Thaulle – Safaris & Excursions
A stay at Thaulle offers one more than just superior Accommodation options, Restaurants services and Ayurveda Treatments; it is an ideal location with easy access to many National Parks and Historical Locations.
When you book through the hotel, we must be honest, the price is a bit higher, but the quality of the service and guide is on par. The main reason for this is that we are a tax registered company, and we only work with an individual who is a naturalist, and he is involved very closely with the parks. He is knowledgeable and good at tracking. This is why we use him and about 2 others recommended by him for all our valued clients. The options are as follows,
Yala National Park
Yala is a strictly designated nature reserve and a national park as well. Divided into 5 blocks, the park has a protected area of nearly 130,000 hectares of land consisting of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks and lagoons. Two blocks are currently opened to the public. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and thereafter a National Park in 1938. Ironically, the park was initially used as a hunting ground for the elite under British rule.
A half day for 1 person is $ 140/-
A half day for 2 persons is $ 189/=
A full day for 1 person is $ 196/-
A full day for 2 persons is $ 245/=
Distance to the park: 20-30 minutes from Thaulle
Lunugamwehera National Park
(A section linked to Yala)
Lunugamvehera was declared a National Park in 1995 with the intention of protecting the catchment areas of the Lunugamvehera reservoir along with the wildlife of the area. The national park is an important habitat for water birds and elephants.
A half day for 1 person is $ 144/-
A half day for 2 persons is $ 193/=
A full day for 1 person is $ 191/-
A full day for 2 persons is $ 240/=
Distance to the park: 40-50 minutes from Thaulle
Galge National Park
(Another section of Yala)
Galge is considered as a less popular entrance to the main Yala park and in general, there are fewer crowds and safari jeeps. The location has a different vibe to Yala and the general norm is that there are fewer wild animals in this area. Having said that tough, there have been many surprises for those who want to experience the off beaten paths.
A half day for 1 person is $ 183/-
A half day for 2 persons is $ 232/=
A full day for 1 person is $ 226/-
A full day for 2 persons is $ 275/=
Distance to the park: approximately 1 hour from Thaulle
Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park lies on the boundary of the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces. It was established as a National Park on the 30th of July 1972. Before the designation as a national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan Elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.
The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home also known as the ‘Udawalawa Ath Athuru Sewana’ is a facility within the Udawalawe National Park and was established in 1995 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation. Check with us about the feeding times of the baby elephants. This is a must see during a visit to the park.
A half day for 1 person is $ 183/-
A half day for 2 persons is $ 232/=
A full day for 1 person is $ 226/-
A full day for 2 persons is $ 275/=
Distance to the park: 1 hour from Thaulle
Bundala Bird Sanctuary
Located 20Km from the hotel towards Hambantota, Bundala National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s primary destinations for bird watching and is home to many rare and endangered bird species. It is a haven for Ornithologists.
A half day for 1 person is $ 130/-
A half day for 2 persons is $ 169/=
A full day for 1 person is $ 186/-
A full day for 2 persons is $ 225/=
Distance to the park: 30 minutes from Thaulle
Additional passenger charges
There is a $ 50/- charge for each additional passenger and the maximum per jeep is 06 passengers.
The timings for the above safaris are as follows
Morning half day is from 5am to 10.30am
Evening half day is from 2pm to 6pm
The full day is from 5am to 04.30pm
The Sithulpahuwa Rock Temple
The Situlpawwa Rock Temple with a history of over 2200 years, is one of the most significant Buddhist sites built in the 2nd Century BC. Located deep within the Yala National Park in the Hambantota District. The name Sithulpauwa is derived from the word ‘Chittalapabbata’ which means the hill of the quiet mind.
Inside the Situlpawwa area there are a number of Rock Caves, Dagoba (pagodas), Poyageval (Chapterhouses), Bodhigara, Pilimageval and Ponds.
- Distance: 40 minutes (27 km)
- Length of excursion: 2.5 hours
- Latest departure: 3 p.m.
Charges per Jeep – $ 90/- (06 passengers)
The Kirinda Temple
Kirrinda is a beautiful place visited by thousands of pilgrims each year. The ancient temple is situated on top of a rocky outcrop that offers magnificent views of the desolate coast with its long stretch of sand dunes and the ocean beyond.
Kirrinda was initially where Princess Viharamahadevi drifted ashore after being sacrificed to the sea to atone for her father, King Kelanitissa’s sacrilegious act of killing a monk by putting him in a cauldron of boiling oil. After receiving the Princess, King Kavantissa who was the ruler of Ruhuna at the time, married the young princess and the couple eventually had 2 sons. Dutugemunu, the eldest became one of the legends in Sri Lankan history.
Discover the ancient temple, enjoy the fantastic view over the coastline or stroll along the beach. It takes about an hour to visit the temple. Your driver will wait for you in the meantime.
- Distance: 20 minutes (8 km)
- Length of excursion: 2 hours
Charges per Jeep – $ 50/- (06 passengers)
Nimalawa Monastery
The Nimalawa Sanctuary comprises a total of 1065.85 hectares adjoining the Yala National Park. It is home to a myriad of wildlife. The Nightjar, Deer, Sambur and Wild Boar are a common sight in the area.
- Distance: 30 minutes (12 km)
- Length of excursion: 2 hours
Charges per Jeep – $ 50/- (06 passengers)
Wedasiti Kanda
While Kataragama is the domain of the benevolent God, it is believed the precise abode of the God is a mountain called Wedihitikanda (meaning mountain where the God settled in) It’s a big mountain situated between Katharagama and Tissamaharama. On the top of the mountain there is an ancient temple with a dagoba.
- Distance: 25 minutes (28 km)
- Length of excursion: 2.5 hours
Charges per Jeep – $ 95/- (06 passengers)
Kataragama
Kataragama, a popular pilgrimage destination frequented by adherents of all religions in Sri Lanka. the main shrine devoted to Skanda popularly described in eulogies as a God having six faces and twelve arms whose assistance is sought for worldly gain. The history of the shrine dates back to the 2nd century BC. The annual procession held in July or August is the main event of the shrine with firewalkers and Kawadi dancers. Offerings to the God are made at 4.30am, 10.30am and 6.30pm daily.
- Distance: 25 minutes (22 km)
- Length of excursion: 2 hours
Charges per vehicle – $ 50/- (06 passengers)
Tissamaharama Town
Tissamaharama used to be the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna as early as the 3rd century B.C. Only a few buildings from that period can still be seen today. Tissamahaviharaya with the Tissa Stupa and the large artificial Tissa Lake, which was a part of a sophisticated irrigation system, also dates from that time. Today, the town mainly serves as a starting point for visits to Yala National Park and Kataragama.
- Distance: 10 minutes (4 km)
- Length of excursion: 1.5-2 hours
Charges per vehicle – $ 25/- (06 passengers)
Tissa Lake
Located near to Yodakandiya Town and right opposite the Hotel, this is one of the biggest and historic lakes in the Hambanthota District. Discover the lakeshore by foot or book a boat trip with us!
- Length of excursion 1 hour
- Subject to climate and conditions on the lake.
Charges per jeep – $ 35/- (06 passengers)
Boat ride charges not included
