SRI LANKA... the land of small WONDERS!

Let us know the locations you'd like to visit during your stay in Sri Lanka. We'll add them to your itinerary with glamour to make your visit memorable !

|SINHARAJA RAINFOREST |

Siena Rainforest is probably the only Virgin forest remaining in Sri Lanka.Covering approximately 8,800 hectares is about 21 km from East to South and about 7 km from North to South. In 1975, under Man and the Biosphere , the Siena was declared a Strict Forest Reserve and now completely spared to study and reference only.

Birding in Siena is productive for its high number of species and rare endemic species that add beauty. Sri Lanka Blue Magpie ( Urocissa ornata ), White-faced Starling ( Sturnus senex ), Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush ( Myophonus blighi ), Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill ( Tockus gingalensis ), Chestnut Backed Owlet ( Glaucidium castanonotum ), Green Billed Coucal ( Centropus sinensis ) are a few of the endemics.

|KNUCKLES RANGE |

Dumabara or the Knuckles Forest Reserve is a vast area, 25km east of Kandy, the World Heritage City. The Knuckles borders Kandy & Matale districts and separated from the Central Hills by the Mahaweli Valley to the South & East and the Matale Valley to the West. Knuckles Range creates a unique, geographical character of its own. There are a total of 34 clearly identified mountains ranges within the 62 square miles that makes up 3000-6500feet in height. The name Knuckles is deduced from its shape of a clenched fist and is a heaven to researchers, hikers and Nature lovers most. Its well diversified fauna and flora is undoubtedly a treasure.

Knuckels Range clearly is a promised land of trekking. From the Patana grasslands to Pygmy forests, from butterfly to an occasional herd of elephants and the most inviting villages scattered in the middle of the jungle of course are a model that is hard to find anywhere in the world. To find more details please contact us.

|MAHA ELIYA / HORTON PLAINS & THE WORLD'S END|

Being the highest plateau of Sri Lanka, Mahaeliya, or the Horton Plains bears the two top highest mountains of the country. Declared as a National Park in 1988, it comprises an area of 3160ha. The plain receives its rainfall from both main monsoons as well as from inter-monsoon rains. The three major rivers of the country start from this area namely Kelani, Walawe & the longest river in Sri Lanka , Mahaweli. Although there is a slight dry period between January to March, due to altitude the area is relatively cold. Mean annual temperature is around 150C and during some colder months it goes down further where it is cold enough to create ground and grass frosty.

Mahaeliya (Horton Plains) NP consists of montane forests embedded in wet montane grasslands and has rich bio diversity where most of the fauna and flora found in the park are endemic. Moreover, some of them are confined to highlands of Sri Lanka.

Mainly the forests are prevailed by (Calophyllum sp.) & (Syzygium sp.) Giant tree fern (Cyathea sp.) and colourful Rhododrendron are among the main attractions. Park is also famous for beautiful flowers of endemic Nelu (Strobilanthes sp.), Bovitiya (Osbeckia sp.), Binara (Exacum trinervium) and many other orchid species. Endemic dwarf Bamboo (Arundinaria densifolia) dominates the edges of the river while Chrysopogon zeylanicum and Garnotia mutica dominate the grasslands.

This was once been the best elephant habitats in the country but they are locally extinct due to poaching & sports hunting occurred during the British colonial era. Leopard and Sambhur & wild boar are the most common large mammals here. Endemic Highland Bear Monkey, Rusty-Spotted cat and Fishing cat, Otter, Black napped hare and Giant Squirrel are among other mammals. Many species of endemic & threatened rats & shrews are also found in the park. Reptiles (Lizards) and amphibians holds remarkably high rate of endemism. This cold highland plateau has a very high rate of diversity of avifauna. More than 70% of Sri Lanka's endemic birds are found in Mahaeliya, or the Horton Plains National Park.

|WASGAMUWA NATIONAL PARK |

Wasgamuwa spans from Central Province to North Central Province approximately and located away 50km north-east of Kandy. it borders Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts. The area of the park is a little over 39,000ha. Although the climatic conditions are typically dry, the park and the closer areas largely influenced by the North-east monsoon that usually received from October to February every year and receives rain from the inter-monsoon in March-May. The annual rainfall is about 2250mm and mean annual temperature is about 27 C.

Wasgamuwa was declared a National Park in 1984, but it was a Strict Forest Reserve since 1938.

Predominated by tropical dry mixed evergreen forest, however, open plains of grasslands make an ample stock of fodder for elephants as well as other grazing animals such as Spotted Deer, Sambur Deer, Barking Deer and the Water Buffalo.

About 23 species of mammals, 143 species of birds, 35 species of reptiles, 15 species of amphibians, 17 species of fish and 52 species of butterflies are the main attraction.

|WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK|

With dry forest, open areas, scrub, pools and a beautiful coastline, Wilpattu makes its visitor fascinated. Not only of its diversity but geological patterns stimulate one's study cells of the brain. Being only 40km away from Anuradhapura, the sacred ancient city, the area of Wilpattu that has been overtaken by the jungle, was one of the earliest human habitats of Sri Lanka.

Wilpattu National Park ranges from sea level to 152m and the area of it is 131,693ha. It receives inter-monsoon rains in March and April. The major rainy season is from September to December, which receives from the North-east monsoon.

Wilpattu was declared a sanctuary in 1905 and was upgraded as a National park in 1938. Later, the Wilpattu North sanctuary was declared in 1947.

Painted Stork, Oriental Darter, Purple Swamphen, Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Sri Lanka Grey hornbill, White Rumped Shama and many migrant waders and ducks are found. The Leopard, Sloth Bear, Elephant and countless Spotted Deer are sights that make the visitor tensed with enthusiasm.

|BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK|

Situated about 250km away from Colombo on the south coast, Bundala national Park was declared as a sanctuary for birds in 1969. Later in 1990, it was recognized as the first International Wetland under the RAMSAR Convention.

Bundala covers about 6,200ha including the water bodies that has become the habitat for most of the wading birds. The annual rainfall is about 1,074mm, received during the inter monsoons. Humidity is about 76-81% while its mean annual temperature is about 27 C.

Its sand dunes, beach, lagoons and inter coastal plains fascinates wildlife enthusiasts and provides shelter to the fauna. The troublesome Prickly pear cactus and Thorny tree Prosopis juliflora was introduced during 1940s that have become invasive and spreads widely in the area.

Apart from about 174 species of birds that are recorded in Bundala national park, the elephant, spotted deer, Grey Langur and both mugger and salt water species of crocodiles that are found in Sri Lanka are common sights.

|HANTANA FOREST RANGE - KANDY|

Although continuously affected by human activities, still a vast area is good for Hiking & Nature Trails. Apart from Bird Watching, this is an ideal location for those who want to research. Most of the area is covered by thick savanna grassland, but thick, islandlike forest patches are not uncommon.

|UDAWATTE KELE SANCTUARY - KANDY |

Declared as a sanctuary in 1938, this 275 acres but charming forest patch bordering the world heritage city of Kandy, Udawattakele is ideal for a quick visit of bird watching or a Nature Trail. The pleasant walk under the canopy of giant trees and the small lake in the middle is a resource for fauna and flora alike.

LINKS TO SOME OTHER INTERESTING LOCATIONS -