National park · India
Cotigao Wildlife SanctuaryCotigão Wildlife Sanctuary
Enter Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive from Margao (≈44 km (27 mi)) and walk the main trail (≈2 km (1.2 mi)) in the morning; best months Oct–Mar; avoid the monsoon (Jun–Sep).Enter Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive from Margao (≈27 mi (44 km)) and walk the main trail (≈1.2 mi (2 km)) in the morning; best months Oct–Mar; avoid the monsoon (Jun–Sep).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
86 km² (33 sq mi)33 sq mi (86 km²)
approximate
Established
1969
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 86 km² (33 sq mi)33 sq mi (86 km²)
- Area is reported as 86 km²; some sources give slightly different figures (check).
- Established
- 1969
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Cotigão Wildlife Sanctuary in South Goa protects dense forest, hills and grasslands across roughly 86 km², offering birdwatching, occasional mammal sightings and several watch‑towers accessible via a short, easy trail.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1969.
Size and age
86 km² (33 sq mi)33 sq mi (86 km²) · national park since 1969
Area is reported as 86 km²; some sources give slightly different figures (check).
Why go
- Dense forest with over‑50 % crown density and trees up to 30 m.
- Watch‑towers give chances to spot birds (≈200 species) and occasional mammals.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry
- FebCool, dry
- MarWarm, low rain
- AprWarm, occasional showers
- MayStart of monsoon
- JunHeavy rain, trails slippery
- JulMonsoon peak
- AugMonsoon peak
- SepRain decreasing
- OctDry, pleasant
- NovDry, cool
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (≈200 species)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mammals (tiger, gaur reports)All year · Rare sightings; require patience. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Margao
Drive north on NH 66 (32 km (20 mi)) then turn east to Poinguinim (≈12 km (7.5 mi)) and follow signs to the gate.Drive north on NH 66 (20 mi (32 km)) then turn east to Poinguinim (≈7.5 mi (12 km)) and follow signs to the gate.
≈1 h
From Panaji (Panjim)
Take NH 66 south (≈44 km (27 mi)) to the sanctuary gate.Take NH 66 south (≈27 mi (44 km)) to the sanctuary gate.
≈1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary gate (Shristhal) | Entry point, information board, ticket counter. | Open daily 07:00–17:30.Open daily 7:00 AM–5:30 PM. |
| Main trail & watch‑towers | Flat to gentle‑hilly walk, several watch‑towers for wildlife spotting. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Ecotourism Complex (Hattipal) | Simple rest‑house, 4‑bed capacity, basic meals. | Book in advance via Forest Department. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate centre of sanctuary; exact positions of facilities may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary entry | Free | person | official fee not published (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Sanctuary entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Entry hours
- Gate open 07:00–17:30; no entry after closing.Gate open 7:00 AM–5:30 PM; no entry after closing.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside sanctuary; use Ecotourism Complex or nearby hotels.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Guides
- Not mandatory for main trail but recommended for wildlife spotting.
Where to stay
In the park
Ecotourism Complex (Hattipal)
Simple rooms, limited capacity, basic meals.
Near the park
Margao town
Hotels and guesthouses, 30‑45 min drive.
Safety
Monsoon flooding high
Heat and dehydration medium
Wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks suitable for most visitors.
- Watch‑towers involve stairs; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support the Forest Department by staying at the Ecotourism Complex.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep to designated trails.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary?
The official entry fee is not published online; visitors pay at the gate (check latest rate).
What are the best hikes in Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary?
The main trail to the watch‑towers (≈2 km, easy) offers the best chance to see birds and forest scenery.
When is the best time to visit Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary?
October to March gives dry, pleasant weather; avoid the monsoon season June‑September.
Is camping allowed inside the sanctuary?
No; camping is prohibited. Use the Ecotourism Complex or nearby towns for accommodation.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is not required for the main trail, but hiring one improves wildlife spotting chances.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
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