Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
Goa's smallest sanctuary, with a zoo and forest garden
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is Goa's smallest at 7.98 sq km, a forest in Ponda taluka with the state's only zoo, a deer park, trails and a botanical garden.
Overview
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary covers 7.98 sq km of deciduous forest in the Western Ghats of north-eastern Goa, which makes it the smallest sanctuary in the state. It lies mainly in Ponda taluka, around 46 to 52 km from Panaji and 36 to 38 km from Margao, and it suits families, school groups and travellers who want a morning in the forest rather than a full trek. October to March, when temperatures stay moderate, is the stretch to plan around.
The boundary spans three talukas: Ponda, Sattari and a third that is recorded as Sanguem in some places and Dharbandora in others. Bondla was founded in 1969 and sits beside the Mhadei and Bhagwan Mahavir sanctuaries, so the forest here is part of a larger belt of protected land. Unlike Mollem, it is set up for short visits rather than long journeys, and the facilities are what most people come for.
The compound holds the only zoo in Goa, a deer safari park with spotted, hog, barking and mouse deer, and a botanical garden of native and introduced plants. A Nature Education Centre with a library stands near the entrance, watchtowers give views over the canopy, and guided walks can be arranged along the nature trails. Because the whole sanctuary is under 8 sq km, Bondla pairs well with another stop on the same day, for example Ponda's temples or spice plantations.
In the wild forest, the dominant tree is the matti, Terminalia crenulata, which is Goa's state tree, with Indian rosewood alongside it. Gaur, the state animal, share the sanctuary with sambar, leopard, jungle cat, wild boar and porcupine, though glimpses of them cannot be promised. Birds are the more reliable draw: more than 275 species are recorded, among them the ruby-throated yellow bulbul and the golden-backed woodpecker, and 91 kinds of butterfly have been counted.
Dabolim and Manohar International are the airports serving the area, and Madgaon Junction is the main railway station. Ponda is the town on the way, so a Bondla visit can be built into a Ponda day. No timings or fees are given here, since these are set by the Goa Forest Department and are best confirmed with it before travelling.
Known for
The only zoo in Goa
Quick facts
Rain is concentrated in the south-west monsoon, June to September, which accounts for over 90 per cent of Goa's average yearly 3,048 mm.
Goa International Airport, Dabolim (GOI); Manohar International Airport, Mopa (GOX) is also listed by Incredible India (distances to be supplied)
Madgaon Junction (MAO), in Margao, listed by Incredible India (distance to be supplied)
About 46 to 52 km from Panaji and 36 to 38 km from Margao by road (sources differ). Ponda is the nearest town on the way. Drive times (to be supplied).
Confirm opening days, timings and any closures with the Goa Forest Department before travelling, since this page gives none
Combine Bondla with Ponda's temples or a spice plantation, as the sanctuary is only 7.98 sq km and the town is the usual approach
Ask on site about guided walks along the nature trails,
Location
Packages that visit Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
All packages →Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and Ponda Temples
A 3-day Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and Ponda temples tour in Goa: zoo, deer park and forest trails, Mangueshi and Shanta Durga temples, a spice plantation.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary → PondaWildlife & NaturePlan a trip to Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
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