Kerala, spread over the Western Ghats, has a total forest area of 11,125.59 sq.kms and boasts of 5 national parks, 13 wildlife sanctuaries including 2 tiger reserves and 2 bird sanctuaries. The Ghats is one of the 25 bio diversity hotspot of the world. Despite loss of much to the growing human intervention, the hotspot still supports 60 percent of the world's plant, bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species.

Rich in wildlife, nature-eco tourism is happening in Kerala. If you are a wildlife lover, the place you camp in Kerala is the hill
district—Idukki in central Kerala.

Eravikulam National Park: On top of Kerala, Eravikulam’s rationale is to protect Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius). Spread over 97 sq km, Eravikulam is on the hilly Idukki district. Anamudi peak, at a height of 2,695 metres, stands like a sentinel nearby. The park wrapped in lush vegetation supports a wide variety of fauna and flora.

Silent Valley National Park : Part of Bilgiri biosphere, the Silent Valley National Park, 90 square kilometres is on Northern Kerala district—Palghat. The park got this name as the valley is free from the chirping noise of crickets. It is home to one of the most endangered species of monkeys, the Lion-tailed Macaque. Contrary to the name, however, it is filled with noises of elephants, tigers, gaurs, Sambhar, Panther etc.

Mathikettan Shola: Declared a National Park recently, this 12.8-sq km falls, again, in Idukki district. Mathikettan shola was notified as a National Park to protect the wildlife and rich biodiversity of the area. The pristine shola forest in the area is endowed with unique ecological, faunal, floral and geomorphological wealth.

Anamudi Shola: The Anamudi Shola National Park constitutes the Mannavan shola, Idivara shola and Pullardi shola, covering a total area of around 750 hectares.

Pampadum Shola : The smallest National Park in the state, Pampadum Shola, stretches only an area of 1.32 sq km. This park is situated in the Marayoor village of Idukki district. Taking into account the environmental importance and the rare bio diversity of the Shola pastures, this area was notified as a National Park in 2004.

Periyar Tiger Reserve Ensconced in the Southern Western Ghats Periyar/Thekkady is a captivating sanctuary meant to be a tiger reserve. But more than tigers it is home to elephants. This pride of Kerala is perhaps the best place to see gamboling elephants in their habitat—loners and hoards. Oher animals seen in the Periyar sanctuary are gaur, wild pigs, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, dole or Indian wild dog and very rarely, a tiger. Good place for a Jungle Trek. One can also trek with the night patrol with the forest guard through the jungle, when there are better chances of spotting wildlife from up close. During the trek the flora and fauna can be experienced at close quarters and if one is lucky enough there are chances to sight the bigger animals of the cat family.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary Some 450 - 750 meter above sea level is the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary occupying an area of 77 sq km. Amid the tropical semi-evergreen and deciduous forests, wildlife species like Elephants, Bison, Sambhar, Deer, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tiger, Wild Boar and variety of reptiles such as Cobra, Viper, Krait can be spotted. It is home to a delightful mix of the winged friends-- Jungle Fowl, Myna, Laughing Thrush, Black Bulbul, Peafowl, Woodpecker, Kingfisher etc.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary Actually the catchments of Peppara Dam, this sanctuary is just 50 km from the Capital City of Trivandrum, It has boating and bird watching facilties provided by government and private tourism promoters. The sanctuary has a rich population of mammalian fauna and is emerging as a big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts and ornithologists. 43 species of mammals, 233 species of birds, 46 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians and 27 species of fishes are reported from the sanctuary. The common mammals found are Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Elephant, Sambar (deer), Bonnet Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr etc.

Chinar Wildlife sanctuary It is the repository of medicinal plants, and of course, home to a great variety of flora and fauna. The magnificent grizzled squirrel, cormorants, sambar, gaur, bonnet macaques, elephant, spotted deer, tigers, spectacled cobras, Kraits, turtles, vipers, darters and black eagles. All this apart, this place is heaven for boating and trekking purpose.

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary Described the richest bird habitat in the Peninsular India Thattekkad bird sanctuary was set up in 1983 in memory of the famed ornithologist Salim Ali. It has the widest variety of the winged friends in an undisturbed ambience. It is in the central Kerala’s Eranakulam district.

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary Situated on the south-east part of Western Ghats in the Trivandrum district, Neyyar sanctuary is the drainage basin of River Neyyar and has many attractions to enjoy besides a breath-taking view of the hill-fringed Neyyar Dam. A crocodile rearing centre, deer farm and lion safari park are the main attractions. It is a fairly well-developed site where accommodations are aplenty and trekking possible.

Wayanad wildlife Sanctuary A part of the Nilgiri biosphere, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity. Those who love plants and forests must visit here and enjoy the nature’s handiwork. Wayanad is kerala’s tribal district and it offers very many chances to see their habitat and know about the nature cure system they follow. The forest is very rich in flora and fauna.

Aaralam wildlife sanctuary Located on the western slopes of the Ghats, Aaralam is rich in faula.Bison, leopard and jungle cats are commonly spotted here. The place is an all-season spot where you might spend a day to listen to the orchestra of the denizens of the jungle.

Shenduruni Wildlife Sanctuary Shenduruni Wildlife Sanctuary, closer to Trivandrum in the southern part of Kerala, shelters a wide array of animals that include tigers, bears, leopards, elephants, lion-tailed macques. One can also see various species of birds that migrate to this place for nesting and breeding.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and backwaters Never miss this place is the advice. It is the summer home to a variety of migratory birds you may meet once in lifetime. Some guests come from as far as Siberia and Himalayas. They come in clusters, the sight that make you dance with joy if you are an avian lover. Add on advantage of being in Kumarakom is that it allows you the watery sojourn along the largest backwater lake of Kerala—Vebanad Lake. So, it is a two-in-one.