Short And Sweet visit to Horagolla – Smallest NP in Sri Lanka

After seeing the Niran’s post and referring to some articles in the web I decided to do this visit as it’s just 35 km away from my home. While trying to catch a companion I reminded mighty Tony as he’s working in Gampaha area. But it was unsuccessful as he was very busy with office work. Then I called one of my old campus friends who reside at Warakapola and told him to meet me at Nittambuwa.I left home around 1.00 p.m. and came to Kadawatha and left my bike at friends place and took a bus to Nittambuwa. From Nittambuwa me and my friend hired a tri wheeler to park entrance. We reached the park around 3.00 p.m.

Near the park entrance. You have to walk though this tiny passage for about 100m

Horagolla lake

First Wildlife sighting

Entrance

We have to cross the bridge before reaching ticketing office

Ticketing office ( Tickets per head Rs 40+ VAT )

Quote From WIKIPEDEA

Horagolla National Park is one of the latest national parks in Sri Lanka. It is so called because of an abundance of Dipterocarpus zeylanicus (Hora) trees.[1] The area was originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 5 September 1973 due to its rich biodiversity. Later on 24 June 2004, Horagolla was elevated to national park status. Horagolla is the only urban park in the Western Province of Sri Lanka.[2] The park is situated close to Horagolla Walauwa, the home of the Bandaranaike family.[3] The park is situated some 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Colombo.

In this Park You don’t need to have a Guide. Trails are well paved and directed .Since there are so many by routes and division of paths better to follow the numbered paths from 1-16. These numbers are clearly visible on tree trunks. Approximate time to do the whole trail is 1-2 hours. It can vary if you want to expend more time on bird watching etc. Also there are many resting places to refresh your self

Sight Map

Think Of this

Starting the hike

Initially we were undecided after seeing so many paths and went to see the observation point which was not according to the order. After realizing that the paths were numbered we followed the paths accordingly.

Thick Forest

Path to observation hut

Some barriers

Observation Hut

THURU & WEL

Walking under forest shade is one of my favourite activities

Obey the instructions

Creepers

After some while we reached another place where a deer and an eagle captured. This is May be due to injuries.

Injured deer

Nice fellow

Huge trees and giant creepers called “Bambara WEL “

So tall

GOLUBELLA???

Walk continues. Reminds me SALGALA

HORA GEDIYA………@@@ ………

Clue of Snakes

Then We reached an open area

Nice

Vast diversity of flora

May be abandoned Paddy field

HUMBASA

More creepers

Sun is about to set

Calm ………..

There were plenty but was able to catch only this fellow

Butterfly

Giant trees

We finished the trek around 4.45. We had spent nearly 1.5 hours. After that we went to see some captive animals behind the ticketing office. They have done a good job so far. But someone has to follow whether they release those animals to the wild at the right time. Why I am telling this; most of the animals seemed like tamed. They didn’t show much aggression. May be due to sickness or getting used to these conditions.

cute

Weli Muwa

Officers told us not to put the flasher

Some eagles

He was little aggressive

He was playful but his wife was not. And I got the chance to play with a FISHING CAT other than my Home cats…………..

We left the park around 5.30 walked till Nittambuwa and got a bus from there. We reached homes around before 8.00 p.m.

So this is what I captured. I am neither photographer nor a researcher. I just wanted to share the information. Hope our famous professional Photographers visit here and get some stunning images specially some birds. Hope this will be an initiative.

THANK YOU FOR READING.