Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thiruvananthapuram

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Thiruvananthapuram & hardly 27 km distance. Find the best time to visit, lion safari park, entry fees to address. Established in 1958, The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary only became functional regarding conservation of species 1985 onwards. This reserve is located near Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. It is one of the southern-most wildlife sanctuaries of India and lies on the east side of the Western Ghats. The area covers about 128 square kms and houses numerous species of mammals, reptiles, birds as well as vegetation. River Neyyar and its tributaries, flow through this area and hence the name of the place.  This area is a catchment basin for the rivers and is extremely fertile for vegetation.

Contact Details

Contact Number : 0471-236-0762
Email Address : tvm.for@kerala.gov.in

Address

The Wildlife Warden,
Office at – Thiruvananthapuram Wildlife Division Forestry Complex,
Located at – Rajiv Gandhi Nagar
Area – Vattiyoorkavu
City – Thiruvananthapuram
State – Kerala

Timing : 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)

Entry Fees : 

Rate	Per person
Rs 250	Adult
Rs 125	5 to 12 years
Rs 5	below 5 years

How to Reach Neyyar?

Nearest city is Thiruvananthapuram from which public as well as private transport can be availed easily.KSRTC buses can also be availed from the city. The nearest railway station in Thiruvananthapuram Central which is approximately 32 kms away from the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Among the other nearby railway stations are Kochuveli, Trivandrum and Valliyur. Also planning by air is convenient as the nearest airport Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is only 38 kms away from the reserve and is well connected with major cities of India and abroad. One can also take the Neyyar Dam route.

Best Time for Visit:

The climate of this place is generally hot and humid during the summers and pleasant during winters. Monsoon experiences heavy rainfall and thus September-March is the best time to visit this place. The park remains open from Tuesday to Sunday and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Monday is a holiday throughout the year. It is best to reach the park early in the morning to complete the basic formalities in order to venture into the Lion Park and the Crocodile Sanctuary. Tickets and vehicles can be obtained near the entrance of the reserve.

Major Attractions in Neyyar Wildlife

Lion Safari

The Lion Park houses 7 lions and if one is lucky can spot them too. Canters or buses are available to take a ride to this zone where people can observe very closely these jungle kings in their natural habitat. Often guides carry meat to lure the animals to come closer for a better view and increase the chances of sighting. The Park remains closed on Monday and is open from 9am to 5pm. From the gate of the reserve, a boat ride takes the tourists to a spot and from there buses are availed to the lions’ abode. It is an exciting adventure as lions come very close to the buses and are not bothered by the tourist’s presence.

Crocodile and Deer Park

From the Lion Park, tourists are taken again through a boat ride to the place of deer and crocodiles. The Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre is important for conserving crocodiles, rearing and breeding them. The farm houses a variety of crocodiles more commonly the mugger crocodiles. The rearing of the crocodile became monitored and essentials after several attacks on the tribal community. The farm also houses a few species of snakes and monitors their behaviour for the same reasons. The deer park showcases an amazing variety of deer and it’s a treat to see them in their natural habitat.

Neyyar Dam

One of the most spectacular places in Neyyar is the Dam. The reservoir has an expansive area of about 90 square kms and its emerald green-blue water is a sight in itself. The Sivananda Yoga Ashram is located near the dam and one can take classes to rejuvenate and relax oneself. Tourists can also avail boats for a wonderful experience on the waters at very cheap rates. Elephant rides as well as a watch tower are two major attractions of this place.

Agasthyamalai Hill

Commonly known as the Asambhu Hills, this place is a visitor’s paradise. Standing at an elevation of 1600 meters, this place offers spectacular view of the forest and its surrounding area. It is the perfect place to get the bird’s eye view of the entire area and also click a few marvellous photos.

Trek

Several treks are organised through the forest. Although very tiring and taxing, it is worth walking the distance. The rugged trek roads are covered in natural vegetation, showcasing an astounding variety of flora. One can spot animals and reptiles at close distance and be amazed by their activities. Caution should be taken not to venture alone without a professional guide and should be limited to the buffer zone only.

Neyyar being a remote area is a difficult place to find plenty of hotels. However resorts and hotels are available further away from the spot and should be booked well in advance. The place once visited will lure the tourists to revisit its virgin beauty and be a place to look forward to.