Horton Plains: Located
at an elevation of 7000 feet, this is one of the most awesome and forbidding
regions of Sri Lanka. This plateau is a windswept misty grassland, with
tree ferns and scraggly dwarf trees some native only to Sri Lanka. The
plains are wild and beautiful in its loneliness, yet exhilarating. Majestic
Sambur Roam freely in the grassland with the occasional Leopard. Also there
are Flora unique to the World found only in this area. These Plains although
hard to reach is well worth the visit.
Babarakanda Falls: Contrary
to popular belief, the Diyaluma falls are not the highest in the island.
The honour falls to Bambarakanda Falls near Kalupahana, 3 K.M off
the Colombo Badulla highway (A4) west of Haldumulla. The total drop is
790 feet. This spectacular cascade is a sight to behold specially when
fed by monsoon rains.
Nuwara Eliya: Nestled
in a mist Shrouded Basin of 6128 feet at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala
Sri Lanka's highest peak, is the Colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya
a touch of England. Early Victorian and Tudor style homes over looking
the Picturesque Lake Gregory, certainly the town seems like a part of English
Lake District! Discovered by a British Hunting party in 1819, Sir Samuel
Baker a British Explorer better known for his Nile river discoveries decided
to establish a "Little English Village" in the year 1846, to make it his
home. In no time the Town became the finest among Island's Hill resorts
with its soft English Spring Climate.
Hakgala Garden: First
established in 1860 as an experimental Cinchona Plantation for production
of the malaria Antidote Quinine, this is now a garden of Roses and ferns.
At an elevation of 5600 ft. the flora is quite unique: Botanically minded
visitors will find plenty to interest them. The Orchid House, A true English
Oak, A Camphor wood Tree and all the flowers of an English Cottage Garden,
not forgetting the fernery with its magnificent Tree Ferns. There
is also a beautiful pool in the shape of Sri Lanka with a multitude of
colorful fish.
Uda Walawe: Situated
in the sabaragamuwa Province this 119 square mile sanctuary set around
the huge Uda Walawe Reservoir is fed by the Walawe River. This park
has a calm and Tranquility which envelops all who enter. There are no dull
moments, as you scan from left to right large herds of Elephants and Wild
Buffaloes are often seen. As you pass the numerous water holes the occasional
Wild Pigs and Crocodiles slithering out of the sledge rimmed water can
be seen.
Towards the north of the sanctuary
near the Walawe River the shy Sambur and herds of spotted Deer roam in
the thicket. Leopards and Bear inhabit the Rocky areas and are rarely met.
The bird life is profuse in this park. The immaculate white Egrets, Gray
Pelicans, Colorful painted Stork. Gray Herons and King Fishers in all there
varieties are found hear. The greedy fishing bird Cormorant's together
with Spoonbills and monitor Lizards are found by the water holes. Birds
of prey the Brahiminy Kite and Serpent Eagle hover above. Peafowl and jungle
Fowl (The Sri Lankan national Bird) is found in abundance. Towards the
north lining the river are the Kumbuk Trees with their unmistakable polished
bark and whose roots are said to purify the water. From top of these trees
Hornbills and Gray Languars call each other in metallic discords. Medicinal
trees like Aralu, Bulu, Nelli and expensive timbers such as Teak, Ebony
and Halmilla are found in the park together with fruit trees like Palu,
Weera and Dimbul, the choice morsel of Elephants.