Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state spread over 688.59 sq.km. at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and it plays an unique role by forming part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the first Biosphere Reserve in India, declared during 1986. It has a common boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the West, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the North, and the Nilgiris Division on the South and East and Gudalur Forest Division on the South West, together forming a large conservation landscape for flagship species such as Tiger and Asian Elephant. Reception Centre is located at Theppakadu. The name Mudumalai means ” the ancient hill range”. Indeed, it is as old as 65 million years when Western Ghats were formed.
Masinagudi is an experience no wildlife enthusiasts should ever miss. A captivating hill station on the Nilgiri mountains, Masinagudi is a part of the Mudumalai National Park situated on the road that connects Mysore and Ooty.
A safari through the forests of Mudumalai reveals the lush flora that includes bamboo, rosewood, turmeric, wild ginger, cinnamon, pepper and many more. To see the forests in bloom, one must visit the forests during the monsoon season when the deciduous trees shed their leaves.
The wide range of fauna in these forests makes it an exciting retreat for Nature lovers and photographers. Leopards, Bengal tigers, hyenas, jackals, sloth bears, elephants, langur, macaque, sambar deer, gaur, wild boar, pythons, flying lizards and many more can be spotted, while you are on a jeep safari through this terrain.
Bird watchers are also assured of a delightful experience since the forest is home to many avian species including the grey-headed bulbul, woodpeckers, hornbills, Nilgiri wood pigeon, cuckoo, thrush, owl and many more.
A jeep safari through this undisturbed forest and boating through the Moyar river situated nearby is enough to fill a Nature lover’s heart. The Moyar River is a tributary of the Bhavani River situated 7 km from Masinagudi, and is known for its picture-perfect surroundings.
The other tourist spots nearby are the Pykara falls, the Maravakandy Dam and the Theppakadu elephant camp. The Maravakandy dam was built in 1951, and is the primary water resource for the Moyar hydroelectric powerhouse. It is surrounded by lush trees and distant mountains, and is a serene spot which animals around the region visit, mostly during early morning hours, to quench their thirst.