Anamalai Tiger Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary Coimbatore

 

Anamalai Tiger Reserve is a protected area located in the Anamalai Hills of Pollachi and Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu, India. Annamalai Tiger Reserve was originally called Anamalai Wild Life Sanctuary notified in the year 1974 and established in the year 1976. Later, it was renamed as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park in honor of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's visit in 1961. According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the sanctuary has declared as Anamalai Tiger Reserve in 2007. The sanctuary presently includes a core area of 958.59 sq. km and a buffer area of 521.28 sq.km forming a total area of 1479.87 sq. km. It is located an altitude of 1400 m at Anamalai Hills of Western Ghats. Anamalai Tiger Reserve is the perfect place to see tigers.

 

 

The main tourist facilities are located at Topslip, which is about 3o km from Pollachi. Other gateways are Amaravathi, Sethumadai (9 km before Topslip), and Valparai. Elephant Safari and Van services are available at the Top Slip as it is the gateway for a wonderful wildlife experience of the Wildlife Sanctuary. Private vehicles are not allowed for the safaris. The Tourism Department has also identified several trekking routes starting at Top Slip and conducts guided trekking tours. Kolambumalai - 10 km, Ambuli watchtower - 6 km, Kozhikammuthy-12 km and Karian Shola - 4 km are the some of the trekking routes available here. All visitors to Topslip need a permit issued by the Wildlife Warden office of the Forest Department at Pollachi.

 

 

The Anamalai wildlife sanctuary has various kinds of wild animals like panthers, elephants, deer, gaur, civets, tigers, sloth bears, wild bears, wild dogs, porcupines, flying squirrels, jackals, and pangolins. The park is home to birds like the red treepie, whiskered bulbul, spotted dove, rocket-tailed drongo, black-headed oriole, and pigeon.

 

 

The best time to visit the Anamalai Tiger Reserve and experience nature during the winter months. The climate in the winter is pleasant and there are high chances for you to catch a sight of the animals in their natural and cozy habitat. It is best to avoid visiting the sanctuary in the summer and monsoon when the weather is too hot & humid.

 

 

The Anamalai Tiger Reserve is on Tamil Nadu’s border on the southern section of the Anamalai range of hills linking the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Tiger Reserve extends between Kodaikanal of Dindugal district, Udumalpet of Tirupur district and Pollachi and Valparai of Coimbatore district. The official nerve centre of Anamalai Tiger Reserve is at Pollachi. The easiest way to reach Anamalai Tiger Reserve would be by train to Coimbatore and then a road trip to the Sanctuary. The nearest airport is at Coimbatore that is about 75 km from the Reserve.

 

Park Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Forest Timings: 7 AM to 4 PM

Safari Timings: 11 AM - 2 PM for Elephant Safari, 7 AM - 10 AM and 3 PM - 5 PM for Jeep Safari, 7 AM - 2 PM for Trekking

Entry Fee: Rs. 80/- for Person, Rs. 50/- for Camera, Rs. 2000/- for Jeep Safari (8-Pax), Rs. 200/- for Elephant Safari, Rs. 200 - 1000 for Trekking