A collection of forest reserves and national parks in the hill country make for interesting excursions for the nature-lover.

Horton Plains National Park comprises of montane grassland and cloud forest, and is home to many endemic species of both flora and fauna. While a healthy population of leopards consider Horton Plains home, they are rarely seen in the daytime. However, a fascinating landscape, birds, primates, and smaller critters make Horton Plains a must-visit destination. The views from the 'World’s End' cliff are stunning on a clear day as well.

Hakgala Botanical Gardens - first established in 1861 - is home to over 10,000 species of trees and plants. It also plays a key role in the classic folk tale, the Ramayana. Galway’s Land National Park is a small forest reserve in the town of Nuwara Eliya and is considered by birders, along with the adjacent Victoria Park, as a key birding site in Sri Lanka as over 30 native species are recorded to be resident here. Kitulgala (also known as Makandawa Forest Reserve) is a tropical rainforest and is considered a birder’s paradise too.

Excursions to each of these forest reserves are in the company of an experienced resident naturalist.