Tasters’ Notes for Ruhuna Tea

RUHUNA - “Distinctively unique”

The teas of the Ruhuna district are defined as “low-grown” as they are cultivated at an altitude not exceeding 600m (2000 Ft) comprising vast sub regions from coastal plains to Southern edge of Sinharaja Rain Forest. The soil, combined with the low elevation of the estates, causes the tea-bush to grow rapidly, producing a long, beautiful leaf. Full-flavoured black tea is a distinctively unique Ruhuna speciality. Ruhuna factories produce a wide variety of leaf styles and sizes, including prized “tips”.

Tea Tour & Tea Tasting available at

  • Handunugoda Tea Estate, Galle
  • Nandana Tea Factory (Pvt) Ltd, Akuressa
  • Lumbini Tea Valley Ceylon, Deniyaya

Udawalawe Safari Tour

An Udawalawe Safari Tour is a perfect way to get up close and personal with some of Sri Lanka’s most exotic wildlife.

Udawalawe National Park is a sanctuary that covers 31,000 hectares and it’s an important habitat for many species of birds, water buffalo, crocodiles, and elephants.

WHERE TO BOOK AN UDAWALAWE SAFARI

The approximate cost of a Jeep that seats 6-8 people is 6,000 Rupees and the entrance fee to Udawalawe National Park is 3,500 Rupees.

You can book your Udawalawe Safari Tour online in advance with Klook which has great reviews and hundreds of bookings!

History of Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park was created in 1972 to provide a habitat for animals displaced by the construction of the Uda Walawe dam.

The damming of the Walawe river created a reservoir and wetlands which attracted many aquatic birds and animals.

It’s backed by the dramatic highlands to the north and made up of 119 square miles of open grassland, with wetlands and dense jungle.

Seeing elephants in Udawalawe National Park is AMAZING!

Seeing elephants on a safari like in Udawalawe National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Observing them from afar or getting right close up, they are incredible!

Kanneliya Rain Forest

Kanneliya Rain Forest is a forest located in the Galle District of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Located about 35 miles away. Spread over an area of 6144 hectares, the Kannelia Forest is an ideal place for anyone who loves wildlife.

Kanneliya National Park: Kanneliya Rain Forest is part of the Kannelia - Dediyagala - Nakiyadenia (KDN) Forest Complex. The KDN Forest Complex is the last large rainforest in Sri Lanka except for Sinharaja. The Rain Forest Complex was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2004. Kanneliya is one of the most valuable forest resources in South Asia. The Hora caste can be identified as the predominant plant species in the Kanneliya forest. Due to large-scale logging in the past, most of this forest is still a secondary forest. 301 species of plants have been recorded from the Kanneliya forest. These plant species include plants, shrubs, and herbs, 25% of which are endemic to Sri Lanka.

Route The Kanneliya forest can be easily reached via the Koralegama - Kanneliya road. This road is narrow enough for vehicles to cross the Udugama - Hiniduma main road. This road goes to the Kanneliya forest and ends in front of the main entrance near the Nannikitha canal.

Continue reading "Kanneliya Rain Forest"

Best time to visit Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Mirissa’s peak season is between December and March as this is generally the driest time of year in the southern province of Sri Lanka. As the main thing to do in the town itself is enjoy the beach, your options are going to be limited on rainy days.

For that reason, you’re definitely best of visiting during this time of year if you can. In particular, January, February and March are the driest months.

April and May tend to be the hottest months, but the increase in temperature leads to more rainfall. Outside of January-March, the months with the least rainfall are July and August. Even if you visit at this time though, the weather can be quite unpredictable in both Mirissa and Sri Lanka as the country has 2 different monsoon seasons.

Discover Mirissa

Mirissa is a gorgeous beach destination in Sri Lanka, and the perfect place to unwind in a hammock with a fresh coconut. The sparkling blue waters teem with marine life, from turtles to big blue whales.

Secret Beach is small and secluded, and if you’re lucky you might have it all to yourself.

Directly in front of Mirissa Beach is Parrot Rock, an enormous red-coloured mound towering over the water. Climb the stairs to the top for scenic views of the palm tree-lined beaches below. It’s particularly popular at sunset. Make sure to check the tides before you venture out to it!

Coconut Tree Hill is a private coconut farm just 15-minutes walk from Mirissa Beach. At the top of the hill you’re rewarded with views of the ocean through rows of palm trees. Sunrise is a great time to visit with fewer people around.

If you’re a fan of surfing, then the small beach town of Weligama is the place for you. Widely known as the capital of surfing it offers fantastic waves and beautiful white-sand beaches. There are also trendy bars, cafes, restaurants, and beach resorts.

As Mirissa has some of the best marine life in Sri Lanka, it’s the perfect place to spot whales from the end of November until March when they migrate.