Botanical Gardens
A visit to the Royal Botanical Garden Paradeniya near Kandy, Hakgala Gardens near Nuwara Eliya and Botanical Gardens Gampaha will pay rich dividends. To the botanist, this is indeed a land of plenty. The diversified climate allows for the growth of tropical as well as sub-tropical trees. The luxuriant undergrowth and tall majestic trees of the wet-zone tropical forest contrast with the arid scrub land and talipot palms of the dry north. In the hills, vegetation varies from the almost treeless patnas of Horton Plains to the dark cloud forests, wreathed with the protected Old Man's Beard Moss. From March to May, numerous flowering trees such as the fiery Poincianan regia, the white Mesua ferrera and the cherry blossom-like Tebebuia burst into bloom and flowering orchids include endemic varieties such as the protected Vanda and Wesak Orchids. National emphasis has also been placed on the human-plant relationship: official recognition has been given to the Na Tree (Mesua nagassarium) and the BlueWater Lily (Nymphaea stellatac), as the national tree and flower respectively. Along the coast bordering estuaries and lagoons, are the mangrove habitats which provide sanctuary for the island's diverse coastal fishery resources.

Splendour of Splash
Splendour of Splash
No one who travels in Sri Lanka disputes the fact that streams and rills, running in search of a haven in which to settle down, make significant contribution to the scenic splendour of the mountain region.
Streams of water rush down rocky promontories, or precipices, and form roaring waterfalls, before meandering slowly down the plains stretching to the coastal belt.

Hills Beyond Hills
Hills Beyond Hills
Mountain Ranges of the Hill Country in Sri Lanka
01) Mountain range of Samanala Kandha
02) Mountain range of Haputale
03) Mountain range of Nakalse
04) Mountain range of Piduruthalagala

Rivers
Rivers
There are 103 rivers/streams with most flowing from the lovely mountains of SriLanka. The longest by far is the Mahaweli. It starts its 333 km journey near Adam's Peak and winds its way into the Indian Ocean at Koddiyar Bay near Trincomalee.

Lure of Jungles
Lure of Jungles
Yala is approximately 1,259 sq.km in extent and is located in the south eastern corner of the island. Its northern boundaries border the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary and it has the added bonus of scenic ocean frontage.
The terrain is a varied course of flat plains altering with rocky outcrops. The vegetation ranges from open parklands to dense jungle. Water holes, small lakes, lagoons and streams provide water for the animals and birds. The specialty here is the large numbers of elephants.

Bird Watching
Bird Watching
The abundance of Sri Lanka’s bird life makes it an ornithologist’s paradise. Of the 435 recorded species, 230 are resident, and no less that 23 are endemic to the island. Most of the endemic birds, like the Sri Lanka Myna or the Yellow-eared Bulbul, are restricted to the wet zone. Others, such as the striking Red-faced Malkoha and the Sri Lanka Spot-winged Thrush, can be found throughout the island, although confined to small areas of humid forests.

Elephant Orphanage
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby elephant of Pinnawela was born.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals, and millions of times by amateurs. The message of conservation from Pinnawela has been passed on to thousands, if not millions of people, after their visit to the orphanage.