Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

About Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

The island landscape abounds with thick mangrove vegetation found sporadically along the banks of River Mandovi. The mangrove ecosystem facilitates breeding grounds for several varieties of fish and insects that are natural preys for birds. A watch-tower inside the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary serves the cause of enthusiastic bird-watchers.

History

The sanctuary can be visited after seeking permission from the Chief Wild Life Warden, Forest Department, Panaji. Besides a rich diversity of exotic birds, one may catch a glimpse of wild animals like crocodiles, foxes, and jackals. The sanctuary is open throughout the year, though it is better to avoid it during the monsoons and summers when it can get really hot and humid.

Interesting things to do

Mayem Lake:
This is flowing at the distance of 35 kms surrounded amidst rolling green hills and is an ideal picnic spot. Good accommodation facilities are available in Cottages. Boating is also available on the lake. People often visit the place to enjoy its picturesque beauty.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary:
10 kms North-east of the Usgao Tisk Village in north Goa, Bondla is home to black-faced langurs, Indian bison, jackal and wild boar besides other animals. It also has a tiny zoo. You can go for elephant rides in this park

Mahadei Wildlife Sanctuary:
Located in the Sattari Taluka of North Goa, the sanctuary boasts of 209 sq km of thick dense forests, abundant in plant and animal life. Mahadei Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the Indian Gaur, leopard, wild pig, jackal, sloth bear, bonnet macaques, sambhar, wild dog and mouse deer.

Interesting things to Visit

Church of St. Francis of Assisi:
Built in 1661, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi is three tired with an eight-sided tower on each side. This is among the best preserved churches in Goa.

Archaeological Museum:
Collection depicts the history of Goa before and during Portuguese period. The museum is in the former Convent of St. Francis of Assi, between the Church of St. Francis and Se Cathedral.

Aguada Fort:
This is located at 18 kms away from the Panaji. The Portuguese built this fort in 1609-1612. The main purpose of this was to command the entry into the river Mandovi, in order to protect Old Goa from potential enemy attacks. A spring within the fort once provided water supply to the ships that called there. A lighthouse is situated nearby to this fort.

Arvalem Caves:
These celebrated caves of Arvalem are located in the west of Goa. This belongs to a remote era. This is near to the temple of Rudreshwar. This fort is of archaeological interest. A mythical background is attached to these caves. Some are of the opinion that these caves have been carved by the traveling Buddhist monks. An inscription is noticed on a Shivalinga with a circular top in cave No.2 Its in Sanskrit and in Brahmi characters of the 7th century A.D. It reads as Sambalura-vasi Ravih.

Arvalem Waterfalls:
This is near the temple of Rudreshwar, one can descend the staircase to look at a majestic waterfall shedding its lively and sparkling silvery showers. This beautiful fall with a head of about 70ft. forms a sizeable lake at the bottom that offers a temptation to seasoned swimmers. The fall is best seen just after the copious monsoon, when it presents an ecstasy of pleasing and mutinous aspect.

Dudhsagar Waterfalls:
This is situated at 60 kms. i.e. 10 kms from Colem Railway Station. This place is accessible by train only. Water comes down hundreds of feet in large volume, in cascades, which forms one of the most spectacular of all natural phenomena in Goa. It is also regarded as a lifeline of the ecosystem in one of the Sanctuaries. This is generally a popular destination to hikers and trekkers. It is also accessible by jeep route, which is 14 kms through the Bhagvan Mahavir Sanctuary. However, one needs to obtain prior permission from the Department of Forests at Junta House, Panaji to visit the place.

Kesarval Spring:
This is located at 22 kms away. The spring originates from hard and compact rocks and people bathe in its water with strong belief that it has medicinal properties as well.

Help Line/Phone Number

The Gugamal National Park, Amravati, Maharshtra is known for its wide range of flora and fauna is one of the most well known national parks in the state of Maharashtra. Maharashtra is home to a wide variety of rare animals and birds, including the tiger, crocodile, bison, gawa, neelgai, wild deer, sambar and a host of migratory birds……more

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Location info

• Address:Chorao Island, on River Mandovi,Goa,India.

• District: North Goa.

• Nearest City: Panaji

• Best time to visit: October to March

Climate & weather

Summer Max 33 & Min 23 Degrees Celsius.
Winter Max 28 & Min 19 Degrees Celsius.

How to reach Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

• Nearest Railway Station: Madgaon Junction.

• Nearest Airport: Dabolim is the nearest airport, 29 km from Panaji.

• **Road Transport:**Take a bus/cab from Panaji to the Ribandar ferry dock and then take a ferry across the Mandovi River to the island of Chorao.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

1.Panjim Inn - Panjim Peoples.
2.Hotel Orion.
3.Sun N Sand Goa.

Best time to visit Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

October to June: best wildlife sightings in dry months (March–June). Parks are closed during peak monsoon (July–September).

Timings & opening hours

Open from sunrise to sunset. Safari timings are typically 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Entry fee & tickets

INR 50–200 per person for Indian nationals, INR 500–1500 for foreign nationals. Safari vehicle charges extra (INR 1000–3000).

Duration needed

3–4 hours for a jeep safari. Full-day safaris are available at major parks like Tadoba and Pench.

Safety tips

Follow safari rules — stay inside the vehicle at all times. Do not feed or tease animals. Maintain silence. Wear earth-coloured clothing. Follow your guide’s instructions. Carry insect repellent and first-aid kit.

Things to carry

Binoculars, camera with zoom lens, water bottle, snacks, insect repellent, neutral-coloured clothing, hat, sunscreen, and ID proof.

Nearby visiting places

Other wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the region, nearby lakes, waterfalls, and historical sites.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Nagpur International Airport (NAG) or nearest city airport. Nearest railway station: Chandrapur or nearest station. Accessible by road from nearest city.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit? October to June is the safari season. Parks are typically closed during monsoon (July–September). The dry months (March–June) offer the best wildlife sightings.

How do I book a safari? Safari tickets can be booked online through the official forest department portal. Advance booking is recommended, especially for popular zones.

What animals can I expect to see? Depending on the park, you can see tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, gaurs, sambars, chitals, and numerous bird species.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to March for best wildlife sightings
• Ideal duration: Full day recommended
• Safari timings: Early morning (6:00-9:30 AM) and evening (3:00-6:00 PM)
• Accommodation: Forest rest houses and eco-resorts available
• Entry: Entry fee and safari charges applicable; book in advance

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Entry fee and safari charges applicable. Online booking recommended during peak season.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: protected forest area of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on popular travel photography sites and social media.