While travelling, have you ever entered your resort only to be welcomed by one of the largest butterfly species in India? As you turn the other side, do you see a bevy of sunbirds, bee eaters and parrots on a pink powderpuff tree? Does birdsong provide the ultimate background score to your stay? I'm guessing that you said no to most of these questions. But if you, like me, are always on the search for meaningful experiences on your trip, then you must visit Nature’s Nest, in Sancordem, Goa.
What makes Nature's Nest stand out
Nestled amidst a plantation, at the periphery of Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, Nature’s Nest embodies the very spirit of ecological sensitivity, sustainability and local culture. The property has been made with the basic tenet of celebrating the ecosystem that it is built in. The handful of cottages spread across the sprawling property are all mud lined, with a tiled roof and a red oxide floor. Everything is locally sourced, and built in a way to make the visitor feel a part of the entire forest experience. While the rooms have all the basic amenities, they have been kept rustic - with cane furniture, devoid of commercial embellishments, simply to keep the whole feeling comfortable while being non fancy. From the moment I stepped into the room I knew I had entered my comfort zone.
A natural bubbling tank that I'm sure you've never seen before
Ever heard of “Bubbling Tanks”? One of the key highlights of Nature’s Nest is the natural spring water pool that is located within the property. What is so special about this seemingly obscure spring is that when you clap loudly, tons of bubbles release from the floor of the spring and rise to the water surface. It is a truly magical experience. I spent hours beside this spring, reading a book while the soft afternoon sun tried to peek in through the thick foliage above. This natural spring water continues to flow into a pool that has been built to harness this nature’s treasure. The pool is operational for 8 months in a year, except for monsoon, which is when I visited and hence couldn't dive in.
Activities you can do and unique species that you can spot
While birders and naturalists find Nature’s Nest their home turf, anyone who loves nature and wants to spend a few days away from the humdrum of city life, surrounded by forests and nature, will find a calling at this property. Being nestled at the periphery of the sanctuary, there is a wide range of activities that the visitor can choose from at Nature’s Nest. The property itself is home to scores of butterfly, and bird species around the year. Monsoon is a time for all reptile and amphibian lovers to make a beeline for here. Evening and night trails to the laterite plateau are just a 5 minute walk away. My first evening at Nature’s Nest was absolutely memorable. An evening and night trail to the plateau and forest, accompanied by Viril, the in-house naturalist only to witness some of the finest of the animal and plant kingdom, left me awestruck.
There is a lot to be done when at Nature’s Nest. Be it walking through forest to reach a river and splash around in it, or hike to a hidden waterfall deep inside a wildlife sanctuary. Visit a 12th century Shiva temple nestled in the heart of the sanctuary to an open air jeep safari in the late evening hours. You can go bird watching in the sanctuary or visit their private conservation area, where if you’re lucky you get to spot river otters. With all these options, spending even a week seems less at Nature’s Nest.
Food at Nature's Nest
The hospitality and food at Nature’s Nest needs a separate mention. The staff - be it the inhouse naturalists or the kitchen staff will immediately make you feel at home. All of them are from surrounding villages and towns. So much so, that in half a day you can strike long lasting friendships. The food is all locally sourced, and should you want to taste what local Goan cuisine is all about, Nature’s Nest should be your port of call.
Best time to visit
Nature’s Nest is best visited in the winter and monsoon months. The forest canopy comes alive in winter and the forest floor springs to life in monsoon. Winter is the best season for birding in Goa - with hundreds of resident, endemic and migratory species making their appearance. Also the larger mammals become more visible with a relatively thinner foliage. Monsoon is the season for reptile and amphibian lovers, of course with resident and endemic bird sightings alongside.
When we talk about Goa, we all have a single picture in mind - the sea, the sand and the sun. This visit to Nature’s Nest left me a different person. I will never see this amazing state in the same light as before. It made me realize what amazing treasures lay hidden, if only we take a small detour from the beaten path.
For tariff and all other information on Nature’s Nest visit their website or the Instagram page.
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