Eravikulam National Park Safari Guide: Must visit in Munnar

Are you on a Munnar trip and want to see something other than tea gardens? Then Eravikulam National Park safari could be something to think about. Learn all about what sightings are possible, safari timings and how to reach Eravikulam.

I am on a never-ending chase to visit any National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary on every journey that I am on. It is fascinating for me to explore the local wildlife and bird species and document them. On one of such journeys when I was on a road trip in Kerala, I happened to experience the Eravikulam National Park safari near Munnar. Eravikulam National Park is famous for Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered deer species and I was super excited to photograph them and know more about them!

Where is Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Idukki district, about 8km away from Munnar and has earned the title of the first National Park that opened in Kerala. Located approximately 2,000 metres above mean sea level, it offers picturesque views of the Munnar valley and the tea gardens. The national park is around 97 square kilometres but only a fraction of that is open to visitors! 

How to reach Eravikulam National park from Munnar

Private cars or taxis can be easily hired to reach here from Munnar. Motorbikes are available for rent and one can easily reach here on them. Public transport such as buses is available (board a bus going to Udumalaipettai from Munnar Bus stand).

History of Eravikulam National Park

Just like most National Parks in India, the protection of the species started only after losing a huge chunk of them! Rajamalai, as it was called in yesteryears, used to be a former hunting reserve for the Britishers before Independence. The park attracted hunters from all over the world to hunt Nilgiri Tahr for sport. Their peculiar shaped horns were why they were hunted.  

It was managed by the Kannan Devan Hill Produce Company until 1971. With almost extinct numbers of Nilgiri Tahr due to hunting and shrinking of natural habitat, in 1972 the land was handed over to the Kerala Government. Since then it has been transformed into a conservation area and is also known as Rajamalai Eravikulam National Park. 

The conservation efforts have paid off over the years and the park now houses over 860 Nilgiri Tahr (Census 2018) making it one of the largest populations in the world! The pandemic has brought even bigger cheer with a record 155 Nilgiri Tahr calves born in 2020.

Eravikulam National Park Animals and Birds

Apart from the main attraction of Nilgiri Tahr which is found in abundance, Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Dhole, Leopard and Tiger are some of the predators documented here. Some little-known animals such as Nilgiri Langur, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Indian Porcupine, Nilgiri Marten, Small Clawed Otter, Ruddy Mongoose, and Dusky Palm Squirrel are also found.

132 species of birds have been recorded which include endemics like Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White Bellied Shortwing, Nilgiri Flycatcher and Kerala Laughingthrush.

Also Read: Periyar National Park

Eravikulam National Park entry fee and timings

The National Park opens daily at 8 am and closes at 2 pm. The permit is available online as well as at a ticket window of the park gate. 

The permit charges for the Eravikulam National Park safari are

Indian Adults – INR 200

Foreign Nationals – INR 500

Ordinary Camera – INR 50

Video Camera – INR 350

Reservation fee INR 50 (Reservation counter 9 am – 3 pm at the Information Centre, Munnar)

When to visit Eravikulam National Park

Planning a visit to Eravikulam National Park depends upon when the park is open for visitors. The park is closed twice from July to August for their mating season (all national parks in India are closed during this time) and then the second time while giving birth to the calves in the months of January to March. 

So, the best time to visit the park is in the summer months – April to June or in the winter months from October – to January. I visited in December second week and the weather was perfect, and so was the sighting. 

Start the safari as early as possible in the morning so as to skip the queues, avoid crowds and in pleasant weather.

Eravikulam National Park Safari: My experience

The biggest mistake I made was not to book the safari in advance. Honestly, visiting the park was not one of the things to do in Munnar but only when I reached Munnar and my hotel owner convinced me to go there. So I started on an early morning post breakfast. The car driver warned me of long queues but I was determined to pay my visit no matter what.

The car dropped me at the ticket window gate and I could see a long queue even before the ticket window had actually opened. I was not sure what to do as I would easily spend an hour just in the queue. I relented and walked to the end of the queue to place myself.

It was well over 90 minutes when I got my permit to go into the park. I was given two slips which I had to hand over to the shared bus driver and another one for the entry into the park. Yes, private vehicles are not allowed in the Eravikulam National Park Safari and neither are open gypsy like other Indian National Parks. Also Read: Manas National Park

I stood in another queue for the shared bus and finally after 15 minutes the bus arrived and took the visitors up the hills. The bus accommodated about 30 people. I could feel the air getting crisper with each turn on the hill loops. After about 10 minutes we were dropped at the entrance of the Eravikulam National Park. From there it was a safari walk. No vehicles are allowed beyond this point. Basically, visitors are allowed to walk in the designated areas to spot the animals and appreciate the rolling hills and visit Anamudi, the highest peak in India south of the Himalayas.

Visitors can spend as much time as they want at the top of the hill. You are allowed to hire a private guide with permission from the park if you book in advance.

Once you are done, you have to come back to the designated area for shared bus pick up wherein the buses will take you back to the ticket window station. 

If the weather is pleasant, the walk can be quite enjoyable with epic views of the hills. I personally liked the hike which was on a nice and flat concrete road (yes there is no forest or nature trail here), it had panoramic views, a well-laid path and there’s the chance to spot wildlife too. So, if you are expecting to go on a long trek into nature, I would recommend booking one with the park in advance.

I walked and walked and walked. I overheard a lot of groups who were disappointed as to not spot anything and that they wasted the money. But I didn’t lose hope, yet!

I saw a group of people gathered near some bushes and their excited voices meant they saw something. Yep, I finally managed to see the Nilgiri Tahr. The deer seem terrified with so many people pushing and shoving each other to get a glimpse. 

And it managed to escape away.

Most people from this group turned back, but I decided to go further. And I was rewarded with more sightings. 

Almost 2 hours into the Eravikulam National Park Safari, I was hungry and wanted to pee. I had seen paid eco-toilets on my way up so I decided to hurry back down. These are located a little way up a hill just beyond the souvenir shop. 

And just like that I was back at the bus pick up point, happy and satisfied to have seen the Nilgiri Tahr in the wild.

Pay a visit to the Eravikulam National park souvenir shop

Because all the proceeds go towards the park maintenance. I love national park merchandise and I do pick up something or the other. I paid a quick visit and picked a t-shirt. Merchandise here includes caps, safari hats, t-shirts, fridge magnets and even little Nilgiri Tahr deers as souvenirs!

Places to visit near Eravikulam National park

Lakkam Falls

The Lakkam Waterfalls originate in the heart of the Eravikulam National Park offering breathtaking views. It’s by far one of the pristine waterfalls in the entire town of Munnar and you don’t need a national park permit to visit.

Entrance to the falls cost INR 20 and it provides a cool respite. It is located a few kilometres from the park, so if you are visiting make sure you ask your driver to stop here for a while.

Yellapatty Tea Gardens

The Yellappetty tea gardens are located on the Munnar – Kodaikanal route. Located 32 km from Munnar city centre the Yellappetty tea gardens can be reached after crossing the Mattuppetti dam. The small village of Yellappetty houses tea plantation workers that live happily surrounded by tea gardens. Read more here: Trekking in Yellapatty.

Where to stay in Munnar

Munnar is a family favorite destination and also popular among honeymoon couples. The pleasant weather allures visitors of all ages and interests to visit Munnar all year round. For the same reason, there are a lot of accommodation options in Munnar. 

I stayed at the Blackberry Hills Resort Munnar and it had the most beautiful unparalleled views of the tea gardens. My favourite part was their Hornbill restaurant whose location felt like it was suspended in the hills. They even have a walking trail from the restaurant to a village in the valley nearby which equals a birdwatching trail too.

Other options for where to stay in Munnar include

Hostels: The Lost Hostel, Electric Cats Hostel 

Homestays: Munnar Pavithra Riverview Homestay, Mistletoe Homestay & Cafe

Mid-range hotels: Fragrant Nature Munnar, Amber Dale Luxury Hotel & Spa, Munnar

Luxurious Resorts: The Fog Munnar, Seven Springs Resort

Tips for Eravikulam National Park Safari

• Just like every national park in India, spotting a Nilgiri Tahr is not guaranteed. Over 850 deers are spread across 97 square kilometres of land which means the chances of spotting are less. They’re even less when you think that you’re only allowed to explore a few kilometres of that on a set walking path!
• But patience is the key. Keep your eyes and ears open rather than clicking selfies all over the way. 
• Don’t limit yourself to a particular distance. Push those boundaries for spotting wildlife and rewarding yourself with amazing views.
• Hire a guide for increasing your chances of spotting the Nilgiri Tahr.
• But if you still run out of luck, the views from the top of the Eravikulam National park safari are still well worth the ticket price. I still think that a visit to the park is worth it for the breathtaking views you can get from up here!

Have you read my thrilling and chilling Jim Corbett National Park experience?

Sustainable tips for Eravikulam National Park safari

• Do not carry food or beverage on the national park premises as it is banned. There is a cafeteria in case you are hungry and want a snack. You can carry a water bottle though.
• Do not dispose of plastic bottles and wrappers in the national park. Dispose of in the trash bin in the cafeteria. Remember, it is a plastic-free zone.
• Smoking, consumption of alcohol and other contrabands inside the Park is prohibited so please respect it.
• Do not feed the deers. They thrive on the grass in the valley which is their natural food.
• Do not tease or disturb the wild animals by intimidating or hooting or chasing them.
• Keep your mobile phones switched off or in aeroplane mode just to take pictures. Respect the wildlife by not playing music loudly, honking or speaking loudly. 
• Do not urinate in the open. Kindly use the eco-toilets.

I hope this Eravikulam National Park safari guide will help you to plan your trip to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Have you been to this national park, already? Tell me in the comments below.

Read More Kerala posts:

• Kerala Backwaters of Alleppey
• Things to do in Thiruvananthapuram
• Human by Nature: Impressions from Kerala
• Places to visit in Thekkady

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