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ABOUT BACKWOODS CAMP

The Backwoods Camp is ideally located at the heart of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, bounded to one side by a seasonal stream and merging into the forest, making it the perfect location from which to explore the prolific avifauna of the area.

You will soon be introduced to the commoner inhabitants of the forest and foothills. From first light, when the noisy cackle of the Malabar Grey Hornbill announces the start of the day, until dusk, when the Indian Pitta sounds its shrill whistle, days here are accompanied by the sounds of the forest, while at night its silence is disturbed by the calls of Oriental Scops Owl and Ceylon Frogmouth.

Owned and run by birders, for birders, the camp has a unique atmosphere where you will feel at home, and with only 14 rooms it is small enough not to interfere with the surrounding environment.

Backwoods Camp is located in the village of Matkan near Tambdi Surla, famous for its 13th century temple – a National Monument, in Goa’s Sanguem taluka. The camp is just a few kilometres from the border of Goa with the neighbouring state of Karnataka, and a distance of approximately 70km (a travel time of 1hr 45min) from the coast and the capital city, Panjim.

The camp and surrounding areas have a bird list of over 260 species, including many sought after specialities. Birds commonly seen within the camp grounds include Malabar Trogon, Flame-throated and Yellow-browed Bulbuls, Orange Minivet, Puff-throated and Dark-fronted Babblers, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Indian Blackbird, Malabar Whistling-thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Indian Pitta, Small Sunbird, Nilgiri Flowerpecker, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Black-naped Blue Monarch, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Ceylon Frogmouth, Oriental Scops Owl, and Brown Hawk-owl.

Besides the birds, the camp is frequented by troops of Hanuman Langurs and Bonnet Macaques, while fruiting trees attract endemic Malabar Giant Squirrels.

Butterflies are abundant and confiding, with species including the spectacular Malabar Banded Peacock and delicate Malabar Tree Nymph, both found solely in the Western Ghats.

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