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TASKS : An idyllic setting for campers The village Kuda Oya is sandwiched in-between the top edge of the Deep South dry zone and the southern sloppy end of the wet zone. As result, mild weather prevails in the area throughout the year. Going out camping in Thanamalwila somewhat a surprised my friends, naturally as it sounds more dry and crusty. Thanamalwila is popularly known for its wildlife and cannabis (ganja) cultivations. Camping is somewhat a new experience to the area, which began few years ago. Camping by the banks of Kirindi Oya was indeed an experience for me. TASKS safari campsite is located just outside of Kuda Oya village bordering Kirindi Oya and surrounded by the jungle. A vehicle can reach it in five to five and half hours drive from Colombo via Ratnapura, Pelmadulla, Uda Walawe, and Tanamalwila. TASKS (Trans Asia Safari Kamp Service) Camping site is centrally located surrounded by three main nature reserves. Udawalawe, Lunugamvehera, and Yala are the closest wildlife sanctuaries. Owned by Leisure and Boutique Hotels Limited, TASKS has 27 permanent double and family tents in a five-acre land, of the six hectares of jungle set aside for the campsite. It has been cleared of undergrowth to make way for the tents, with the large shade trees left standing the rest of the land grows wild, and the rustic appearance of the camp blends well with the pristine environment. As I entered the campsite, the sound of the huge water flow of the southern bound Kirindi Oya after a heavy downpour for the past 48 hours and the wet smell of the tree leaves, set my mind to the jungle atmosphere, which I was really looking forward. TASKS is within easy reach of protected areas filled with bird and other wildlife and Handapanagala, the unprotected but popular for wild elephants. Although it is a campsite by name, each tent is spacious, tastefully designed and is equipped with - an attached toilet, a hollow log shower, wash basin designed to a natural rock shape, to make the camp more interestingly comfortable. Under the new management, TASKS is now under the leadership of veteran hotelier Ranjan Peiris. Former GM of Eden Hotel and Light House Hotel, Ranjan has made TASKS a new era in luxury camping. ‘Here, the concept is camping. Typical tents and makeshift toilets is not the style. Camping with few luxuries. Some of the old camps had been refurbished. Seven old style riverbank camps have been demolished and I have replaced them with elevated wooden floors. The canvas has been the usual cover for each tent, which has no electricity other than for the toilets’ Ranjan said. Nearly 75 guests can be accommodated in these 27 permanent tents at a given time, giving every person the chance to have a closer experience with nature and enjoy its beauty and tranquility. Comfort beds, toilets with modern fittings, open to jungle bathing in a hollow log shower, mosquito nets and hurricane lamps are the top attraction of the tents. Meals are served in tastefully designed mess hall ‘Gajamutu’ and newly build ‘Antlers’ which can accommodate nearly 150 pax with BBQ dinner and a nightly bonfire. Mainly village style dishes with traditional vegetables from the area are served with meat items. ‘ It depends on the occupancy. We serve normal rice and curry buffet during the lunchtime and BBQ buffet at night’ Ranjan added. River BBQ and bush dinner in the jungle are one of the attractions of the TASKS culinary service. ‘Also, if we have enough requests for excursion dinner, the makeshift kitchen and the staff will be moved on to the rock at Handapanagala Tank for adventure type dinner on it. Full moon would be an ideal setting for this type of dinner outing’ Chef Ranjith explained. During daytime, campers delight in spending many happy hours relaxing in the Kirindi Oya River, refreshing themselves after hot and dusty safaris. A well-stocked jungle bar – ‘Diya’ is indeed a relaxing place for most of us after heavy safaris around the area. TASKS arrange excursions to Bundala, Yala, or Udawalawe National Parks with picnic lunch and refreshments. Wildlife ranging from elephants, leopards, wild buffalos, sambhur, deer, wild boar, jackals, bears and crocodile to various tropical birds are the main attractions in these places. Trekking along Kirindi Oya for about 250 yards, crossing the river, and entering the Lunugamwehera Nature Reserve is a must to a visitor to TASKS. Trekking for approximately 3 kms through thick vegetation and climbing a rock, which has a scenic view. There is an abundance of bird life around this area. ‘If you are lucky you may spot a few elephants. This trek is recommended only for the physically fit.’ He added. Debera Ara is a unique safari conducted only by TASKS.‘If you like adventure, this is the ideal safari for you. You enter the Debera Ara jungle by jeep and then you trek by foot into the jungle. You may encounter elephant, bear, wild boar and numerous exotic brids’ Manager of TASKS Bandula Wijetunga said. There are several other cultural and archeological sites close to Thanamalwila. Buduruwagala, Kataragama and Dowe Temple are few to mention. Buduruwagala is a huge statue of Lord Buddha carved out of soild rock. Legend has it that Buduruwagala is a work of a man whose mentor was the stonemason who carved the world famous Aukana statue in Anuradhapura. Climbing a rock outcrop in the dry zone jungles of Wanawagawa and sitting around a bonfire enjoying a drink while dinner/snacks are prepared on the rock itself. ‘A place of unbelievable serene beauty where on a clear night you can almost reach out and touch the stars. On certain days you might be able to see creatures of the night strolling beneath the rock drinking water from natural pools in the rock.’ Manager explained. According to Ranjan Peiris, there will be few more additions to the campsite. ‘There will be Tree Huts and that will be designed specially for children.’ He said |
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