Travel India Info

Goa Wildlife Sanctuaries Goa has as many as six Wildlife Sanctuaries. They are 1. The Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildife Sanctuary - aMollem National Park, Sanguem 2. The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Canacona 3. The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem 4. The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Valpoi 5. The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Sanguem 6. The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chorao

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary Goa

This sanctuary was earlier known as Mollem Game Sanctuary and lies on the eastern border of Goa. The Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuary covers an area of approximately 240 square kilometers. The fauna found in the sanctuary is as follows: Gaur, Panther, Spotted Deer, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Wild Dog, Leopard Cat, Sambar, Bonnet Macaque, Common Langur, Jungle Cat, Civet, Flying Squirrel, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Pangolin, Slender Loris, etc. Occasionally, Tigers have also been seen, but the area is famous for King cobras though other snakes found are Python, Krait, Viper etc. as well as non-poisonous snakes. About 200 species of birds are found in the sanctuary of which the better known ones are Indian Black Woodpecker, the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Paradise Fly Catcher, Fairy Blue Bird, Wag tails, Barbets, Great Indian Horn Bill, Kingfishers, Shrikes, Emerald Dove, Grey Jungle Fowl etc. The best time to visit is from the months of October to March. How to get there: The nearest airport is the Dabolim airport in Panaji approximately 65 kilometers away. The nearest railway station Colem is 6 Kilometers away and the nearest town is called Ponda

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary Goa

This is the smallest wildlife sanctuary in Goa as it spreads over only 8 square kilometers. The Panther and Leopard is the largest carnivore in this sanctuary. Herbivorous inhabitants are Deer’s. (Sambar, Spotted, Hog, Barking and Mouse) Wild Boar, Porcupines Scaly Ant Eater, and Malabar Giant Squirrel. Hundreds of species of birds are also found here. National Park. Bondla wildlife sanctuary is an excellent place for a family outing with young children. Elephant rides are one of the major attractions at the sanctuary. Timings: Open from 9 am to 5 pm. Closed on Thursday. How to get there: The Bondla wildlife sanctuary is about 50 Kms from Panaji the capital of the state of Goa in India.

Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary Goa

This wildlife sanctuary Is located in eastern Goa. The area covered by this sanctuary is about 211 square kilometers. Here you can find wildlife like Black Panthers, Hornbills, King Cobras, Giant Squirrels as well as a number of other animals. The best time to visit is from October to March. How to get there: The nearest airport is Dabolim airport is about 65 kilometers in Panaji, Goa. From the airport taxis can be hired to go to the sanctuary.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in Canacona in the south of Goa about 2 km from Poinguinim , which is 10 km away from Chaudi, the main town of Cancacona on NH17. Here visitors will find areas of dense forests with tall trees and rare plants, some areas where no sunlight reaches the ground. Cotigao is a peaceful and scenic park that makes a pleasant day trip from Palolem beach which is about 12 kilometers from the park. Cotigao sanctuary is the ideal place to visit for tree lovers. If your intention of visiting is to spot wildlife such as tigers etc. then you may be disappointed as you are less likely to see many wildlife sightings other than Monkey, Wild Boar or Gaur. One of the attractions here is a 25m-high treetop watchtower, overlooking a waterhole that attracts a handful of animals around dawn and dusk. Written permission for an overnight stay, either in the watchtower or the forest department's small rest house must be obtained from the Deputy Conservator Of Forests, 3rd Floor, Junta House, Panaji in advance of your visit is required. Best time to visit is between the months of October and March.

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

Mhadei Sanctuary is noted for its many waterfalls, such as the Vazra Sakla waterfalls and the Virdi Falls. Declaring this sanctuary as a tiger reserve is being considered due to reports of tiger sitings in the area. However, such sightings are rare. Mhadei sanctuary reportedly where visitors can find more than a thousand species of flowering plants and a vast variety of endemic orchids. More than 250 bird species have been recorded in the sanctuary and there are hundreds of species of butterflies here. Mhadei almost 65 km from Calangute, roughly 30 kilometers from Panjim. The best time to visit is between Decembers to February.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Goa's only bird sanctuary, 1.8 Sq Km in area. A variety of local and migratory birds can be found here. There are a wide variety of birds here as well jackals, crocodiles and foxes. There is also a watch-tower in the Sanctuary for better viewing of birds. Some call this a bird watching paradise! From Panaji , one needs to take a bus or a cab to the Ribandar ferry wharf. From here visitors must take a ferry across the Mandovi river to the island of Chorao. The sanctuary is within walking distance from the ferry wharf at Chorao. Open throughout the year, the sanctuary can be visited with the permission of the Chief Wild Life Warden, Forest Department, Junta House, Panaji. Tour and travel agents can help organize your visit.