Forest Haven.
Wildernest is located at the cusp of three Indian states, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa. It can be approached either from Belgaum in Karnataka, or from Goa, on the scenic Chorla Ghat road. From the entrance gate we were taken to our rooms in a dilapidated jeep, holding on tight to our seats. One of the staff, all dressed in jungle jackets and shorts, took us to our cottage and then showed us around the property. He welcomed us with a glass of chilled ‘kokum’ juice.
Wildernest Nature Resort is in a class of its own. The rooms are luxurious not in the physical sense, but because you are so close to wondrous luxuries of nature. There is no TV, but you are woken up by the song of the Malabar whistling thrush. You witness the real life film of a waterfall on the cliff opposite your open veranda, and wild monkeys prancing about in the trees outside. There is no wi-fi, but the songs of the Barbets and the Sunbirds play all day long. Neither is the room air conditioned, nor is there a fridge or coffee maker. In fact, you are discouraged from eating anything in your room as it attracts pests and insects. There is no room service and you have to walk to the restaurant ‘Randhan’ for all meals.
The package at Wildernest included all meals, prepared from farm fresh ingredients in the local Konkani and Goan styles. It included morning tea, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, and evening tea and snacks. The food was very wholesome and delicious. On one occasion we had barbequed snacks for dinner.
There is a bar besides the restaurant where drinks are available on chargeable basis.
The activities like bird watching and trekking to a waterfall in the morning, to the sunset point in the evening, and an evening entertainment programme are all included in the package. One evening we witnessed some local songs and dances, and saw a film on wildlife the next evening. The bird watching guide took us around the property pointing out different species of birds. We even saw a green vine snake on one occasion. The treks were very strenuous as we had to clamber over stones and boulders in the forest to reach the waterfall. The sunset trek was quite an uphill climb and I was out of breath by the time we reached the top. Please do not attempt the treks if you are not fit or have small kids with you, even though there is always a guide to accompany you.
There is a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the hills. The pool is surrounded on three sides by the jungles, with some deck chairs to lounge and sunbathe. There is a man made waterfall on one side. The water is reasonably clean, and clean towels are available in the changing room.
We stayed in one of the Valley View Cottages overlooking the valley and waterfall. They also have Forest View Cottages surrounded by tall trees and forests, which is preferred by the hard core nature lovers and bird watching enthusiasts. The path and steps leading to the rooms can get quite dark after sunset, so do remember to carry a torch with you when you go for dinner to the restaurant.
We were at Wildernest for 4 nights and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves even though we were cut off from the ‘civilised’ world. Sometimes we would just sit in the machans and wait for the birds, or lie in a hammock gazing at the stars at night. It was a complete digital detox, and we returned to our humdrum existence totally refreshed with lovely green memories.
Wildernest Nature Resort is in a class of its own. The rooms are luxurious not in the physical sense, but because you are so close to wondrous luxuries of nature. There is no TV, but you are woken up by the song of the Malabar whistling thrush. You witness the real life film of a waterfall on the cliff opposite your open veranda, and wild monkeys prancing about in the trees outside. There is no wi-fi, but the songs of the Barbets and the Sunbirds play all day long. Neither is the room air conditioned, nor is there a fridge or coffee maker. In fact, you are discouraged from eating anything in your room as it attracts pests and insects. There is no room service and you have to walk to the restaurant ‘Randhan’ for all meals.
The package at Wildernest included all meals, prepared from farm fresh ingredients in the local Konkani and Goan styles. It included morning tea, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, and evening tea and snacks. The food was very wholesome and delicious. On one occasion we had barbequed snacks for dinner.
There is a bar besides the restaurant where drinks are available on chargeable basis.
The activities like bird watching and trekking to a waterfall in the morning, to the sunset point in the evening, and an evening entertainment programme are all included in the package. One evening we witnessed some local songs and dances, and saw a film on wildlife the next evening. The bird watching guide took us around the property pointing out different species of birds. We even saw a green vine snake on one occasion. The treks were very strenuous as we had to clamber over stones and boulders in the forest to reach the waterfall. The sunset trek was quite an uphill climb and I was out of breath by the time we reached the top. Please do not attempt the treks if you are not fit or have small kids with you, even though there is always a guide to accompany you.
There is a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the hills. The pool is surrounded on three sides by the jungles, with some deck chairs to lounge and sunbathe. There is a man made waterfall on one side. The water is reasonably clean, and clean towels are available in the changing room.
We stayed in one of the Valley View Cottages overlooking the valley and waterfall. They also have Forest View Cottages surrounded by tall trees and forests, which is preferred by the hard core nature lovers and bird watching enthusiasts. The path and steps leading to the rooms can get quite dark after sunset, so do remember to carry a torch with you when you go for dinner to the restaurant.
We were at Wildernest for 4 nights and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves even though we were cut off from the ‘civilised’ world. Sometimes we would just sit in the machans and wait for the birds, or lie in a hammock gazing at the stars at night. It was a complete digital detox, and we returned to our humdrum existence totally refreshed with lovely green memories.
Ask EkMusafir about Wildernest
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
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