A Detailed Guide to Exploring Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Anamalai Tiger Reserve is a protected area in the Anamalai Mountain Ranges in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India, once known as the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, then the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, and finally designated as the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in 2007.

Anamalai Tiger Reserve is a wonderful area to take your family if you’re seeking a vacation spot with mangrove forests, teak plantations, bamboo groves, and gorgeous vistas. Panthers, tigers, elephants, deer, wild dogs, civets, porcupines, jackals, black-headed orioles, red treepies, racket-tailed drongos, and many more species of birds and animals inhabit the area.

All kinds of tourists may find what they’re looking for at Anamalai Tiger Reserve thanks to the variety of landscapes, wildlife, and exciting activities available there. Adventurers may enjoy various activities at Anamalai Tiger Reserve, including jungle safaris, elephant rides, photographic opportunities, and a wide variety of bird species.

You’ll want a guide to help you get the most out of your trip here if you’re a wildlife enthusiast or researcher. Let’s get into the Anamalai Tiger Reserve Travel Guide without further ado.

How To Reach Anamalai Tiger Reserve?

Getting to and from Anamalai Tiger Reserve is easy from any of the nearby major cities. There is a road that can be used from Pollachi to reach the Reserve. However, there is neither a train station nor an airport. Taking a train to Coimbatore and then driving the rest of the way is the most convenient method to get to Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

By Air:

Coimbatore Foreign Airport is the closest airport, and it offers flights to local destinations inside India and international destinations such as Singapore, Colombo, and Sharjah. Taxis are available at the airport for the ride to the Reserve.

By Train:

When traveling by train from Coimbatore, you may easily reach many other important cities in India. To go to Anamalai from Coimbatore, hire a taxi. Otherwise, take a train to Pollachi, the closest train station, and then take a taxi for the shorter journey. From towns like Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, and Palakkad, trains may make their way to Pollachi.

By Car:

Driving your car or renting a taxi for a weekend excursion would be the best option for getting to the Reserve via road. A pleasant drive across the rolling green hills is something that most people would enjoy. You can get to Anamalai Tiger Reserve from Pollachi, although the bus service is spotty.

Methods of Transportation:

Safari vehicles and jeeps available for rent at the Reserve may be utilized to explore the grounds. You may also go on hiking tours if you choose.

When to Visit the Anamalai Tiger Reserve for the Best Experience?

The weather in the Western Ghats, where the Anamalai Tiger Reserve is located, is pleasant year-round. With its Shola Forests, meadows, moist deciduous evergreen forest ranges, and perennial rivers and streams, Anamalai offers one of India’s most beautiful verdant settings.

While the Anamalai Tiger Reserve is open year-round, the ideal time to go is between December and June, when the temperatures are milder, and the tigers are more active.

Summer (March – May)

In the summer, the Reserve’s residents go to the plains for their annual summer vacation. There is little precipitation throughout the summers, although the rare rain of mangoes may help revive the land after a dry winter.

The summer rains flood the streams and rivers, providing a haven for a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, reptiles, wild boars, leopards, and Malabar Giant Squirrels. During the summer, you may also see butterflies flying from the Western Ghats to the Eastern Ghats on their annual migration.

Monsoon (June – November)

The Anamalai range receives monsoon precipitation from the southwest and northeast. The southwest monsoon, which occurs between June and September, is rather typical. Still, the northeast monsoon, which occurs between October and December, is very heavy and frigid, causing the streams to overflowing their banks.

It’s possible to visit Anamalai since the area transforms into a picturesque scene when it rains, with a hazy, ethereal quality that’s perfect for photography. However, planning an outdoor adventure like a safari during the rainy season might be challenging.

Winter (December – February)

In December, the post-monsoon tiger census in Anamalai gets underway at the Forest office. Elephants are most often sighted during December and March. A dry, cold mist has settled over the land following recent rains.

You may enjoy Anamalai by taking an elephant or jeep safari through the rugged forest trails, but remember to bring along some warm clothing.

The Anamalai Tiger Reserve’s Most Notable Attractions

Anamalai and its surroundings are unadulterated, pure nature at its finest, with towering mist-covered peaks and verdant plains strewn with tea plantations and untamed wooded regions. The wilderness is a fantastic place to go hiking or trekking since it has many trails to explore, rivers for canoeing, and picturesque waterfalls.

We’ll fill you in on all the great activities available in and around Anamalai Tiger Reserve. In addition to information on where to eat and stay, we also provide a shopping guide and background on the festivities held in Anamalai.

1. Explorations of the Woods

Take advantage of Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp’s Topslip location by taking an eco-friendly vehicle safari there. Even in Topslip, Ulandi, you may go on an elephant safari if the weather is good enough. There are scheduled elephant safaris every day of the week between 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM.

On an elephant safari, you may see lion-tailed macaques, elephants, leopards, and perhaps the striped cat of the forest, the tiger, if you’re fortunate. Guided excursions into the forest are available and are broken up into different lengths. If you plan on hiking during the monsoons, ensure you are fully prepared by using Dettol or lotions to repel leeches.

2. The Elephant Camp of Kozhikamuthi

This is an old camp where elephants were trained to haul logs. Tree cutting ceased in the early 1970s, and the camp has become a famous tourist destination in Topslip.

Malasar tribes care for the elephants and train them to be used as kumkis to rein in wild elephants that have gotten out of hand. It’s enjoyable to see the elephants playing and splashing about in the rivers after receiving their daily food and care from their mahouts.

3. Teak Tree of the Connemara Region

Check out the 460-year-old Kannimara Teak Tree in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, which is thought to be the only tree of its kind to have survived the widespread felling of teak trees for their lumber.

The natives said that a trail of blood would emerge from the tree’s trunk if anybody tried to chop it down. The tribals revere the tree, which they refer to as Kannimara (which means “virgin tree”), and for which they have prevented its destruction.

4. Monkey Falls

With the southwestern monsoon rains, the Monkey Falls becomes one of the greatest sites around Anamalai to take a refreshing dip in the cool mountain waters.

Along the road from Valparai to Pollachi, you’ll find Monkey Falls, not far from the Aliyar Dam. You should be on the lookout for the naughty monkeys who gave the waterfalls their name.

Things To Do In Anamalai Tiger Reserve

The Anamalai hills provide a wealth of opportunities for mental and emotional renewal. These activities are perfect for every kind of visitor, whether traveling alone or with a large group. Let’s go find out!

1. Western Ghats

Please put on your hiking boots and gather your supplies; we’re going on a wild adventure to get up and personal with nature. The western ghats are full of interesting and exciting things to see, such as shola woods, rolling grasslands, and teak plantations.

2. Enjoy a Day in the Woods

Set aside a whole day to drive in the heart of the bush. A bus will take you around the woodland while a guide explains its enchantment. Plenty of flora and fauna, both native and introduced, populate this area, guaranteeing your satisfaction.

3. Get on an Elephant and Enjoy the Ride

If you have yet to experience the thrill of elephant riding through the mangrove forests, you haven’t seen the full beauty of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

The journey’s highlight is an elephant ride through the scenic Anamalai Hills. Explore the depths of the forest on an elephant and snap photos of never-before-seen vistas.

4. Take Pictures Of Nature

Whether you have a professional-grade camera or a smartphone, you may capture stunning images of this natural wonder. There are wonderful vistas to be photographed all year round, so pack your camera year-round!

Anamalai’s Most Notable Dishes

When it comes to South Indian meals, you can taste the variety of traditional flavors that have made India renowned for its cuisine. The meal varies, so you may choose what you like most. In South Indian cuisine, there is something for everyone, whether they want vegetarian or nonvegetarian options, chicken, crabs, or fish.

Conclusion

This beautiful location is only accessible with the help of a guide. Be sure to double-check everything from when you plan to enter to when you plan to engage in certain activities. Take care of your possessions and make sure you have a ticket before you go. Bring something valuable with you.

Learn more about Tamil Nadu:

A Detailed Guide to Exploring Anamalai Tiger Reserve