A haven for large herds of elephants, deer, sambur, wild boar, water buffalo and jackal as well as for many species of birds, the Uda Walawe National Park is a nature lover’s paradise. Situated 170km to the south east of Colombo, the park is 30,821 hectares in extent and consists of grasslands and thorn scrubs interspersed with many valuable species of rare trees. On the fringe of the park is the Elephant Transit Home where orphaned baby elephants are nurtured until they are strong enough to be released into the wild.

Close to Uda Walawe is Wavulpone Cave, which is an isolated cavern set against the eastern slopes of the Rakwana Mountain Range. It contains a large number of stalactites and stalagmites and is estimated to be approximately 500 million years old. As you journey 300m underground into this fascinating prehistoric world, look out for fossils on the cavern wall and a beautiful waterfall at the centre fed by a stream that runs through the cave. With only a torch to light your way, you might encounter water monitors and amphibians as well as thousands of bats as you explore this mysterious prehistoric cave.