Endowed with dense forest, rocky landscape, and crystal clear streams, the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is a major tourist attraction situated in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala.

It was established in the year 1983 and was named after the Peppara Dam which is located near the sanctuary. Several endemic and rare plants, animals and bird species are inhabited in this sanctuary that attracts many botanists, wildlife enthusiasts as well as birdwatchers to this place. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary also provides an exciting trekking trail and if you are lucky you can get a glimpse of various wild animals like Elephant, Nilgiri Langur, Guar, etc while trekking. The trek here is so mesmerizing with a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire valley.

Speciality

• Established in the year 1983, the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is said to be the oldest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala.
• Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across an area of 53 sq. Km.
• Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary represents a part of the Palode reserve.
• Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is set near the catchment area of the Peppara dam across the Karamana River.
• Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned for the Asian elephant, sambar, leopard, lion-tailed macaque.

Flora and Fauna

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary comprises of Tropical evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous forests and semi-evergreen forests. More than 60 percent of the area of the sanctuary is occupied by the moist mixed deciduous forests. The rare species of flora found here are Eugenia Discifera, Euliphia, Eulophia macrostachya, Poeciloneuron, Bentinckia condapanna, Eugenia floccose, Humboldtia unijiga, Ardisia missionis, Janakia arayalpatra, Chiloschista, Paphiopedilum, Hetaria ovalifolia and Polyscias acuminate. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary also includes vegetations like Myristica swamp forest, moist bamboo brakes, pioneer euphorbiaceous scrub, Riparian forest, Ochlandra reed brakes, grassland, and Bentinckia condapanna brakes.

The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary provides shelter to about 43 species of animals and 233 species of birds. This sanctuary is famous for being home to Asian elephants, Nilgiri Langur, leopard, gaur, lion-tailed macaque, slender loris, sambar deer, and leopard cat. Tigers are spotted here occasionally. Kerala laughing thrush, three-toed kingfisher, white-bellied treepie, painted bush quail, orange & black flycatcher, tiger bittern, forest eagle owl, small sunbird, Malabar grey hornbill, etc are the bird species found here.

Nearest Tourist Places

• Meenmutty Waterfalls : Meenmutty Waterfalls is an awesome place to go for trekking exploring the pristine beauty of nature.
• Vazhvanthol Waterfalls : Vazhvanthol waterfall is an unexplored scenic location cum adventurous trekking spot not familiar to most of the tourists.
• Kappukadu Elephant Rehabilitation Centre : The Kappukadu elephant rehabilitation centre is a wonderful picnic spot for elephant lovers where they can spend the whole day indulging in an elephant safari, boat ride and also feeding these humble creatures.
• Palode Botanical Gardens : Spread across an area of 300 acres and housing over 50,000 plants belonging to about 5,000 species, the Palode Botanical Garden is a haven for botanists and is proudly hailed as the biggest conservatory garden in Asia.

Activities

Best time to visit

October to March.

Way to Reach

 By Air - Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary which is situated at a distance of 40.9 Km.

 By Rail - Trivandrum Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary which is situated at a distance of 38.8 Km.

 By Road -  Trivandrum Bus Station is the nearest bus station to Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary which is situated at a distance of 38.2 Km.

FAQs:

What is Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary known for?

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its diverse wildlife, including Asian elephants, leopards, Nilgiri langurs, and lion-tailed macaques. It is also famous for its scenic trekking trails that offer breathtaking views of the valley and the chance to see rare and endemic plant, animal, and bird species.

What are the trekking options at Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary?

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary offers exciting trekking trails that lead through its dense forests and rugged terrain. The treks provide panoramic views of the valley and, if lucky, trekkers may spot wildlife such as elephants, Nilgiri langurs, and gaurs along the way.

How big is Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary?

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary spans an area of 53 square kilometres. It consists of tropical evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous forests, and semi-evergreen forests, with a majority being moist mixed deciduous.

Is Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary a good destination for birdwatchers?

Yes, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is a great destination for birdwatchers, as it is home to numerous species of birds. Birdwatching enthusiasts can spot both resident and migratory birds while exploring the sanctuary's forests.

Can I stay overnight at Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary?

While Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary itself does not offer accommodations, there are hotels and resorts in Thiruvananthapuram and nearby areas where visitors can stay. Day trips to the sanctuary are popular, especially for trekking, wildlife viewing, and nature photography.