Goa is a land that has been blessed by nature; rolling hills, gently murmuring rivers, azure seas, verdant grasslands… practically everything. This of course translates into an almost exhaustible variety of eco systems.

The wildlife sanctuaries in Goa reflect this diversity. Some straddle hills, some are surrounded by deep waters, some have impenetrable forests.

However one thing is common to all these Goa tourist attractions – they shelter an unimaginably beautiful collection of flora and fauna.

Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary: As any Goa tourist guide will tell you, it was formerly known as the Mollem Game Sanctuary. Its 240 sq. kms of area provides the traveller an incredible variety of wildlife; both of the animal and plant kingdoms. The ideal way to discover this sanctuary is to trek. Walk for days among the evergreen forests or the deciduous trees, camp in the grazing grounds of the barking deer and the Spotted Deer, drink from the streams that Leopard Cats and the Wild Dogs, or just spend a lazy day watching a Slender Slow Loris. Also of interest are the eerie Devil’s Canyon, the ancient Mahadeva temple, the Dudhsagar waterfall and tribal villages. Integral parts of any Goa tour.

Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary: A thick canopy of tall deciduous trees ensures that large areas of this Sanctuary are in darkness even during bright sunny days. And in this relative shadow the Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary hides its secrets, waiting for you to discover. Legendary fauna including the Black Panther, the Pangolin and the Wild Boar and scattered villages of Kunbi and Velip tribal communities, the oldest inhabitants of Goa.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuaries: The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is only 8 sq kms in surface area. But what it lacks in size, it makes up with a profusion of exquisite scenic landscapes and wildlife species. Monkeys and jackals, wild boars and peacocks, herds of deer and bison. And if you miss seeing any of your favourite wild animals in the sanctuary, you can see it in the zoo; which makes it a crucial part of any Goa travel.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary: Yes, it is an island and also a haven for hundreds of interesting species of animals. The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary abounds in Mangrove trees which, as any naturalist will tell you, are clear indication that it is one of the most productive ecosystems known to man. A paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike, it has been named after India’s most famous ornithologist.