Mudumalai

Mudumalai sits at a highly strategic geographic point called the Tri-Junction, where three southern states meet: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. ​Because nature doesn't recognize political borders, Mudumalai is completely contiguous with three other massive protected forests: Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) to the north Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) to the west Sigur and Sathyamangalam forest divisions (Tamil Nadu) to the east

Established way back in 1927, Theppakadu is the oldest captive elephant camp in South India. Located right inside the reserve along the Moyar River, it serves as a camp for injured or orphaned elephants rescued from the wild, as well as kumki elephants (trained elephants used by the forest department to mitigate human-wildlife conflict). Pop Culture Connection: Theppakadu Elephant Camp gained massive global fame as the primary filming location for the Academy Award-winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers, which beautifully captured the bond between the indigenous caretakers and orphaned elephant calves.

No, private vehicles are strictly forbidden from entering the inner core zones or driving off the main state highways. To explore the forest, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department runs official Jungle Safaris using authorized mini-buses and open-top gypsies starting from the reception center at Theppakadu.

Yes, public safety and animal protection laws are strictly enforced here. The main interstate highways passing through the Mudumalai and neighboring Bandipur reserves are completely closed to vehicular traffic from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM. This night ban was put in place to prevent severe roadkill incidents and to give nocturnal wildlife undisturbed access to migration corridors.