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Turtle Hatchery:
The Sea Turtle Project is organized with the aim of conserving these rare species. You can see a variety of turtles here and witness the whole process that takes place before the turtles are released to their natural habitat. If you wish you too can release a turtle to the sea during your visit to the hatchery.
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Hikkaduwa Turtle Sanctuary:
About 2 kilometers north of Hikkaduwa is a turtle research center that is dedicated to protecting this endangered species. During your visit to the center you can observe a variety of turtles and the whole process that is carried out before they are safely released to the sea. |
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Visit the Wilpattu National Park:
This is the islands largest national park and was reopened in April 2010 after having been closed for nearly two decades. This 1300 square feet of land houses a variety of wild life including the Sri Lankan elephant, sloth bear, spotted deer, leopard and water buffalo. The natural lakes in the park attract a large variety of birds such as the kingfisher and the white ibis as well. This park is a must visit for all nature lovers. |
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The Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya:
The garden spreads across 147 acres and is 460 meters above sea falls. The garden experiences roughly 200 days of annual rain fall. It is home to over 300 varieties of orchids, spices, medical plants and palm trees. There is also a large concentration of fruit bats often seen flying around or resting in trees. The park is a perfect place for a sense of tranquility in a bustling city. |
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Muthurajawela Marsh:
Located in the southern part of the town, this is the perfect place to visit of nature lovers. It is usually not that crowded and is therefore a very peaceful experience. You will be provided with a small open boat and a knowledgeable guide as you explore the marsh to witness different varieties of birds and other wild life in their natural habitat. |
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Horton Planes:
The Horton Planes park is a protected area that lies at an altitude of roughly 2100 mteres and was designated a national park in 1988. The plains are the headwaters of three main Sri Lankan rivers, Kelani, Walawe and Mahaweli. The park is home to many species of mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians. Currently the most commonly seen mammal is the Sambar deer and some argue that the number of this deer type in the park is greater than its carrying capacity. The park is also an important bird area since you find many birds that are not only endemic to Sri Lanka but also restricted to the park. |
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Haggala Botanical Gardens:
The Gardens spread across 27 hectare acres were established in 1860 as an experimental Cinchona plantation from which the anti-malarial drug quinine is derived. Subsequently the gardens were used for experiments in acclimatizing temperate-zone plants to life in tropics. Today Hakgala`s gardens of roses, shrubs, ferns and montane woodland are delightfully located in salubrious environment, with small streams running across and wooden bridges built over them with birds flying all over |
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Whale and Dolphin Spotting:
If you decide to visit during the period December – April, you have the opportunity to go whale and dolphin watching. The chances of spotting them are quite high as it is often mentioned that the density of whales and dolphins in the waters that surround Sri Lanka is one of the highest in the world. |
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Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage:
The orphanage, which is situated in the northwestern town of Kegalle was originally founded to provide care and support for the many orphaned elephants in the jungle. Since then the orphanage has also become a breeding ground for elephants. The orphanage is thought to have the largest heard of captive elephants in the world. Most elephants found in the orphanage are healthy. However, there are a few exceptions, such as the elephant named Sama, who lost her front right leg to a land mine. Tourists visiting the orphanage will be given the wonderful opportunity to touch and take pictures with the elephants as well as to feed them milk. |
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Yala National Park:
Yala National park is one of the oldest and well known national parks is Sri Lanka and spreads throughout roughly 130 000 hectre acres. It is renowened for the large population of elephant heards that you can see at very close vicinity. There is also roughly 30 Sri Lankan leopards that roam the parks, which is one of the highest leopard densities in the world and if lucky you may experience the extraordinary sight of leopard cubs playing or simply enjoying their prey. The park also hosts over 200 vareities of birds and types such as the Wood pigeon and Black capped bulbul are endemic to Sri Lanka. You will explore the park in an open roofed landrover, giving it a truly adventourous touch and experince Sri Lankan wildlife in its natural habitat. |
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Ramboda Waterfall:
The Ramboda waterfall stands at a height of 109 meters and is ranked 729 among the world’s tallest waterfalls. Ramboda falls below the Ramboda Bridge and is therefore invisible to the main road. As a result, most tourists tend to miss this breathtaking sight. |
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Sinharaja Forest Reserve:
The forest is a UNESCO world heritage site and a major eco tourism destination. It has a large variety of species that are endemic to Sri Lanka and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It is also the perfect environment for bird lovers as it houses roughly 95% of birds that are endemic to Sri Lanka. The dense vegetation however makes it incredibly difficult to spot any wildlife. There is said to be a small number of elephants and leopards roaming the forest but are very rarely spotted. |
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Udawalawe National Park:
The Udawalawe National Park was created to provide a sanctuary for the displaced wildlife due to the creation of the Udawalawe Reservoir. The most commonly seen wild life species is the Sri Lankan elephant as it is believed that a heard of roughly 250 elephants are resident in the park. Furthermore, the park is also the perfect place for bird watching, as it is home to a large variety of birds that are endemic to Sri Lanka. The national park is a popular attraction among the tourists and is the third most visited park in the island. |
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Minneriya National Park:
The park is located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa and is home to a variety of wild life including the Sambar Deer, Sri Lankan elephant and leopards. The Minneriya tank, which was built by King Mahasena, is the main feature of the park and during the dry season peak months of August and September up to 300 elephants gathers around this tank, providing a spectacular sight dubbed as ‘The gathering’. The Lonely Planet has named this elephant gathering as one of the top ten greatest wildlife spectaculars. It is also common to see huge flocks of birds that come to fish at the tank as the water level recedes. It is the ideal setting for all nature lovers and a unique experience for all. |
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Wilpattu National Park:
This is the islands largest national park and was reopened in April 2010 after having been closed for nearly two decades. This 1300 square feet of land houses a variety of wild life including the Sri Lankan elephant, sloth bear, spotted deer, leopard and water buffalo. The natural lakes in the park attract a large variety of birds such as the kingfisher and the white ibis as well. This park is a must visit for all nature lovers. |
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