Must not Miss Activities in Ahungalla

If you ever find yourself on the south-west of Sri Lanka, this is definitely an essential activity. Out of the seven species of sea turtle in existence, all of which are endangered, five of them can be found on the island of Sri Lanka. During a visit to the Koggala Turtle Hatchery you may learn about the dangers these incredible creatures face, as well as being able to interact with many of the five species. If you're lucky, you might even arrive on a release day and get to be part of the process where the baby turtles are introduced to the ocean. The hatchery is also located next to a beautiful stretch of beach and upon request they will also arrange a private candle-lit dinner for you.

Being a coastal town there is no shortage of beaches in Ahungalla, and since it is not densely populated the quality of the beaches are high. Most of the buildings surrounding the beach are in fact hidden by the many palms, creating an atmosphere of an island retreat away from civilisation. Although there are a few locals selling various produce and crafts, they are generally labelled as being non-intrusive. At any given time, you won't have to deal with hellish ordeal of crowd congestion. If you happen to fall in love with the unspoilt sands and turquoise waters and not wish to leave, there are many beach-bound Ahungalla hotels to choose from such as Heritance Ahungalla, where you can choose to stay a bit longer.

A short distance from Ahungalla is the Bentota lake, which is guaranteed to be a most exciting and fulfilling visit. The river itself is beautiful and surrounded by exotic wildlife, especially birds. If you're a bird-watcher, this is definitely the place for you. There are also various other thrilling activities that can be undertaken such as jet-skiing and canoeing. Keep a watchful eye on the waters though, since the river is known to contain a few reptiles. Therefore, if you wish to head out on to the water, do so with a trained guide who will allow you to obtain a well-rounded experience without exposing yourself to any dangers.

This breath-taking estate was once owned by a renowned architect who invested a lot of time and skills to creating a dynamic and visually stunning refuge for himself. Since he remained unmarried the estate was passed on to his gardener/servant who currently serves as the guide. The Brief Gardens are an incredible work of landscaping, combining a wide range of flora with unique works of architecture and sculpture, and is definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Ahungalla. Some very famous people have spent time at the Brief dining hall, including famed actors Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh during the filming of 'Elephant Walk'.