National park · India
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Enter Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary for a morning jeep safari (7‑9 am) or afternoon (3‑5 pm) – cost ₹200 per person, best visited Oct‑Mar; stay in Kalpetta or Sultan Battery.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
approximate
Established
1973
Best months
Oct–Dec
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
- Exact area not published; sanctuary is the second largest in Kerala (check).
- Established
- 1973
- Best months
- Oct–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kalpetta
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Muthanga, is Kerala's second‑largest protected forest, home to elephants, tigers and a range of Western Ghats wildlife; access is via guided jeep safaris from the Kalpetta headquarters.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere ReservePart of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²) · national park since 1973
Exact area not published; sanctuary is the second largest in Kerala (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kalpetta.
Why go
- Large elephant population and Project Elephant status.
- Chance to see tigers, leopards, panthers and diverse wildlife.
- Rain‑forest landscape of the Western Ghats.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; good wildlife sightings.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarMild, early rains.
- AprHeat rises, occasional showers.
- MayHot, pre‑monsoon.
- JunMonsoon starts; trails slippery.
- JulHeavy rains, limited visibility.
- AugHeavy rains.
- SepRain tapering.
- OctPost‑monsoon, clear skies.
- NovCool, dry.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants, tigers, leopards, panthers, jungle cats, monkeys, wild dogs, bison, deer, bears, monitor lizards, snakes, birds, butterfliesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kozhikode (Calicut) airport
Taxi or bus to Kalpetta (≈140 km (87 mi)), then 16 km (9.9 mi) east to sanctuary gate.Taxi or bus to Kalpetta (≈87 mi (140 km)), then 9.9 mi (16 km) east to sanctuary gate.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Kozhikode railway station
Taxi or bus to Kalpetta, then road to gate.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Sultan Battery town
Local taxi or auto‑rickshaw, 16 km (9.9 mi) east.Local taxi or auto‑rickshaw, 9.9 mi (16 km) east.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary headquarters (Kalpetta) | Ticket office, museum, food stalls, jeep launch point. | Open daily; tickets required. |
| Elephant enclosure | Viewing area at start of safari. | Included in safari ticket. |
| Core forest area | Jeep safari routes covering varied habitats. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on Kalpetta centre and sanctuary gate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep safari (per person) | INR 200 (≈ US$3) | person | Morning or afternoon slot. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Safari entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all jeep safaris.
- Photography drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside sanctuary; stay in nearby towns.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kalpetta hotels
Budget to mid‑range hotels within 5 km (3.1 mi) of headquarters.Budget to mid‑range hotels within 3.1 mi (5 km) of headquarters.
Near the park
Sultan Battery lodgings
Guesthouses and small hotels 16 km (9.9 mi) west of gate.Guesthouses and small hotels 9.9 mi (16 km) west of gate.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Wild animal encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters area reachable by car; short walks from parking.
Visiting lightly
- Support the Project Elephant initiative by paying the official safari fee.
- Avoid litter; use designated bins at the museum.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary?
A jeep safari costs ₹200 per person for either the morning (7‑9 am) or afternoon (3‑5 pm) slot.
What are the best hikes in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary?
The sanctuary offers guided jeep safaris rather than foot hikes; the two daily slots cover the main wildlife routes.
When is the best time to visit Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary?
October to March offers cool, dry weather and the highest wildlife visibility.
Can I camp inside the sanctuary?
No. Camping is prohibited; stay in Kalpetta or Sultan Battery.
Is a guide required for the safari?
Yes. All jeep safaris must be taken with a forest‑office guide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
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