Other places to see

Wildlife Parks

• Uda Walawe National Park c700 Elephants, Crocodiles and Birds of Prey
• Yala National Park
• Bundala Reserve

Other Wildlife

• Whale & Dolphin Watching Blue & Sperm Whales
• Rekawa Sanctuary – monkeys, water monitors, mangrove eco system

Places of interest

• Ussangoda
• Galle Fort & Galle Literary Festival in January
• Low Country tea estates
• Ella steam railway waterfalls, tea, spectacular hill scenery views

Religion & Culture

• Tangalle, Mulkirigala Rock Temples
• Kataragama Sacred site where religions & faiths come together

Galle Fort

Galle Fort really deserves its own page on this website and, it is certainly worth spending at least a day or so of your holiday exploring and delving into its history.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, the 17th Galle Fort on Sri Lanka southern coastline is one of Asia's best examples of Dutch fortification. Started by the Portuguese in 1588, construction eventually completed under Dutch rule long after Galle was captured from the Portuguese in 1640, in fact work continued right into the 18th century. As testament to the quality of workmanship and architecture of the day Galle's fort has remained intact ever since. While much of the sea level town of Galle was destroyed by the disastrous Asian Tsunami of 2004 the fort withstood the full force of the waves and, to a large extent prevented more destruction in the town than there might otherwise have been.

Galle and its fort attract many visitors each year, although not in overwhelming numbers. Several investors have renovated and indeed saved many of the dilapidated buildings, mostly with conservation a foremost priority. Hotels, restaurants and few small boutiques now thrive and help sustain Galle's somewhat bohemian atmosphere. A small, stylish expat community now exists but not to the detriment of the towns character. Whilst the local population benefit from extra tourist $s, Sri Lanka's entire tourist industry does so too, particularly with initiatives such as the annual Galle Literary Festival which attracts the big name writers along with associated publicity and ever burgeoning fringe events.

Galle Fort is fascinating and laid back, its mainly Muslim population are as welcoming and friendly as the town is fascinating. Buckingham Place partners with several hotels in Galle to ensure continuity of accommodation quality and hospitality. We can also arrange for you to visit other sights nearby such as the famous stilt fishermen the subject of so many post cards and pictures of Sri Lanka. A night or two is well worth the 2 hour journey although we do advise guests to time their visit carefully as good accommodation can be limited at event time.

 

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