Trek for miles in any of the eight nature trails, watch the play of nature perched on top of one of the six watchtowers, or observe the endless drama of a watering hole from the top of a tree. The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary offers the traveller a true sense of the wild, a chance to get in touch with nature at its wildest.

One of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, it is the ideal place for you to discover the legendary biodiversity of Goa.

Animals: The animals at this sanctuary are shy and reclusive and therefore difficult to spot. However if you are fortunate, you can glimpse them hiding in the shadows, watching you. There are Porcupines and Sloth Bears, Hyenas and Panthers, Gazelles and Antelopes. Of course the list does not end here. The lesser known but equally interesting members of the animal kingdom include the Slender Loris, the Indian Pangolin, Malabar Pit Viper, Flying Squirrels, White Bellied Woodpecker, Malabar Tree Toad and the Golden Back Gliding Snake.

Plants: For a tree lover, this place is an integral part of any Goa tour. Walk under miles of thick, dense canopy through which the sun rarely peeps through. Three forest types including Moist Deciduous, Semi Evergreen and Evergreen provide endless variety. The dominant variety is the Moist Deciduous with the other two appearing in select areas.

Nature Trails: There are eight nature trails to choose from. From 500 metres long for the casual visitor to 5 kms long for those who really want to go deep into the heart of the forest. Walk alone or take a friend along.

Watchtowers: What better way to spy on your nature than from a watchtower?

Tree-top: Perched on a tree top, 25 metres above the ground, you can watch wild nature live in a water hole. The interaction between different species, the predators and the prey… no Goa travel is complete without this.

The Velip: The Velip are one of the tribes who consider this sanctuary their home. They are hospitable, friendly and quite ready to share their culture and way of life with visitors.

The Kunbi: Mentioned in every Goa travel guide are the Kunbis; one of the earliest settlers of Goa. Their famous folk dance is an important part of Goa culture and an important one among Goa tourist attractions.