Famed as the largest province
in Sri Lanka, Uva province is another top rated destination for vacationing
in the country. Bedecked with some cascading waterfalls, historic places,
wildlife reserves, and pilgrimage sites, Uva province has everything to
charm you and make your vacation a memorable trip.
Hemmed by Eastern, Southern and Central provinces, Uva province lays in-land
from the coastal plain and has two districts namely Badulla and Moneragala.
Both these districts boasts some of the famous tourism spots of the country
such as Dunhinda Falls, Diyaluma Falls, Rawana Falls, the Yala National Park
(lying partly in the Southern and Eastern Province) and Gal Oya National
Park (lying partly in the Eastern province).
Apart from its tourist spots, another main feature of Uva province is its
cultural and ethnic groups who live in harmony while firmly maintaining
their own heritage and customs. Some of the groups who are inhabited here
are Sinhalese, plantation Tamils, Muslims, Sri Lankan Tamils and Adiwasee
communities.
Badulla:
The picturesque town of Badulla in Sri Lanka is the
capital of Uva province. It is just about 230 km away from Colombo towards
the eastern slopes of Central hills of the country and can be easily
accessible through various roads. All routes are scenic and one can get
splendid views of geography changes while travelling on these roads.
Vacationers believe that Badulla town is blessed with the most pleasant
climate in entire Sri Lanka as it is located at an elevation of 680 m above
the sea level. Mother Nature has left no stone unturned to beautify Badulla
with cascading waterfalls, vast tea plantations, lofty and lush mountain
peaks etc. Badulla town and its surroundings are highly recommended for
eco-tourists as Dunhinda Falls, Horton Plains National Park, Namunukula
Mountains, and Knuckles Mountains are few hours away from the town. These
mountains are covered with green blanket of palms and tropical trees, which
surely give you visual delight. Beside its natural charms, Badulla is also
bedecked with some important heritage sites such as ancient Muthiyangana
temple, Bogoda ancient wooden bridge.
Bandarawela:
Lies at the centre of Uva “Health triangle”
and midway between Ella and Haputale, Bandarawela is another most sought
after tourist destination in Uva province. Due to its invigorating
spring-like climate, cascading waterfalls and towering mountain ranges,
Bandarawela beckons large number of vacationers throughout the year.
This alluring town is also a main centre for tea and fruit growing in the
country. Tea, Pears and Strawberries produced in this bustling market town
are world famous. Another striking attraction of Bandarawela is its Dowa
Rock Cave temple, located just 6km from the town. This Cave temple has a
unfinished Buddha Statue of about 15ft carved onto the rock face and inside
the cave, one can easily witness murals and first century B.C inscriptions.
Nearby to Bandarawela, there is another tourist attraction known as Uva
Herbarium. It is a garden dedicated to growing herbs and re-establishing
forests. Various species of colorful birds can be easily seen here.
Haputale:
Haputale, is another picturesque town, positioned in the
Badulla district of Uva province. Located at an elevation of 1,431 m above
the sea level, Haputale enjoys a pleasant and cool weather throughout the
year as compared to its nearby area. Haputale mountain ranges, which
continue to Horton Plains and Adam’s Peak to the west, mark the
south-west boundary of Uva basin. This town is also a bio-diversity zone and
enrich with varieties of flora and fauna.
Haputale also possesses some fantastic tourist spots within its kitty such
as Haputale Gap, Lipton’s Seat, Benedictine Monastery of Adisham,
Thangamalai Bird Sanctuary, Dambetenna Tea Factory, and Greenfields Bio
Plantations.
Yala National Park:
Yala National Park is the oldest and second
largest national park in Sri Lanka and partly located in Uva province. It is
the most sought after tourist destination spot in entire country as it
offers a golden opportunity to witness numerous wildlife species within
large territory. A full day jeep safari is the best way to witness Leopards
(largely found mammals in the park), Elephants, Spotted deer, Sambar, Wild
buffalo, Sloth bear, Jackal, Mongoose, Pangolins and Crocodiles. The
avifaunal species comprises more than 120 bird species and ranges from
Lesser Flamingos to Paradise Flycatchers, Crested Hawk Eagles, and Black
Bitterns.
