Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located 90 km from
Coimbatore. The sanctuary is at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the
Western Ghats near
Pollachi. It is spread over an area of 1000 sq km. Teak trees monopolise the forest, though there are some evergreens. The sanctuary protects elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, deer, wild boar, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, jackal,
pangolin, civet cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, red whiskered bulbul, tree pie,
black headed oriole,
spotted dove, and pigeon. The
Nilgiri tahr, also known as ibex, can be spotted here.
Tourism information is provided at a tiny village, Top Slip, near the sanctuary where guest lodging is available. The Forest Department Office is located here. The Forest Department organises elephant safaris and jeep rides into the sanctuary.
One can visit the sanctuary any time during the year, either in the morning or in the night. The best time to visit this place is February - June.
Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is accessible by rail and air from Coimbatore. This place can be approached by road via Pollachi, which is 40 km from Coimbatore. From Pollachi to Top Slip it is around 35 km.
