Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
4
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A 15-minute ferry crossing takes you to one of India’s best known bird sanctuaries for a guided canoe trip around the bird-thronging marshes.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.0
163 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
54
Average
32
Poor
4
Terrible
10
Chris B
Holyhead, UK453 contributions
Mar 2023
We traveled here from Candolim and took the ferry to the entrance. The ticket was 100 rupee to walk a path of about 1km through the mangrove, we were informed that no boats were running that day, no explanation as to why. Walking in the mangrove we saw nothing and as such the effort we had made to come here was a total waste of time. On returning to the ferry we actually saw more birds, kingfisher and raptors from the ferry and I am sure the trip would have been better had we been able to use a boat
Written 4 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anutaara
Goa, India7 contributions
Sept 2019
The approach to the the sanctuary is not the best its an interesting walk through, i do advice mosquito repelant and plenty of it. you need to make sure your going at the right time when you can spot some birds .......at the very end of the trail you can chill by creek .
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hazel E
35 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We arrived just before 7 am. We are keen birdwatchers so we're looking forward to our visit. We went to the entrance to pay, and found the guy behind the counter unfriendly and indifferent. Another guy came out of the office to offer us a boat ride for an hour and he wanted 2500 rupees! We said no thanks and entered the reserve. We saw hardly any birds which was very disappointing. There were information boards dotted around but everything was so tired.
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jay K
Bengaluru, India5 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
A very different habitat! Green in slush.Myself and my wife visited the place on 8th and 9th March 2015. Forest Department has made nice arrangements for a 2 kilometer trail in the mangroves. We could feel the freshness of nature! There are very few visitors and practically no disturbance to the birds.We sighted Common Kingfisher many times. A rarer Collard Kingfisher too showed up but couldn't be photographed. Other birds seen are Egrets- Great, Intermediate & small, Pond Heron, Black headed Ibis, Brahminy Kite,Lesser Adjutant,Striated Heron, Common Sandpiper and Common Redshank. A boat ride for one hour by forest department costs Rs.75 per person for a group of 12 or pro-rata. Unfortunately, the boat was under repairs.Forest Dept. should ensure an alternate arrangement is made to avoid disappointment to visitors. However a well meaning local helped us in meeting Sandesh Sawant, a private motor boat owner, who made our boat ride of one hour through the mangroves possible. It is very scenic!
To reach the place: Early morning, take a bus from Panaji bus stand for 3 km and free ferry across Mandovi river from Ribander to Charaon island. You may plan to visit Mayem Lake 10 km away for the rest of the day.
To reach the place: Early morning, take a bus from Panaji bus stand for 3 km and free ferry across Mandovi river from Ribander to Charaon island. You may plan to visit Mayem Lake 10 km away for the rest of the day.
Written 11 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
White-Angelwings
Essex107 contributions
This was a fantastic experience and I would recommend it if you were a birdwatcher. Even if you're not, I would still recommend it as it was such a wonderful experience!
Ask a local taxi driver to take you to Chorao Island. He'll drive you to a ferry port (about a ten minute drive from Candolim). He will then come on the ferry with you (we were the only white people!) which will take you to the island. After a fun 15 minute crossing, we met Paresh Sawant who was to be our tour guide. The taxi driver drove him and us to the marshes. He then waited for us while Paresh helped us into a canoe dug out from a mangrove tree. He then punted us around the marshes for one and a half hours. It was wonderful and he pointed out all the birds that we saw, the experience was extremely tranquil and interesting and Paresh is very knowledgable. Make sure you have your camera with you. There was Paresh, me and my mum and sister in the canoe and I don't think any more people could have fitted in the canoe. This is a highly recommended attraction - not to be missed! The whole experience (taxi fare, tips and canoe trip cost us about £13 each - worth every penny and attraction off of the main tourist trail.
Ask a local taxi driver to take you to Chorao Island. He'll drive you to a ferry port (about a ten minute drive from Candolim). He will then come on the ferry with you (we were the only white people!) which will take you to the island. After a fun 15 minute crossing, we met Paresh Sawant who was to be our tour guide. The taxi driver drove him and us to the marshes. He then waited for us while Paresh helped us into a canoe dug out from a mangrove tree. He then punted us around the marshes for one and a half hours. It was wonderful and he pointed out all the birds that we saw, the experience was extremely tranquil and interesting and Paresh is very knowledgable. Make sure you have your camera with you. There was Paresh, me and my mum and sister in the canoe and I don't think any more people could have fitted in the canoe. This is a highly recommended attraction - not to be missed! The whole experience (taxi fare, tips and canoe trip cost us about £13 each - worth every penny and attraction off of the main tourist trail.
Written 5 January 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Om_Sao
Hyderabad12 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
I visited The Sanctuary on 21st January. It is very nice place for nature lovers and photographers. It consists of varieties of mangroves, bird species especially migratory birds. Entry fees is 20rs and the walking stretch is of something 1km pathway.
Best time to visit is during winter and early morning hour. If you visit early morning hour(before 8am) you will get to see some rare sights. Don't hesitate to take private boat which will cost somewhere near 900rs if you reach during early hours, It will be worth it.
But please do take care, in the pathway there are too many mosquitoes.. :P
Best time to visit is during winter and early morning hour. If you visit early morning hour(before 8am) you will get to see some rare sights. Don't hesitate to take private boat which will cost somewhere near 900rs if you reach during early hours, It will be worth it.
But please do take care, in the pathway there are too many mosquitoes.. :P
Written 10 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VamikaJ
bhopal83 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
I ended up at the sanctuary in the afternoon and the forest guard informed me of birds not being visible in the afternoon hours.
I still walked through the mangroves into the sanctuary and it was worth it.
The Forest Department organizes ferry rides every morning at around 7 am which takes the tourists around the sanctuary and that's when the birds can be seen.
Visit during early morning hours or during the sunset.
The ferry ride to to the Dr. Salim Ali sanctuary is itself an experience!
I still walked through the mangroves into the sanctuary and it was worth it.
The Forest Department organizes ferry rides every morning at around 7 am which takes the tourists around the sanctuary and that's when the birds can be seen.
Visit during early morning hours or during the sunset.
The ferry ride to to the Dr. Salim Ali sanctuary is itself an experience!
Written 9 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rayna_Jhaveri
Mumbai, India8 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
Although new to birdwatching and not particularly early risers, my husband and I wanted a change from Goa's beach scene, and opted for a morning boat-ride with the birds at the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao Island.
We woke pre-dawn and scootered through misty, empty roads to catch the 6:30am Pomburpa ferry to Chorao island. Fortified by hot tea and samosas, we finally connected with our field guide, the knowledgeable, seasoned and cheerful Uday Mandrekar (who is far more skilled at spotting birds than giving driving directions).
We gingerly crossed the muddy rock path to his canoe - non-slip shoes are a plus - and, along with a couple of German visitors, set off on a very relaxing ride on the quiet Mandovi river. Uday started pointing out birds almost immediately - Brahmini kites, kingfishers, flycatchers, all manner of stork-billed blue-breasted green-shanked yellow-tailed bee-eating avians (our bird vocabulary instantly exploded), along with a couple of crocodiles - lucky us! - and broke the silence occasionally with information on local ecology, economy and history. We thoroughly enjoyed the ride, the company and our new feathered friends. We debriefed over home-made tea and coconut biscuits in Uday's house after the 1.5 hour tour, and pored over his guest book and all the literature in which he's featured.
It's good to remember that this is a sanctuary, not a circus. Sightings are not guaranteed - but it helps to go early in the morning between Oct-Mar, be patient and vigilant. We'll be back!
DETAILS
* Uday is an excellent guide; book a day in advance: +91-9822583127 or +91-9545062069.
* Cost: Rs 800-1000 for the tour, plus Rs 50 per camera and Rs 50 per person sanctuary entry fee (excludes getting to/from Chorao Island).
* Best time to go: early mornings Oct-Mar
* Duration: ~1.5 hr
* Getting there: From Mapusa: take the ferry from Pomburpa jetty, then drive another 7-8 km to the Madel ferry side. From Panjim: take the ferry to Madel. The ferry is free for people & scooters, and costs ~Rs 10 per car.
We woke pre-dawn and scootered through misty, empty roads to catch the 6:30am Pomburpa ferry to Chorao island. Fortified by hot tea and samosas, we finally connected with our field guide, the knowledgeable, seasoned and cheerful Uday Mandrekar (who is far more skilled at spotting birds than giving driving directions).
We gingerly crossed the muddy rock path to his canoe - non-slip shoes are a plus - and, along with a couple of German visitors, set off on a very relaxing ride on the quiet Mandovi river. Uday started pointing out birds almost immediately - Brahmini kites, kingfishers, flycatchers, all manner of stork-billed blue-breasted green-shanked yellow-tailed bee-eating avians (our bird vocabulary instantly exploded), along with a couple of crocodiles - lucky us! - and broke the silence occasionally with information on local ecology, economy and history. We thoroughly enjoyed the ride, the company and our new feathered friends. We debriefed over home-made tea and coconut biscuits in Uday's house after the 1.5 hour tour, and pored over his guest book and all the literature in which he's featured.
It's good to remember that this is a sanctuary, not a circus. Sightings are not guaranteed - but it helps to go early in the morning between Oct-Mar, be patient and vigilant. We'll be back!
DETAILS
* Uday is an excellent guide; book a day in advance: +91-9822583127 or +91-9545062069.
* Cost: Rs 800-1000 for the tour, plus Rs 50 per camera and Rs 50 per person sanctuary entry fee (excludes getting to/from Chorao Island).
* Best time to go: early mornings Oct-Mar
* Duration: ~1.5 hr
* Getting there: From Mapusa: take the ferry from Pomburpa jetty, then drive another 7-8 km to the Madel ferry side. From Panjim: take the ferry to Madel. The ferry is free for people & scooters, and costs ~Rs 10 per car.
Written 20 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maitiswapan
Mumbai, India13 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
As pre-arranged, started at 5:30 AM by car from Paradise Village Resort, Calangute and reached the Gate of the Bird Sanctuary at Ribandar Ferry Wharf. From there took the 6.30 ferry in which vehicles (two & four wheelers) also move. The boat ride was an option to just walking through the sanctuary and I preferred it to get view from river. I saw the sunrise from the boat at the starting point. After 15 minutes ferry rides on the river, reached Chorao Island. From the wharf, another 15 minutes drive by the same car through village road and reached Chorao village where Shri Uday Mandreker, my guide (Contact 98225 83127 / 96076 10229) was waiting for me.
A very acclaimed guide - Uday Mandreker also known as ‘The Birdman of Chorão’. With in-depth knowledge on flora fauna of this place, he has been guiding people to experience the wide range of flora and fauna of Charao Island since past 27 years.
Early morning is the best and at 7 AM Uday took me in his canoe, which was spacious, neat and clean, fitted with outboard motors and we started. The area of the sanctuary is 1.78 sq.km. and has a number of canals interspersed within. Mangrove swamps are on the western tip of the Chorao island besides river Mandovi. The mangroves are abundant with chirping birds, making the overall ambiance really memorable.
The canoe ride along and within the sanctuary through picturesque Mangrove swamps was cool and breezy and very pleasant. Uday was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, pointing out birds I would otherwise have missed. He would narrate the name and brief particulars of the birds. Uday stopped whenever I mentioned to take close look inside the mangroves and over the treetops. Under his apt guidance, during 90 minutes of his canoe ride, I spotted several species of birds (considering May month being summer season and birds generally prefer to remain inside the jungle because of heat) viz., Greater Adjutant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Brahminy Kite, Indian Darter, Common Kingfisher, White Breasted Kingfisher, Green Heron, Stork, egrets, Sandpiper, red shanks, little bittern, red knot, cormorant, mudskipper etc. I also saw a huge crocodile at a very close distance on the bank of Mandovi. Overall it was an excellent experience.
A very acclaimed guide - Uday Mandreker also known as ‘The Birdman of Chorão’. With in-depth knowledge on flora fauna of this place, he has been guiding people to experience the wide range of flora and fauna of Charao Island since past 27 years.
Early morning is the best and at 7 AM Uday took me in his canoe, which was spacious, neat and clean, fitted with outboard motors and we started. The area of the sanctuary is 1.78 sq.km. and has a number of canals interspersed within. Mangrove swamps are on the western tip of the Chorao island besides river Mandovi. The mangroves are abundant with chirping birds, making the overall ambiance really memorable.
The canoe ride along and within the sanctuary through picturesque Mangrove swamps was cool and breezy and very pleasant. Uday was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, pointing out birds I would otherwise have missed. He would narrate the name and brief particulars of the birds. Uday stopped whenever I mentioned to take close look inside the mangroves and over the treetops. Under his apt guidance, during 90 minutes of his canoe ride, I spotted several species of birds (considering May month being summer season and birds generally prefer to remain inside the jungle because of heat) viz., Greater Adjutant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Brahminy Kite, Indian Darter, Common Kingfisher, White Breasted Kingfisher, Green Heron, Stork, egrets, Sandpiper, red shanks, little bittern, red knot, cormorant, mudskipper etc. I also saw a huge crocodile at a very close distance on the bank of Mandovi. Overall it was an excellent experience.
Written 7 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jace D
London, UK108 contributions
Feb 2012 • Friends
it costs a fortune to get there, they charge you 800 rupees to sit on a board for half an hour and you dont get to see any birds, plus an additional 50 rupees for every camera brought along. there is no sanctuary as such - its a lake and you sit on a boat...THAT IS IS! it was a waste of a day for us. avoid at all costs. Go to attractions that other travellers recomment.this was in the lonely planet guidebook but they obviously didnt go there themselves!
Written 21 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does it take for the bird sanctuary visit? How far can we go via Pvt vehicle? Any parking ? I have a 4 yo..is it feasible
Written 4 February 2021
Hi we rode motorcycle to panjim across on a small ferry it's not difficult to find but may I suggest that you take the boar trip around the sanctuary much more to see
Written 23 August 2019
Sorry, our taxi driver phoned ahead for us........alll the best, its worth it.
Written 30 April 2019
Is there any hotel or guest house in Chorao island,Goa?
Written 6 October 2018
I am not aware. I stayed at Colangute. You may ask my guide whose contact number I already mentioned in my review. He stays there.
Written 6 October 2018
There are 2 ways to enjoy the sanctuary. If one prefers to walk inside the sanctuary necessary entry fees are to be paid. The other option is to hire a boat for about 2 hours and watch the birds from the river . I had taken the boat from the guide who helped in identifying the birds while riding the boat.
Written 5 June 2018
how much does private boat and private guide charge?
Written 17 February 2018
We went with Uday - "Birdman of Charao", we were only 2 persons and he charged us 1500 INR for ard 1.5 hrs of very informative tour.
Written 22 February 2018
Any recommendations on Taxi Drivers to get us to the Bird Sanctuary - email details preferably?
Written 3 January 2018
Taxis are generally safe and reliable in Goa, just that all of them are expensive. In fact, the taxi cartel is so powerful that it has blocked the entry of Uber into Goa!
A point-to-point taxi will typically work out much more expensive, and you'll have to start the haggling process all over again, with a stranger, at that. Your best bet is to negotiate a day-trip route and price with a taxi near your hotel (the ones who tie up with hotels are reliable).
It would be great to take a bicycle and visit the bird sanctuary and then cycle around the island. Unfortunately, though, bicycle rentals don't seem very popular.
Written 4 January 2018
Hello, how do you get to the sanctuary from Ribandar and how much is it?
Written 30 June 2017
The bird sanctuary is on an island off Raibunder. The best option is to get dropped at Raibunder jetty and take a ferry to the island. It costs Rs.10 one way. The best way is to take a boat the island to visit the sanctuary, however, boats don't ply during low tide, so please check that before you take the jetty! The jetty person can tell you if it is a low tide or not.
Written 1 July 2017
Susana J
Panjim, India
What was the cost for the travel in-depth that you referred as a bomb cost?
Written 23 May 2017
It was not me who referred to a "bomb" cost. I'm not sure what that's about. We had a driver that day so we did not have to take a bus. The ferry is free and the sanctuary is on the left immediately after you disembark.
Written 24 May 2017
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