One of the first sanctuaries to be set up in South India, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Jawaharlal Nehru Park in the region. Spread over an area of 321 sq km, Mudumalai lies at the junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. At a height of 1,140 m, the wildlife sanctuary has a variety of habitats ranging from tropical evergreen forest to moist teak forest, a dry teak forest to a swamp and more. The park is the perfect place to spot a variety of animal species and is excellent for birdwatching for its population of hornbills, minivets, fairy blue birds and jungle fowls. Here, one can spot panthers, elephants, gaur, mouse deer, sloth bears, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, blackbucks, Malabar giant squirrels, four-horned antelopes (chowsingha), small Indian civet, porcupines and much more. If you're lucky, you can also spot a tiger by the many waterholes here! The park also houses a population of reptiles like snakes, monitor lizards and flying lizards. One can explore the park through elephant rides for a more thrilling experience. The Theppakadu Elephant Camp, established in 1972, is a major attraction here.