When it comes to Goa, our minds instantly get pictures of beautiful beaches, vibrant parties, adventurous watersports, and never-ending nightlife. However, few know that there’s a hidden gem in Goa, that is wildlife sanctuaries.
For nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, Goa offers several wildlife sanctuaries, where lush landscapes, exotic flora, and unique fauna are waiting to be discovered. From dense forests to serene hills, these sanctuaries are perfect for anyone looking to explore the region’s natural beauty.
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A trip to Goa without visiting wildlife sanctuaries in Goa is like experiencing only half of what this beautiful destination has to offer. In this blog, we’ll be exploring Goa’s wildlife sanctuaries that are truly worth a visit.
Let’s have a look!
Must Visit Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa
The below-mentioned is a list of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Goa that you must never miss out on while on your trip:
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is the smallest wildlife sanctuary in Goa and is spread over an area of eight square kilometres. It is surrounded by lush greenery around and moist deciduous woods.
This wildlife sanctuary is home to more than over 100 species of birds, such as Ruby-throated yellow bulbul, Malabar pied hornbill, Indian black woodpecker, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Indian Yellow Tit, and more. It even boasts an added deer park, a botanical garden, and a zoological park.
Other than that, you can even find a wide range of wildlife here, including bison, wild dogs, sambar, spotted deer, wild boar, common langur, bonnet macaque, and more.
- Location:Usgaon, Goa, 403406
- Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Best Time to Visit: November and February
- Entry Fees: 50 for adults and Rs. 10 for children
Molem Wildlife Sanctuary
Molem Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned as one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Goa. It is the core area of Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary which is located in the Sanguem region.
Here, you can spot a wide range of animals, such as Bengal tiger, leopard, barking deer, gaur, wild boar, wild dog, Malabar giant squirrel, mouse deer, and more. This place is a haven for bird lovers since it is home to a wide range of 120 species, including the Ruby-throated yellow bulbul, golden oriole, emerald dove, great Indian hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, drongo, and more.
Molem Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its adventurous jungle safari. Thus, it is suggested to hire an experienced guide to travel through the forest.
- Location: C/O Wild Life Eco-Tourism, Collem, Goa, 403410
- Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
- Best Time to Visit: November and March
- Entry Fees: 20 for adults and Rs. 10 for children
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary has garnered its reputation in the region for its delicate ecosystem. Most students of botany visit this sanctuary since there’s a huge variety of trees and shrubs that make it easy for them to research.
Some of the rare wildlife species that live in this region include flying squirrels, slender loris, Indian pangolins, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, and more. Other than that, if you are an individual who loves admiring nature, there’s a Nature Interpretation Centre that organizes several walks and treks.
While on your trip, you can’t miss out on a day trip from Palolem Beach in South Goa to Catigao. It will allow you to witness stunning views of tall trees that stop sunlight from touching the forest floor.
- Location: Agonda, Goa, 403702
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Best Time to Visit: October and March
- Entry Fees: 20 for adults and Rs. 10 for children
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats of Goa and is spread across 208 square kilometers. It is known for its rich biodiversity and picturesque landscapes, including dense forests and pristine rivers.
The sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife species, including the Indian leopard, sloth bear, tigers, and several species of deer. It is also a haven for bird watchers, with over 200 species, including the rare and endangered Malabar grey hornbill.
The Mhadei River, which flows through the sanctuary, adds to the scenic beauty and ecological significance of the area. When there, you must not miss out on a trek through Mhadei.
- Location:Sanguem, Goa, 403704 (near Valpoi Town)
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 5:30 pm
- Best Time to Visit: November and February
- Entry Fees: NIL
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is the newly-established wildlife sanctuary in Goa. It has derived its name from a tributary of the Zuari River that most of the people even refer to as Netravali.
This is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in Goa. You might be amazed to know that it is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. It is located near the famous Netravali Falls, which you can visit. Moreover, this sanctuary is famous for its evergreen trees and colorful butterflies.
Some of the wildlife species that you can spot here include cobras, panthers, slender loris, giant squirrels, and more. This sanctuary tops the list of the best places in Goa, especially if you are a nature lover.
- Location: Verlem, Netorlim, Goa, 403704
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Best Time to Visit: June to late September
- Entry Fees: 100 for adults and Rs. 30 for children
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Goa. Located in Sanguem Taluka, you can even trek to famous waterfalls in Goa, that is, Dudhsagar Falls. From there, you can even pay a visit to the Devil’s Canyon View Point, where you can spot amazing wildlife and birds.
This animal sanctuary in Goa is even home to the Dhangar nomadic buffalo. This sanctuary offers shelter to a wide range of birds and animals that live in this forest and water streams.
Some of the species of animals that you can spot in this wildlife sanctuary are tigers, leopards, gaurs, sambar, sloth bears, barking deer, and more. Other than that, you can even spot some beautiful butterflies here.
- Location: C/O Wild Life Eco-Tourism, Collem, Goa, 403410 (near Police Check Post, Mollem)
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Best Time to Visit: June to late September
- Entry Fees: 20 for adults and Rs. 10 for children
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary boasts a diverse ecosystem of mangrove marshes that you must never miss out on. You can reach there by ferry at the Ribandar Ferry Wharf, and it will allow you to witness stunning views of the Mandovi River while on the way.
This bird sanctuary in Goa has a three-story watchtower that is specially designed to spot birds at three distinct levels, that is, under canopy level, at canopy level, and above canopy level. From there, you can witness some of the most exotic and rare bird species.
Other than that, some rare inhabitants of the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary include Little Bittern, Black Bittern, Red Knot, Jack Snipe, and more. Also, you can spot mudskippers, fiddler crabs, crocodiles, and more.
- Location: Panjim, Goa, 403001 (Tiswadi, Chorao Island, Near Mandovi River)
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Entry Fees: 10 for Indians and Rs. 100 for foreigners
The Bottom Line
So, this brings us to the end of our blog!
The next time you plan a holiday in Goa and wonder about the best places to visit, think beyond beaches and parties; add one of the wildlife sanctuaries to your itinerary and bring back a bag full of memories.
If you are on a trip to Goa with friends or family, you can further enhance your vacation by booking a stay with White Flower Morjim!
Located near Morjim Beach, our property is known as the best resort in North Goa. Be it relaxing with a drink in the room or diving into the swimming pool, you will get everything here.
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