Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary

Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary is the northern range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Wayanad district, Kerala, bordering Karnataka's Nagarhole National Park. Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and the Western Ghats, it protects dense moist deciduous forest and diverse wildlife including elephants, tigers, leopards, gaur and deer. Notable for guided jeep safaris through forest tracks, it offers visitors a chance to observe wildlife in a protected natural habitat.

Visitors can expect a guided jeep safari through dense moist deciduous forest tracks managed by the Kerala Forest Department. The sanctuary landscape includes teak and bamboo forests, grasslands and streams. Sightings may include elephants, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, langurs, and various birds. Safaris are conducted in department-authorized jeeps with a guide and driver, starting from the Tholpetty forest check post and ticket counter area.

Established in 1973 as part of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Tholpetty forms the northern range of the sanctuary. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the first biosphere reserve in India, and is contiguous with Nagarhole and Bandipur Tiger Reserves, forming a significant protected forest corridor in the Western Ghats.