Destination guide
Discover Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
At a glance
Why this place stands out
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary is a regulated safari zone in north Wayanad near Mananthavady and the Kodagu road. Its forests support elephants, gaur, deer, monkeys, birds and other wildlife, with visitor movement limited to designated areas for conservation.
Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary forms a northern visitor zone of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and lies on the Kodagu side of Mananthavady, in the forested north of Wayanad. The sanctuary's woodland and water sources support a wide variety of animals, including elephants, gaur, deer, monkeys, reptiles, butterflies and numerous bird species. Tigers, leopards and bears also occur in the wider habitat, although any individual sighting is a matter of chance rather than something a safari can promise.
DTPC Wayanad notes that visitors are restricted to the outer tourism zone as part of conservation management, with regulated jeep safaris used to explore the accessible forest. This makes Tholpetty a good choice for travellers who want a structured wildlife experience while respecting habitat protection. Early and later parts of the day are often favoured for forest activity, but actual entry systems can change, so current Forest Department arrangements should be checked in advance.
The sanctuary also combines well with a north Wayanad itinerary covering Thirunelli, Brahmagiri landscapes and the Kattikulam-Mananthavady region, giving visitors a strong sense of Wayanad's forest character.
Nammude Keralam
