If you love nature, you must be looking for eco-tourism experiences to enjoy during your Sri Lanka holiday. Blessed with rich biodiversity, Sri Lanka is home to many flora and fauna species and makes nature lovers fall in love with the place instantly.
From elephant gatherings, wildlife safaris, whale watching experiences, hiking adventures to turtle conservation projects there is a range of eco-tourism experiences for you to enjoy in Sri Lanka that will take your Sri Lanka holiday to the next level.
Here are 8 must enjoy eco-tourism experiences in Sri Lanka.
8 Eco Tourism Experiences in Sri Lanka for nature lovers
Go Whale Watching in Mirissa
Get on a boat in Mirissa beach to discover the giant whales of the Indian ocean only a few meters away from your boat. Mirissa is one of the top places to spot blue whales and sperm whales in the world. Located in the path whales go to mate, the beach town promises you sightings of whales every time. The best time to pay a visit to Mirissa is during November to April.
Hike Horton plains
Being a UNESCO world heritage site, Horton plains is one of the top hiking trails in Sri Lanka that capture the hearts of eco-tourists. The grassland that will remind you of a British moor is rich in biodiversity. It provides a haven for many rare and endemic plant and animal varieties while offering you a beautiful hiking trail to explore. The place also has some beautiful waterfalls and water streams which will make your hike more interesting.
Explore the rich biodiversity of Sinharaja
A walk into the Sinharaja rain forest is one of the most amazing eco-tourism experiences you can enjoy in Sri Lanka. Located in Sabaragamuwa the rain forest is one of the top biodiversity hotspots in Asia. Declared as a UNESCO world heritage site, Sinharaja rain forest has many plant species. From giant creepers, rare herbal plants to hundreds of years of gigantic trees the forest is the ideal place to spend some quiet time in nature listening to the chirping birds. The ice-cold crystal clear water streams and springs you will come across during your hike will take your hiking adventure to the next level.
Go night camping in Wilpattu
Spending a night in the wild with untamed wildlife roaming close to you is an adventure of a lifetime every nature lover who love some thrill should experience. If you are up for such a challenge best place you can head to is Wilpattu where you can spend a full night in the wild in a tent. Enjoy the night sky and the peaceful surrounding listening to the sounds of crickets, hoots of owls and howls of jackals, maybe trumpets of elephants if a heard cross paths with yours.
Spot a leopard in hunting action in Yala
Being the king of jungles in Sri Lanka, leopards are the only big cat you can spot often in Sri Lanka. And if you love to witness these fierce creatures with your naked eye, Yala national park is the number one place for you to enjoy a safari ride in. Renowned as the national park in Sri Lanka with the highest leopard concentration, Yala attracts nature lovers in hundreds every day. Apart from leopards, you can see elephants, wild boars, peacocks, monkeys and many other animal species during your safari ride in Yala.
Join the elephant gathering at Minneriya
Sri Lanka is home to many Asian elephants and Minneriya is the best place to be if you want to witness the largest Asian elephant gathering in the world. Minneriya national park which locates in the North Central province is home to over a 100 of elephants and during the dry season, herds from nearby national parks visit the Minneriya national park looking for water and food. Thus it’s a common sight to view over 300-400 elephants at the Minneriya reservoir from July to September.
Bird watching in Kalmetiyana nature reserve
If you are an avid bird watcher, you can’t afford to miss to pay a visit to Kalmetiyana bird sanctuary. Located near the beautiful Kalmetiyana lagoon, the sanctuary is a safe home to over 150 bird species including Indian Glossy Ibis, Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl, Reef Heron, and Black-capped Purple Kingfisher and Jungle Fowl. Take a boat ride in the lagoon or go for a walk in the jungle. Offering you amazing sceneries and many opportunities to watch birds as you please, Kalmetiyana is one of the top eco-tourism experiences in Sri Lanka.
Release a baby turtle in Kosgoda Turtle hatchery
Turtles are amazing creatures yet not a very common sight to see in real life. But not in Sri Lanka, as it takes only a visit to the turtle hatchery in Kosgoda to enjoy a complete day close to turtles. Established in 1981, the project protects eggs till they hatch and treat injured and ill turtles found in the shore. You can witness adult turtles as well as baby turtles at the conservation center and maybe even release one to the Indian ocean.
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