Hambantota

Bundala National Park, Southern coast, Sri Lanka Salt pans, coast, lagoons, Ramsar wetland, Birdlife, Elephants, Mammals, Crocodiles, Marine Turtles Located about fifteen kilometers east of Hambantota (a similar distance west of Tissamaharama), Bundala National Park is one of Sri Lanka's foremost destinations for birdwatchers, protecting an important area of coastal wetland famous for its abundant aquatic (and other) birdlife. The park is also home to significant populations of elephants, Marsh & estuarine crocodiles, turtles & other fauna, including the leopard. Stretching along the coast east of Hambantota, Bundala National Park is ideal for instant gratification: in a four hour jeep ride, we can see elephants, 8ft crocs, giant squirrels & flamingoes. Afternoon safaris in the dry season (December - May) provide visitors with the best chance of seeing the wildlife. A Ramsar site Bundala's lagoons, beaches, sand dunes & scrubby jungle stretch nearly 20km along a coastal strip starting just east of Hambantota passes along Bundala's northern boundary. The park is an important wetland sanctuary that's been declared a Ramsar site. The reserve itself consists of a series of shallow lagoons which are surrounded by low & dense scrub. Tracks go through the bush & connect each lagoon. The sanctuary skirts the sea & it is possible to see the light house on the Great Basses some 40 km away to the east. There are two camp sites in the park. Salt pans (Salt lewayas) Much of the park boundary is contiguous with the A2 main road. Before the park, the Malala lagoon, reached by following the Malala River from the main road, is a bird-watchers' paradise, where you might also see crocodiles too. The Karagan, Maha & particularly Bundala lewayas (salt pans) are also excellent for shore-bird enthusiasts. The area of open scrub around the coastal lewaya offers great opportunities for bird-watching with the added bonus of being able to spot the odd elephant & basking crocodile. The salt pans attract vast numbers of migratory shore birds, accommodating tens of thousands at any time, making it the most important wetlands in Sri Lanka outside the Northern Province. Lagoons The park stretches along the coast for around 20 km, enclosing five shallow & brackish lagoons, or lewayas (they sometime dry up completely during long periods of drought) separated by thick low scrubby forest running down to coastal dunes. Bird species A total of 197 bird species have been recorded here, made up of 139 resident species & 58 seasonal visitors, the latter arriving during the northern winter (Sept- March). The lagoons attract an amazing variety of aquatic birds, including ibis, pelicans, painted storks, egrets & spoonbills. From September to March, you can see abundant stints, sand pipers, plovers, terns, gulls & ducks. The migrants Flamingoes join the resident water birds-pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants, stilts & storks-contributing to an extraordinary variety. Flamingos The most famous visitors are the huge flocks of flamingos. The Bundala area is the flamingos' last refuge in the southern Sri Lanka, & you can see here in variable numbers throughout the year; their exact breeding habits remain a mystery, though it's thought they migrate from the Rann of Kutch in northern India. It's a winter home to the greater flamingoes & up to 2000 have been recorded here. Many other birds journey from Siberia & Rann of Kutch in India to winter here, arriving between August & April. About 350 flamingoes have made Bundala their year-round home. Non-aquatic birds Non-aquatic birds commonly seen here include delicate green bee eaters, one of the south's prettiest residents, blue-tailed bee eaters along with spotted doves, common babblers, parakeets & bulbuls. Peacocks Perched sententiously amidst the upper branches of the park's innumerable skeletal palu tees are the peacocks. A memorable site. Elephants In the scrub jungle is home to herds of elephants. There are permanent resident elephants & larger seasonal migratory herds comprising animals that roam the Ruhuna Yala National Park & Uda Walawe National Park. Mammals Bundala is also home to species mammals, including leopards, sloth bears, civets, mongooses & giant squirrels, as well as rabbits (rare in Sri Lanka, & an incongruous sight as they bounce fluffily around amidst the arid tropical landscape), though the most commonly seen mammals are the excitable troupes of grey languor monkeys. Marsh & estuarine crocodiles We will view crocs along the sides of the park's lagoons & watercourses. Depending on how wet it, your tracker might let you get within a couple of meters of their log-like forms, or even take you to have a peek inside this burros; a memorable experience, though not one for the faint-hearted. Marine Turtles Between October & January four of Sri Lanka's marine turtle (olive ridley, green, leatherback & loggerhead) lay their eggs on the coast of the park. Hummanaya Blow Hole Hummanaya Blow Hole he Hummanaya Blow Hole is a natural fountain, caused when sea water rushes through a submerged cavern and is pushed upwards. Hummanaya is located on the southern Sri Lankan coastal fishing village called “Kudawella”, in between Dikwella & Tangalle. You have to reach there Passing the Matara town and after Dickwella, one has to turn right at Kudawella and proceed about 1.1 km. Residents in the area offer to take care of your vehicle at a nominal fee. The ocean water flows underneath the shore, and then comes out of this hole due to pressure. Water shoots up every minute or so, and it gives a very serene feeling. The spray is often as high as 25 meters, giving on lookers a sea bath on land. Even from far away, one can hear the sounds of the blow hole. There are intermittent periods of silence and then there are sounds similar to the faraway rumbles of thunder “Ho ho ho”. This is when the pressure builds up. Then after a while one hears the delightful sound of the spray as it hisses high up almost 120 feet into the sky at times.Reaching our destination, what greeted us was a large expanse of rocky cliffs. In the middle, there seemed to be a split, within which was a fissure through which the water came shooting up, like a tall fountain that appeared momentarily with a huge sound. The blowhole has always been one of the main attractions in Deep South. The Kudawella Fisheries Association, a Community based organization that operate in the area, have recently taken up the task of giving fantastic boat rides to the blowhole from the Kudawella shore. Approaching this place, one can find many small outlets selling local fruits, thirst quenching drinks and the all time favorite fresh fried fish. In addition to this you will also find souvenir shops with a variety of local handicrafts and ornaments made out of sea shells and other marine findings.       Diving & Snorkeling in Sri Lanka Often referred to as the ‘pearl in the Indian Ocean', Sri Lanka offers world-class Scuba-Diving and Snorkelling tours. A multitude of tropical fish, magnificently colourful coral reefs and fascinating ship wrecks can be explored at several locations off the south coast of Sri Lanka .HIKKADUWA , WELIGAMA and KIRINDA provide breathtaking snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. In the west of Sri Lanka , head to ‘Bar Reef' (Sri Lanka's largest reef, easily accessible from the Puttalam district town of KALPITIYA , spanning an impressive 3 nautical miles in length and 1 nautical mile in breadth). But for the country's ‘pièce de resistance', Pigeon Island , off Nilaveli (just north of TRINCOMALEE ) is a paradise of turquoise-coloured waters and abundant fish and coral life make it the ultimate underwater experience. All underwater activities are conducted by well-trained and experienced UDI and PADI instructors to ensure your absolute safety and enjoyment. N.B. Due to the monsoon seasons, west coast diving and snorkelling is generally best from November to April whilst the east coast waters are at their calmest April – September.Diving Sites in Sri LankaHikkaduwa - With its impressive coral reefs and abundance of tropical fish, HIKKADUWA is recognised as one of the best places for Snorkelling and diving on the Southwest coast (in the southwest season of November to April).  With a reputed and long-running diving school located in the town itself, PADI diving instructors are available throughout the season for training and certification as well as leading more experienced divers in some of the country's best ship wreck and reef dives. Kalpitiya - Despite its natural beauty, the western peninsular area of KALPITIYA in the Puttalam district of Sri Lanka is remarkably untouched by tourism. For keen scuba divers and snorkellers, the largest coral reef in Sri Lanka (‘Bar reef') is only an hour's boat trip from Kalpitiya.  This beautiful reef is home to an incredible variety of tropical fish as well as offering sighting of manta rays, reef sharks and the occasional turtle! Diving and Snorkelling are not possible during the southwest monsoon period (May to November).  The best times are therefore between late November and early May. Transportation to dive/Snorkelling sites is by a fibre glass dinghy of 25 horse power engine. For the more serious divers who want more detailed information on the area, please refer to Nautical Map 1586 (Pamban to Cape Cormorin). The underwater currents in the seas off Kalpitiya are generally not strong, but are influenced by small tide changes of two high water and two low water tides.  The underwater temperature is approximately 75°F so no wetsuits are required (but thin wetsuits could be worn to protect from any bruising from the coral). Kirinda - On the southeast coast, approximately 10km south of Tissa, lies the pretty village of kirinda.The village itself boasts a superb beach and an interesting Buddhist shrine on the rocks.   However, it is best known as a base from which to experience some excellent diving at the famous ‘Great Basses' wreck and the Great and Little Basses reefs (southeast of Kirinda). The famous Arthur C Clarke also put Kirinda on the map when he used it as his base for his diving exploration in order to write his book ‘The Treasure of the Reef'.  A particularly unique feature of the Great Basses is the light-house that was actually constructed on the reef in 1860. Weligama - Also known as ‘sandy village' WELIGAMAis located approximately 30 km east of Galle.  As well as having an attractive sandy bay, this fishing town is also an ideal base for SNORKELLING and DIVING, with many fascinating sites to explore.  For those who'd rather stay above the surface of the water, catarmaran rides are a pleasant way to venture out on the sea.  You can also go out further to the deeper waters to see a variety of dolphins and sharks. Possible Period Early November to Mid April. Trincomalee - TRINCOMALEE (more commonly known as ‘Trinco') is a prime eco tourism venue which is located on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka and offers some of the country's most attractive beaches such as ‘Uppuveli' and ‘Nilaveli'. Fine white-sand and crystal clear water provides an irresistible combination that won't fail to disappoint any visitor who loves the beach!.Snorkelling around the famous Pigeon island just off Nilaveli beach is widely recognised to be a ‘must-do' activity during a stay in Trinco. Rates  Description  Rate USD  Including Equipments  1 Dive  45  5 dive package  189  10 dive package  342  Own Equipments  1 Dive  38  5 dive package  171  10 dive package  306 Our Diving Base is located in Unawatuna

Rakawa Lagoon & Turtle Conservation Project

Rakawa is a seaside rural community engaged in fisheries and agriculture. Its long sandy beach and mangrove skirted lagoon gives it a rustic beauty. There is high local biodiversity as, in addition to mangrove forest, the local vegetation consists of scrub jungle, medicinal plants, and fruit trees. Also a wide variety of wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, 150 resident and migratory bird species, and many arthropods and aquatic creatures can be seen here. Millions of years before man colonized Sri Lanka, sea turtles were coming to the undisturbed beaches of this Island to lay their eggs. The beach near Rakawa is one of Sri Lanka’s most important marine turtle nesting sites where five of the world's seven species of marine turtle come ashore to nest throughout the year. All five species of turtles that nest in Sri Lanka are either endangered or critically endangered. Amongst them is the Leatherback turtle, the largest of all the sea turtles, which can grow up to 3 meters in length and weighs up to 600 kg. It is at Rakawa beach that the Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) has established an “in situ” nest protection and research programme, allowing the protection of nests where they are laid by the female turtle and for the hatchlings to scramble down to the ocean immediately after emergence from the nest. The project at Rakawa is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. It incorporates the local community in its efforts to conserve turtles in their natural habitat, employing as nest protectors those who were formerly dependent on the illegal collection of turtle eggs. Turtles are most likely to come ashore under the cover of darkness, and you are invited to join the people at the Turtle Conservation Project during their night watch. They can explain to you the importance and practices of turtle conservation after which you can join the night watch in anticipation of that magical moment when a turtle comes ashore and lays her eggs.