The 10 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Southern Province, Sri Lanka

January 24, 2022 Jacquiline Delozier

Discover the best top things to do in Southern Province, Sri Lanka including Ashram Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka itinerary, Galbokka Sea Turtle Hatchery, Kalametiya Bird Watching & Ecotourism, Mawella Bird Sanctuary Bird Watching, Sinharaja Forest Entrance, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary, Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research & Conservation Center, Rock Islands Santuaries.
Restaurants in Southern Province

1. Ashram Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka itinerary

Wewehena Road Horawinna .Katuwana., Tangalle 82500 Sri Lanka +94 77 790 1160 [email protected] http://www.ashramsrilanka.org
Excellent
98%
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5.0 based on 47 reviews

Ashram Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka itinerary

At Ashram Sri Lanka, our tranquil retreat is more in-line with the Ashrams of the past. We offer simplicity. We offer a clean and peaceful space. Our Ashram is nestled in a beautiful environment, surrounded by nature in all its magnificence, with fields of greenery and flowers that envelop the senses. We share in nature’s space. We nurture our environment and show it compassion. We believe that our oneness with ourselves and our shared environment ultimately connects to the larger universe and beyond. A retreat with us will provide you with the time and space you need for introspection, reflection, contemplation and meditation. The ultimate aim of meditation is to seek freedom from the wheel of ‘sansara’ – the cycle of birth and death. Even though it is a difficult task, it can be obtained through effort and dedication. And if one aspires to achieve spiritual growth and its benefits through serious meditation Ashram Sir Lanka is the place for you.

Reviewed By Clavetteur - Marlow, United Kingdom

I had misgivings about booking a tour guide and driver for 20 days, but Sam's outstanding feedback here, and his very reasonable price tipped the balance. I'm happy to say it was a good decision. Sam has a thorough knowledge of great places to visit, and was always ready to adapt plans to suit us. He is also a very interesting person who makes new friends constantly, and who dedicates much effort and money to providing drinking water filters to disadvantaged families. At one point my wife said that I should try to find a Sam in each country we visit, but of course he is a one-off. Sam likes to show Sri Lanka as it is, and how the local people live. So lunch would often be typical Sri Lankan food in a roadside cafe (often rice and curry sauces) eaten with the fingers of the right hand. Unfortunately our stay at the Ashram was spoiled by the booming base sound coming from a three-day party in the local village. But Sam was quite willing to cut short our stay and move on. The Ashram is a place for chilling out and winding down, not suitable if your looking for action. Sri Lanka is a beautiful island with so many things to see and do. With hindsight, we would have liked more than two nights in Eliya, and would probably give Colombo a miss. Thank you to Sam for helping us fall in love with Sri Lanka.

2. Galbokka Sea Turtle Hatchery

Galbokka, Kosgoda Sri Lanka +94 77 613 8135 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/Galbokka-Sea-Turtle-Hatchery-542150109277278/
Excellent
96%
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4%
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5.0 based on 27 reviews

Galbokka Sea Turtle Hatchery

Reviewed By marlies291 - Voorburg, The Netherlands

Visited the Galbokka Turtle Center and got a good and very informative tour. The guide told me everything about all the different sea turtles and the hatchery. They really care about the turtles. For me it was sometimes difficult to see that injured turtles can hardly be released sometime. But they are taking very good care! It is for sure worthwhile visiting.

3. Kalametiya Bird Watching & Ecotourism

No 95/1, Bata Atha South Hungama, Kalametiya, Tangalle 82120 Sri Lanka +94 77 706 0920 [email protected] http://www.kalametiyabirds.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 91 reviews

Kalametiya Bird Watching & Ecotourism

Kalametiya is a coastal wetland area that has an especially rich bio-diversity and is situated on the picturesque southeastern coast of sri Lanka. In the year 2008, Mr. KTH Gayan Geeth started a first Eco-friendly bird watching boat tour in Kalametiya Birds Sanctuary. Our love of the great outdoors and many years of experience has enabled us to develop some of the most exiting adventure and wildlife trips.

Reviewed By rosieglo

We had a very special couple of hours on this lovely lagoon. We arrived at 8am, although if we could have risen earlier for sunrise it would have been even better. Gayans communication was excellent and he also waited on the road to make sure we didn't get lost. He then guided us to his boat a few minutes off the road, where we got on a small pontoon type boat. Chamila was our guide and he spoke good English and was friendly and knowledgeable. He knew the names of the many birds we saw. We were able to use their binoculars, which was great. If you like nature and want to experience it somewhere quiet and beautiful, I thoroughly recommend it.

4. Mawella Bird Sanctuary Bird Watching

Morakatiya, Tangalle 82200 Sri Lanka +94 77 381 9000 [email protected] http://mawellabirdsanctuary.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 11 reviews

Mawella Bird Sanctuary Bird Watching

"Color is considered the essence of life". Who doesn't like the sight of these natural vibrant colors living before their eyes? Yes, I am talking about the spectacular birds that add cheer to the wilderness in the jungle making it a more wonderful experience for every visitor there.

5. Sinharaja Forest Entrance

Sinharaja Access Road Viharahena, Deniyaya 81500 Sri Lanka +94 75 075 4444 http://www.sinharajaforest.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

Sinharaja Forest Entrance

6. Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Access Road, Mederipitiya, Deniyaya, Galle 81524 Sri Lanka [email protected] https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/405
Excellent
59%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 593 reviews

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST is a world heritage and bio diversity hotspot which is also a major eco tourism destination in Sri Lanka. It is one of the few virgin forests left in the world. This evergreen rain forest, a UNESCO World heritage site, is one of the few virgin rain forests left to date. Damp mysterious and teeming with life, the Sinharaja forest reserve situated 120 KM South East of Colombo, is the last expensive stretch of virgin rainforest on the island. At just over 11000 hectares, line across the wet zone the Southern edge of the hill country, Sinharaja is an ecological treasure trove. It is staggering array of flora and fauna place it among the top bio diversity hotspot in the world. Sinharaja Forest Reserve - A UNESCO world heritage site - encompasses the largest single swath of remaining low land tropical rain forest in the country. Over 130 birds, species are found here including many of the 33 species endemic to the Sri Lanka. There also rich reptile population and myriads of insects species, many yet to be classified. Mammals scenes here including the purple faced langur monkey and the giant squirrel. Sinharaja is also home to the elusive leopard. It is preferable to explore Sinharaja on foot, which makes for the truly authentic jungle experience. Best starting point for visits are Deniyaya Mederipitiya to the East or Kudawa to the North.

Reviewed By malwana - Colombo, Sri Lanka

This is a very big rain forest and in a single tour we can see only a very small area. We stayed in Rainforest Eco Lodge and took the tour from there. There were many leaches but hotel provided us leach socks. Even the small kids around 4 -8 years old joined with us and they too enjoyed the tour.

7. Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project

13A Galle Road, Kosgoda 80570 Sri Lanka +94 91 2 264567 [email protected] http://www.kosgodaseaturtle.org/index.php/contact-us
Excellent
52%
Good
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4.5 based on 625 reviews

Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project

Reviewed By mands_carter - Petersfield, United Kingdom

This place is well worth a visit to see real conservation in action. From hatching to release, these guys are very careful to preserve as many Turtles as they can. As well as the whole process of hatching and releasing Turtles, there are a lot of other things to understand about the work here. Please make a visit, buy your ticket (and if possible make a donation) to make sure that this vital work continues.

8. Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary

Kalametiya, Tangalle Sri Lanka
Excellent
76%
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4.5 based on 62 reviews

Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary

Reviewed By jeffwS8480OZ

We were staying at Turtle Bay Resort and had an arranged early morning boat trip through the Bird Sanctuary. Our boatman came and met us at the hotel at 6:30 am and it was only a five minute walk to the lakeside. We were blessed with a beautiful bright calm tranquil morning. It was a fabulous way to spend a couple of hours, with just the sound of the water as our boat was being expertly punted through the lagoon, including heavily weeded areas. There were a couple of other boats on the water too but the reserve is large enough that we were on our own for 95% of the time. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable in knowing where the best locations were to see birds and he could identify them easily for us. He was also well prepared with binoculars and the Birds of Sri Lanka Guide book, as well as water and fruit for breakfast. Now my wife and I don't confess to be "twitchers" but we really enjoyed the experience, and counted 33 different species, including eight completely new ones to us. We also saw some black faced monkeys (grey langurs), and most memorable - a newly born water buffalo calf, so young it couldn't yet stand up, and our guide felt it was under 2 hours old. So...we Highly highly recommend Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary with the guided boat trip. You don't need to know anything about birds to take pleasure in the reserve, and if you venture out early like we did you'll still be back in time for breakfast. .

9. Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research & Conservation Center

School Lane, Kosgoda 80570 Sri Lanka +94 72 224 8300 http://www.htrcc.info
Excellent
61%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 124 reviews

Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research & Conservation Center

Reviewed By Richard-Claire-P - Cassis, France

Interesting visit to improve knowledge about turtles.! Efficient guide (speaking French), and we were confident concerning the utility of this...( without commercial pressure!!)

10. Rock Islands Santuaries

Ambalangoda 80300 Sri Lanka
Excellent
67%
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4.5 based on 3 reviews

Rock Islands Santuaries

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