Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary
With an area of 240 sq. km's, this sanctuary is Goa's largest wildlife preserve. Located close to the Molem village at the foot of the Western Ghats, this sanctuary lies on the eastern border of the state. It is 53 km's away from the state capital Panaji, with evergreen forests and deciduous trees encompassing this preserve. In the heart of the sanctuary is the Molem National Park. Herds of deer and gaurs (Indian bison), clusters of monkeys, Malayan giant squirrels, cobras and pythons are a common sight. And if you get lucky, you might even spot elephants and tigers. The sanctuary is also home to a few black panthers. The best time to visit the sanctuary is either early in the morning or late in the evening.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
10 km's northeast of the Usgao Tisk village in north Goa lies the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. One of the smallest preserves in Goa, it covers an area of merely 8 sq. km's Animals such as the black-faced langur, Indian bison, jackal and wild boar are commonly found here. Various species of deer can also be spotted. Besides being home to animals, this preserve is also a treat for bird watchers and butterfly spotters.

This sanctuary also boasts of a tiny zoo and elephant rides are also offered at this park. You can even go on a deer safari through the sanctuary. After having ventured out into the preserve, you can come and relax at the botanical garden within the premises of the sanctuary.Other PlacesMayem Lake

Savoi Verem Plantation
The Savoi-Verem plantation, owned by the Shetye families of South Goa, is a great half-day excursion to make, and an opportunity to see traditional Goan methods of organic farming. The ascent to the plantation is staggeringly beautiful where one can walk through the plantation with a guide, identifying different spices and exotic fruits, crushing and smelling the leaves and watching the monkey-men gather betel-nuts in the trees. Once there, you can also have a traditional Goan lunch, served out of earthenware, on banana leaves on a verandah overlooking the natural lake.Menezes Braganza's House

Menezes Braganza's House
Menezes Braganza's House at Chandor belonged to Luis de Menezes Braganza, an influential journalist and politician (1878-1938). The late 16th century mansion was later extended in the 18th and 19th century, which was divided between two families staying in separate wings.

The better-maintained West wing, has large rooms, furnished with beautifully carved and inlayed antique furniture owned by Ida de Menezes. It also has a 250-year-old library gallery. The East wing occupied by Alvaro de Pereira-Braganza has a large salon with fine chandeliers that once reflected on polished marble floors. The most remarkable feature of the East wing is the family chapel.Mapusa Market

Mapusa
Mapusa is the administrative head quarters and the main town of the Bardez Taluka. Its main feature is the municipal market that is worth a visit as to get the feel of the Goan colour. The thrill of bargain hunting while you browse along the colourful and vibrant shops of textile and silk, jewellery, spices, fruits and vegetables and the fish market is also a beautiful experience.Pottery Handicraft Workshop

Kumbhar Pottery studio
Talking of original designs, it should be interesting to visit Kumbhar Pottery studio at Bicholim, that has some very interesting pieces. The eleven-year-old studio experiments with clay and earth to combine the many aesthetic sensibilities that Goa has developed over the years. One finds distinctive Portuguese influence amalgamated with Hindu traditional art resulting into beautiful objects and that is where Goan pottery stands out from the rest.Handicraft Emporium

Bird Watching
Goa's equitable climate and rich vegetation support an abundance of birds. This large and diverse population can survive because of its varied habitat that ranges from open forests to shrubs, tracks and dense forests which are ideal for breeding.

 

Visitors will probably notice a few about town and in temple grounds. On the other hand, a keen bird-watcher will find much to get excited about and a trip to one of the nearby sanctuaries or along a river early in the morning will be particularly rewarding.

Goa is a bird watcher's paradise and keen bird-watchers will be in seventh heaven, and even those who have previously had little interest in birds will wonder at the richness of the birdlife.

Common varieties of birds to be seen in Goa include four different species of eagles, as well as other birds of prey such as kites, buzzards, kestrels and ospreys. There are five types of pigeons, six types of doves, five varieties of cuckoos, six of kingfishers and another six of woodpeckers.

There is enough here to keep even the most ardent enthusiast busy for months. What's more, you don't even have to go very far to see most of these birds. An early morning or evening spent beside one of the rivers, or better still in the boat of a local ramponkar, drifting along the waterways will reveal amazing numbers of unusual species.

Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
For those who are interested in seeing more, a trip to the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao Island is recommended. Other sites of interest are the wetlands at Carambolim (12km east of Panaj and at Shiroda (40km south-east of Panaji, in Ponda taluka).

A wonderful variety of birds can also be seen readily in Bondla and the other wildlife sanctuaries near the Western Ghats. For seabirds, Morjim beach is recommended.