Munnar Safari is nestled deep in the misty green hills of the lofty Western Ghats along the Kumily - Munnar Highway in Idukki district of Kerala. The Western Ghats mountain range starts near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra and runs approximately 1,600 km through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka,Tamil Nadu and Kerala ending at Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India. It is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and is one among the world's eight "hottest biodiversity hotspots". The estate was once the summer resort and hunting ground of a Raja from Tamil Nadu. It was later converted to a cardamom estate, purportedly the largest in India. Recently acquired by the Munnar Safari, the estate now constitutes more than 1000 acres of lush tropical rain-forest. The property contains an old guest house with a brilliant rose garden and an ancient temple with many untold tales to share with anyone willing to listen. The stables of an abandoned cattle and poultry farm dot the green hills beyond the guesthouse. The ancient Saraswati temple was rebuilt using granite blocks. The walkway surrounding the temple and guest house offers breathtaking valley and mountain views. The rose garden within the guesthouse premises holds more than fifty varieties of roses, as well as orange and guava trees. The rolling green hills, the fresh mountain air, the stupendous views and the thick forest canopy make this place an enchanting retreat. A jeep ride along the many winding trails through the estate takes you to the heart of the rain-forest, revealing glimpses of the ancient mysteries and incomparable beauty held within the depth of its valleys and along its mountain slopes.Tall trees and thick undergrowth cover most of the area. Many wild animals including elephant, gaur (Indian Bison), barking deer and leopard frequent the area. The music of varied birds is heard throughout .There are three check dams, and many small ponds and streams that provide waterholes to the visiting fauna and excellent wildlife sighting opportunities to the human visitors The steep trails through the forest tracts lead to high, grass covered mountain tops and rocky summits that provide sweeping panoramic views of Tamil Nadu village and towns.To one side of the estate lies the Tamil Nadu town of Thevaram at a precipitous drop of about 1000 meters. The vista of the flatlands of Tamil Nadu is in striking contrast to the lush green vegetation of the mountains. There are old hiking trails from the town leading to the estate, through the cliffs. Munnar Safari offers the serenity of a pleasant hill station as well as the tranquility of a tropical rain-forest with its gurgling streams and chirping birds. Munnar Safari is located at an altitude of about 1,500 meters (4,760 ft) above mean sea level. The climate is pleasant throughout with the temperature ranging between 8 degree C and 25 degree C in winter and 15 degree C and 28 degree C in summer. Mist shrouds the verdant hills and valleys frequently. The estate is well-connected by the Kumily-Munnar Highway. The nearest airports are Madurai Airport and Cochin International Airport.
