Sri Lanka, an island paradise, is home to some of the most beautiful natural locations in South Asia. A place of gorgeous waterscapes, thick forests and colourful flora and fauna, the country draws in many nature lovers from across the world each year. Contrary to its popular image of “sun, sand and beach”, most of the central regions in this charming nation are cool, green and rich with rain forests.
Horton Plains is one of Sri Lanka’s most stunning attractions. Declared a national park in 1988, Horton Plains is a protected area that is situated on the south of the Central Highlands of the country between Nuwara Eliya and Haputale. It consists of lush montane grasslands, cloud forests and is 2500 metres above sea level. It also boasts a diverse range of birds, mammals and indigenous plants. This World Heritage Site was named after the British Governor of Ceylon, Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton. Today, Horton Plains remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka, with the famous World’s End and Baker’s Falls being the highlight of this natural wonder.
Horton Plain is a magnificent 3160 hectares in land area and the largest existing cloud forest of the country. The island’s main rivers, Mahaweli, Kelani and Walawe, all have their headwaters at Horton Plains. The flora found at Horton Plains is divided into two distinctive categories, the wet patana and the subtropical evergreen montane forests. With a forest canopy of feet, the vegetation at these plains includes over 750 plants belonging to 20 families. Out of 54 woody plant species found, 27 are endemic to Sri Lanka. Waterlogged swamps and slow moving streams are also found here.
Amongst the rich wildlife seen at Horton Plains, there are 24 species of mammals, 87 species of birds, nine species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians. The Sambar Deer is the largest and most commonly seen animal here, whilst Sri Lankan leopards, wild boars, Grizzled giant squirrels, Stripe-necked Mongooses and Stripe-necked Mongooses are also amongst the many types of animals that can be spotted. The Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka White-Eye, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, and Yellow-fronted Barbet are only some of the many beautiful species of birds that can be seen at Horton Plains.
There are many Sri Lanka hotels that are in close proximity to Horton Plains and provide great accommodation for their guests. Accommodation in Nuwara Eliya is the best option for those who wish to visit the reserve, and the Jetwing Warwick Gardens is an excellent choice for a comfortable and luxurious stay.
