The short answer
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary: what visitors should know first
Go if you want a quieter forest day than Mollem and are happy with a rural drive and a short walk to a waterfall. Facilities are minimal, so carry cash, water and your own supplies, and confirm fees at the check post.
History and context
The story behind Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1999 and covers about 211 square kilometres in Sanguem taluka, in the south-east of Goa. The Netravali river, a tributary of the Zuari, rises within it. The sanctuary borders the Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve in Karnataka to the east and lies close to Cotigao to the south.
Useful facts
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary facts at a glance
- Location
- Sanguem taluka, south-east Goa
- Experience type
- Forest day trip with short waterfall walk
- Area
- About 211 sq km; established 1999
- Known for
- Savari waterfall, bubbling lake, Myristica swamp remnants
- Wildlife
- Gaur, leopard, sloth bear, hornbills, butterflies
- Visitor note
- No shops or mobile network inside
Why it matters
Why Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is worth your time
Netravali is one of the vital corridors of the Western Ghats, with moist deciduous forest mixed with evergreen and semi-evergreen patches. It lies between Cotigao to the south and the Bhagwan Mahavir sanctuary and Mollem National Park to the north, connecting Goa's protected areas into a single belt.
It also holds remnants of Myristica swamp forest, an ancient ecosystem found in only a few pockets of the Western Ghats. Its wildlife list includes gaur, leopard, sloth bear and the four-horned antelope, and birds such as great pied hornbill. For a visitor it offers calm and quiet that busier reserves rarely do.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Savari waterfall
A short forest walk and a stair of over a hundred steps lead to the falls.
- 02
Bubbling lake
A small pond near the Gopinath Temple where clapping makes bubbles rise.
- 03
Quiet forest and wildlife
Gaur, leopard and hornbills live here, and the trails are far less crowded than Mollem.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Start with the village. The Budbudyanchi Tali, or bubbling lake, lies a short walk from the primary school in Netravali beside the Gopinath Temple, where clapping beside the water brings bubbles to the surface. Its cause is not well established, though explanations point to lime in the lake bed reacting with acidic water. It is a free, harmless stop of a few minutes.
The main outing is Savari waterfall, inside the sanctuary. Reports put the check post roughly 5 km beyond the village and the entry to the falls about 2 km further, followed by a walk of about fifteen minutes and over a hundred steps down. Bring grippy shoes, because the steps and rocks are slippery in wet weather, and do not carry plastic.
Treat the rest as quiet forest. There are no shops and no mobile network inside, so bring water, snacks and a plan to leave before late afternoon. A local guide is useful if you want to look for birds or butterflies.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Carry ID, cash, water and snacks; no shops or network inside
- Do not bring plastic bottles or bags
- Wear grippy shoes; the falls trail is slippery in the monsoon
- Confirm the fee at the check post
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Netravali, Sanguem taluka, in south-east Goa; about 65 km from the airport and a long drive from the coast
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Best time
- October to February; the monsoon is lush but trails are slippery
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The walk to Savari waterfall is short but includes more than 100 steps down, which are harder on the way back. There is no mobile network or shop inside, so older visitors should rest, carry water and avoid the monsoon trails.
- Tickets and access
- Forest guards at the sanctuary check post ask for your name and ID proof. A visiting fee of around ₹100 per person (with a small extra for two-wheelers) was reported, but rates may have changed, and the forest department does not publish them; confirm at the check post. Plastic bottles and bags are not allowed inside.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The walk to Savari waterfall is short but includes more than 100 steps down, which are harder on the way back. There is no mobile network or shop inside, so older visitors should rest, carry water and avoid the monsoon trails.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Where is Netravali?
In Sanguem taluka in south-east Goa, about 65 km from the airport.
Is there an entry fee?
A fee at the forest check post has been reported, but the forest department does not publish rates, so confirm on arrival.
Is the bubbling lake inside the sanctuary?
It is in Netravali village, near the Gopinath Temple, a short distance before the sanctuary check post.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
