Mudumalai National Park is located at the foothills of the Nilgiri hills in the state of Tamil Nadu. Mudumalai which literally means ancient hills was identified as a reserve way back in 1927 and converted into a sanctuary in 1940. It is a continuation of the Bandipur National Park in the neighbouring state of Karnataka, and is separated by the river Moyar that flows along the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The park also has a border with the Wayanad Sanctuary in Kerala. Mudumalai is a part of the forest area which includes the Bandipur National Park and Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarhole) in Karnataka,  Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala which together constitute the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve. 

The Mysore - Ooty highway with 36 hairpin bends runs through the thick jungles of the park. On the highway there are chances of sightings of animals like deer, boar and even elephants at odd hours.

The 321 sq. km. reserve, one of the most picturesque destinations provides diverse habitats like hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses and swamps. The vegetation comprises of moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrub forests which make Mudumalai a most attractive wildlife reserve. Apart from rich fauna, the wide range of animal and bird life has made this sanctuary a hot spot for the wildlife enthusiasts. The temperatures vary between 10 degrees in the winter months to 35 degrees in the summers. 

The flora in Mudumalai sanctuary include dense groves of Bamboo (Bambusa Arundinacea), thick forests of Natural teak (Tectona Grandis), eucalyptus, blooming trees like Indian Labumusum, Aredesia, Solanancea etc. 

It has one of the largest populations of elephants in the country, supposedly numbers about 600 and gaur in the region. Another attraction is the giant Malabar squirrel. The other animals found here include Macaque, Common Langur, Tigers, Leopards, Chital, Panther, bonnet macaque, Sloth Bear, Python, Barking Deer, Four Horned Antelope, Otter, Crocodiles (Mugger), Giant Flying Squirrel, Sambar, Hyena, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Hare, Porcupine, Pangolin the scaly ant eater and Mongoose. 

The birds spotted in this sanctuary are Peacock, Grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl, Grey Partridge Quails, Goggle Eyed Plower, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Large Racket-Tailed Dronge, The Magpie-robin, Spotted Babbler, woodpeckers, Small Green Barbet, Green Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Bulbuls, Mynahs, etc. Among birds of prey, Eagles, Hawks, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons and King Vulture are predominant, besides some migratory water birds. Morning time trekking is preferable since to watch more bird variety.  

The wildlife department has a big camp for elephants of 12.2 acres in the Theppakadu ranges of the sanctuary where sick elephants and those captured from poachers / illegal tamers are brought and taken care of. A peculiar weekly pooja (on Friday evening) performed by trained elephants of this camp is a special attraction for the kids. 

Facilities inside the sanctuary:

The forest department arranges facilities for wild safari inside the park which enables the visitor to have a look at the flora and fauna. There are mini buses, jeeps and trained elephants available. Elephant safaris last about one hour and is available in the mornings as well as evenings. The Safaris can be booked in advance at the Wildlife Warden's office in Ooty or directly at the cc Reception Centre. Private vehicles are not allowed inside the park. 

Entry Fee : below five years - Free, Children above five years and below 12 years - Rs.10.00, School Children (Age 5 to 12 years) from Government and aided Schools - Rs.2.00, School Children from Private Schools (Age 5 to 12 years) - Rs.10.00. Adult : 15.00.

Still Camera: Rs.25, Handy Camera / Video Camera - Rs.150, Charges for documentary educational films using Handy camera and Video Camera - Rs.2000.

How to get there: 

Air: The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 160-km away, which has direct flights to Bangalore, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai and New Delhi. Calicut in Kerala has an international airport which is 140 kms away.  
Rail: The sanctuary is located at a distance of 65-km from Udhagamandalam railway station and 95-km from Mysore station.
Road: The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the thick jungles of the park. Gudalur (16-km) the nearest town to the sanctuary is situated along the highway. There are regular bus service, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu state transport buses as well as private buses from Udhagamandalam (64km), Mysore (95 km) and the neighbouring towns to the sanctuary. 

Contacts: 

The Wildlife Warden, 
Mahalingam Buildings, 
Coonoor Road, 
Udhagamandalam – 643001

Accommodation: 

There are a number of Forest rest houses as well as private resorts located in and around the park. Places like Theppakkadu, Masinagudi and Kargudi have quite a few resorts. Jungle Trail run by an ex-marine biologist is one of the best options for wild life and nature enthusiasts. Some of the resorts in the area are;

• Jungle Home
  12 / 464, Thorappalli, 
  Gudalur, Nilgiris District
  Tamil Nadu.
  Ph: 04262 - 264198
• Bear Mountain 
  Bokkapuram 
  Masingudi P.O. 
  Nilgiris-643 223 
  Tamil Nadu.
• Jungle Retreat
  Bokkapuram, 
  Masinagudi P.O. 643223, 
  Nilgiri Dist. Tamil Nadu
  Ph: 91-423-2526469/70, Fax: 91-423-2526659
  Email - Contact Us
• Forest Hills Farm & Guesthouse 
  Bokkapuram, 
  Masinagudi P.O., 
  Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu 643223
  Ph: 0423-2526216, 2526399
  Email - Contact Us
• Blue Valley Resorts
  Bokkapuram, Masinagudi,
  Nilgiris, Tamilnadu,
  Ph  : 91- 0423-2526244,  2526344; Fax  : 91- 0423-2526319
• Casa Deep Wood 
  Koil Rd, Masinagudi
  Tamilnadu - 643223 
  Ph: 225555-1101
• TTDC Youth Hostel 
  Theppakadu 
  Ph: 256249
• Forest Guest House of Theppakadu 
  Ph: 2444098,56235

• Bamboo Banks farm
  Masinagudi
  Ph: 256222,256211

• Belmont Retreat
  Bokkapuram
  Ph: 256253
• Gem Holiday Resorts Ltd
  Bokkapuram
  Ph: 256296

• Monarch Safari Park
  Bokkapuram
  Ph: 256250,256343,256326

• Mountain Rest House
  Masinagudi 
  Ph: 256240,256267
• Jain Resorts 
  Vazhai Thottam 
  Ph: 256318

Bangalore to Ooty

Alternately one can stay at Ooty, 64 km away. Here are a list of hotels in Ooty. 

• Fortune Hotel Sullivan Court 3 Star
  123, Selbourne Road,Udgawandalam (Ooty)- 643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2441415 / 16, 2441068, 2443022,
  Fax : 0423 - 2441417
  Email - Contact Us

• Holiday Inn Gem Park Ooty   3 Star
  Sheddon Road, Udagamandalam-643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2442955, 2443066, 2441761, 2441762
  Fax : 0423 - 2444302,
  Email - Contact Us

• Hotel Khems
  Ettines Road, Udagamandalam- 643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2441635 /36, 2444188,
  Fax : 0423 - 2442461,
  Email - Contact Us

• Hotel Lakeview
  West Lake Road, Ootacamund-643004
  Phone : 0423 - 2443580 - 82, 2443904, 2440978 - 83,
  Fax : 0423 - 2443579,
  Email - Contact Us

• Hotel Sinclairs Ooty  Udagamandalam  3 Star
  444, Gorishola Road,Udagamandalam- 643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2444309, 2441376 - 80,
  Fax : 0423 - 2444229,
  Email - Contact Us

• Howard Johnson The Monarch  3 Star
  Church Hill,Off Havelock Road,Udagamandalam- 643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2444408, 2444418, 2443655,
  Fax : 0423 - 2442455,
  Email - Contact Us

• Howard Johnson The Monarch Safari Park  Udagamandalam
  Bokkapuram, Masinagudi-643 223
  Phone : 0423 - 2526250, 2526343,
  Fax : 0423 - 2526326,
  Email - Contact Us

• Merit Inn Southern Star  Udagamandalam
  22, Havelock Road, Udagamandalam- 643001

• Nahar Hotels (Nilgiris)  3 Star
  52 A. Charring Cross, The Nilgiris , Ootacamund- 643 001: 
  Phone : 0423 - 2442173, 2443685,
  Fax : 0423 - 2452253,
  Email - Contact Us

• Nalapad Residency  2 Star
  ood Cock Road, Near Rex School
  St. Marys Hill
  Udagamandalam- 643 001

• Savoy Hotel Heritage
  77, Sylks Road, The Nilgiris 
  City : Udagamandalam- 643101
  Phone : 0423 - 2444142 upto 2444147,
  Fax : 0423 - 2443318,
  Email - Contact Us

• Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Ltd
  P.B. No. 73, Kundah House Road, Fernhill-Udagamandalam- 643004
  Phone : 0423 - 2441073, 2450948, 2450949,
  Fax : 0423 - 2445890,
  Email - Contact Us 

• Sterling Holiday Resorts, Elk Hill
  P.B. No. 25, Ranakrishna Mutt Road, Ramakrishna Puram
  Udagamandalam-643001
  Phone : 0423 - 2441395,
  Fax : 0423 - 2444265,
  Email - Contact Us 

• The Nilgiri Woodlands
  Ettines Road, Udagamandalam- 643 001
  Phone : 0423 - 2442451, 2442551,
  Fax : 0423 - 2442530,
  Email - Contact Us

• The Willow Hill  Udagamandalam  2 Star
  58/1, Havelock Road, Udagamandalam- 643 001
  Phone : 0423 - 2444037, 2444758, Cell: 9994310025,
  Email - Contact Us

• Welcome Heritage Fern Hills Palace
  Fernhill Post, Fernhill, Udagamandalam- 643004
  Phone : 0423 - 2443910 to 15,
  Fax : 0423 - 2443097,
  Email - Contact Us

• Welcome Heritage Regency Villas
  Fernhill Post, Fernhill, Udagamandalam - 643004
  Phone : 0423 - 2442555, 2445681 /82 /83,
  Fax : 0423 - 24443097,
  Email - Contact Us