In February of 2018 we visited Sri Lanka or the first time. it proved to be one of our favorite trips ever-one because Nature Caves tours is so amazing and enjoyable and two because Sri Lanka has so much to offer the international traveller.
From the minute we arrived at CMB and the driver Saminda who picked us up out of customs-the tour was flexible comfortable informative and personalized. Saminda was the best guide we have ever experienced anywhere in the world and I have visited 85 countries! A diehard world traveller.HE took us to our hotel since midnight and picked us up unruly the next morning. He even gave us a cell phone to use to keep in touch with him if wee needed anything or wanted to adjust each days start time/pick up. We adventured for ten days and went from Negombo to Pinnhalle to see the elephants and then on to overnight in Kandy at a tropical boutique hotel that was beautiful , had a gorgeous view down t Kandy and had a fantastic restaurant. After a wonderful tour of Kandy’ “Buddhist Tooth” Temple-we drove to a tea plantation for an interesting tour. Then on to overnight in Ella for a few days where we hiked, took I the mountain views and enjoyed the cooler climates as Kandy also had. Then we continued (saw monks and waterfalls) to a new resort in Udawalawe that was fantastic 4-5 star quality. We want on an afternoon safari -just as Saminda and the jeep driver. Fantastic-lots of big birds, crocodiles, elephants, etc. Next day we went on to Yala. We stopped to see thousands of fruit bats in the trees in a town on the way. Then we stayed at a very nice hotel in Yala for 2 nights. We went on safari in Yala visited) too and saw one leopard (main reason we went to Yala) tons of elephants, water buffaloes, wild pigs, crocodiles, birds, etc. Then we went on to overnight in Tangalle-a wonderful British guy owned resort that was al around superb/first class. With a lagoon behind our spacious and architecturally beautiful bungalow and the beach on the other side! Food was gourmet and landscape beautiful. Then we went to Galle and stayed in a hundreds of years old boutique hotel. Very interesting and neat old town great for walking and enjoying the many bars shops and restaurants. Then we headed up the west coast and had lunch at the 5 star Taj resort in Bentota Beach and took Saminda to lunch as eel-which he so deserved. We continued back to our same hotel in Negombo to overnight. next day a flight over to the Maldives and Saminda picked us up and made sure we flew out successfuly.
I honestly think Saminda and Nature Escapes in the best in Sri Lanka and will provide a once in a lifetime adventure around Sri Lanka. He was super nice, knowledgeable, accommodated every possible need and request and overall just a fantastic host and friend by the end!