Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Goa, India. This wildlife sanctuary was established in 1968. The Forest ranger office and other facilities are available at the Eco-tourism complex building, at the entrance to this wildlife sanctuary. Other facilities include a children’s park, canteen, cottages, toilets, nature interpretation center, etc.

This wildlife sanctuary, with an area of around 86 square kilometers, has Eight routes for nature trails. They vary in trekking distance, ranging from half a kilometer to five kilometers. It is ideal for those looking for trails in and around Goa.

There is a treetop watchtower having a height of 25 meters, above a waterhole, where animals go to drink water. It is ideal to go to the watchtower in the dawn and dusk when animals come to the waterhole.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. Flora includes dense forests consisting of tall trees. Some of the trees here are around 30 meters in height.

Fauna includes four-horned antelope, gaur, monkey,  wild boar, hump-nosed pit viper, Malabar pit viper, Malabar trogon, white-bellied woodpecker, flying squirrel, slender loris, Indian pangolin,  velvet-fronted nuthatch, mouse deer, heart-spotted woodpecker, Malayan bittern, speckled piculet,  Draco or flying lizard, Malabar tree toad, golden-back gliding snake, etc.

Many tribal communities live in and around this wildlife sanctuary. Tourists can interact with them and learn about their culture.

How Do I Go to Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary?

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Canacona Taluka, south of Goa, on the Karnataka border. The sanctuary is around two kilometers distance from Poinguinim, which is around 10 kilometers distance away from Chaudi. Chaudi town is on NH 17. Buses to Karwar via Chaudi (on NH 17) stop near the sanctuary entrance gate.

Forest Department rents out one two-bedded suite room at Poinguinim. You can also stay at the watchtower in the night after getting the required permission in advance from The Deputy Conservator of Forests, Third Floor, Junta House, Panaji, Goa, India.

October and March are the ideal months to visit this wildlife sanctuary.