| The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve harbours India’s second largest
pachyderm population, and the chances of seeing elephant herds is pretty high, especially
during the dry season. Unfortunately
for the enthusiastic wildlife-watcher, only the periphery of the wildlife preserve is open
to visitors and tourist infrastructure is nearly nonexistent. You can arrange guided walks
and jeep safaris but attempts to get deeper into the forest require patience and
perseverance. Apply to the Forest Office for the requisite permission.
Entry
Requirements
Entry permits to visit Wynaad can be obtained from the Wildlife Warden at Sulthan Bathery,
about 16 km from the Wildlife Sanctuary. Arrangements
for guided walks and jeep safaris can also be made through the Wildlife Warden.
Access
The nearest city is Kozhikode, which
is easily reached from various parts of the country by rail, air and road. Wynaad lies 55
kilometres east of Kozhikode and can be reached by road. Take a bus, either a State
Transport Corporation one or swift private coaches, hire a cab or rent a car if you
don’t have your own transportation.
Wynaad also has
convenient road connections to and from Mysore and Udhagamandalam (Ooty), both of which
are within a 110-km radius from the park. From either of these cities, you can get to
Kalpetta or Sulthan Bathery, the two towns closest to Wynaad. Both towns make good bases
for exploring the sanctuary.
Best time to
visit
Wynaad is best visited in the summer months, between June and October. This is the time
when there’s greater chance of seeing the resident wildlife, even though the weather
may not be at its best
Accommodation
Authentic back-to-nature accommodation, in the form of forest lodges and resthouses, is
available just outside the park. Truly eco-friendly, it’s not for anyone who cannot
do without cola and chips. Carry your own supplies.
For more
pampered souls, it might be a better option to stay at either Sulthan Bathery (16 km from
Wynaad) or Kalpetta, both close to the sanctuary and with a somewhat higher standard of
accommodation available.
Forest lodges and resthouses within the park come for an affordable
rate of about Rs 100 per night. Many tourists however prefer to stay at the Vythiri
Resort, where tree houses contribute to the `jungle' feel of the area. Accommodation here
costs about Rs 900 per night.
Further
information on Wynaad can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre, Collectorate,
Kalpetta, or from the Wynaad Wildlife Division, Sulthan Bathery. |
