Best visited between August and April, this unique and little-known reserve near the World Heritage Site monuments of Hampi is a haven for around 120 sloth bears, its main draw, plus leopard, hyena, jackal, wild boar, porcupine, pangolin and star tortoise, and around 90 bird species.

The meeting point of north and south, the state contains many attractions, including the World Heritage Site of Hampi, and two excellent reserves. The best known of these is Nagarhole National Park, considered the best wildlife reserve in south India.

In the beautiful forests of this hilly reserve can be found the rare Nilgiri tahr, a critically endangered mountain goat, as well as a host of other mammal and bird species including great pied hornbill, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, pangolin and barking deer.

A real gem, Nagarhole is a 247 square-mile park of dry deciduous forest, grassy swamp and riverine habitat supporting an astonishing array of wildlife, including 250 bird species, tiger, leopard, elephant, wild dog (dhole) and gaur. It is among the best of India’s wildlife reserves and the most important one in southern India.

Contiguous with Nagarhole, from which it is separated by Bandipur National Park, the sanctuary protects birds such as Malabar trogon, crested serpent eagle and grey hornbill, and mammals like sloth bear, hyena, wild dog and bonnet macaque.

The southernmost western state, its capital is Cochin (Kochi) with its famous Jew Town and ancient synagogue, colonial houses, Chinese fishing nets and Dutch museum. Many opt for a night or two aboard a converted rice barge houseboat (kettuvallam) to cruise the many serene waterways and canals, and to spend time by the coast and … Continued

Designated a tiger reserve in 1978 and very popular with locals, Periyar National Park consists of a large man-made lake on which visitors take boat rides surrounded by marsh and wooded hills. While the reserve protects many species, significant wildlife sightings other than elephant and gaur are uncommon and the beautiful setting is the main … Continued

Of the 36 main coral islands of the beautiful Lakshadweep archipelago, a northern extension of the Maldives lying 250 miles off the Kerala coast formerly known as the Laccadives, only one (Bangaram) has a resort of an international standard. The diving and snorkelling are superb and the beaches and lagoons are exquisite. Access is by … Continued

Once known as the Coromandel coast, the state boasts remarkable temples, cool colonial hill stations such as Ooty, rich traditions of music and dance and some highly interesting nature reserves.

Set up in 1978 to protect the endangered Nilgiri tahr (an endangered mountain goat), it is close to Kerala’s only hill station, Munnar, at 2700 mts above sea level. The park has stark yet stunning scenery of rocky outcrops and grasslands with shola forest.