Why Periyar National Park is famous for elephant safaris and boat rides

Surrounding the serene Periyar river, Periyar National Park in Thekkady, Kerala is a microcosm of eco-tourism and treasured wildflife.

Also known as Periyar Tiger reserve, it is one of the most famous wildlife destinations in India. Located in the beautiful Western Ghats, the park is known for its rich forests, calm lake, wild animals, and eco-tourism activities.

Spread across 925 square kilometres, Periyar Tiger Reserve attracts thousands of tourists every year who come to enjoy nature, wildlife safaris, and peaceful boat rides.

The park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2022, the National Tiger Conservation Authority named Periyar Tiger Reserve the best-managed tiger reserve in the country.

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Whether you are a wildlife lover, photographer, or adventure traveller, Periyar offers a memorable experience close to nature.

History of Periyar Tiger Reserve

The history of Periyar National Park goes back to the 18th and 19th centuries when the forests were used as hunting grounds by the Travancore kings.

In 1934, the area became the Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary. Later, in 1950, it was renamed Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

In 1978, Periyar became the 10th Tiger Reserve in India under Project Tiger. Today, it is one of the country’s most successful wildlife conservation areas.

Why Periyar National Park is famous for elephant safaris

Periyar National Park is especially famous for elephant safaris and elephant sightings.

The forests of Periyar are home to a large population of Asian elephants. Visitors can often see herds of elephants near the lake, especially during the summer season when animals come to drink water and cool themselves.

The elephant safari experience in Periyar gives tourists a chance to see elephants moving freely in their natural habitat. Watching elephants walk through the forests, grasslands, and lakeside areas is one of the biggest attractions of the park.

Wildlife photographers and nature lovers visit Periyar mainly to see these majestic animals.

Periyar is also known as an important area for elephant conservation under Project Elephant, launched by the Government of India to protect wild Asian elephants.

Famous boat safari in Periyar lake

One of the top attractions in Periyar National Park is the boat safari on Periyar Lake. The lake was formed after the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895 and today it is the heart of the reserve.

The boat ride lasts around 1.5 hours and offers visitors a peaceful journey through the forest waters. During the safari, tourists can spot elephants, sambar deer, gaur, wild boars, and many species of birds near the lake shores. Sometimes visitors may also see smooth-coated otters playing in the water.

The dead tree trunks rising from the lake create a beautiful view and also attract many birds such as kingfishers, darters, cormorants, and egrets. The boat safari is one of the best ways to enjoy wildlife viewing in Kerala.

Periyar boat safari timings and ticket price

Boat safari timings at Periyar National Park are available in both morning and afternoon sessions.

A total of 5 rides are conducted throughout the day. The ticket price for the boat safari is around ₹255 for Indian and foreign visitors. Safety measures such as life jackets, lifebuoys, trained drivers, and lifeguards are provided for all passengers.

Wildlife in Periyar Tiger Reserve

Periyar Tiger Reserve is home to many rare and endangered animals.

Apart from elephants, visitors may spot Bengal tigers, Indian gaurs, leopards, barking deer, mouse deer, wild dogs, Nilgiri langurs, and sloth bears.

The reserve also has more than 265 species of birds.

Popular birds seen here include the Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, kingfishers, and cormorants. The forests are rich in evergreen trees, medicinal plants, and unique wildlife species found only in the Western Ghats.

Hub of eco-tourism activities

Periyar is one of the best eco-tourism destinations in Kerala. The reserve offers many adventure and nature activities for tourists.

Some popular activities include bamboo rafting, nature walks, trekking, camping, and border hiking.

Visitors can also join tribal interaction programmes and visit the Tribal Heritage Museum to learn about local forest communities and their traditional lifestyle.

Trained guides and former tribal hunters help tourists explore the forest safely while sharing knowledge about wildlife and plants.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Periyar National Park is from October to March. During this season, the weather remains pleasant and wildlife sightings are more common. Summer months are also good for spotting elephants near the lake.