Activities & Excursions

In-house activities

The entrance house with its clay walls and Palmyrah roof is a ideal cozy spot for the guests to interact with the local arts and crafts made by the talented local artists. Hand painted canvas paintings of endemic birds and wild life are exhibited with other handicrafts while certain afternoons are filled with live demonstrations of local talent.

Local Cookery demonstrations

Cookery demonstrations done by a local village expert together with our Head Chef, will let the guest partake in an exciting session of preparing local food while identifying local spices and herbs followed by an authentic mouthwatering meal.

Palmyrah weaving

Try out your talents with a talented local palmyrah weaving artisan  to weave an authentic authentic handi-craft which you will get to take home as a souvenir

Flameback Junior Naturalist

Our ‘Junior Naturalist’ programme involves the Juniors partaking in activities around the hotel and lake surroundings with our in-house naturalist to guide them on the importance of conserving nature, sustainable tourism practices and bird spotting. ‘A Junior Naturalist certificate’ is awarded at the end of the programme to encourage the future generation to appreciate the importance of protecting Mother earth!

Out-door activities and Excursions

A stay at Flameback offers you an opportunity to embark on many activities and adventures to ensure a unique and exciting escapade. Our experienced in-house naturalist will ensure to deliver a wide variety of unique nature trails and bird watching hikes. Embark on a game drive in the comfort of a modern safari jeep with an experienced tracker to experience wild life and nature in abundance.

Weerawila Bird Sanctuary: Bird watching nature trail

Nestled within the Weerawila Bird sanctuary, Flameback Eco Lodge is a heaven for endemic bird species. With our expert in-house Naturalist, we invite you to be game to discover some of the rarest birds around. Apart from the surrounding peripheries, we will arrange extraordinary excursions within the Weerawila bird sanctuary. A composite of succulent wetlands, the bird sanctuary attracts over 200 bird species, including the Majestic Junglefowl, Ceylon Woodshrikes, Great Cormorant, Egrets, Swallows, Barbets and many more colourfully chirpy winged species, where our naturalist will show you what to look for while regaling you with noteworthy facts and stories from the bush-hikes.

Debarawewa Lake Bird watching nature trail

Accompanied by our naturalist take the 10 minutes safari jeep drive to the Debarawewa lake. Experience an unseen ecosystem beyond a man made haven, with dense woodlands, crystal clear waterways alongside the lake to enjoy the scenery, the biodiversity in the form budding life; both flora and fauna. Arm yourself with a set of binoculars, as you spot Black-headed ibis, Crested Serpents, Eagles, Rosy Starlings, Large Egrets and Red-wattled Lapwings.

10 Minutes drive

Bundala National Park

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. The Bundala National Park has been identified as an outstanding bird habitat in the South Indian and Sri Lankan wetlands. 324 species of vertebrates have been recorded in the national park, which include 32 species of fish, 15 species of amphibians, 48 species of reptiles, 197 species of birds and 32 species of mammals. 52 species of butterflies are among the invertebrates.

15 Minutes drive

Yala National Park- the wildlife excursion

With its variety of biomes – spectacular monsoons, thorn garnished hedges, grasslands, freshwater and marine wetlands charted by the sandy beaches of the untouched south-eastern coast, it is the largest and by far the richest insignia in biodiversity, boasting of 44 different resident mammal species and one of the highest leopard population densities in the world. Being home to over dozens of reptile species including turtles, crocodiles, flying snakes and elegant fan-throated lizards, Yala also witnesses no less than 215 resident and migrant species, of which the magnificent peacock is one of the most common.

35 Minutes drive

Lunugamwehera National Park

The national park is an important habitat for water birds and elephants. This national park also serves as a corridor for elephants to migrate between Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park. . Rich in biodiversity the park is a habitat for a large number of wild elephants and wild buffaloes. Other species of animals that can be sighted at the park are Fishing Cat, Grey Mongoose, Bear, Wild Boar and Spotted Deer.

30 Minutes drive

Fresh water fishing Excursion

If you wish for a more relaxing activity, a catamaran ride alongside a local fisherman in the Weerawila Lake is a must. Meandering along the calm waters of this lake, with just the swish of the oars and the melodic sounds of the birds breaking the silence is a spectacular excursion. Dawn is the perfect time to go across the Weerawila Lake with the sun sparkling on the water and if you are lucky you might grab the ‘catch of the day’

Village Tour

Experience the transition, the unforgettable sights, food and sounds of the village folk; the simplicity of the ethnic community who enjoy a unique lifestyle that’s humble, artistic, entertaining & touching. Witness the grandeur of a paddy field and the pride of harvesting their vital source of livelihood; the rice. Surprise your senses with a local drink such as thambili, wood apple or watermelon while you experience the sights and sounds of meticulous pottery making, chena farming and Palmeyrah weaving. You can also opt to have a traditional Sri Lankan meal with a village family, savouring the mouthwatering delights of village cuisine in rustic surroundings; a taste of its’ own- an experience to last a lifetime.

Cycle ride around the local vicinity

The Kingdom of Lord Skandha- Kataragama tour

A vibrant bliss of pomp and procession, piety and religious extravagance and known as the most holy city in Sri Lanka drawing a resolute population of Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Veddah people, Kataragama is the city full of life and incessant lights. Sacred to a local deity often identified with the resident god; lord Skandha, the city boasts of the most outlandish of legends with magic floats in clouds of incense with its’ history dating back to the 2nd century BC.

30 Minutes drive

Udawalawe National Park – Elephant Safari

The sighting of wild elephants at close range; the frolic of the giants and their offspring in the crystal waters; the eventful sighting of an occasional leopard, the colossal kingdoms of crocodiles, buffalo, Sambar deer, Lizards and water monitor along with a myriad species of birds awaits you in Udawalawe National Park, a major eco tourism destination in Sri Lanka with an enigmatic 30,821 hectares within the dry zone which also houses an Elephant Transit Home owned by the Department of Wild Life Conservation.

45 Minutes drive

Hambantota Botanical Gardens

Known as the largest in the country with a spellbinding fusion of flora, fauna, foliage and cacti, the Hambantota Botanical Garden stands gallantly on a 300-acre entirely utilized land extent, flamboyant within the dry zone amidst spasms of drought. It is also the first and only dry zone garden and the first botanic garden to be designed and constructed by a Sri Lankan with the futuristic intent in conserving the beautiful mass of biome from being extinct.

30 Minutes drive

Ridiyagama Open Zoo

The Rdidiyagama park is the first ever open safari park in Sri Lanka. It is divided in to into six zones, where carnivorous animals are in 4 zones and herbivores animals are in 2 zones. Carnivore animals such as lions, tigers and leopards can be seen in the carnivore section.

The first phase with the 35-acre African Lion Zone, 54-acre Sri Lanka Elephant Zone and 80 acres World Zone is now ope to the public. African, Asian, Australian Zones and a small animal kingdom can also be seen with kangaroos, buffalos, Ostrich and many other species of animals can be seen while being driven in the comfort and safety of a coach or Safari Jeep with a running commentary from a Sarai guide.

45 Minutes drive

Rekawa Turtle Hatchery

Five species of turtles struggle ashore to lay their eggs on Rekawa Beach. Groups are led to nest sites to witness these beautiful creatures. Rekawa Turtle Watch, situated on beachfront territory just a few kilometers east of the town of Tangalle is a hatchery and sanctuary as is the Kosgoda Project. Currently it holds a great deal of importance to the turtle population of the world as five out of the seven marine turtle species actually nest here and most of them are those of the cosmopolitan green turtle, although the gigantic leatherback is also an occasional visitor.

1 Hour drive

Mirrissa Whale watching tour

Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do in Sri Lanka during your holiday. In the warm Indian ocean you can see Blue whales, Bryde´s whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales as well as Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and Striped dolphins.

2.5 Hours drive