Best wildlife experiences in South India for 2023

There’s more to South India than temple towns and ruins of ancient kingdoms. The wildlife, for instance, is exciting because it is unique, endemic and plentiful. South India has both Eastern and Western Ghats, and the expansive coastal area that is home to diverse flora and fauna.

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We bring you a list of wildlife parks in South India that you can explore in 2023. Let these experiences add some adventure and thrill to your new year.

Periyar is one of the few national parks in India that stays open the whole year round. It is home to tigers, elephants, macaques, dholes, Nilgiri tahrs and sloth bears to name a few.

Once a popular hunting ground of the royals of Mysore, Bandipur National Park is now one of the most visited national parks in India, thanks to its famous residents – leopards and tigers.

Silent Valley National Park has the largest number of the endangered lion-tailed macaque. The densely forested Silent Valley National Park is a rainforest area, and is home to a number of important plant species.

Back in the day, Eravikulam was one of the favourite hunting grounds of the British tea planters. That stopped after it was declared a protected sanctuary in 1975. The park is now home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr.

The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park has a total of 21 islands. You will need to take permission to visit these islands. You can take a boat from Rameshwaram. One of the most popular things to do is to hire a glass-bottom boat. This will let you enjoy the rich marine life, like fishes and colourful coral reefs.

Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve in Mysore district in Karnataka is located near Bandipur National Park. You can easily explore these two national parks on one trip. Animals such as elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, hyena, and sloth bear among many, call Nagarhole home.