Experience the Best of Susegad, Seafood and Adventure at Nature’s Nest Goa

Away from the urban civilisation lies a hidden gem waiting for you to explore the natural beauty and the local culture, and traditions. Nature’s Nest, like the name suggests, is the perfect place for nature and adventure lovers to embark on their next getaway. Founded in 2010 by Pankaj Lad and Ramesh Zarmekar, both are wildlife enthusiasts. With a deep passion for nature and wildlife, they founded Nature’s Nest Goa with the thought of curating a space to experience the evergreen beauty of nature. Closely following the steps of Eco-tourism, Nature Nest Goa is an example of blending travel with sustainability. Situated in the heart of the Western Ghats and the Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary, Nature’s Nest Goa offers a glimpse of old Goan culture and tradition while maintaining the aesthetic and ambience of a resort. This eco-resort is surrounded by wildlife and thick forest from all sides. 

Right from the food to the compost for the trees, everything is grown here and supports the local economy. With almost 10 cottages, this five-acre resort also houses a natural pool and a bubble pond. They also conduct birding activities, forest trails, waterfall trails and even a nightlife safari! Rather than partying in beach clubs and navigating the crowded streets of Goa, escape the ordinary with a peaceful retreat in Nature’s Nest. 

What makes Nature’s Nest unique

Nature’s Nest is designed in a way that brings guests closer to nature. Located in the Western Ghats, the resort incorporates the best of Goan culture and tradition. Right from the architectural design of the resort, the accommodations, the property and the facilities provided are all nature-centric. Every factor in this eco-resort is planned thoughtfully, keeping in mind the rich biodiversity. The property houses a variety of plantations like vanilla, betel nut, pepper, coconut, turmeric, ginger and much more. Scattered across the property are mud-lined AC cottages with traditional Mangalorean tiles, which add to the charm of the resort.

Other than the abundance of trees and flowering plants, the forest surrounding the resort proudly boasts a few species of fauna and flora endemic to the Western Ghats. Here, you won’t be disturbed by the honking of cars but by the chirping of birds. Since the resort is located in the Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary, one can occasionally also spot a few animals like the flying squirrel, palm asian civet and if you’re lucky, panthers too! All of us like to relax on our vacation, but what if it tell you, there’s a pool which has water sourced directly from a natural spring? When we say derived from nature, Nature’s Nest is the perfect embodiment of it. Along with that, the property also houses a small pond, also called a bubble pond. If anyone claps their hands or makes any sound, the pond generates tiny bubbles! 

Since this resort is literally tucked away in the heart of the Western Ghats, there are a variety of activities and adventures for guests. From thrilling late-night safaris and a guided walking night trail in the wildlife sanctuary to forest trails and bird watching trails, guests can truly experience the best of adventure at Nature’s Nest in Goa. They also have a few programs, like Junior Naturalist and many more. Other than this, Nature’s Nest also offers various holiday packages. 

Nothing here beats the food! Embark on an authentic Goan food trail in this eco-resort. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love the authentic and traditional Goan food prepared in earthen pots. Guests can enjoy the best of Goan cuisine like Poi, Mango and Jackfruit curries, Mangana, a Goan sweet and freshly made Bebinca. For all seafood lovers, relish fresh fish, fried in oil with Goan masala and chicken in unique preparations. If you want to explore beyond just Nature’s Nest, Goa awaits you! Nature's Nest also arranges short day trips to places like Dudhsagar Waterfalls, the infamous Tambdi Surla Temple and many more secluded spots too.

Places to Visit near Nature’s Nest 

Tambdi Surla Temple

Once you’re done exploring and have exhausted all the activities offered in Nature’s Nest, it's time to explore a few lesser-known places in Goa. A short drive, just 15 minutes away from the resort, is the ancient Tambdi Surla Temple. Built in the 13th century, this temple is an architectural marvel carved out of rock. Tucked away in the dense forests of the Western Ghats, this temple is known for its intricate carvings and sculptures. A testament to the Kadamba-Yadava style of architecture, because of its remote locality, the temple was never invaded by the enemy. However, this temple holds an unexplored mystery.

Goa is widely known for using red soil or a red-hued stone known as ‘Chira’ in all their constructions, yet this temple is made out of chloritic schist, which is not found in Goa. So the question arises, where was the raw material to build this temple sourced from? Even after centuries, historians and scientists have not found the answer. If you love nature and quiet as much as I do, then you need to visit a hidden waterfall near this temple. 

Dudhsagar Waterfalls

This article would feel incomplete without mentioning the majestic Dudhsagar Waterfalls. Surrounded by lush greenery and cascading waterfalls, the ethereal beauty of Dudhsagar Waterfalls will mesmerise you. Living in an urban sprawl, all of us want a break from the constant chaos. This spot is for those who want to celebrate the best of nature, and there’s no other place better than Goa. Located less than an hour away, due to its commerciality, this spot is swamped with tourists. Though a highly visited tourist attraction during Monsoon, the best time to visit this destination is winter to avoid any unexpected accidents or mishaps. Tourists can also enjoy a swim. Like the name suggests, the waterfall is truly a stream of milk (Dudhsagar translates to ‘Milk’ and ‘Stream’) plunging from heaven. 

Arossim Beach

If you, too, dislike crowds on the beach and want to explore beaches in Goa, then Arossim Beach is located just an hour away. The golden sand, crystal-clear waters and the salty air are what make this place a must-visit. This secluded beach offers the best waters to swim in and is completely safe. For those who don't know how to swim, the lifeguards here will ensure you have a good time. The best part of this beach is not the blue waters but the drive till here. Palm trees, betel nut farms and the quaint lanes of Goa will leave you in awe. The best time to visit the beach would be during the evenings. As the sky turns orange, soak in the beauty of this secluded beach. 

Cabo De Rama Fort

It must be hard to believe this, but just five years ago, this fort was in a complete state of ruins. Tucked away in the south of Goa, with a breathtaking view of the sea and the strong gale of winds truly made it a unique spot. Years later, when the fort was repaired, like every other place in Goa, this once lesser-known place became a popular tourist attraction. Though the Cabo de Rama fort is located around 2 hours away from the resort, it is a must-visit place for all adventure and nature lovers.

Rise of Eco-tourism in India 

At the end of the day, we all go back where we came from, and that’s nature. Our ancestors lived a fruitful life with their traditional and simple ways of living. As our oceans are rising, temperatures soaring up to a drastic 50 degrees, deforestation and excessive use of fossil fuels, the end feels nearer and nearer. The humankind has exploited as much as we can and have used it to boost our limited lives with materialistic products. With such a massive level of destruction comes consequences as we disrupt the ecosystem and the balance of nature. Every human being, in the end, wouldn’t want to spend a vacation amidst flashing city lights, wandering in crowded spaces with busy roads or admiring skyscrapers touching the sky, but would want to relax, unwind and rejuvenate surrounded by lush greenery, in the lap of nature. 

As most city folks are already falling prey to the materialistic world, it’s necessary to draw a line between consumerism and consumption. Even today, if one visits the remote parts of India, they'll find people making ends meet with what resources are available to them, and the main source of these resources isn’t a gigantic luxurious mall but nature. 

Eco-tourism is just a hospitable term, but rightfully, a way of living. It is a sustainable and earth-friendly approach to travelling and, on a broader scale, living. Being a conscious traveller while respecting the ecosystem and the rich biodiversity of the place is equally vital. For years, nature has been an integral part of Indian traditions. Instead of exploiting what minimal resources we have left, it’s important to take a step forward to enrich and respect nature. Eco-tourism is not just a sustainable way of travel, but also protects the environment. 

Slowly but steadily, India has seen a massive rise in the number of Eco-resorts and farm stays, which prioritise sustainable practices and an environmentally-centric way of living. With travel comes a sense of duty and responsibility to protect and conserve the existing rich biodiversity.