Galle Fort
Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological, and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 432 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. The fort has a colorful history, and today has a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. Galle fort which is situated in Sri Lanka is one of the world heritage sites.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The hilly virgin rainforest, part of the Sri Lanka lowland rain forests ecoregion, was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1989. The reserve's name translates as Kingdom of the Lion.
The reserve is only 21 km (13 mi) from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km (4 mi) from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala. There are no elephants, and the 15 or so leopards are rarely seen. The most common larger mammal is the endemic Purple-faced Langur
Kanneliya Rain Forest
The Kanneliya Forest Reserve is situated on the Udugama – Hiniduma Road in Galle. It is also known as the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya forest complex and is the last remaining large rainforest in Sri Lanka apart from Sinharaja. Kanneliya harbors many plants and animals endemic to Sri Lanka. It sits on an area of 10,139 ha and is governed by the Department of Forest Conservation.
The Kanneliya Forest Reserve was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2004. The Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga rivers are sourced from within the forest. It is identified as one of the most floristically rich areas in South Asia.
The Kanneliya Forest Reserve had a few waterfalls in and around the area. Anagimale Ella Waterfall is located close to the entrance of the forest reserve whereas Narangas Ella Waterfall is situated much deeper inside the forest. Malamura Waterfall is located a few kilometers away from the Kanneliya Forest Reserve in the village of Panangala.
Whale Watching Mirissa
The ever-smiling, mischievous dolphins will put on a show while some of the oldest and the largest sea creatures, the humpback, and the blue whales, will nonchalantly glide past you when you embark on a whale/ dolphin watching excursion off the Southern, Eastern, or the West coast of Sri Lanka. The ideal locations for whale watching would be Dondra Point (accessible from Galle, Hikkaduwa, and Mirissa) and Trincomalee while the sea off Kalpitiya teems with an abundance of dolphins.
Yala National Animal Park
Yala (යාල) National Park is the most visited and second-largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. The park consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public, and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names such as Ruhuna National Park, and Kumana National Park or 'Yala East' for the adjoining area. It is situated in the southeast region of the country and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometers (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometers (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards, and aquatic birds.
Ridiyagama Safari Park – The Kingdom of Animals
Ridiyagama Safari Park is a 500-acre safari park, a zoo in the Ridiyagama area of Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. It is the 1st of its kind in Sri Lanka because you can see most of the animals in the animal kingdom on the planet earth here including the lion king, Bengal tiger, Ostrich, Camel, Kangaroo, and various animals from the other part of the world. Due to its classification of Animals, it is possible to see almost all of the animals in one day.
It’s an open zoo and a new concept in Sri Lanka. Basically, humans are the ones who are caged and animals roam free. Humans have to travel in covered buses or safari jeeps to sight the animals. This park consisting of tigers, lions, zebras, and elephants have still scope for improvement. And they’re working on adding new varieties of animals and extending the park
Udawalawa Elephant Orphanage & Elephant Safari Tour
Udawalawe Elephant transits home (ETH), also called Udawalawe elephant orphanage. The primary purpose of the Elephant Transit Home is to rehabilitate and release isolated baby elephants to the wild.
The Ministry of Wildlife Conservation took an essential step in the welfare and protection of orphan elephants in 1995. As a result, "Ath Athuru Sevana" (Elephant Transit Home) was established at the Udawalawe National Park.
Elephant Transit Home (ETH) cares for orphaned elephant calves until they are independent and capable enough to be released back into the wild. Although most of the general public enthusiastically supported this effort, at first, many conservationists doubted its viability
Madu River Boat Safari
In the Southern region of Sri Lanka lies the Galle district. Balpitiya is a little town in the district and would be quite unimportant; except for the location of a river. The Madu River is very rich in biodiversity. It passes through the wet zone of Sri Lanka opening up into the large Madu Lagoon on its way to the Indian Ocean. The Madu River area surrounding the river is all swampy marshlands covered in mangrove forests. The forest covers over 61 hectares, that is over 150 acres. 14 of the 24 species of mangroves are found in this area. Over 300 species, 19 of which are endemic, have been discovered so far. When it comes to birds, cormorants and kingfishers are a common sight. For avid bird watchers, the mangrove forests are a dream coming true. There are over 111 bird species identified to inhabit the region. There are 31 types of reptiles, namely snakes, lizards, and crocodiles. There are also over 50 kinds of butterflies and 25 kinds of mollusks found in the Madu River zone.
Tangalle Lagoon Safari
The Tangalle Lagoon is a haven for a myriad of birdlife and marine life. Located towards the south of Tangalle, the lagoon provides a great day-trip for those in the area. One of the best ways to explore the Tangalle Lagoon; especially at your own pace is by embarking on a kayaking or canoeing excursion along the gentle, emerald waters. As you paddle along the lagoon; keep an eye out for the various wildlife that calls the lagoon and the bordering mangroves; home. From birds to crocodiles, kayakers are in for an exciting safari! This off-the-beaten-path attraction in Tangalle is ideal for those looking to escape the crowds from the nearby more popular beach towns. Explore the mangroves, and remember to duck under low hanging branches! It’s best advised to stay in your kayak/canoe at all times as you explore the lagoon.
The best time to explore the Tangalle Lagoon is during the early hours of the morning or evening, as the daytime can be quite hot and sunny when the sun begins to rise overhead. Always ensure to be well protected from the sun; with sunblock, sunglasses, a sun hat, and comfortable attire while you explore the lagoon.
Tea Factory | Estate
No matter where you are in Sri Lanka, tea is never too far away, and if you love a cup of Ceylon Tea, a visit to a tea plantation and factory is a must, as you travel around the island. The Handunugoda Low Country Tea Plantation and Tea Factory invite you to explore and learn the intricate art of making tea! The estate is most famed for producing the exotic Virgin White Tea.
Visit the Handunugoda Low Country Tea Plantation and enjoy a stroll through acres of lush tea bushes, before heading back to the antique tea factory to learn how the tea is collected, dried, withered and processed before making its way to your cup. While not a fully-functioning factory, you can still admire the processes and old machinery as most of the factory has been converted to a museum. Tea lovers can even sample a freshly made cup of the best Ceylon tea at the end of their tour. The Handunugoda Low Country Tea Plantation is located in the southern town of Ahangama and can be visited in a few hours. The estate also grows coconut, cinnamon and rubber for visitors to admire!
Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mine
Meetiyagoda, also spelt „Mitiyagoda“, is situated in only 4 km distance from the ocean, 10 km north of Hikkaduwa. Meetiyagoda is famous for its moonstone mines. Although sales of jewellery are the main purpose of it, a guided tour at the main mine in the adjacent village of Domanwila can be recommended, as you will not only be invited to the exhibition rooms. First of all, you will see the pitch of the mine and the filtering out of the precious stones and the workshops of the lapidaries. The guides do not push you to give a tip.
Meetiyagoda is an illustrious name in the world of moonstone mining. It‘s Sri Lanka‘s largest moonstone mine and Sri Lankan moonstones are renowned for their blue shine that makes a difference to Indian moonstones. The finest and rarest moonstones have an almost transparent colourless body with a strong blue shine. Actually, Sri Lankan moonstones are those of highest value due to their dark blue reflections, although Mogok in Myanmar (Birma) has been the world‘s best primary source of highly esteemed blue-shining moonstones. Finds of valuable moonstones have become rarer in recent decades. On average, 50 to 100 rough moonstones of diverse qualites are mined per day in Meetiyagoda, they are from deposits in a depth of about 10 to 40 metres. Some decades ago, they could be found close to surface.
Ella | Nine Arc Bridge
Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 200 kilometers (120 mi) east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 1,041 meters (3,415 ft) above sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has a cooler climate than the surrounding lowlands, due to its elevation. The Ella Gap allows views across the southern plains of Sri Lanka.
Ella has all the best parts of Sri Lanka rolled into one: beautiful jungle mountains, rolling tea plantations, and epic waterfalls. As one of the biggest tea producers, travelers can look forward to spending their days among the greenest surroundings, enjoying the views from hilltop houses and adventurous hiking trails. Even the train ride to Ella is one of life’s most remarkable experiences, as you travel by iconic blue train through bamboo forests and tropical mist. Enjoy all the top things to do in Ella with this complete travel guide.
Turtle Conservation Project Turtle Watch (Rekawe)
The southern golden beaches of Rekawa are known to attract several endangered species of sea turtles; which include loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley, green and leatherback turtles. These five species make their way to the stretch of untouched beach in Rekawa to lay their eggs before heading back to the ocean.
The Rekawa Turtle Watch is a conservation project which aims at protecting the nesting sites, thereby ensuring the eggs hatch safely and the baby turtles can return home. Travellers can embark on a turtle watching excursion in the evenings, between 8:30 pm and 11:30 pm, to catch a glimpse of turtles laying their eggs.
The best season for turtle watching in Rekawa is between the months of April to July, where approximately 5-15 turtles visit the beach each night. Keep in mind that this is not always a guarantee and the numbers may dwindle based on various factors that include, but are not limited to, excessive noise or light pollution on the beach. At the conservation site, do remember to adhere to the general rules as instructed, which include restrictions on touching the turtles, flash photography and torches.
Turtle Hatchery Koggala
Turtle hatchery of Koggala opened in the year 1996 on the fringes of Koggala town. It is a turtle farm which is a crucial breeding spot for the endangered sea turtles and also an care centre for crippled, blinded and wounded turtles.
This place is open for public visit and the money from the entrance fee is used in the breeding, feeding and treatment of the turtles. There is a giant turtle-shaped entrance, and upon entering, on the left, there is a mini pond under a shed. Here one can find several giant turtles swimming lazily in the water while the instructor lifts one of them and allows visitors to touch them. The turtles found here can weigh up to 15 kgs.
Visiting the Koggala Turtle Hatchery is more of an overwhelming experience rather than just a fun outing. The centre is protecting dying sea turtles with their limited resources and are putting their best foot forward to help secure the future of these beautiful animals