Kerala, famend for its wealthy wildlife and luxurious inexperienced sanctuaries, can be the right setting to have fun Wildlife Week, noticed throughout India from 2 to eight October 2025 to lift consciousness about conservation.

This 12 months, Kerala is marking the event in a very inclusive approach — asserting free entry to all nationwide parks, tiger reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries to encourage folks to step into the wild and reconnect with nature.

Including to the joy, winners of particular competitions will obtain a singular reward: free entry for themselves and as much as 5 relations to all protected areas in Kerala for a complete 12 months, beginning 8 October 2025.

For those who’re seeking to discover the state’s wealthy wilderness, listed here are 5 nationwide parks in Kerala that each nature lover should add to their journey checklist:

1. Periyar Nationwide Park

This park in Thekkady derives its identify from the Periyar River, Kerala’s longest. Identified for its elephant herds, Periyar Park affords boat rides alongside scenic waters, the place guests can spot elephants, deer, and even the occasional tiger on the shoreline. 

The park can be dwelling to bison, sambar deer, and a wealthy number of hen species. For a extra immersive expertise, guests can embark on guided treks or bamboo rafting journeys.

2. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Nestled within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Wayanad Sanctuary is an enormous panorama of moist deciduous and evergreen forests. Divided into 4 ranges — Muthanga, Tholpetty, Sulthan Bathery, and Kurichiat — every affords a various paradise for wildlife fanatics.

Plantations of teak, rosewood, eucalyptus, and silver oak cowl roughly one-third of the realm. The sanctuary is a thriving habitat the place elephant herds, noticed deer, and gaurs are widespread sights.

3. Eravikulam Nationwide Park

Set within the rolling hills of Munnar, this high-altitude park is finest often called the house of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Its huge grasslands draw guests from world wide when the uncommon Neelakurinji flower blooms as soon as each 12 years, carpeting the hills in blue. The park additionally affords gorgeous views of Anamudi Peak, the very best in South India.

Earlier this month, the Eravikulam Nationwide Park was ranked the most effective within the nation beneath the Administration Effectiveness Analysis (MEE) 2020–25 performed by the Union Ministry of Atmosphere, Forest and Local weather Change.

4. Silent Valley Nationwide Park

Often called one of many final unspoiled tracts of tropical evergreen forest, Silent Valley is a biodiversity hotspot. The park’s distinctive ecosystem helps endangered species such because the lion-tailed macaque.

A paradise for hen watchers, the park has over 200 species of birds, together with the good Indian hornbill, Nilgiri wooden pigeon, and a number of other species of eagles and owls. Its dense greenery, pristine streams, and serene silence make it a perfect escape for these looking for solitude and uncooked pure magnificence. 

5. Mathikettan Shola Nationwide Park

Smaller in comparison with Kerala’s different nationwide parks, Mathikettan Shola is a gem for wildlife photographers. Trekkers love the scenic trails and the possibility to identify distinctive natural world.

Fable has it that travellers typically “lose their approach” (Mathikettan) in its dense greenery, which explains its identify.

Sources:

‘Eravikulam ranked India’s finest nationwide park’: by The New Indian Categorical, Printed on 28 June 2025.

‘Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary’: by Kerala Tourism