National park · India
Begur Wildlife Sanctuary
Enter Begur Wildlife Sanctuary for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive 20 km (12 mi) from Mananthavady, hike the main trail (2–3 h) in December–May; avoid monsoon months June–November.Enter Begur Wildlife Sanctuary for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive 12 mi (20 km) from Mananthavady, hike the main trail (2–3 h) in December–May; avoid monsoon months June–November.
- 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
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Dec–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- 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.
- Wayanad ↗Wayanad has no airport or railway; access is by road only.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- approximate; official size not published (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Dec–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Begur Wildlife Sanctuary, about 20 km from Mananthavady in Kerala’s Western Ghats, protects dense forest home to elephants, tigers, leopards and many birds; the main 2–3 hour loop offers wildlife spotting, while waterholes fill after the monsoon, making December–May the prime season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 2020
approximate; official size not published (check).
Why go
- Spot elephants, tigers, leopards and diverse birdlife in a dense Western Ghats forest.
- Photographer’s paradise with waterholes filling after the monsoon.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanCool, waterholes full.
- FebDry, good wildlife sightings.
- MarPre‑summer, active animals.
- AprWarm, still post‑monsoon water.
- MayEnd of dry season, good visibility.
- JunMonsoon begins, trails slippery.
- JulHeavy rain, limited access.
- AugPeak monsoon, possible road closures.
- SepRainfall decreasing, still wet.
- OctEarly post‑monsoon, some trails open.
- NovDrying out, wildlife returning to waterholes.
- DecCool, clear, waterholes attractive.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant, tiger, leopard, deer, wild boarAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Various forest birdsAll 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 Airport
Hire a car or taxi for ~80 km (50 mi) road trip to the sanctuary gate.Hire a car or taxi for ~50 mi (80 km) road trip to the sanctuary gate.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Thalassery Railway Station
Taxi or bus for ~80 km (50 mi) to the sanctuary gate.Taxi or bus for ~50 mi (80 km) to the sanctuary gate.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Mananthavady town
Local taxi or self‑drive, 20 km (12 mi) on paved road.Local taxi or self‑drive, 12 mi (20 km) on paved road.
30 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance area | Visitor centre, parking, trailhead to the primary loop. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Core forest trail | 2–3 h loop through elephant and tiger habitats. | Open; no guide required. |
| Waterhole sector | Seasonal waterholes attracting wildlife. | Open; best visited early morning. |
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 from Wikidata; approximate for trail points.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee (adult) | INR 100–200 (≈ US$2–3) | person | official rate not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Sanctuary entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required for main loop but recommended for deeper sections.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside sanctuary; stay in Mananthavady town.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities outside.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins limited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mananthavady town
Guesthouses and small hotels, 20 km (12 mi) from gate.Guesthouses and small hotels, 12 mi (20 km) from gate.
Safety
Wild animal encounters medium
Monsoon flooding high
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
- Main trail has uneven ground and some steep sections; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Take only photos, leave only footprints; support local eco‑lodges in Mananthavady.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Begur Wildlife Sanctuary?
The entry fee is around ₹100–₹200 per adult; exact rates are not published online (check at the gate).
What are the best hikes in Begur Wildlife Sanctuary?
The main 2–3 hour loop through the core forest is the most popular; a shorter birdwatching trail and a waterhole sunset walk are also recommended.
When is the best time to visit Begur Wildlife Sanctuary?
December to May offers dry weather and full waterholes, giving the best wildlife sightings.
Can I camp inside the sanctuary?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby Mananthavady.
Do I need a guide for the main trail?
A guide is not required for the main loop, but a local guide can enhance wildlife spotting and safety.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Begur Wildlife Sanctuary
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