Discover India's Wild Heritage
Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksExplore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksGateway to the Nilgiris
Tamil Nadu
Image: Timothy A. Gonsalves / CC BY-SA 4.0Welcome to Mudumalai National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.
Safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and more
Safari timings, open seasons, and park schedules
Entry fees, safari charges, and camera fees
How to reach by air, rail, and road
Official booking links, permits, and offline reservation guidance
Nearby stays, forest rest houses, and booking resources
Safari and accommodation rules change by season; check the official Mudumalai Tiger Reserve channel before planning.
This link opens Booking.com, a third-party site.
The park is on a national highway, making access easy. The Theppakadu area and elephant camp are accessible. Jeep safaris on maintained roads. Bus safaris accommodate most visitors. The highway through the park allows drive-through viewing.
Mudumalai National Park, whose name means 'Ancient Hill Range' in Tamil, is situated on the northwestern slopes of the Nilgiri Hills at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. It is contiguous with Bandipur (north), Nagarahole (northwest), and Wayanad (southwest), forming one of the largest contiguous forest blocks in southern India — a critical corridor for Asian elephants. The park straddles the Ooty-Mysore highway, making it one of the most accessible parks in south India. Its varied terrain — from dry thorn forest to tropical moist deciduous forest — creates habitat diversity that supports an exceptional density of herbivores.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Year-round | 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM | 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
Main safari at Theppakadu. Elephant camp visits in the morning. Bus safari and jeep safari options available. The elephant camp is a major attraction.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee (Indian) | INR 35 per person |
| Entry Fee (Foreigner) | INR 350 per person |
| Jeep Safari | INR 2,500 - 4,000 per trip |
| Bus Safari | INR 200 per person |
| Elephant Camp Visit | INR 50 per person |
One of the more affordable parks in south India. The bus safari is very economical. The Theppakadu elephant camp, where rescued elephants are cared for, is a unique experience.
Mudumalai National Park, Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu 643223
11.5690° N, 76.5658° E
Nearest airport is Coimbatore (160 km, 4 hours). Mysore Mandakalli Airport (95 km) has limited flights. Bangalore (290 km) is the nearest major international airport.
Nearest railway station is Mysore (95 km) or Mettupalayam (75 km, for Nilgiri Mountain Railway). Ooty (36 km) can be reached by the heritage toy train from Mettupalayam.
On the Mysore-Ooty highway (NH-766). 95 km from Mysore, 36 km from Ooty, 160 km from Coimbatore. Regular buses on the Mysore-Ooty route pass through the park.
Theppakadu is the main base. Buses between Mysore and Ooty stop at Theppakadu. Auto-rickshaws available within the area. Safari vehicles at the park office.
Tropical dry thorn forest in the east, dry deciduous forest in the center, and moist deciduous to semi-evergreen forest in the west. Teak, rosewood, bamboo, and silver oak. The gradient of forest types across the park is remarkable.
Part of the Nilgiri elephant population (over 6,000 individuals across the biosphere). About 30-40 tigers, leopards, dholes, sloth bears, gaur, sambar, chital, and Indian giant squirrels. Malabar civet is extremely rare but present.
Mudumalai was one of the first sanctuaries established in south India in 1940. It became a national park in 1990 and a tiger reserve in 2007. The Theppakadu elephant camp was established in 1927, making it one of the oldest in India. The park forms a crucial link in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve — India's first biosphere reserve (1986). The night traffic ban on NH-766 was a landmark decision to protect the elephant corridor between Bandipur and Mudumalai.
