The most beautiful natural sites to discover Sri Lanka

At a height of about 63 meters, the magnificent Dunhinda Falls take their name from the fine mist formed by the water sprayed at the foot of the waterfall (in Sinhalese, dun means mist or smoke). They come from the Badulu Oya River which flows through Badulla. The viewing platform at the foot of the falls can be reached by a trail of about one and a half kilometres from the main road (Mahiyangana Road, B36). The trail offers a pleasant walk, and allows to observe monkeys, birds, butterflies, deer...

From Rakwana, head towards Dalween Estate Superintendent's Bungalow. Situated in the heart of a tea plantation, these falls are over 30 metres high and give a picturesque look to the landscape. The top of the falls has been barricaded and is inaccessible since a mini hydroelectric plant with a small reservoir was installed there, splitting the flow of the falls into two separate streams. The falls are located about 2.5km northeast of Rakwana, off the main road. A 4WD vehicle is recommended to get there.

During the dry season, this waterfall, 100 m high, can reduce itself to a simple water net, or even disappear completely.

This tiny island is less than a kilometre from the coast, about 5 minutes by boat. It is home to the Beruwela Lighthouse, which was inaugurated by the British government on November^1, 1889, and is 34 meters high. The island has a few ruins and an old well. It is a pleasant place to walk around, and you may even see some peacocks. For investors and wealthy amateurs, the island is for sale and is part of the Sotheby's catalogue. For that it will be necessary to pay the modest sum of 8 million dollars!

A nature reserve since 1938, Wasgamuwa became a national park in 1984 to protect species displaced by the region's massive Mahaweli Development Project. It covers an area of 37 hectares and is home to many wild animals. It is one of the national parks where the visitor has the opportunity to observe herds of elephants in large numbers, and depending on the season, they move to the nearby Minneriya National Park along the Mahaweli River. More than 140 varieties of birds are also found in the park

This national park covering almost 7,000 hectares is a little brother to Minneriya National Park, to which it is linked by a corridor to encourage the movement of animals between the two parks. At its heart is the imposing Kaudulla Wewa reservoir, built in the 12th century. It attracts elephants who come to drink from it. Other animals that inhabit the reserve include bears, leopards, deer, wild boar, turtles and a multitude of bird species. The best time to visit the park is from August to December.

These falls are the biggest in Sri Lanka with their 263 meters height! They have their source in the Kuda Oya River. Located in the middle of a pine forest, they are shaped like a horse's tail and descend steeply down a vertical rock face. From April to December you can take a short hike along the trail to a viewpoint of the falls. The falls are more impressive after the rainy season, from March to May. At the foot of the falls, there are natural pools for swimming.