Don’t let the dragonfly’s whiz past you as you dwell in their ornate beauty. The skills and know how’s of our dragonfly experts can set your gaze on these tiny creatures in their natural habitat. Come dance with the dragonflies with us!!!!
A.M. Talangama Tank is a brief journey to the outskirts of Colombo and proceed to Sinharaja.
Possible species: Elusive Adjutant (Aethriamanta brevipennis), Pied Parasol (Neurothemis tulia), Libellulidae Dragonflies, Orange-faced Sprite (Pseudagrion rubiceps ceylonicum) and Stripe-headed Threadtail (Prodasineura sita), Yellow Featherleg (Copera marginipes) some wetland damselflies Malay Lilysquatter (Paracercion malayanum), Yellow Waxtails (Ceriagrion coromandelianum), including certain pond species, Pinflies, Blue-tails, and Orange-headed Sprites. The list of species for the Tank area is around 24 and growing.
Overnight stay in Sinharaja
After breakfast full day excursion to Sinharaja World Heritage Wilderness area.
Possible Species: Furhstorfer;s Jungle Watcher (Hylaeothemis fruhstorferi) a Sinharaja specialty , Adam’s Gem (Libellago adami), Orange-faced Sprite (Pseudagrion rubiceps ceylonicum), Stripe-headed Threadtail (Prodasineura sita), Yellow Featherleg (Copera marginipes), Forest and river Damselflies and Dragonflies, both adults and larvae. We are likely to find the more rare and endemic forest species
Overnight stay in Sinharaja
After breakfast full day excursion to Sinharaja World Heritage Wilderness Area.
Possible Species: Slope-winged Forestskimmer (Cratilla lineata calverti), Fiery Emperors (Anax immaculifrons), Spine-tufted Skimmers (Orthetrum chrysis), Indigo Dropwings (Trithemis festiva), and Sri Lanka Cascaders (Zygonyx iris ceylonicus)
Asian Pintail (Acisoma panorpoides), Green Skimmer (Orthetrum Sabina), Crimson Dropwings (Trithemis aurora), Sinhalese Shadow Damselfly (Drepanosticta sinhalensis), Blury Forest Damsel (Platysticta maculata) and Drepanosticta, We are likely to find the more rare and endemic forest species
Overnight stay in Sinharaja
After breakfast, drive to Kitulgala via Kelani Valley Forest Reserve.
Possible species: Blury Forest Damsel (Platysticta maculata), Fiery emperors (Anax immaculifrons), Spine-tufted Skimmers (Orthetrum chrysis), Indigo Dropwings (Trithemis festiva), and Sri Lanka Cascaders (Zygonyx iris ceylonicus), River and stream Dragonflies, Damselflies and a few more varieties of forest dwelling flies. Visit Beli-lena archaeological site known to have the largest caves in Sri Lanka dating 12000 years.
Overnight stay in Kitulgala
After breakfast full day excursion around rivers and streams in the Kitulgala area Possible Species: Threadtails (Elattoneura caesia, E. centralis, E. tenax), Ultima Gem (Libellago finalis), Nietner’s Shadowdamsel (Drepanosticta nietneri), and Rivulet Tiger (Gomphidia pearsoni) . The fast flowing water include Iris Cascader (Zygonyx iris ceylonicus) whose larvae cling to stones in waterfalls.
Overnight stay in Kitulgala
After breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya,on the lookout for some more endemic species. Walk around nearby wetlands and on St. Andrew’s Hotel nature trail for new sightings of different forest species.
Afternoon walk to the Hakgala Gardens located about 7 miles outside Nuwara Eliya. Established in 1860, Hakgala Botanical Gardens is the second largest garden in Sri Lanka. Noteworthy species, Mountain Reedlings (Indolestes gracilis) and Common Bluetails (Ischnura senegalensis), Triangle Skimmer (Orthetrum triangulare), Fiery Emperors, Mountain Reedlings, Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii)
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
A.M. After breakfast full day excursion in Nuwara Eliya. Morning walk around the nature trail, estate and streams to look out for Gossamer wings, Emeralds, Brook damselflies (Platycnemididae) and other stream species plus Jewels (Libellago), Skimmers (Orthetrum species).
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast drive to Kandy.Visit the world famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth which houses Lord Buddhas left upper canine tooth.
Afternoon stroll around the hotel gardens and ponds, with chances of spotting an uncommon species. Blackheaded Basker (Aethriamanta brevipennis), known to reside around the area. Triangle Skimmer (Orthetrum triangulare), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), and Blue-eyed Pondcruiser (Epophthalamia vittata cyanocephala) are also seen in the lake area, Dark-glittering Threadtail, Fraser’s Shadowdamsel (Drepanosticta fraseri) and Mountain Shadowdamsels (Drepanosticta Montana).
Overnight stay in Kandy
After breakfast, proceed to sigiriya via Dambulla in lookout for more exotic species of Dragon flies and Damsel flies.Sigiriya Sanctuary is fantastic for dry zone dragonflies that inhabit the ancient water gardens at Sigiriya Sanctuary and surrounding tanks. We look for Elephant Emperor (Anax indicus), Scalloped Spreadwings (Lestes praemorsus decipiens), White-tipped Spreadwings (Lestes elatus) and the elusive Asian Slim (Aciagrion occidentale).
Overnight stay in Sigiriya
A.M. After breakfast on the lookout for some more species. Walk around nearby Wilderness Area
P.M. Proceed to a hotel near the Airport via Kurunegala (Arankele ) looking for the Indian Rock dweller or Granite Ghost (Bradinophyga geminata).
Overnight stay in Katunayaka
Proceed to the Airport in time for departure flight
