Periyar National Park is Southern India’s most popular reserve. Located in the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, Periyar is fairly easy to access from Kerala’s popular beach resorts.

The centrepiece of the reserve is the artificial Periyar Lake. The vegetation comprises a mix of dense evergreen and moist deciduous forest with some areas of grassland.

Although the park is a rich habitat for wildlife, the dense forest makes wildlife viewing challenging with most visitors coming  to Periyar hoping to see  elephants, which can be seen from boat cruises on the Periyar Lake. The park is also a tiger reserve but these are rarely seen and with game viewing limited to boat trips it is unlikely that guests staying for a few days will spot one. Visitors who chose to trek into the Periyar National Park often see a python and sometimes even a king cobra.

Activities in Periyar National Park

Boat safaris on Periyar Lake, guided jungle trekking, rafting

Species Found in Periyar National Park

Bengal tiger, elephant, leopard. jungle cat, rusty spotted cat, leopard cat, fishing cat, sloth bear, fox, slender loris, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, bonnet macaque, civet, dhole (wild dog), wild boar, mouse deer, sambar, gaur, Malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, porcupine.

Best Time to Visit Periyar

Open all year but best between October and May. The optimum time is March to May.
Chance of seeing a tiger – slight
Location – Kerala

Tours Visiting Periyar National Park

Tailor made tours only