Sunday Times 2
Step out of the resorts, step into the wilds
View(s):Cinnamon’s nature-loving resorts, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, Habarana Village by Cinnamon and Cinnamon WildYala are now offering guests a ‘wild’ experience with expert naturalists from Cinnamon Nature Trails (CNT), an award-winning wildlife and adventure tourism division of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts giving guided walks around the resort premises.
At Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, the once abandoned chena cultivation is now a thriving home for over 1700 trees, 190 birds, countless mammals and a herd of visiting elephants. A guided walk across the 27 acre land would allow the visitor to see the landscapes complemented by the flora and fauna. An entire garden has been dedicated just for the many butterfly species that have made the resort premises their home. Thus, what once was a human-made habitat is now a flourishing ecosystem.
At Habarana Village by Cinnamon, it’s the simple harmony of a rural Sri Lankan village, that guests savour. Situated in close proximity to the Kaudulla and Minneriya National Parks, here too, guests are more than welcome to take guided walks among the large expanse of the resort to experience the sounds and sights of elephants, monkeys and exotic birds.
At Cinnamon Wild Yala, it’s an invitation to wine, dine, swim and sleep in the border of the Yala National Park. Guests might find themselves wide eyed with excitement at having sighted a spotted deer or rare bird. The Yala National Park is home to many of Sri Lanka’s endemic wildlife, Asian elephants, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, wild boar and a variety of birds.Guests will experience the perfect blend of comfort and the wild just by taking a guided stroll around the premises. The resort was recently shortlisted as a finalist of the ‘2017 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards’ for its sensitive philosophy of ensuring the perfect balance between benefits to the community and its pristine environment.
For more information on these excursions, contact Cinnamon Nature Trails on 071-072 6943.