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Sri Lanka is full of forests, and it is natural that as one of the pioneers of conservation the country contains more national parks, or nature reserves, than you have time to visit. In addition to Giritale-Minneriya National Park and Wasgamuwa National Park – the two parks near Deer Park Hotel – here are a few others that you might be interested in. Deer Park Hotel will be pleased to organise guest excusions to any of the following attractions:
Bundala National Park
One of the latest additions, this national park is home to over 150 species of birds. Catch elephant herds of up to 60, civets, jackals, gray langurs and squirrels, as well as – in January – endangered turtles such as the Leatherback, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and Green Sea Turtle that shore up to nest.
Gal Oya National Park
Situated in the west, the Gal Oya National Park is surrounded by Senanayake Samudra, the largest tank in the country. Take about and stalk close to the drinking elephants, which you can see in numbers of up to 150 at a time. Also great for bird watching.
Kaudulla National Park
Not too far from Deer Park Hotel, the Kaudulla National Park allows you to get close to the animals. Watch cats fish, and see if you can spot the endangered Rusty Spotted Cat. Migrating elephants pass through the park between August and December.
Uda Walawe National Park
Likened to an African game reserve, the Uda Walawe National Park is probably one of the most impressive nature parks in the country. About 106 miles southeast of Colombo, the park houses an estimated 500 elephants, of which you can see up to 100 at a time. The Uda Walawe Reservoir in the middle of the park serves the animals. Catch the Spotted Deer, Sambar, Water Buffalo, Mongoose, Bandicoot, Toque Monkey and Grey Langur in addition to foxes, crocodiles, wild boars, leopards and 30 varieties of snakes. If you dare - that is.
Yala (Ruhunu) National Park
The biggest national park, whose Block 1 – one of the five areas open to public – has one of the world’s densest leopard populations. There are only 35 leopards residing here, but it’s probably the best place in the world to catch one, in the wild, on film. To see the entire park could take you at least three days, though there is a one-day jeep-trip available. The types of life you’ll encounter here are too numerous to list: better to see them for yourself.
Horton Plains National Park
The only national park within the hill country, Horton Plains National Park – in which Sri Lanka’s second-tallest mountain stands - boasts some unusual highland vegetation. See if you can spot the Shaggy Bear-monkey, Sambhur, as you take a leisurely stroll to World's End. Bird watchers will be delighted to find the Orange-billed Babbler, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Hill Munia, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Pied Bush-Chat, Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush and Grey Tit. |
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 Discover Elephant CountryDiscover Elephant Country with a 3-night stay at Deer Park Hotel. Embark on a guided tour to Elephant Drive in Minneriva National Park as well as a guided cultural tour to Polonnaruwa.
Valid until 31 st October 2010 |
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 View MapsSituated on the banks of the Giritale Reservoir within the district capital of Polonnaruwa, five hours by road from the capital, Colombo, and Bandaranaike International Airport.  AnuradhapuraThe first capital of Sri Lanka – and remaining so for 1,400 years – Anuradhapura was abandoned and swallowed by the dry-zone jungle two centuries after Vijayabahu I had retaken the country and retained the Cholas capital at Polonnaruwa in the 11th Century.  DambullaAbout 12 miles from Sigiriya you’ll come to the Raja Maha Vihara, otherwise known as the Dambulla Cave Temple or Golden Temple. This is actually a series of five temples that finds its origin in the Anuradhapura period (1st Century B.C.)  KandyThe Hill Capital may be some distance from Deer Park Hotel, but what you can do is to stop by for half a day on your way back to Colombo for your flight home. As the last major capital of the Sinhala kings, Kandy is definitely a place not to be missed if you want your Sri Lanka trip to be complete.  Parakrama Samudra“Let not one drop of water reach the sea without first serving man.” These were the words of 12th Century King Parakramabahu I, who was responsible for one of the largest man-made reservoirs – the Parakrama Samudra, or Sea of King Parakrama. This astonishing tank is larger in size than even the Colo  PolonnaruwaAs early as the 7th Century, when Anuradhapura was still the capital, Sri Lankan kings had made Polonnaruwa their country retreat. With the Cholas’ conquest of Anuradhapura in the 11th Century, Polonnaruwa succeeded it as the capital and remained so for the next 200 years - even when Vijayabahu I ev  SigiriyaDesperation can also drive a man to greatness. It must have been a mixture of fear and guilt for having his own father slain and stealing the throne from right under his half brother's nose that motivated King Kasyapa to erect this magnificent fortress – 'Palace in the Sky' – in the 5th Century A.D.  Minneriya-Giritale National ParkA flapping sea of black invades the emerald Minneriya Tank, as a flock of two thousand cormorants nosedive for fish. Later, elephants trudge by, drinking from the same reservoir.  Wasgamuwa National ParkLong before wildlife conservation became fashionable, Sri Lanka already had areas of jungle marked out for conservation. One such case is that of the Wasgamuwa National Park, a portion of which was declared a Strict Nature Reserve as early as 1938.  Other National ParksSri Lanka is full of forests, and it is natural that as one of the pioneers of conservation the country contains more national parks, or nature reserves, than you have time to visit.  Sun & SeaAs the shimmering horizon disappears into the distant azure sky, tall gusts of waves surf towards the palm-fringed sandy beaches encircling Sri Lanka.  HistoryTaprobane, Serendib, Emerald Island and The Teardrop of India - Sri Lanka has earned many endearing monikers for its colorful past.  ReligionIt is worthy of note that an eyetooth remains the most significant religious symbol in Sri Lanka since Buddhism was first introduced to the Sinhalese in 250 B.C. This is no ordinary pointed conical tooth – it is believed to have belonged to Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise more popularly worshipped as  Tea & SpicesWhat does “The Hound of the Baskervilles” have to do with Ceylon tea? Read on.  WeatherSri Lanka is blessed with a tropical paradise climate. Most days are hot, humid and sunny with temperatures averaging between 27 ~ 31°C. A hat and sunscreen will be essential if you are planning to spend the day outdoors, whether romping around a hertitage site or lazing at the beach. |
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