• Madu Ganga Biodiversity Area - Explore the Madu River Boat Safari (International Ram Sa Wetland)

The Madu River Safari (Mangroves) area surrounding the river consists of swampy marshlands covered in mangrove forests. The forest spans over 61 hectares, equivalent to more than 150 acres. This area is home to 14 out of the 24 species of mangroves. Notably, mangroves play a crucial role in preventing erosion. Their importance was highlighted in December 2004 during the devastating tsunami when the forest acted as a natural barrier, protecting the region. The extensive growth of mangrove trees has led to a chain of ecological benefits. The soil protected by the mangroves is very fertile, promoting the rich growth of other wetland plants. Over 300 species, including 19 endemic ones, have been discovered so far. The region remains a treasure trove for biologists and ecologists, with many undiscovered species in the inaccessible depths of the mangrove forests. The plant life, in turn, supports a large number of wildlife species. The largest animal in the region is the wild boar, and there are other smaller animals such as monkeys and various squirrels. Bird watchers will find the mangrove forests a dream come true, with cormorants and kingfishers being common sights. Over 111 bird species have been identified in the region. There are also 31 types of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and crocodiles. Additionally, the Madu River zone is home to over 50 kinds of butterflies and 25 kinds of mollusks.

• Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project - Kosgoda is renowned for its sea turtle conservation project operated by the Wildlife Protection Society of Sri Lanka. Established in 1988 to protect Sri Lanka’s turtles from extinction, the project has since released about 3.5 million baby turtles into the wild. The hatchery pays fishermen for eggs collected at night along the long sandy beach. Although the main laying season is from October to April, some eggs (mostly from green turtles) can be found at Kosgoda throughout the year. The hatchery buries the eggs in sand, and when they hatch around 50 days later, the baby turtles are released into the sea at night. Only about one in 1,000 turtles survives to maturity. The Kosgoda turtle hatchery also has tanks for injured or disabled turtles, including albino turtles that would not survive in the wild.
• Hikkaduwa Beach - Hikkaduwa Beach is located 98 km from Colombo towards the south of Sri Lanka. This lively coastal town, 14 km away from Galle, was the first of Sri Lanka’s beautiful beaches to be discovered by tourists in the 1960s. Snorkeling and diving in the clear waters are popular activities along this stretch and are the most environmentally friendly ways to see the colorful fish that dart around. The coral sanctuary along the coast of Hikkaduwa is a large shallow body of water enclosed by a reef, adorned with layers of multi-colored corals, and is home to countless vibrantly colored fish. Off the beach, there is a collection of small islets surrounded by beautiful coral formations.
• Galle Fort - Galle Dutch Fort, located in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was initially built in 1588 by the Portuguese and extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological, and architectural heritage monument that, even after more than 423 years, maintains a polished appearance due to extensive reconstruction work by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. The fort has a colorful history and today hosts a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population. The Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some properties inside the fort are working towards making it one of the modern wonders of the world. The heritage value of the fort has been recognized by UNESCO, and the site has been inscribed as a cultural heritage UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria IV, for its unique exposition of “an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries.” The Galle Fort, also known as the Dutch Fort or the “Ramparts of Galle,” withstood the Boxing Day tsunami, which damaged part of the coastal area of Galle town. It has since been restored. Visitors can walk around the top of the Dutch fort and shop in the Old City.

• Bottled water
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• All fees and/or taxes