Two days at Kanneliya and Hiyare

This was a sudden decision taken before two days and we left Gampaha around 5.00am and came to Southern highway via Kottawa.

It’s 6.10 am on southern Highway

From Pinnaduwa outlet we came to Udugama and reached Kanneliya Mount Resort around 08.30 am. After a quick breakfast we walked towards the park entrance, which is only 300 meters away. Vishan, our guide was waiting for us.

On the way to Kanneliya entrance

On the way to Kanneliya entrance

We visited following places

1. Cave 2. Anagimala waterfall 3. Giant Creeper 4. Narangas Ella 5. Navada Tree

Entire hike is 14 KM and approximate time is 7 hrs.

Forest Department Dormitory

Entrance to forest

Sri Lankan Kangaroo Lizard(පිනුම් කටුස්සා)

Wal Midi(වල් මිදි )

Giant Spider

We turned from main trail towards the cave. This cave is the natural habitat for certain frogs and bats. I am clueless about them and they were named by Vishan, our guide.

Entrance to the cave

වක රැලි මැඩිය

සයගිලි මැඩියා (සයගිලි = six fingers)

කිරි වවුලා

Turn off to Anagimala fall

Observation center at turn off to Anagimala fall

Anagimala fall

Giant Creeper (යෝධ පුස්වැල)

Thereafter we walked further along the main trail towards the next destination, Narangas Ella. On the way our guide Vishan suddenly spotted a Green Vine Snake (ඇහෑටුල්ලා ) aiming at a lizard

Just caught

Vishan held the snake to capture some closer views which I didn’t like, but couldn’t resist

Gulp………… Gulp…………….

Last bit

Then we set off towards Narangas Ella where we had to cross several streams.

Bandura(බාඳුරා)

Had to across many streams(Nanikitta Dola)

Finally came to Narangas Ella

Narangas Ella

We spent about half an hour at Narangas Ella enjoying the cool and calm surroundings and headed back on the same route.

Thalkossa in crystal clear water at base pool

Prawns

On our way back we turned towards the Nawada Tree, the final destination. This tree is 250 years old with a circumference of 16.5 feet.

On the way to Nawada Tree

Giant Nawada Tree

Then we came to the resort and after lunch proceeded to Duli Ella. It’s 26 KM from Kanneliya through Hiniduma, Thawalama and Neluwa. Duli Ella consists of three parts and you can easily climb as there are concrete stairs all the way up to the top.

Lower part of the fall

Middle part of the fall

Upper part of the fall

Base Pool of the upper part

Next day morning we left Kanneliya mount resort and on our way to Pinnaduwa entrance of Southern Highway, turned at Amalgama junction and drove another 6 KM to reach another vital place, Hiyare conservation centre.

This is an animal hospital conducted by a group of dedicated volunteers, who are doing an exceptional job, in collaboration with the Wild life department. One must personally visit this place to observe the commitment of these volunteers, doing their best yet with the limited resources.

They provide medical treatment for injured wild animals. These animals are treated, rehabilitated and released back into the wild. This place is also shelter for several baby animals who have lost their parents. These animals are looked after until they become fit enough to release to the wild.

Hiyare tank

Conservation Project

There were few birds with burnt legs and feathers following electrocution while they were trying to perch on road side power lines.

This poor eagle will be a permanent resident at Hiyare. Both legs were burnt, cannot move

Another victim of electrocution with Minor injuries

Can you hear the cry of this yelling monkey

About to release, leg wounds are healed

Adult porcupine awaiting release

Still under treatment with minor injuries

There were few orphaned baby animals who had lost their parents.

Please find my mother

Cute baby ‘Mee minna’

This bat was brought by a villager, found fallen along the road

This baby porcupine was very playful

When we came out there were two Giant squirrels.

Had already hacked off half of a jack fruit

There is a plant nursery at the corner of the same premises, maintained by Wild life department. Most of them are medicinal plants and we got few plants free of charge.

Plant Nursery

This place needs some help from people who are concerned about the well being of wild

animals. They will certainly do a better job with some assistance from public.