Tag: Things to do in Kurunegala

Bird Watching in Sri Lanka

Due to its tropical location, abundant rain forests, and mangroves, Sri Lanka is home to over 452 recorded species of Birds. Read on to know more about bird watching in the paradise isle of Sri Lanka.

Overview

Sri Lanka is a country that boasts a tropical climate, the island has an abundant supply of fruits and grains, and the ecological conditions are perfect all of these factors make the country an idyllic home to a variety of birds making the island an ideal destination for avid bird watchers and nature lovers.

Best Places for bird watching

Sri Lanka’s largest forest – Sinharaja, Yala national park, and the Horton plains forest reserve are some of the places that are frequented by birdwatchers apart from these, all most all the wildlife reserves are ideal for spotting new kinds of birds.

File:White-bellied Blue Flycatcher in Sinharaja National Park.jpg
Jayne Stockdale, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher in Sinharaja National Park, CC BY-SA 4.0

Getting to these places and accommodation options

You can reach the forest reserves through public transport or by booking your very own transport which can be a taxi or a tuk-tuk. When you reach the destination, you can opt for guided tours or you can explore and spot birds yourself. There are also specific accommodation options that many bird watchers love the likes of Birds Park Polgahawela. The property is located in the midst lush greenery that includes trees and vines which in turn attracts a large number of birds. Staying at this property is also considered as one of the exciting things to do in Kurunegala.

Source image
Image Credit: Birds Park Polgahawela

Things to remember

Make sure that you enjoy the boons of mother nature without harming it. Do not disturb the birds while you track their activities and watch them. Also, do not litter at the jungle grounds and dispose of plastic items in a responsible way.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

A visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

If you have an interest in elephants or simply are an animal lover, make sure that you visit Sri Lanka’s splendid Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Here are some facts about this wonderful place.

Image result for Pinnawala
Bernard Gagnon, Pinnawala 01, CC BY-SA 3.0

About
The Orphanage has the distinction of featuring the world’s most numerous herds of tame elephants. You will find more than 80 elephants here including males, females, and calves. The Orphanage was created to provide protection and care for the many baby elephants who are lost, orphaned or abandoned by their mothers. These orphans, usually still dependent on milk, would otherwise not survive in the wild.

Getting there
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage located close to Kegalle plays a significant role in rehabilitating and ensuring a safe future for elephants that have been badly affected by the human-elephant conflict. If you plan to travel from your hotel accommodation the likes of Birds Park Polgahawela you are sure to be at the orphanage within two hours, making it one of the best things to do in Kurunegala.

What to see
Around eighty elephants roam freely in the premises. They are guided by their mahouts who seem to know the art of communicating with them. The elephants are fed and bathed at specific times. You could be part of these daily rituals. As the elephants comfortably splash around and play with each other, you can watch, a safe distance away and hope those sprinkles of water reach you.

Get personal with jumbos
The jumbo bath times are 10am-12 noon and 2-4 pm. Make sure to perfectly time your visit, so as to be a part of this memorable experience. Endearing and huggable, baby elephants are the centre of attention at the orphanage. Bottles and bottles of milk are gulped down by these precious beings.