Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is the third most visited national park of Sri Lanka which is located on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa & Uva Provinces. Total extend of the park is over 30,000 hectares and a popular place among the tourists who love sighting water birds and Sri Lankan Elephants in their natural habitats.

The rusty-spotted cat, fishing cat, Sri Lankan leopard, The Sri Lankan sloth bear, Sri Lankan sambar deer, Sri Lankan axis deer, Indian muntjac, Sri Lankan spotted chevrotain, wild boar and water buffalo are among other mammal species. Golden jackal, Asian palm civet, toque macaque, tufted grey langur and Indian hare also inhabit the park. A study conducted in 1989 found that considerable numbers of golden palm civets inhabit the forests of Udawalawe.[1] Five species of mice also have been recorded from the park. The endemic Ceylon spiny mouse, known from Yala National Park, was recorded in Udawalawe National Park in 1989. Indian bush rat and three species of mongoose are also recorded in the national park.

Jeeps are available to hire at the entrance of the park and you can decide if you prefer a half a day safari or a complete full day one. Camping inside the park under strict guidelines also possible with the prior approval of the authorities.

 

Distance to the Udawalawe National Park from some of the key places are as follow.

From :

  • Udawalawa – 10 km
  • Katharagama – 60 km
  • Ella – 90 km
  • Nuwaraeliya -144 km
  • Kandy – 200 km
  • Colombo – 160 km
  • CMB Airport – 170 km
  • Galle – 130 km

 

You can see some of the beautiful photos below;

Elephants in Udawalawe National Park

Negombo Fish Market

Negombo fish market is considered as country’s 2nd largest in it’s category. Located in Negombo, one of the most beautiful coastal city of Sri Lanka. It takes only a drive of few minutes from the Negombo city or from the most of the hotels / resorts in the area to reach this very busy place. They starts days proceeding in the morning early as 3.30 am. Approximately over 3500 fishermen leave for sea from here daily. Market operates till late afternoon.

It’s kind of a noisy place with the individual vendors trying to get the maximum offer for their catches while buyers trying to buy them at bargain prices.

Visitors get the opportunity to meet the fishermen, talk to them and get some idea about the whole process and their lifestyle too. Also they offer you the opportunity to join fishing trips with them.

Sunday is a holiday for Negombo Fish Market as most of the people engaged in this industry are Catholics and they attend church in the morning. Evenings they will have some fun-filled time with partying and meeting friends so on.

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Read More: Best Beaches in Negombo

 

 

Sorabora Wewa / Sorabora Lake

Sorabora Wewa in Mahiyangana

Sorabora Wewa is a manmade ancient reservoir located in Mahiyanganaya, Badulla District (Uva Province) of Sri Lanka. Capacity if the tank is 1100 acres (4.5 Sq km) and holds 11800 acre feet of water.

History of this giant lake goes back to the 2nd century BC and it’s believed to be built during  King Dutugemunu’s era ( (161 BC – 137 BC).

This lake is considered as one of the most important creation of Sri Lankan ancient irrigation technology as it’s sorowwa (sluice gate) was made of the a natural rock. This is the only one found that nature found in Sri Lanka.

It’s worth making a visit here if you are visiting Mahiyanganaya or traveling through the city. Located just 1 km away from the Mahiyanganaya city and the famous Mahiyanganaya ancient Buddhist temple.

Lake supports local community with supply of water for the agriculture lands over 3000 acres. Also it’s rich with fish which supports the inland fishery industry.

Boat service operated by the locals available here for the visitors to enjoy a ride.

You can consider following attractions / places when planning the visit here.

 

Distance from
Wasgamuwa National Park  : 30 km
Kandy : 76 km
Bintenna / Veddas Village : 15 km
Dunhinda water fall : 70 km
Badulla : 73 km
Ella : 95 km
Batticaloa : 107 km
Dambulla : 90 km

 

Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park is the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. Located 30 km west Anuradhapura and 26 km north of Puttalam (approximately 180 km north of Colombo).
The park is 1,317 km2 (508 sq mi) (131, 693 hectares) and ranges from 0–152 m (0–499 ft) above sea level.

(Cover Photo Credit: Thilina Kaluthotage Photography)

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