Explore Wayanad

Nighttime is the right time for a drive through the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary

Muthanga boasts herds of wild bison, spotted deer, barking deer, sambhar and wild boar, apart from elephants. — Photo by author

"HEY, WILD pig on the right," shouts the French tourist sitting atop a tempo traveller on a wildlife safari. I peer hard into the bush trying to find any trace of the pig. That was the moment when I thought that this was going to be one of those safaris where one catches lucky glimpses of wildlife fleeing through the tall forest grass.

Boy, was I in for a surprise! Just a mere 200 metres further down the muddy trail, the scene could have been right out of National Geographic. A large herd of both wild bison and elephants grazing on grassland next to a watering hole. That is Wayanad (Muthanga) Wildlife Sanctuary for you.

The excitement was palpable, tourists couldn't stifle their screams of excitement and the photographers were just clicking away furiously trying to get the `perfect shot'. The animals meanwhile went about their routine probably wondering what these Homo Sapiens were getting all excited about.

Located 250 km south of Bangalore, Muthanga is a part of the Nilgiri's Biosphere Reserve. It is one of the two main sanctuaries in the district of Wayanad, the other one being Tholpetti. Muthanga is a Project Elephant Reserve. So, the park boasts a large number of herbivores like wild bison, spotted deer, barking deer, sambhar and wild boar, apart from elephants. A rare tiger or leopard can also be spotted. But, this is mainly due to the fact that the park borders the Bandipur and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuaries.

To get to Muthanga, take the Bangalore-Mysore-Gundlupet-Muthanga route. Or you can also take any bus that goes to Calicut or Kalpetta: all of them pass through Muthanga. The drive is exhilarating, especially after you have driven on our now infamous Mysore Road.

To make the journey truly unforgettable, drive on the highway through the forest late at night. The road is shrouded in thick pea-soup fog and that element of danger gets the adrenaline flowing. It also the best time to spot wildlife at their natural best. One can see elephants standing like grey sentinels on the roadside and the occasional deer will jump across your headlights.

The safari takes you through unseen muddy tracks inside the forest. One has to compulsorily take along a Forest Department guide after paying the necessary fee and obtaining the permit at the check post. The sojourn through the forest is best enjoyed in an open-top vehicle or on the roof of a vehicle. But strictly obey whatever the guide says, as he is a virtual treasure trove of knowledge: it is for your own safety. He knows every nook and cranny of the forest.

The trip to Muthanga and back requires at least two days. Accommodation is available at forest lodges in Muthanga and hotels in Sulthan Bathery, which is just down the road. To reserve a forest lodge, call the Wildlife Warden, Sulthan Bathery on 04936-220454. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between November and May.

ANAND SANKAR