Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary: A Complete Guide To Kerala’s Hidden Paradise

Discover the untouched beauty of Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary, the jewel among India’s wildlife and safari parks during your Kerala Tour. Located in the Thrissur district, just 40 kilometres from town, this natural paradise stands alongside the famous nature trails in Wayanad as a testament to Kerala’s rich biodiversity. Chimmini National Park captivates visitors with its serene lake, exotic flora and fauna including 39 mammal species, 25 reptile species, 31 fish species, 14 amphibian species, and over 200 bird species. The sanctuary’s rich ecosystem shares many similarities with the famous wildlife in Wayanad, featuring diverse habitats. 

While exploring the sanctuary, many visitors often combine their trip with the popular places to visit in Wayanad to make the most of their Kerala tour.  Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast who enjoys bird-watching or a traveller who wants to spend time in nature, Chimmini (Chimmony) Wildlife Sanctuary offers an authentic experience. Explore the timings, entry fee, best activities, and the history behind the Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary below!

History Behind The Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary

At first, not many tourists knew about Chimmini (Chimmony) Wildlife Sanctuary. But thanks to the Forest Department’s hard work and people showing more interest in nature, it’s now becoming popular! The sanctuary covers 85 square kilometres and attracts more visitors every year. People come to see its beautiful green forests, wild animals, and peaceful rivers. It’s perfect for travellers who want to experience nature away from crowded tourist spots! Over time, it has grown from a hidden gem to become one of Kerala’s special eco-tourism destinations.

Chimmony Wild life Sanctuary has expanded its tourism offerings in recent times, drawing inspiration from the successful eco-tourism model of wildlife in Wayanad. Chimmini wildlife tourism now features a range of eco-conscious activities including guided trekking, traditional bamboo rafting experiences, and bird-watching tours in a way that these tourism activities support both nature conservation and local community development.

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Flora & Fauna At Chimmini (Chimmony) Wildlife Sanctuary

Similar to the best flora and fauna of Wayanad, Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to diverse flora and fauna. 

Animals:

Big animals like tigers, elephants, and wild dogs live here. You can also see special animals like giant squirrels, Nilgiri monkeys, and slender loris. There are deer and wolves too.

Birds:

The sanctuary is home to 192 different kinds of birds. Five special bird types that only live in the Western Ghats can be found here. You might see birds like Grey-headed bulbul and white-bellied blue flycatcher. 

Other Wildlife:

• 25 kinds of reptiles
• 31 types of fish
• 14 different amphibians

Trekking In Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary

Want to go on a beautiful nature walk? Try the Chimmony trail! Start at Virakuthodu (just 1 km past the check post) and walk to Choorathala. It is a 5 km walk that takes about 3 hours. A guide will walk with you. On your way, you will see lots of butterflies and birds. It is perfect for bird lovers, especially in November and December. 

Trekking Open Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM daily.

Note: Make sure to get your tickets before 2 PM

Chimminy Dam

The Chimmini (Chimmony) Dam is one of the top sights in Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary and has become the major wildlife and safari park in India.  It is built at Echippara on the Chimmony River, with Peechi Dam and Mangalam Dam nearby.

What’s Unique About It?

• No regular canals
• Instead, water flows naturally through the river to farm fields
• Also supplies water to many areas connected to the Kurumali River

It’s a perfect place to get close to nature and enjoy outdoor activities. Explore below the best things to do at the dam and the sanctuary. 

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Things To Do At Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary

Explore the most fun things to do at Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary: 

1. Embark On Trekking

Want to see nature at its best? Take a walk through Chimmin’s untouched forests! Here’s what makes your trek special—– the beautiful natural woods, small streams along the way, rare birds singing all around, and colourful butterflies flying around. The best part? The sanctuary staff will give you a local guide for your walk, and overnight stay options. 

2. Enjoy Boating 

At the Chimmini Dam, visitors can enjoy a special 20-minute boat ride in a round, bowl-shaped boat called Kuttavanchi (also known as Coracle or Turtle Ride). While floating on the water, you will get amazing views of the mountains! For even more fun, try bamboo rafting on the peaceful lake near Ethipala village in Thrissur District. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy nature and the water! Take a relaxing walk around Chimmony Dam to see its beautiful lake, with the grand Western Ghats mountains in the background. 

3. Explore The Forest Through Cycle Safari

Want to experience the top sights in Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary up close? Try cycling through Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary! You will ride past beautiful plants and animals, making memories that last forever. Don’t worry about getting lost, a guide will lead you through the forest on this amazing bike tour!

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4. Enjoy Bird Watching And Butterfly Safari

Love birds and butterflies? The sanctuary team offers special guided tours where you can spot many different types of birds and beautiful butterflies. It’s perfect for both serious bird watchers and anyone who enjoys watching nature’s wonders! During certain times of the year, birds from all over the world visit Chimmony! Bird lovers can spot special birds like the Greenish Lang warbler, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Malabar Whistling Thrush, and Racket Tailed Drongo. 

5. Stay Overnight In The Forest

Want to spend a night at Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary? You can choose to stay at the inspection bungalow near the dam or book a bed in the Echippara dormitory. You can also camp at special camping spots. 

Note: Getting permission from forest officials is mandatory.

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary Location

Chimmini Sanctuary is a protected wildlife area located in Thrissur district in Kerala. The sanctuary is part of a bigger forest area in the Western Ghats mountains where animals can move freely between different forests. If you want to visit Chimmini, you can get there from nearby cities. It’s about 50 kilometres from Thrissur city and 280 kilometres from the big city of Kochi. The closest town is called Chalakudy, which is where most people start their trip to the sanctuary.

How To Reach Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary

If you’re reaching from far away, learn how to reach Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary. 

By Plane:

• Land at Cochin Airport, which is 75 km away from the sanctuary. 
• Take a taxi from the airport. It’s a 2-3 hour drive to Chimmini.

By Train: 

• Get off at Chalakudy Train Station
• From there, take a taxi or bus for about 1 hour to reach Chimmini
• The station is 35 km away from the sanctuary

By Car or Bus: 

• You can drive there or take a bus
• From Thrissur city, it takes about 1.5 hours
• From Kochi city, it takes 4-5 hours
• The drive is beautiful; you’ll see mountains, tea gardens, and village life

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Best Time To Visit Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary 

The best time to visit Chimmini Sanctuary is from October to February. These months are ideal for exploration and other activities at the sanctuary. 

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary Timings & Entry Fee 

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary Ticket Price 

• Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary Ticket Price For Indian Adults: INR 20 per head
• Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary Ticket Price For Students: INR 15 per head
• Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary Ticket Price For Foreigners: INR 200 per head

 Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary Timings

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Interesting Facts About Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary 

One of the interesting facts about Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary is its unique and varied landscape. The sanctuary’s boundaries follow the path of the Chimmony River. Over time, the river and its many small streams have carved out different levels of land, creating hills, valleys, and slopes. This special mix of different land features makes Chimmini different from other sanctuaries in the region.

Places To Visit Near Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary

1. Athirappilly Waterfalls

Athirappilly Falls is a beautiful waterfall. People call it “India’s Niagara” because it’s so big and impressive. The water drops down 80 feet over rocky cliffs, and it looks most amazing during the rainy season. Lots of people, especially those who love nature and taking photos, come to see this beautiful waterfall. It is one of the best places to visit near Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary, which is perfect for a one-day trip from Chimmini.

• Distance From Chimmini Sanctuary: 46.5 km

2. Thumboormuzhi Butterfly Garden

It’s a beautiful place where you can see lots of different butterflies flying around in their natural home. The garden has a special hanging bridge that goes over the Chalakudy River —- from here, you can see beautiful views of the green forests all around. If you love nature and want to learn about butterflies while enjoying pretty views, this garden is a perfect place to visit!

• Distance From Chimmini Sanctuary: 45 km

3. Vazhachal Waterfalls

Vazhachal Waterfalls is close to Athirappilly and is a much quieter waterfall. Unlike the big, loud Athirappilly Falls, Vazhachal is peaceful and calm. The waterfall is surrounded by thick forests where you can watch many different kinds of birds, take relaxing walks, and have a quiet picnic near the water.

If you want to escape crowds and enjoy nature in peace, Vazhachal is perfect. It is different from Athirappilly Falls, but just as special in its own quiet way.

• Distance From Chimmini Sanctuary: 52 km

4. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is a special wildlife park that’s 131 kilometres away from Chimmini. Even though it is a long trip, it’s worth visiting if you love animals. The park is famous for its tigers and has many different types of plants and animals. One special attraction is the Kannimara Teak —- the biggest and most important teak tree in Asia. The park takes good care of its plants and animals and teaches visitors about protecting nature. This makes it not just fun to visit, but also a great place to learn about wildlife.

• Distance From Chimmini Sanctuary: 131 km

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Tips For Visiting Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary

1. Planning: Check with the Kerala Forest Department first, as some activities need special permission. Get your permission before you go. 
2. Dress Appropriately: Choose light, comfortable clothes. Pick clothes in natural colours (like brown, and green) and bring a light jacket for cold evenings.
3. Follow Wildlife Rules: Keep your distance from animals, don’t throw trash, and listen to what your guide tells you. 
4. Leech Protection: Leeches are common in the rainy season. Hence wear special leech socks. You can also put salt on your shoes to keep them away. 
5. Carry Essentials: Bring sunscreen to protect your skin, spray to keep insects away, a hat for sun protection, a water bottle, medicines you need, and most importantly good shoes for walking. 
6. Binoculars: Bring binoculars if you can as they help you see birds and animals better and make your trip more enjoyable.