The beautiful paradise island-state of Goa is well-known for its forests and foliage. That being said, we are so immensely grateful and lucky to experience this slice of paradise, right here in our backyard! Wigwam is tucked away in a lush, little nook in the sleepy seaside village of Mandrem. Our tipi field and jungle gardens are home to hundreds of different species of flora and insect and bird fauna that you can spot during your stay here with us!
Whether you’re an ardent birdwatcher or nature enthusiast, or if it’s just your first time in a tropical wild jungle garden; either way we’ve whipped up a basic list of our local plant and bird life for your reference. Make sure you get your pair of binoculars and keep your eyes peeled during your stay!
Amidst the abundance of banana and coconut trees, we’ve got a whole range of tropical wonders that feed and nourish us. At Wigwam, we try our very best to make use of these this fresh produce in our café kitchen as well as in other areas. Our delicious, wild bananas are used in our smoothie bowls and the leaves double as plates for our Sunday brunches!
Papaya
A classic tropical wonder, the delicious papaya or paw-paw sprout all over our jungle gardens. Try to spot one in full-bloom at the edge of our yoga-shala or maybe even in your jungle shower! Papaya trees play a major role in cross-fertilisation in tropical ecosystems, and keep the bee and butterfly pollinators in check! Come refresh yourself with a cold glass of garden-fresh papaya juice in our jungle café!Cashew
This quintessential Goan dried fruit is used in a myriad of ways in Goa. Look for cashew trees in our garden and don’t forget to sample a glass of cashew liquor, ‘feni’ at a local taverna in the village (and learn a new Konkan word from the locals!). Cashews grow in uncluttered masses in our gardens and can be easily recognized by the characteristic orange-red fruit that hang from their branches.
Kokum
‘One kokum cooler, please!’. Some say acquainting oneself with kokum is a bit like marmite; you either love it or you hate it. Quite similar to tamarind, kokum has a sweet-sour taste and grows wild on the dense slopes of the Western Ghats. We’re lucky to have kokum plants sprouting about our gardens as well. Great for digestive health and general well-being, our lovely local ladies dry kokum shells so they can be infused into our gut-friendly kokum cooler – a scrumptious, fizzy, salty-sweet drink – and the best way to beat the heat!Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a common Indian spice and Goa is home to nutmeg plantations aplenty. Walk around our jungle gardens and take a little whiff of the thick, summer air… what do you smell? Do you catch a hint of nutmeg here, there…anywhere? Nutmeg trees themselves have a pleasant aroma and their thick evergreen leaves can be spotted from afar. With a growing vegan customer-base, we’re thinking…nutmeg butter?Holy Basil (Tulsi)
The beautiful holy basil can be found growing around our tipis in the tipi-field. Nothing like a refreshing cup of belly-warming ‘tulsi’ tea! Heavy night of partying and liquor? Step outside your dreamy tipi and grab a fresh bunch of basil, pop the kettle on – and voila! – you’ve done your detox for the day!Bird-spotting Mini-List
Kingfisher
A flash of turquoise? A dash of aquamarine? It has to be the majestic Kingfisher! Sparkling like jewels on the trees, these beautiful birds are easy to find amidst the layers of green foliage. Try to spot one as you bask in your balcony, and see if you can identify the species.
Brahminy Kite
With its bald white head and breast-plumage, these apex predators are unmistakable and can be easily identified in and around Goa. High up in the emergents of the tall trees of our jungle garden, nests a small family of Brahminy kites. Whip out your pair of binoculars and have a little stroll to catch a glimpse of these beauties.Bee-eater
If you wake up in your tipi or jungle lodge to melodious, high-pitched calls – it’s probably the bee-eater! As the name suggests, these bird species feast on bees and are a riot of colour and pomp. As social birds that roost in large numbers, you might just get lucky and spot a flock here at Wigwam. Can you imagine a flight of vibrant green-blue shades against the pink hues of the sunset skies in our tipi field? Ahhh, a jungle paradise indeed!