Hiking in Udawattekele Sanctuary

Introduction

Being a rich country of natural bio diversity, Sri Lanka elaborates and proves it many times. Udawattekele located north of Kandy Lake is an eco-tourism site which expands over 104 hectares. The park was once a forbidden forest called Uda wasala watte (the garden above the royal palace) during the Kandyan kingdom. Visitors can tour the sanctuary every day from 6 am to 5 pm. Though the entire garden was declared as a forest reserve in 1856 and upgraded as a sanctuary in 1938.

This garden has an exclusive collection of avifauna. Other than that it is one of the beautiful bird sanctuaries in Sri Lanka.

Udawattekele is on a hill ridge stretching between the Temple of the Tooth and the Uplands-Aruppola suburbs. The highest point of the ridge is 635 meters above sea level and 115 meters above the nearby Kandy Lake.

The sanctuary contains three Buddhist forest monasteries:

• Forest Hermitage
• Senanayakaramaya
• Tapovanaya

and three cave dwellings for Buddhist monks:

1. Cittavisuddhi-lena
2. Maitri-lena
3. Senkadandagala-lena

The sanctuary acts as a catchment area for the supply of water to the city of Kandy.

Features

Udawatte Kele sanctuary houses to varieties of birds like:

• Sri Lanka Yellow fronted barbet
• Layard’s Parakeet
• Spot bellied eagle owl
• Sri Lanka Hanging parrot
• Golden fronted leaf bird
• Three-toed kingfisher
• Sri Lanka Myna (approximately 80 species of birds can be seen).

Therefore for the bird experts armed with binoculars, is a great place to explore the bird life.

Annual rainfall is recorded about 1615 mm and temperature is around 24 c. The sanctuary is a good location for panoramic photographs of Kandy city and butterflies, mammals which comes very close to you. Endemic animals like toque macaque, jackal, porcupine and mouse deer seems to be common. Obviously 460 species of plants, especially lianas, Shrubs, herbs and small plants are survived in the jungle.

Important Factors to consider Hiking in Udawattekele Sanctuary

• Wearing leech socks will be ideal to prevent the leech bite.
• The experienced and well-trained tour guide/naturalist would take every precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all guests on tour as your safety is our prime concern. However, Paradise Island Safari or its employees do not accept any liability for death, injury or illness of guest while on tour caused by any animal, reptile, insect, and events of nature or any type of accident.
• Paradise Island Safari does not accept any liability for the loss or damage of any personal belongings while on tour.

Book your next adventure with us | Trekking in Udawattekele Sanctuary

Accommodation recommendations for Trekking in Udawattekele Sanctuary: Dazzling Villa

Useful Links : Department of Wildlife Conservation