Red Dot Tours | Sri Lanka | Buttala highlights

Buttala Foothills

Snapshot

Buttala is known for its savanna-like plains and is home to the best National Parks in the country. To the north the area is dominated by the green foothills of the central highlands and to the south the land is flat and dry, filled with dryzone forest, scrub jungle, paddy fields and sugar cane plantations. The area has much to offer for those interested in wildlife and heritage.

Don’t Miss

Leopards in Yala National Park

Elephants and wild elephant orphanage at Uda Walawe

Wild elephant orphanage near Uda Walawe

Birdwatching in Bundala National Park

Kataragama pilgrimage shrine

Maligawila Buddha statues

Buduruwagala’s ancient rock sculptures

Tissamaharama’s dagobas and temples

Photo Gallery

Getting There

Situated in the south east of Sri Lanka, the Buttala Foothills is an ideal destination for those travelling from the hill country to the south coast. We recommend spending a few days in the area to get a real taste of rural Sri Lanka as well as to enjoy the untouched wilderness of the National Parks. The area is best reached by road and is not connected to the national railway network. Weerawila is accessible by an air taxi when operational. Useful driving times include: Colombo to Uda Walalwe (4.5 hours); Colombo to Yala (7 hours); Dickoya to Yala (5 hours); Dickoya to Uda Walawe (4 hours); Bandarawela to Yala (3 hours); Bandarawela to Uda Walawe (3 hours); Galle to Yala (3.5 hours).

Historical Background

The Mahavamsa (ancient Buddhist Chronicles) describes how Buddhist warrior kings used Buttala as a base to defend the Ruhunu Kingdom against the invading Indians from the north. They did much to develop this arid region -- the Weliara reservoir, constructed more than 2,000 years ago, is still used today to irrigate the paddy fields of the South. Evidence of an ancient Buddhist civilisation can be seen in caves and excavated jungle ruins.

Sights

Most people travel to the Buttala Foothills to visit the National Parks. Uda Walawe National Park is home to over 500 Asian elephants. The Elephant Transit Camp at Uda Walawe, run by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department, provides protection to more than 20 young elephants, mostly babies that have been orphaned or recovering from injuries prior to releasing them back to the wild. The Yala National Park located further south is home to the greatest variety of Sri Lanka’s wildlife, including leopard, elephant, sloth bear, buffalo, monkey, sambar, deer and crocodiles. The Lunugamvehera National Park acts as a corridor for elephants migrating from Yala to Uda Walawe. The most significant historical sights are the Maligawila statues and the gigantic rock carvings of Buduruwagala, Tissamaharama’s ancient temples and the jungle shrine of Kataragama dating back to the 2nd century BC.

Accommodation

Try a camping safari in one of the National Parks hosted by our carefully recommended specialist wildlife companies; all have individual strengths. Camping can be expensive and several eco retreats on the edge of the parks offer the outdoor experience for less cost. Both Galapita Eco Lodge and Tree Tops are popular with those seeking a rustic experience. Uda Walawe’s accommodation options include Centauria Hotel, a traditional two-star property preferred by package tours, and Kalu’s Hideaway which is a smaller alternative located just outside the National Park. Yala’s accommodation options include the popular Yala Village and a newer rival, Elephant Reach. A good budget option is Priyankara Hotel, near to Tissa. Mandara Rosen situated within the sacred city of Kataragama offers four-star facilities and also is a convenient base.

Food & Drink

The Buttala region lacks Western-style restaurants, outside the main hotels, and you should instead focus on the local Sri Lankan food, which can be outstanding. The Ceylon Hotels Corporation Resthouses provide tasty rice and curries at budget prices and the Tissa Resthouse, bordering the reservoir, keeps up this reputation (watch out for the fiery hot coconut sambals). Kalu’s Hideaway near Uda Walawe, as well as Priyankara Hotel near Tissa, are also recommended for traditional curries. This region is known for its delicious homemade buffalo curd and Kitul honey, both of which are sold in traditional clay pots by small vendors on the roadsides. Ask your hotel for it at breakfast or as a dessert after dinner. Thambilli (king coconut) is a favourite thirst-quencher in the rural areas.

Shopping

Those looking for something unusual to take back home will delight at Kataragama’s colourful wayside stalls. Interesting Buddhist and Hindu statues, meditation beads, incense, and brass oil lamps are on offer. These small wayside stalls also sell the`pooja vatti’ – small baskets of devotional offerings to the gods filled with fresh fruit, lotus and incense. Traditionally, each pilgrim takes a vatti and presents it to the sacred shrines of Kataragama in the hope of making their wishes and aspirations come true.

Events

The most significant and spectacular event of the year is Kataragama’s two-week Perehara (cultural pageant) which takes place late July or early August. This colourful festival is held in honour of Skandha, the warrior God of Kataragama. The Perehara depicts Hindu folklore, music and dance forms, as well as fire walking in devotion to God Kataragama. The game parks may occasionally close out of season.

Activities

Tissa & Kataragama
Sri Lanka’s ancient Dagobas (dome-shaped Buddhist temples) are architectural marvels of the ancient world. Constructed as far back as the 2nd century BC, these Dagobas were built to enshrine sacred relics. The pristine white stupas in Tissamaharama and Kataragama are perfect examples of this typical architectural style.

Museums
The government’s Department of Archeology maintains museums in the archeological sites of Buduruwagala (Wellawaya), Yatala (Tissamaharama) and Kataragama (within the sacred city). Antiquities displayed include terracotta pottery and statues. These museums are normally closed on Tuesdays.

Maligawila Buddha statue
The Maligawila statue, 15kms from Buttala, dates back to the 7th century BC. It is the largest freestanding image of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka, reaching a height of about 14 metres and is carved out of a single block of limestone. A second statue lies close by and depicts the Bodhisattva in princely attire.

Buduruwagala’s ancient rock sculptures
The ancient rock carvings at Buduruwagala, close to Welawaya, date back to the 8th century. Seven gigantic Buddhist figures are sculpted into a 70ft cliff including a colossal image of Lord Buddha spanning a height of about 50ft.

Tissamaharama
Tissa was the capital of the ancient Ruhunu Kingdom in the 2nd century BC. The Tissa Weva (lake), built by King Kavantissa 2,300 years ago, provides a sorawling backdrop. The town is dominated by gigantic ancient Buddhist dagobas (temples). An archeological museum also provides a glimpse into the ancient Ruhunu kingdom.

Kataragama
Kataragama is an ancient sacred riverside pilgrimage site where all religions are worshipped. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians visit this ancient holy site. It is believed that King Dutugemunu, the warrior king and Sinhala folk hero, built a shrine here for the worship of the Kataragama God in the 2nd century BC. There is also a first century BC Buddhist Dagoba, Kirivehera, at this site. The `Maha Devala’, the main shrine of God Skanda, the Hindu war God, and several other adjoining Hindu shrines, conduct daily religious rituals (poojas).

Horse safaris in Tissa
Red Dot has teamed up with the Premadasa Riding School to provide guests with an adventurous hose riding safari to the heart of the Ruhunu Kingdom. Explore the ancient towns of Tissa and Kataragama on horseback past lush green paddyfields, reservoirs, ancient dagobas and rural villages. The Marwari thoroughbreds and half-breeds horses, famed for their endurance in challenging climates, have been specially imported from Rajastan in Northern India by the Premadasa stables. This activity is suited for intermediate and advanced riders.

Galapita
Galapita Eco Retreat, near the pilgrimage site of Kataragama, began as an idealistic rural retreat for friends and family and is now the ultimate escapist retreat for a small selection of hardy travellers. Located on the banks of the Menik Ganga, their Mineral Spa is perfect for those seeking total mind and body relaxation through the ancient healing wisdom of Ayurveda. Galapita also conducts daily yoga sessions.

Uda Walawe National Park
Uda Walawe, in Sri Lanka's south-central sector, most resembles an African game park. Wildlife reports state that there are about 500 elephants in the park and they often roam in herds of up to 100. Leopards, buffalo, deer and sloth bears keep them company along with mongooses, bandicoots, foxes, water monitor lizards and crocodiles.

Elephant Transit Camp
Run by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department, this Transit Camp is home to about 22 young elephants, mostly babies, who have been orphaned or recovering from injuries. They are nurtured here for several years before being released back into the wild. Conservation efforts such as the Elephant Transit Camp in Uda Walawe are vital to the future of this endangered species. The Wildlife Department has initiated a Baby Elephant Adoption Programme where individuals can provide funding on a monthly basis and become a foster parent to a baby elephant of their choice.

Weerawila Bird Sanctuary
The Weerawila Bird Sanctuary is located around the Weerawila tank. The main roadway goes through the heart of the sanctuary, making birdwatching easy. You can spot crocodiles too.

Yala National Park
Yala’s scrub plains, lagoons and rocky mounds make it one of the best places to see a wide variety of Sri Lankan wildlife. The park boasts the world's densest leopard population. Be grateful if you do see one, though, as they are shy animals. Other frequently sighted animals include elephants, sloth bears, sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles, monkeys and buffalos. Transport around the park is provided by jeep complete with driver and expert guide/tracker.

Bundala National Park
Bundala is an important Wetland Sanctuary that combines 20km of beach, lagoons and scrub hosting more than 150 bird species. These wetlands are home to winter migratory birds and large flocks of flamingoes. The lagoons also prove popular with crocodiles whilst on dry land herds of up to 60 elephants can be seen. From October to January the park also receives visits from the endangered marine turtles that lay their eggs on the shore.

Lunugamvehera National Park
Situated along the banks of the Lunugamvehera Reservoir, this small park was set up in 1995 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to protect the dwindling elephant population by protecting the elephant corridor between Yala and Uda Walawe. The main entrance to the Park is via Thanamalwila.