Location: Hambantota
Top Things to do in Hambantota
- 1. Bundala National Park
- 2. Kumana National Park
- 3. Birds Research Center & Resort
- 4. Mahapelessa Hot Springs
- 5. Ridiyagama Safari Park
- 6. Dry Zone Botanic Gardens - Hambantota
- 7. Ussangoda National Park
- 8. Mirijjawila Botanic Gardens
- 9. Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium
- 10. Agro Technology Park
Countries
The 10 Best Things to Do in Hambantota, Sri Lanka
Hambantota (Sinhalese: හම්බන්තොට, Tamil: அம்பாந்தோட்டை) is the main town in Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. This underdeveloped area was hit hard by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and is undergoing a number of major development projects including the construction of a new sea port and international airport finished in 2013. These projects and others such as Hambantota Cricket Stadium are said to form part of the government's plan to transform Hambantota into the second major urban hub of Sri Lanka, away from Colombo.
Restaurants in Hambantota
1. Bundala National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 368 reviews
Bundala National Park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala harbors 197 species of birds, the highlight being the greater flamingo, which migrate in large flocks.[1] Bundala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and redesignated to a national park on 4 January 1993.[2]also you can see crocadiles and elephants & forest birds
Reviewed By Shade16 - Colombo
Went to Tissa on business and on the was back visited the park. It was past 2 pm and not an ideal time for bird watching. However we were blessed to see many species such as storks, thick knees, snake birds, purple herons, bird eaters, parrots etc. It was a fun and fascinating experience. We even saw a lone elephant, few crocs, lots of monkeys and peacocks. It was a rough ride in some places but I thoroughly enjoyed it. We had a short stop on a cliff overlooking the sea and the view was gorgeous. We ended by going around the salt lake.
2. Kumana National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By PRABHU60 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Kumana is also called the Yala East is one place where you can see a variety of birds and animals. The roads are good and the Safari is done by private jeep owners who provide open re modelled Toyota Hilux pick ups for the purpose. You can perch your camera with tripod conveniently and go for the Safari.
Lesser adjutant storks, painted storks. spoon bills, black necked ibis, black winged stilt, egrets, sand pipers, plovers, are few of the waders. White bellies sea eagle, Brahminy Kite, shikra are the few of the raptors.
Pipits, Lapwings,Bee Eaters, Parrots and peacocks are everywhere.
We saw two leopards at two locations during the safari and few elephants. Wild boars are in plenty.
you will never get disappointed after visiting Kumana
3. Birds Research Center & Resort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By lea6278 - Melbourne, Australia
This research center has lots of birds from all around the world. While they are well looked after some of the cages seemed very small. Entry at 2000 rupees was a bit expensive. The access road is very bumpy so it takes a long time to arrive. We went on a very rainy wet day and our tuk tuk driver drove carefully and safely through the holes in the road. Would recommend this as a good place to visit you can spend 2 hours there.
4. Mahapelessa Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By TSESingapore - Singapore
The place comprises a few tanks with semi luke warm water. Unlike hot Springs elsewhere in the world where you can at least soak your feet in the water, here your option is limited to scooping out some water to wash your face/hand/feet. In addition the water doesn't looked particularly clean as well. Unless you are already in the area and have nothing to do, otherwise there is not much to do here.
5. Ridiyagama Safari Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 47 reviews
No more flight bookings need to reserve for safari in Africa. Whole animal kingdom is roaming in Ridiyagama. The Department of National Zoological Gardens is eager to unveil it’s another flagship project for the nature lovers and pleasure hunters browsing the down south of Sri Lanka. A 500 acre drive through Safari Park, the first ever Safari Park in Sri Lanka is being culminated in Ridiyagama, Ha
Reviewed By Gardi H P D
On the way back from Kataragama our family stayed one night at Kithala Resort .Next day after the lunch we started our journey back to Colombo and on the way to Colombo while we were in Hambantota we diverted to Ridiyagama Safari Park. The park area is huge and it is not fully completed. This was the first time we visited the safari park in Sri Lanka. We had to park our vehicle and got in to the safari bus which was very comfortable and screened with iron bars for safety. The park was divided in to several sections. carnivorous animals, Elephants sections etc.The guide in the bus was very good and he explained the sections. He also said that within next two years they have planed to complete the safari with animals from Sri Lanka and also from other countries. If you are passing Hanbantota this is wonderful place to visit.
6. Dry Zone Botanic Gardens - Hambantota
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By jccooray - Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka
A fantastic park in the making. A home for all the dry zone vegetation.Only a part developed. Fantastic electric cars to take you around. A one hour tour for 8 costs only Rs.800. Local senior citizens are charged only Rs. 50.Our guide was very knowledgable about the plants & trees of this park.
7. Ussangoda National Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Jomedia - Leamington Spa, United Kingdom
We got there just after 6.30 and it was perfect, we saw loads of elephants, in fact, one came up to our jeep. We saw monkeys, crocs, buffalo and some birds, lots of peacocks. Definitely worth it,
8. Mirijjawila Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By 1LifeStand - Colombo
Henarathgoda Gardens, Gampaha was the last botanical garden established at by the British in 1876. The Mirijjawila Botanical Gardens is the newest and is a dry zone Gardens which is the largest in Sri Lanka.
It was declared open in Nov 2013 and as of now has very little educational value. Plants are hardly named, pathways are not systematically marked and overall it looks like its still in the making. Maybe give it a few years to blossom.
http://www.botanicgardens.gov.lk/mirijjawila/
9. Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Shanaka R - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium Migahajandura Suriyaweva Hambantota Sri Lanka. which has hosted 23 international ICC matches so far. The next match due is on the 26th of July 2015 with Pakistan and Sri Lanka which is scheduled to start at 0230pm Sri Lanka Time. Udawalawe national park and Yala national parks are very close to the stadium and there are few small hotels also in the area. Seating capacity is 26000 and tickets are available at the gates during matches, Ticket prices start from Rs 100 up to Rs 3000.00
10. Agro Technology Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Sivakumar V - Bengaluru, India
We were on the way to Kataragama from Colombo. Around 2 PM we were on the look out for a good restaurant for lunch . We saw a small board of a place to eat.We stopped and found a neat and tidy eatery selling fresh items hot-hot at amazingly affordable cost.
After finishing the lunch we set about to look what the place actually is. It was breathtaking to sasay the least. The beautifully maintained farms of vegetables, fruits and flowers were amazing. The sculptures including a huge innovatively designed entrance arch were a treat to watch. A water body with walking and relaxing seats were all in place . very well maintained vast park. Very refreshing. On seeing this , there will be many youngsters taking farming as a profession
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