Bondla National Park and Zoo

For people who like watching wild animals and enjoy picnic sort of experience, Bondla National Park will provide an ideal destination. Driving through a part of the forest, watching wild animals kept in cages, observing several types of plantation and enjoying a picnic in shades of forest trees are all that you can do here. While there are certainly better national parks elsewhere in country (like Corbett, Gir, Kanha), Bondla national park has its own appeal. Entire sanctuary is built in a small area of just 8 sq kms. Tourists usually plan half day to one day tour of this part and is mostly preferred by families with kids and group of school children. While most tourists are Indian, foreigners also take out time to visit this place. It remains closed on Thursdays.

Entrance of the sancruary

Road to Bondla

 Best way to reach Bondla is by personal car or bike. It is at a distance of about 60 kms from Panjim, 48 kms from Margao and 20 kms from Ponda. Road till Bondla is nice and the last 10 kms of the journey is very beautiful, with flowery trees on both side. Once inside the forest region, the road goes through forest over a short valley with frequent turns. You reach upto the entrance gate, where entry tickets are to be taken which are nominal (check the charges below).

After buying tickets you will have to drive further till a parking point from where the zoo area can be entered on foot. Outside entrance there is a food counter that sells basic items like cold drink and mineral water. Besides this, there is no other shop or eateries in that areas. The zoo area is divided in two parts, one for animals and one side is developed as botanical garden. Pavements are built for walking through various cages and enclosures where the animals are kept. A complete round of the zoo can take about 30-45 minutes. The animals includes tigers, crocodiles, foxes, snakes, porcupines etc. Facilities for seating and drinking water are available at few locations inside the zoo. 

Once back from the animal area, you can visit botanical garden (if your endurance permits) or can skip it. It is not much of an attraction. While going back through forest area, you will find sufficient spots which are good for eating your meal (picnic). However, you will need to bring your own food (or cook there) as there are hardly any restaurant or food option there.  There is also a spot on route where a couple of elephants are kept and you can stop by to have a look at them or click photographs. 

Tips:

1. Carry your food, water and snacks as there is hardly any option available for this

2. Club it with a picnic to get maximum enjoyment

Quick points

1. Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The sanctuary remains closed on Thursdays

2. Entry charges: Adult - Rs. 20, Child - Rs. 10, Bike - Rs. 20, Car - Rs. 50, Bus - Rs. 100, Still camera - Rs. 30, Videography camera - Rs. 150