Mollem National Park

Once a hunting reserve, Mollem is a biodiversity hotspot that became a national park in the 1970s. It contains tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and deciduous forests, and many species of mammals, birds, butterflies, and reptiles. There are also some spectacular and popular waterfalls, as well as a 12th-century Shiva temple, the stone Tambdi Surla Temple.

Vehicles are allowed within the boundaries of the park (which isn’t the case for all of India’s national parks), so Jeep safaris are a good way of touring the park and covering a lot of ground.

• There’s a small entry fee to enter the park, and an extra fee to use a camera.
• Visitors who want more than a quick day trip from Goa’s beaches will find many hiking trails throughout the park.
• The park is a popular destination from Goa, but can be visited easily from towns in western Karnataka—you may wish to make your base there.

Many buses and trains reach the town of Mollem from Goa’s coast but take at least twice as long as private car hires—on a good day. Guided tours that include a jungle safari and a trip to the waterfalls are a convenient way of seeing much of the park in one day.

Temperatures in tropical Goa are fairly uniform year-round, with average highs of around 86°F (30°C). Although the monsoon season between June and September brings a lot of rain and humidity, it can be an excellent time to see the park’s waterfalls.

In Hindi and other South Asian languages, dudh means “milk” and sagar means “sea.” “Sea of Milk” is an appropriate name for these beautiful stranded waterfalls on the Mandovi River, located within the park. The four tiers of the falls are most dramatic after periods of rain. Avoid visiting on the weekends if you don’t like crowds.