OT Staff & Waquar Habib
In Thekkady, Periyar Tiger Reserve offers boat safaris on Periyar Lake, abundant elephants, spice-garden walks, guided treks and night stays in eco-lodges for calm winter wildlife viewing and birding.
Bordering Nagarhole, Bandipur National Park features open grasslands, easy winter safaris, frequent elephant and deer sightings, expert naturalists, comfortable forest lodges and crisp post-monsoon foliage views for wildlife photography.
Riverside Kabini offers boat safaris, dense teak forests, notable tiger and leopard activity in winter, private jeep tours, luxury river-lodges and exceptional birdwatching along backwaters and canoe trips.
Nestled in the Nilgiris, Mudumalai’s cool winter months reveal elephants, tigers, diverse birds, tribal-culture tours, jeep safaris, nature trails and nearby Ooty-range panoramas for photographers and guided walks.
Anamalai Tiger Reserve combines evergreen forests, endemic Nilgiri tahr sightings, tea-estate stays, aromatic plantation walks, winter bird migrations and rugged trails for moderate treks and wildlife spotting with guides.
Bhadra Tiger Reserve’s post-monsoon winter brings clearer trails, active gaur herds, leopard sightings, organised jeep safaris, rustic Mangalorean stays and community-run eco-tour experiences with expert naturalist guides available daily.
Pristine rainforest in Kerala’s Western Ghats, Silent Valley National Park offers cool winter treks, endemic species like lion-tailed macaque, controlled permits, research trails and serene canopy walks daily.
Gulf of Mannar offers winter snorkelling and reef walks, rich coral biodiversity, dugong and turtle sightings, island homestays and guided boat tours clear visibility.