EXPERIENCES

Early Morning & Evening Nature Walk around the Hotel 

Every day there is a wonderful experience for you around the hotel in the early morning or evening -  a guided nature walk for you to get closer to nature. Throughout the year we have recorded 85-90 bird species around the hotel, usually with around 24 to 28 species to observe each day. As the hotel is located in the center of a marshland it regulary attracts colourful birds. The hotel premises themselves have three natural ponds, where you can easily observe three species of Kingfishers and frogs.  Other than the birds there are many damselflies, dragonflies and butterflies. The surroundings are also rich with wild flowers and fruits. When taking all these interesting natural features together, you will find a lot to observe, learn and to make your stay memorable.

Bird Watching along the Bundala National Park Border

The rich wildlife and serene surroundings along the border of Bundala National Park make a real paradise for birders. These wetlands are home to nearly 200 bird species, including several species of migratory waterfowl. The rare black-necked stork and great thick-knee are the greatest birding highlights, but also the little green bee-eater, spoonbill, redshank, green shank, spot-billed pelican, blue-faced malkoha, brahminy kite, gray headed fish eagle, crested hawk eagle and brown shrike can be spotted, to name but a few. Many migrant and vagrant species winter in the region and, between October and March, it's possible to see over 10,000 shorebirds at once feeding in the shallow waters. In addition, both marsh and saltwater crocodiles are found in the border of Bundala National Park.

Explore Kataragama Holy City 

Kataragama is a pilgrimage town sacred to Buddhist, Hindu and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka with different cultures. The town has the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Skanda-Murukan - also known as Kataragamadevio among locals. It houses the ancient Kiri Vehera Buddhist stupa as well. You can see the different types of worshipers with different rituals. The most important thing to see there is “Peace” among different religions. If you wish to join with them for religious activities we will definitely give you the chance to get that experience. In every August there is delightful event called “Kataragama Perahera” which is the second largest Perahera event when comparing with “Kandy Perahera”.

Your Private Dining Venue in Our Fishing Hut

Yala (Ruhunu) National Park

Yala is the most famous and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. The Yala National Reserve was a part of an ancient Ruhuna Kingdom. Yala holds the name of the world´s best leopard-watching destination. Sri Lankan leopards can be seen throughout the park during the morning and evening. Yala National Park consists of different ecosystems such as dry evergreen forest, grassland, lakes and lagoons and is home to 44 mammal species and 215 bird species. A sizeable population of  about 300 to 350 of Sri Lankan elephants is living in Yala. The mammals can be spotted in lagoons or water holes. There is a wealth of wildlife at Yala for visitors to enjoy, including sloth bears, deer, monkeys and crocodiles. When looking out for bird species, Yala is a home to Sri Lankan junglefowl, like green pigeons, Sri Lanka gray hornbill and many other resident and migratory birds.

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where you can see elephants any time of the day throughout the year, which is the main reason for elephant lovers to visit from all around the world. Researchers have found nearly 400 individual elephants inside the park, which covers 30,821 hectares of land area including Udawalawe reservoir. As well as the elephants you will see wild buffaloes, sambar deer, crocodiles, jackals and macaques during jeep safaris. Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places in Sri Lanka, providing excellent opportunities for landscape photography. Native birds include the Sri Lankan junglefowl,  Sri Lanka grey hornbill and other birds like the common woodshrike and Sri Lanka swallow, which will add more value to your visit among all the other birds who live in the park.

Traditional Cookery Demonstration 

Are you curious to learn more about the Sri Lankan cuisine? Or do you wonder how you can prepare your favorite Sri Lankan dish once you are back home? Join our team to get a real experience of Sri Lankan cooking. Local chefs at the hotel are well-trained in the techniques of Sri Lankan cooking using traditional and local ingredients. They demonstrate how to make some of Sri Lanka’s favorite dishes right here at the Hibiscus Garden Hotel restaurant. Dishes, like milk rice, sour fish curry (malu ambul thiyal), potato curry (ala hodi), coconut sambol (pol sambol), Sri Lankan Achcharu (spicy pickled vegetables) and much more. This is a great opportunity to cook and enjoy delicious traditional food with our team.