These national parks in South India shouldn’t be missed

It’s time to give a break to the picture-perfect coffee/tea plantations and glorious beaches and hill stations in South India. Now’s the perfect season to explore the wildlife!

Read more: Uber-Interesting things to do in Kerala this winter

When the weather is mild and just about right, plan a trip to these amazing national parks. Go on a trek, swim or take jeep safaris in these national parks - whatever you do - you are in for a great time.

Here’s a list of top national parks in South India for the adventurous and the wild side of you.

Also known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the premier wildlife parks in India. The national park is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and one of the few forests in India where you will find sandalwood trees. This protected area is a part of Project Tiger and Project Elephant.

Periyar National Park is one of the national parks in India that stays open throughout the year. However, the best time to visit the national park is from September to April. This is when you will get to experience the forest in all its glory. You will get the best of the Western Ghats here. Periyar Tiger Reserve is home to the Bengal tigers, elephants, lion-tailed macaques and leopards, among many others.

This national park and tiger reserve was an erstwhile private hunting ground of the Maharaja of Mysore. Now a protected site, the park is home to a small population of Bengal tigers, Indian wild elephants, leopards and many other species of birds and animals.

Eravikulam National Park is the first and the largest (area-wise) national park in Kerala. The national park is the protected natural habitat for the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain goat species in India. Eravikulam is also where you will get to see the rare blooming of Neelakurinji flowers. They bloom once every 12 years.

Do you know why the park is called Silent Valley National Park? Back when researchers explored this place for the first time, the absence of the cicadas made the forest very quiet. You see, back then it was a much cooler climate. Due to the cold weather, cicadas were not active in the area. Hence the name. It was first explored in 1847. At present, Silent Valley National park is home to the largest population of lion-tailed macaques.

When in Wandoor on the Andaman Islands, you need to take a break from the beach vacation and explore this national park. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is home to coral reefs which, in turn, supports many species of aquatic animals. Take a boat ride to the mangrove areas as well.

Mudumalai National Park is the pride and joy of the Nilgiri Mountains. The national park shares its borders with Karnataka and Kerala. Mudumalai has been a protected area since 1940, making it one of the oldest reserves in India. Mudumalai National Park is located in Coimbatore and is home to the Indian wild elephant, Bengal tiger, gaur and Indian leopard.

Mathikettan Shola National Park is located in Poopara village in Idukki district, Kerala. This national park protects the vulnerable shola forest landscape and the Galaxy frog, an endangered species. The Galaxy frog has been identified as the flagship species for habitat protection in the Mathikettan Shola National Park. When we say everything is interconnected, this is it. By protecting the frog species, its habitat automatically comes under protection.