Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

About this place

Shendurney Wild Photo Safari is a wildlife and nature photography experience associated with the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kollam, Kerala, offering opportunities to explore forest landscapes, wildlife habitats, water bodies, and scenic viewpoints through guided eco-tourism activities. Shendurney forms part of the southern Western Ghats and is known for its tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, rich biodiversity, and picturesque terrain. The sanctuary supports wildlife including elephants, gaurs, sambar, wild boar, deer, langurs and other forest species, while the endemic Shendurney tree, Gluta travancorica, gives the region its name and adds botanical interest to the landscape. A photo-focused visit to Shendurney can combine wildlife observation with nature exploration, allowing photographers and nature enthusiasts to capture forest scenery, birds, butterflies, vegetation, streams and panoramic views. Official Kerala Tourism information highlights several trekking programmes through the sanctuary, including trails through evergreen and moist deciduous forests where visitors may encounter birds, butterflies and wildlife. The Evergreen Trail, for example, passes through evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and offers opportunities to observe the Shendurney tree, lion-tailed macaques and other wildlife, while other trails provide views of the surrounding forest landscape and water features. The Parappar Reservoir, formed by the Thenmala Dam, adds another dimension to the experience, with boating and related eco-tourism activities providing views across the forested surroundings and opportunities for observing the natural landscape from the water. Kerala Tourism also lists boat safari, coracle rides and other forest-based activities among the experiences associated with Shendurney. For photographers, the sanctuary's varied environments provide subjects ranging from broad Western Ghats landscapes to smaller details such as butterflies, forest plants, streams and birds. Rosemala is particularly scenic, with forest trails, a reservoir, a viewing tower and panoramic perspectives across the surrounding landscape; Kerala Tourism also notes bird watching and forest exploration as part of the area's eco-tourism experience. Shendurney is therefore more appropriately experienced as a guided wildlife and nature photography outing rather than a conventional open-vehicle game-drive safari. The available official information confirms guided jeep and forest safari experiences, trekking programmes, boating, bird-watching opportunities and camping, but does not establish a separately branded programme officially named “Shendurney Wild Photo Safari.” The sanctuary's combination of wildlife, forest ecology, reservoir landscapes and trekking trails makes it relevant for photographers interested in documenting Kerala's Western Ghats environment while experiencing the area's wider eco-tourism offerings. As with other forest-based activities, photography should be conducted responsibly by maintaining a safe distance from wildlife, following forest-department guidance and avoiding disturbance to animals and their habitats.

🚆 Nearest Railway: Thenmala Railway Station (~2 km)

✈️ Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (~75 km)

🚌 Bus: Thenmala Bus Stand

🏨 Stay: Thenmala Eco Tourism accommodation; Shendurney forest camping accommodation

✅ Notes: Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve and is known for its endemic Chenkurinji tree.