This picturesque sanctuary is a treat for any nature traveller. Spread across the undulating hilly terrain of the beautiful Western Ghats, it is home to fauna like slender loris, lion-tailed macaque, sambar, chital, sloth bear, gaur, wild pig among others. The Kodachadri Hills form the highest point in the sanctuary and the Mookambika Temple stands on the Kodachadri peak. The sanctuary derives its name from a goddess of the same name.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change declared the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary as an Eco-sensitive Zone in 2015 to preserve and cultivate further the unique wildlife and natural heritage of the region. The best time to visit is from November to April. The sanctuary lies at a distance of 148 km from Gokarna.