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| ethical accommodation |
tree tops jungle lodge
philosophy the
central idea of the lodge is living in harmony with nature, and with a
minimum of with infrastructure. life at tree tops is a journey back to
basics - in huts made from clay and wood found in the forest, there is no
electricity, nights are black, bathing is primitive at a freshwater well,
and the mainly vegetarian meals are cooked native style on wood fire. the
management of the lodge depends on local staff and their knowledge of the
jungle. small scale sustainable tourism can hopefully contribute to
reducing the villagers need for hunting and logging in the forest which is
habitat for elephants. saving the forest is one step towards solving the
conflict between humans and
landscape the
area of tree tops is hidden between a long range of steep mountains and
the protected yala np, and share flora and fauna with the sanctuary. the
uninhabited landscape is a variety of abandoned fields, lakes, and forest.
the vegetation consists of thorny scrub jungle and tall dry zone tropical
forest with rare trees such as ebony. the jungle has many plants of
medicinal value, all used by the natives of the area who know the art of
traditional ayurvedic plant medicine.
nights
in elephant country nights
in the jungle are an experience of darkness and strange sounds. most
prominent of our wild visitors at tree tops are the wild elephants passing
close by. usually they are very silent but frequently we hear them
breaking branches or trumpeting. if you’re lucky you might even hear the
‘song of elephants’ – herds long distance communicating with sound
waves like whales. this is a night phenomena; a most rare experience.
elephants are always on the move and they come and go in the area around
tree tops. yala and bordering forests host approximately 500 elephants,
making this area of sri lanka a most important elephant habitat with a
density about one elephant per 2.5 km2.
birds with
161 species birding is excellent. a few common birds: asian paradise
flycatcher, green beeeater, baya weawer, and endemics like sri lankan
hanging parrot, sri lankan jungle fowl and grey- and malabar pied
hornbill. excursions all
excursions are on foot and escorted by a tree tops team. an exciting walk
late afternoon goes to the weliara lake at the border of the national
park. especially during dry periods herds of elephants are attracted to
this waterhole.
ambience
contact details:
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