Nature Camping

Colombo derived from Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means “mango harbour”, altered by the Portuguese to honor Christopher Columbus, population 737,396 Colombo, is the largest city and commercial center of Sri Lanka. Colombo was probably known to Roman, Arab, and Chinese traders more than 2,000 years ago. Muslims settled there in the 8th century and controlled much of the trade between Sinhalese kingdoms and the outside world. The Portuguese arrived in the 16th century and built a fort to protect their spice trade. The Dutch captured the city in the 17th century. The British made the city the capital of their crown colony of Ceylon in 1802.

Sinharaja is the country’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. 50% of Sri Lankan’s endemics species of animals (especially butterfly, amphibians, birds, snakes and fish species). It is home to 95% endemic birds. Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala. There are about 3 elephants, and 15 leopards. The most common larger mammal is the endemic purple-faced langur. Birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Sri Lanka Crested Drongo and the noisy orange-billed babbler. Of Sri Lanka’s 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive red-faced malkoha, green-billed coucal and Sri Lanka blue magpie. Reptiles include the endemic green pit viper and hump-nosed vipers, and there are a large variety of amphibians, especially tree frogs. Invertebrates include the endemic common birdwing butterfly and leeches.

Sinharaja is the country’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. 50% of Sri Lankan’s endemics species of animals (especially butterfly, amphibians, birds, snakes and fish species). It is home to 95% endemic birds. Because of the dense vegetation, wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala. There are about 3 elephants, and 15 leopards. The most common larger mammal is the endemic purple-faced langur. Birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Sri Lanka Crested Drongo and the noisy orange-billed babbler. Of Sri Lanka’s 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive red-faced malkoha, green-billed coucal and Sri Lanka blue magpie. Reptiles include the endemic green pit viper and hump-nosed vipers, and there are a large variety of amphibians, especially tree frogs. Invertebrates include the endemic common birdwing butterfly and leeches.

Waulpane Cave in Ceylon dates back to 500 million years old! The Waulpane Cave is renowned for its many beautiful stalactites and stalagmites (approx. 500 million years old) as well as the hundreds of thousands of bats that live there. The meaning of Wavul Pane (Sinhalese name) is Cave of Bats. Approximately more than 250,000 bats that inhabit it. It is an isolated cavern set against the eastern slopes of the Rakwana mountain range, located about 1 hr. and 30 mins. drive from Pallebedda. Once entering the cave, you descend approx. 300 metres underground to discover this prehistoric world of ancient fossils in the cavern walls, a stream that runs through the cave and a beautiful waterfall located in the centre. As well as the many bats, watch out for the water monitors, various amphibians and fascinating luminous fish.

Udawalawa national Park is located on the border of Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces in Sri Lanka. The main purpose of owning the national park is to provide a sanctuary for wild animals that have lost their habitat due to the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Warawe River. National Park definitely the best place to see elephants in Sri Lanka: there are about 500 elephants in the park. National Park is also home to Sri Lankan other wild animals such as birds, rusty cats, fishing cats and Sri Lankan leopards, and other species include Sri Lankan Sambar deer, Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Indian Montak, Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrolet, Wild Boar and Buffalo. The figures of golden jackal, Asian palm civet, short-tailed macaque, tufted gray languor and Indian hare are also recorded. There are a large number of palm musk deer here, as well as five species of mice, Indian jungle rats and three types of mongooses.

Belihul Oya is well-known for its paradise-like mountains, tea plantations, and powerful waterfalls. Belihul Oya is a quiet, cooler, green region in the Rathnapura district of Sri Lanka. It’s worth a day trip here, but staying for a few nights allows you to experience everything Belihul Oya has to offer. The hills of the Belihul Oya area are where you can have breathtaking views.

Doovili Ella Falls or Duvili Ella or Walawe Ganga East Fallsis a waterfall in Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka. It is located in Thanjantenna village, which is about 4 km (2.5 mi) away from Balangoda. The height of the waterfalls is about 40 m (130 ft). The name ‘Doovili’ is derived from the Sinhalese for dust, which describes the spray emanating from the waterfall.

Horton Plains – Sri Lanka’s only national park declared a World Heritage Site, is an eerie highland plateau popular with hikers. A circular trail of 10 km length winds through cloud forests and open grasslands. Major attractions are scenic spots such as Baker’s Falls and the two spectacular panoramic viewpoints called “Big World’s End” and “Little World’s End”. Horton Plains, situated at an elevation of more than 2000 m above sea level. The average temperature in this area is about 16 C. With high winds in the evening, it can be quite chilly. The Park covers 31.60 km², and is a mixture of highland forest and wet grassland. This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to walk on their own on the designated tracks. Sambar is the most common animal in the plains but wild boars and leopards too can be found in this area. Other than the gorgeous weather, flora and fauna of Horton Plains, one of the most popular activities is the hike trail covering the mini worlds end point, great worlds end point and Bakers Falls. Once you reach Horton plains you can visit the “Worlds End” which is a 4000 feet straight vertical drop. This is of course a 4 km hike from the trail head on a beautiful path. This drop can be covered with mist most of the time the and the best time to be up at the worlds end is towards the afternoon. Or you can just see the Bakers Falls which is about 3.3 km from the trail head.

Kitulgala – Kelani Valley Forest Reserve is a small alluring town in the west of Sri Lanka that gets affected by two monsoons each year. It is one of the wettest places in the country and is the only base for white water rafting in the country! Kitulgala was established to protect the watershed of the Kelani River which flows alongside it and is widely known as the location for the filming of the Academy Award winning “The Bridge on the River Kwai”. Kitulgala is home to many of Sri Lanka’s endemic fauna and flora. Some of the bird species that are found here are the Spot-winged Thrush, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ceylon Spurfowl, Ceylon Rufous Babbler, Ceylon Scimitar Babbler and the Ceylon Frogmouth. The town is also home to many rare species of butterflies. Most of the endemic species can be seen here including the Tawny Raja, Red Helen, Blue Mormon, Tree Nymph, Common Blue Bottles and Blue Oak Leaf.

White water rafting – Experience an exciting rafting adventure in a jungle paradise. White Water Rafting is a challenging recreational activity and an exhilarating water sport. Yet contrary to the public belief, White Water Rafting is not a sport that demands great physical strength. Experience White Water Rafting in the picturesque Kelani River, covering 5 major rapids and 4 minor rapids. This activity is for anyone above the age of 10 years with safety gear, modern rafts, and a comprehensive safety briefing will be given by our white water rafting instructors beforehand. The distance covered is around 5 km. The river and its surrounding will make you feel enchanted, with a memorable Experience during your White-water rafting in Kitulgala.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – Commonly known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Glorious Tooth Temple), is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an ‘Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.

The Knuckles Mountain range, so called because its appearance resembles the knuckles of a clenched fist is located to the east of Kandy and Matale in central Sri Lanka, and consists of five mountain peaks and several other smaller peaks. Walking in the Knuckles is immensely satisfying for this is some of Sri Lanka’s finest walking country. Trek through dense forests, along rivers and waterfalls, past tea plantations and terraced paddy fields and visit some of the small rural village communities. Panoramic views of misty mountains, stunning valleys, ancient rock formations, lush forests, crystal clear streams, beautiful animal and plant life, paddy fields, traditional villages and hospitable people make the Knuckles an unmissable experience. A wide variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna also makes this World Heritage Conservation area a storehouse of rich biodiversity.

The Knuckles Mountain range, so called because its appearance resembles the knuckles of a clenched fist is located to the east of Kandy and Matale in central Sri Lanka, and consists of five mountain peaks and several other smaller peaks. Walking in the Knuckles is immensely satisfying for this is some of Sri Lanka’s finest walking country. Trek through dense forests, along rivers and waterfalls, past tea plantations and terraced paddy fields and visit some of the small rural village communities. Panoramic views of misty mountains, stunning valleys, ancient rock formations, lush forests, crystal clear streams, beautiful animal and plant life, paddy fields, traditional villages and hospitable people make the Knuckles an unmissable experience. A wide variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna also makes this World Heritage Conservation area a storehouse of rich biodiversity.

Negombo Situated 10 km way from the Colombo International airport of Sri Lanka, located at the lagoon-mouth, Negombo is a major tourist destination with an old, large and thriving fishing industry. Fresh seafood and untouched beaches, Negombo is the perfect location for a beach holiday just before you set off to explore the rest of Sri Lanka or just before the end of your holiday in Sri Lanka. with a range of beach activities, such as kite surfing, and an active nightlife, there is always something to do in Negombo.