Wildlife & Forests • Mananthavady, Wayanad

Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad

North Wayanad’s Pristine Forest Sanctuary & Wildlife Safaris

Located in northern Wayanad near Mananthavady, Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary borders Karnataka’s Nagarhole reserve, offering jeep safaris through moist deciduous forests teeming with deer, bison, and vibrant birdlife.

Forest landscape at Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary in Wayanad
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary — Mananthavady, Wayanad • Photo: Jaseem Hamza (CC BY 3.0)

Why Visit Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary?

  • ✓ Connected wilderness corridor with Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka
  • ✓ Frequent sightings of gaur (Indian bison), spotted deer, wild boar, and langurs
  • ✓ The picturesque lake inside the forest attracts animals during the morning safari
  • ✓ Less crowded safari experience than southern tourist corridors

What to Expect

Safaris depart from the Tholpetty forest office along a circular track inside the sanctuary. The moist deciduous forest features massive teak trees, bamboo stands, and open marshes. Early morning safaris often encounter mist-shrouded herds grazing near the main lake.

Things to Do at Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary

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Take a guided morning or afternoon forest department jeep safari

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Spot wildlife and forest birds around the interior water body

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Pair your visit with a trip to the nearby historic Thirunelly Temple

Photo Gallery

Wayanad Stays

Visiting Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary? Make Penta Mountz Your Base.

Explore our three retreats in Wayanad — Grand Wish, Montana Wild, and Misty Ridge — providing restful comfort after a day of exploration.

Montana Wild hillside stay illuminated at twilight in Wayanad mist Wayanad, Kerala

Montana Wild

A nature-oriented hospitality experience in Wayanad, offering guests a setting to disconnect from the everyday and embrace the character of the hills.

Grand Wish Wayanad accommodation setting and hills Wayanad, Kerala

Grand Wish

A welcoming stay in the landscapes of Wayanad, created for guests looking to slow down, reconnect and experience the destination at their own pace.

Misty Ridge Resort illuminated swimming pool at night in Vythiri Wayanad Wayanad, Kerala

Misty Ridge

A peaceful Wayanad retreat where the landscape becomes part of the stay, designed around comfort, calm and the feeling of getting away.

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