National Parks - Udawalawa
Whilst you're in Sri Lanka
Depending on the kind of holiday you would like, most people visiting Sri Lanka spend some time on the coast and time travelling around and exploring the interior of the island. The interior is mountainous, rivers, lakes, lush vegetation, wild life, tropical rainforests, and some fantastic historical/cultural places to visit and experience.
Tea Plantations
To see elephants and other types of wildlife I would suggest Udawalawa National Park, hire a boat early in the morning or late afternoon to go out onto the lake and watch from the boat as the elephant families come out of the jungle to bath and frolic in the water.
One of the game keepers at Udawalawa is a friend of Mimosa Villa and we can therefore customise your visit.
Along the way to Udawalawa there are numerous ancient temples to visit. The lighthouse at Matara is aslo worth a stop, as it is the most southernly point in the Northern Hemisphere.
Most visitors to Sri Lanka are tempted to go to Yala National Park to view wildlife, the journey there is long, you are charged tourist rates to enter Yala and you also have to hire their vehicle. A friend of mine summed it up succinctly by saying at Yala you see 50 tourists and one elephant, at Udawalawa you see 50 elephants and you are likely to be the only tourist. There are also some thermal hot springs close to Udawalawa for you to bathe in and for you to experience and enjoy.
Mirissa / Weligama
While you are at Mimosa I suggest that you go south to a place called Mirissa, a very beautiful bay, which is about 30mins via tuk-tuk. There are opportunities to go Whale watching and see the majestic Blue Whale. You can also take in the town Weligama along the way, where there are also world class surf spots.
Temples
There is also a beautiful tea plantation only 3 km from the house where you can see local workers and taste the world famous Sri Lankan teas. There are also day trips to the colonial hill's where large tea plantations are nestled amongst stunning vistas and scenery such as Ella and Adam's Peak.
Galle and the Fort
20 minutes north up the coast there is the Dutch Fort town of Galle, you can walk the battlements, and explore the architecture, the streets and shops inside the fort. It is a World Heritage site.
Galle is also home to the Sri Lankan International Cricket ground.
Unawatuna is also a lively beach resort very close to the town of Galle.
Hikkaduwa
When travelling south the road and rail other than the new highway, follow the SW coast.
I cannot recommend any of the coastal resorts north of Hikkaduwa.
Hikkaduwa is 4km + of beach, surf, etc. It’s becoming more developed now but retains some of it's hippy charm and a great place to hang out, surf n have some fun. By bus/train/tuk tuk Hikkaduwa is approx 45 mins north up the coast from Mimosa Villa.
There are many Buddhist temples to visit in the local area where you can witness the daily life of local monks in beautiful religious buildings.
