Paragliding in Sri Lanka

Known to be an energetic flying sport, Paragliding is one of the newest recreational activities in the world. This enthralling sport originated during the 1940’s. Many people and countries across the world have recognised this sport as full of fun, convenient and a safe way of soaring in the open air.
Although the sport became a favourite among the adventure sport enthusiast since the 1940’s it made its mark in Sri Lanka only during recent times. This was done to cater to the needs and demands of the international traveller. Since then, the sport has become ever so popular in this island destination. The progress of Paragliding in Sri Lanka bears testimony to the fact that foreign travellers and adventurists find it exciting and convenient to venture out in this sport here.
Conducive climate conditions and physical features of Sri Lanka have made it an ideal destination for paragliding throughout the year. This sport has become an important tourist attraction to the country. A midway glide for any normal pilot will take about 25 minutes.
This adventurous sport can be experienced in places such as the Ella Adventure Park. It is a renowned hotel located in the wilderness of Ella city, which is approximately 202 kilometres from Colombo. Ella lies in the central mountainous region and is in the south of Nuwara Eliya. It also lies close to Bandarawela. Currently this hotel is the only provider of paragliding in the country.
Paragliding expeditions are at present carried out above the Makaldeniya ridge. This offers the paraglider the opportunity to indulge in the charming panoramic views of the surrounding areas. Paragliding in Sri Lanka has increased in popularity whereby one of the main reasons for its attractiveness is the safety measures that have been taken. The favourable environmental conditions are also considered to be another reason.

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Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is situated in the north-central plains of Sri Lanka, 20 kilometers from Polonnaruwa. Even though it is one of the smallest national parks in the country, covering just 8,889 hectares, it’s a paradise with many natural wonders. The park encompasses the beautiful Minneriya tank, built by King Mahasena (in 3rd century AD). This tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants that come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants, painted storks, open-bills, Pelicans and many other species of waders) that come to fish in the shallow waters.

Getting There

Main entrance of Minneriya National park is located facing Habarana – Polonnaruwa road (A11). From Colombo reach Habarana junction via Kurunegala, Dambulla (A1, A6), and take the right turn from Habarana towards Polonnaruwa. Drive 10 km towards Polonnaruwa to reach Minneriya National Park. Distance from Colombo is around 182km and total driving time will be around 4-5 hours.

Weather and Season

Best months to visit Minneriya are the dry months from June to September. Hundreds of elephants from the surrounding area are attracted to the drying Minneriya lake bed, which turns in to a lush green grass land, for food and water. Generally you can observe around five to ten herds of elephants, each with anything from twenty to fifty individuals of all age groups.

 

 

 
History and the Description of the Minnariya National Park:

A flapping sea of black invades the emerald Minneriya Tank, as a flock of two thousand cormorants nosedive for fish. The elephants too, trudge by drinking from the same reservoir.

Not close to being the largest tank in Sri Lanka , Minneriya Tank - with the woods that surround it forming the Minneriya-Giritale National Park - is nevertheless home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. If numbers interest you, there are nine species of amphibians, 24 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish (three of which are endangered), 75 species of butterflies and 160 species of birds.

Making your way through the park, you will see elephants, Spotted Deer and also the Sambar, which is a deer with no spots and an apt scientific name, carves unicolor . If you're lucky, a leopard looking for food might cross your path.

Less menacing but equally intriguing are the frogs and lizards with their tongues ready. Among the reptiles, the Red-lipped Lizard and Skink are both endemic to Sri Lanka as well as endangered. The frogs, on the other hand, are more abundantly present and have a tendency to jump over your feet or across your eyes between leaves. A notable example with a formidable but misleading title is the Sri Lanka Greater Hourglass Tree Frog.

It all sounds like there's such a lot to see at the park. But overhead is where the action really is. Sri Lanka , home to over 400 species of birds, has long been a birdwatcher's paradise. In Minneriya National Park alone, 160 species crowd the trees or strut the banks.

You can afford to miss the Painted Storks, Great White Pelican, Gray Herons, and even the Ruddy Turnstones (whatever those are). But do try to spot the Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Sri Lanka Brown-capped Babbler and Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill, because, as you can guess from their names, nowhere else are you going to find them but here, in Sri Lanka.

Even if you're not a bird enthusiast, at least you can boast about your trip later by throwing around some exotic bird-names.

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Northcove Cabanas - Bogawantalawa

Northcove cabanas are situated in the far end of a tea estate called Loinorn,  in Bagawanthalawa. You can get there along two routes. Either via Avissawella -> Ginigathhena -> Hatton -> Norwood -> Bagawanthalawa -> Campion bazar -> Northcove or Avissawella -> Ratnapura -> Balangoda -> Pinnawala -> Campion bazar -> Northcove. It's 29 km from Norwood along the B329 road. Altitude of the place is well above 1650 meters, hence its quite cool (worsen by frequent winds).

The cabanas are facing the lush  green Loinorn tea estate, producing a picturesque view that visitors will never forget. It gives you a feeling of "totally  isolated from the rest of the world" when you get there. You see nothing in the near vicinity other than the tea estate and the jungle. Just behind the cabanas, guess what... It's the Horton plains. Workers there mention about existence of a foot path leading to the entrance of the park.

The place has two cabanas; each comprises of two bedrooms (triple)  and a bathroom. So, 12 persons can comfortably stay there at a time. Cook(s) and gas are available for which you have to pay separately. Hot water, boiled using wood, is also available (again, charged separately).  Electricity is produced by a mini hydro plant situated just down the little stream that flows through the cabana premises.

This place seems to be well maintained by its caretakers. Food prepared by cooks are tasty and there service is also admirable. It's a place to be visited by a nature lover.

Entrance 

Sripada Mountain Range

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Eco Village Holiday Resort - Kamburupitiya

The Eco Village Holiday Resort in Kamburupitiya is a one of best known Eco resort hotel in Kamburupitiya, Matara down south of Sri Lanka.

Surrounding the beautiful Lenabatuwa natural lake and Vilpita rain forest the Eco Village Resort is perfect place for anyone for looking for peace and tranquility combined with outstanding Sri Lankan hospitality.

Relaxation on your veranda watching the birds flying in to trees is definitely an unforgettable moment. You can taste Sri Lankan Indian Chinese and Western foods with our staff’s grate hospitality within the covered floating ferry. After having the boat ride and fish hunting you can feel comfortable sleep until hearing the bird’s sounds in morning time.

Location and Settings

Eco Village Resort kamburupitiya is locating 180 km away from the Bandaranaike International Airport takes you through the city centre of Colombo, passing with the sunny beach coastal way Mount Lavinia and the resort towns of Wadduwa, Hikkadduwa, Galle and Matara. In front of the ancient Matara Bodiya you can take Kamburupitiya road which on your left side. 19 km drive through the Kamburupitiya road with in 25 minutes you can reach to the Kamburupitiya small city with passing the Thihagoda junction. Center of the Kamburupitiya junction you can find Gathara road. After come 3 km via the Gathara road you can find the Eco village Resort.

How be at Eco Village.

Nearest train station: Matara, 19 km north.
Nearest bus station: Kamburupitiya Town 2.4 km.
Nearest motorway: Gathara Road adjacent to Hotel.
Nearest city centre: Matara, 19 km south.

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Wilpattu National Park

 

Wilpattu National Park (Willu-pattu; Land of Lakes) is a park located on the island of Sri Lanka. The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Willus" (Natural lakes) - Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. The park is 131, 693 hectares and ranges from 0 to 152 meters above sea level. Nearly sixty lakes (Willu) and tanks are found spread throughout Wilpattu. Located in the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. After the end of civil war in 2009, it is a popular eco tourism destination in Sri Lanka. It is the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world renowned for its Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) population. The Leopard population in Wilpattu is still not yet known. It is situated about 180 Km away from Colombo city. From Anuradhapura it is only a distance of 30 Km. This park is considered to be the largest national park in this country. Wilpattu National Park occupies about 425 sq Km of area. On the west, the national park is bordered by the Indian Ocean. To its north is Kala Oya and to the south, the Wilpattu National Park is bordered by Modaragam.

Wali Kukula (National Bird of Sri Lanka)

 Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya)

Spotted Deer

In Wilpattu National Park, a number of wild species are found. There are about 31 species of mammals those are found in Wilpattu National Park. The commonly found reptiles in the Wilpattu National Park are common cobra, mugger crocodile, rat snake etc. Star tortoises, soft shelled turtles and pond turtles are also found in this national park. Many species of birds like whistling teal, spoonbill, large white egret, pin tail, white ibis, purple heron etc are seen here.
In Wilpattu National Park mainly salt grass, low scrub and monsoon forests are found. This national park is spotted with innumerable lakes. About 60 lakes have formed across the entire Wilpattu National Park. This area receives about 1000 mm of rain annually and the average annual temperature is about 27.2 Celsius.

Willuwa (Wet Land)

The Wilpattu National Park and its surrounding are steeped in history and covered with legend.Popular legend says that in 543 BC King Vijaya landed at Kudrimalai and that he married Kuweni. According to some ancient ruins identified, it is said that Kuweni lived in the place now identified as the Kali Villu. Both Kudrimalai and Kali Villu are found in the Wilpattu. Furthermore history shows that Prince Saliya, son of King Dutugemunu, lived with Asokamala in Maradanmaduwa in Wilpattu over 2000 years ago. Pomparippu too is of historical value as urns containing the remains of those belonging to pre Vijayan times have been excavated from that site. Also between Palangaturai and Kollankanatte are the remains of an old harbour.  In 1905, the designated area in Wilpattu was declared a sanctuary. Thereafter it was upgraded to national park status on February 25, 1938.


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