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Six nights of birding with a specialist guide, from November to February. Three nights at Cidade de Goa for the mangroves of Chorao's Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Divar's paddy and the Western Ghat forests of Mollem, then three at The LaLiT for Cotigao's forest, Galgibaga's river mouth and the Canacona coast.
Goa packs a remarkable range of habitats into a small state: mangrove creeks and estuaries, paddy and salt pans, coastal headlands, and the moist forests of the Western Ghats on its eastern border. In winter, resident specialities of the Ghats are joined by migrant waders, ducks and raptors, and more than 400 species have been recorded in the state.
This journey is designed with a specialist birding guide who stays with you throughout. Early starts are the rule, from 6 am most days, with long breaks at the resort through the heat of the day and shorter outings in the late afternoon. Non-birding partners are well looked after, with pools, beaches and the option to join or skip each outing.
Highlights
Day by day
Your driver and birding guide meet you at Dabolim. On the way to Cidade de Goa, stop at the Zuari estuary or the salt pans at Ribandar for a first look at waders, terns and kingfishers, depending on the tide. After check-in and lunch, your guide reviews the week's target species and plans timings around the tides. An early dinner at the resort.
Cross on the first ferry from Ribandar to Chorao and enter the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary as it opens. A forest department canoe takes you through the mangrove creeks for kingfishers, including stork-billed and black-capped, herons, egrets, whimbrels and other waders, with brahminy kites and ospreys overhead. Walk the boardwalk to the watchtower. In the late afternoon, bird the Divar paddy and creeks for harriers, larks and pipits.
Leave at 5 am for the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary at Mollem, arriving at first light. Bird the forest edges and trails for Western Ghat specialities: Malabar grey and great hornbills, Malabar trogon, the flame-throated bulbul, white-bellied woodpecker, Asian fairy-bluebird and flycatchers. A packed breakfast in the forest, then a visit to the Tambdi Surla temple, where the surrounding forest is also productive. Return by mid-afternoon.
Drive south with stops at wetlands and paddy along the way, chosen by your guide according to recent sightings. Pause at Cabo de Rama, where the headland can hold raptors and coastal birds. Arrive at The LaLiT on Rajbag beach for lunch and a rest. In the late afternoon, walk the beach to the Talpona river mouth for terns, gulls and plovers.
Enter the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary at opening time with your guide. Walk the forest trails and climb a canopy watchtower for hornbills, woodpeckers, barbets, minivets, Malabar trogon and, with luck, the Sri Lanka frogmouth at a day roost. Indian giant squirrels are common. Return for a late breakfast and a free afternoon at the pool.
An early private boat from Palolem along the headlands looks for white-bellied sea eagles, ospreys and terns, with dolphins often seen in the calm water. Back for breakfast and rest. In the late afternoon, bird Galgibaga's beach and the Talpona and Galgibag river mouths for waders and gulls, finishing at sunset with a tally of the week's species over dinner.
A final early walk in the resort grounds or along the Talpona if you wish, then breakfast and the drive north to Dabolim, about 1 h 40 min away. With time to spare, your guide can stop at a wetland near the airport on the way.
Included
Not included
Where you sleep
A beach resort on Vainguinim cove near Dona Paula, designed by the architect Charles Correa as a stylised Goan village of lanes, courtyards and painted walls. …
The only large luxury resort in Canacona, on Rajbag beach about 5 km south of Palolem, with a golf course, a spa and a long, quiet …
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Questions travellers ask
November to February. Resident forest birds are active, migrant waders and raptors are present, and mornings are cool. March is still good but warmer. The monsoon makes forest birding and boat trips difficult.
A focused week in winter commonly produces well over 150 species, depending on the season, weather and your pace. We never promise numbers; the guide plans for quality sightings of the Western Ghat and coastal specialities.
We use experienced Goa-based birding guides who know the mangroves, the Ghats and the coast, and who are used to working with photographers and non-specialists. We match the guide to your level of interest.
Yes. The canoe at Chorao, the forest edges at Mollem and the boat at Palolem all offer good photographic chances. Tell us your equipment and priorities, and the guide will plan positions and light.
Yes. Both resorts have pools, beaches and spas, and every outing is optional. Non-birders often enjoy the canoe at Chorao and the boat at Palolem, and skip the 5 am forest start.
There are no luxury lodges near Mollem. We make one early day trip from Cidade de Goa, which gives you a comfortable base. Keen birders can add a night at a simple forest lodge for a second dawn.
A mangrove reserve on the western tip of Chorao island in the Mandovi, named after India's best-known ornithologist. It is explored by forest department canoe and a boardwalk, and is best at dawn from November to February.
Early starts are daily, but walks are short and on easy trails, with long midday breaks at the resort. The Mollem day is the longest. It suits anyone in reasonable health who is happy to rise early.
Yes. Old Goa and Fontainhas are within 25 minutes of Cidade de Goa, and a morning there can replace an afternoon birding session or be added as an extra night.
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