Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Neyyattinkara taluk of
Thiruvananthapuram. The sanctuary commissioned in 1958, covers an area of 128 sq km and stretches from Neyyattinkara taluk to the
Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in
Tamil Nadu. This is the drainage basin for the
Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar.
A large number of mammals, reptiles and avi fauna are inhabitants of this sancturary. Elephant, gaur, sambar, barking deer, wild boar,
Indian porcupine, three-striped squirrel, lion-tailed macaque are among the animals found. A variety of snakes such as cobra, viper, python, rat snake, flying snake, lizard and birds such as mynah, kingfisher, white-breasted water hen, woodpecker, hoopoe inhabit the park.
In the premises of this tranquil sanctuary is the Agastyakoodam hill, the second highest peak in
Kerala (1890m). The Lion Safari park and Crocodile farm are the main attractions of the site. The Neyyar reservoir is located nearby this sanctuary.
The best time to visit is November to February. The nearest airport and railway station are at Thiruvananthapuram (32 km).
The Youth Hostel and Rest House at Neyyar, the Inspection Bungalow of the Forest Department, the Dormitory of Irrigation Department,
Agasthya House of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and the Rest House at Meenmutty are the places to stay.