this Kerala National Park. Civet cats, leopards, Indian bison, wolves, tigers, wild boars, panthers, elephants, jungle cats, sloth bears, wild dogs, and flying squirrels are just a few examples of the animals you might see.

 

Best time to visit: October to March

 

How to reach:

By Air: Coimbatore Airport, which is 150 km from Anamudi Shola National Park, is the closest airport. The Anamudi Shola National Park is easily accessible by road from these airports.

 

By Rail: Pollachi Railway Station is the closest railhead and is 100 km away from Anamudi Shola National Park. The Anamudi Shola National Park is easily accessible by road from here.

 

By Road: The Anamudi Shola National Park is connected to major cities and other locations via  a good road network. Numerous vehicles run by the government and the private sector frequently travel to Anamudi Shola National Park.

Know about: Ernakulam (Kerala)

Top national parks in Kerala #2: Eravikulam National Park

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This enchanting Kerala national park was first established in 1975 as a wildlife sanctuary and was given the status of a national park in 1978. The Nilgiri Tahr, also known as the wild goat, calls the Eravikulam National Park in the Idukki District home. This national park is enormous, covering an area of about 97 square metres. It is home to various plants and animals, including high-level sholas and rolling grasslands. The “Neelakurinji,” a flower that blooms only once every 12 years, is another highlight of this national park.

 

Best time to visit: November to April 

 

How to reach:

By Air: Eravikulam National Park is located about 135 kilometres from Kochi Airport, which is the closest airport. Numerous airlines fly to Kochi and offer tickets at incredibly low prices.

 

By Rail: Aluva, located about 115 kilometres from Eravikulam National Park, is the closest railway station. Numerous trains frequently run to this railway station.

 

By Road: There is a road that leads to Munnar. The park’s administrative centre, Rajamalai, is accessible by motor vehicles. It’s about 18 kilometres from the park.

 

Top national parks in Kerala #3: Mathikettan Shola National Park

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The Idukki district, on the interstate border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is home to one of Kerala’s most stunning national parks named Mathikettan Shola National Park. This national park is the last remaining portion of the Cardamom Hill Reserve and is located in the higher ranges of Kerala’s southwest ghats. Poopara and Santhanpara can always get the water they need for drinking and agriculture, thanks to the Mathikettan Shola National Park. The soil in this national park is silica-rich and it has a distinctive forest ecosystem. Tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, and grasslands line this national park’s northern and eastern boundaries.

 

Best time to visit: November to April

 

How to reach:

By Air: The international airport of Kochi, located 142 kilometres from the countryside of the national park, is well attached to all of India’s major cities. There are regular flights from Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Trichy.

 

By Rail: The closest railhead is Theni Railway Station, located 57 km east of the national park. It is linked to the Madurai railway station, where direct trains run to many Indian cities.

 

By Road: Poopara village is connected to cities like Madurai and Cochin, which are well connected to many other significant cities in the area, by state-run and private buses.

 

Top national parks in Kerala #4: Pampadum Shola National Park

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The Pampadum Shola National Park, located in Kerala’s Idukki district along the Western Ghats, is incredibly well-liked by outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Since it was established as a national park in 2004, it has attracted many wildlife enthusiasts. The Kerala Department of Forests and Wildlife is in charge of overseeing this 11.75 square kilometre park. Wildlife enthusiasts are constantly amazed by the rugged terrain in Kerala’s tropical evergreen forest with its entirely natural vegetation. Along with a wide variety of deer, elephants, langurs, wild dogs, and buffaloes, the national park is home to more than 93 moth species and ten different species of butterflies.

 

Best time to visit: November to March

 

How to reach:

By Air: The closest airports are Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore (160 km) and Kerala’s Nedumbassery Airport (170 km).

 

By Rail: Aluva in Kerala is 180 kilometres away, and Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu is 110 kilometres away.

 

By Road: Pampadum Shola is about 35 km from Munnar town and is accessible from Kottayam (148 km) and Kochi (135 km) via the road. This national park is traversed by the road that connects Kochi and Kodaikanal.

 

Top national parks in Kerala #5: Periyar National Park

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Thekkady, part of Kerala’s Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts, is where the Periyar National Park is located. The centre of the sanctuary is the Periyar lake, which was created as a reservoir. The 26-square-kilometre park allows visitors to enjoy the incredible natural wonders God has endowed us with while paddling around in a boat. This Kerala National Park’s status as a tiger reserve is another noteworthy aspect. For magnificent creatures like the Bengal Tiger, gaurs, sambars, vipers, woodpeckers, and kraits, to name a few, this Kerala National Park is the ideal habitat. In addition, the park is surrounded by lovely tea, cardamom, and coffee plantations, making it a serene destination.

 

Best time to visit: October to March

 

How to reach:

By Air: the closest airport is in Madurai, about 140 kilometres from Periyar. Cochin International Airport in Kochi is another airport close to Periyar.

 

By Rail: Kottayam, 110 kilometres away, is the closest railhead. Travellers can take buses, taxis, and private cabs to get to Periyar from the railway station. 

 

By Road: Periyar is well connected to all of Kerala’s major cities. Thekkady is connected to major cities like Kochi, Kottayam, Kothamangalam, Munnar, and Trivandrum by a highway.

 

Top national parks in Kerala #6: Silent Valley National Park

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Sambhars, tigers, and jaguars are among the endangered species found in the Silent Valley National Park, along with an impressive variety of vegetation. One of the most unspoiled and natural rainforests in the subcontinent, this national park is a 90-square-kilometre expanse of rainforest. The Silent Valley, located in Kerala’s Palakkad district and spanning across the captivating Nilgiri Hills, serves as home to several wanderers. Leopard, Malabar giant squirrel, sloth bear, spotted deer, pale harrier, Malabar pied Hornbill, grey-headed Bulbul, and great Indian Hornbill are just a few animals that can be seen here. The trip to Kerala is well worth it because of the expertly organised safari and lovely side trips in and around this national park.

 

Best time to visit: September to March

 

How to reach:

By Air: Airports closest to Silent Valley National Park include Coimbatore International Airport (Avinashi Road), located 77 kilometres away from the airport. Cochin International Airport’s distance from the city centre is 161 kilometres.

 

By Rail: The closest railway stations to Silent Valley National Park are Palakkad Junction (Olavakkode), 52 kilometres away, and Thrissur, 100 kilometres away.

 

By Road: This national park is situated 55 kilometres from Palakkad, 100 kilometres from Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, and 97 kilometres from Thrissur.

Know about: Kozhikode

FAQs

What should I do and avoid when I visit a national park in Kerala?

If you must speak, keep your voice low. Learn the park regulations and follow them; for example, avoid smoking and only exit your car at designated locations. Engage with local guides as they can improve your experience in the jungle. Give your senses a treat by listening to the sounds of the jungle.

Do national parks check bags?

All visitors who want to enter the park must undergo security screening, which includes checking all bags, tools, and personal items.