Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary – Kundapur

The whole of Coastal Karnataka is a pleasure for nature lovers. It offers a wide variety of nature to experience. Be it beaches or temples, every place is decked by its scenic surroundings!

Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is the place for such nature enthusiasts. Located at Kollur in Udupi district, this sanctuary spans 247 sq. kms offering a huge variety of dense vegetation and wildlife. This place shares its north western boundary with Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary. Divided into three zones viz. core zone (114 sq. km), buffer zone (90 sq. km) and tourist zone (43 sq. km), Mookambika sanctuary is home to thick evergreen and semi evergreen trees. Found in some places are deciduous trees and teak plantations.

There are also ample sightings of birds and wild animals at this sanctuary. An impressive variety of species found at this sanctuary are lion-tailed macaque, bonnet macaque, common langur, slender loris, sloth bear, gaur, wild pig, tiger, leopard, wild dog, jackal, chital, sambar, barking deer, otter, porcupine, Malabar giant squirrel and flying squirrel.

The bird species found here are Malabar whistling thrush, Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, great Indian hornbill, southern treepie, yellow bulbul, scarlet minivet, racket-tailed drongo, black naped blue flycatcher and quake babbler.

Environmentalists often frequent this place for it shelters Coscinium fenestratum – a rare species of climber. One also finds the cane turtle which is facing extinction.

Most people visit this sanctuary as it offers a wonderful trekking option and nature camping. Visit this place during November-March period for pleasant climatic conditions. Travellers can also visit the famous Mookambika temple which is but a few minutes drive from the sanctuary.

Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is easily accessible from Kundapur (45 kms) and Mangalore(135 kms). It is also well-connected to other places by road.