Private Tented Safari Camp Experience in Knuckles
Living Experience
Explorer by Mahoora is a highly unique and immersive experience of living with untamed Sri Lankan wildlife inside National Parks and Nature Reserves across the country. Our Private Tented Safari Camp Experience in Knuckles Mountain range is a surreal escape from city life - to live and breath the fresh mountain air.
The tented accommodation, set amongst a canopy of tall trees hides the sharp rays of the sun, giving a sense of privacy and seclusion. As the rain spatters, at times tropical downpours, you will hear a melody of songs from frogs that were in hiding. The sounds of the water gushing in the adjoining river ( Thelgamu Oya) is therapeutic.
Mornings are simply amazing, as you sit outside the verandah of your tent and sip a cup of warm coffee or tea that has been attentively made and served by our staff. Wake up to the lazy mornings as sunshine creeps slowly through the leaves and to the singing of an array of birdlife that have made those trees their home.
If you are up for more activity, a dip in the river at the lower edge of the campsite or a quick visit to the farmers - to watch them in action in the paddy fields or the Chena (Slash and Burn cultivation).
Accommodation
The Explorer by Mahoora Living Experience combines rustic with modern. Enjoy a spacious, tented accommodation (15.6’x 8’) which includes a cosy bedroom, en-suite bathroom with a flushable toilet and complimentary toiletries, as well as a private veranda/ porch outside the tent. Your stay with us will always be carbon neutral.
Dining Experience
Truly private and relaxing atmosphere of the campsite gives you the kind of ambience that bites into the delectability of Chef’s special for the day. The culinary experience includes a few specialities that have been firm favourites of the locals for generations. Our Special herbal porridge, made with three herbs, is based on an age old recipe that the locals swear by for good health and vitality.
Walking Trails
Walking trails are the best way to explore the beauty of the Misty Mountains, Knuckles range. We have painstakingly developed a number of trails for the faint hearted travellers as well those who seek the thrill and fascination to explore greater heights.
Knuckles Mountain Range
The Knuckles covers parts of the Kandy and Matale districts in Sri Lanka. It is separated from the Central Hills by the Mahaweli Valley to the South and East and the Matale Valley to the West. A mountain range situated in Central Sri Lanka that takes the shape of clenched fists is referred to as Knuckles Mountain range. The colonial British gave this name based on its formation of recumbent folds and peaks. However, it is known in the local tongue as Dumbara Kanduvetiya, meaning ‘mist-laden mountain range’.
It has an amazing diversity of plants, and species that makes it stand out as one of the most amazing places to visit in Sri Lanka. A unique feature here is that the Knuckles seems to have its own climatic microcosm and is home to a higher percentage of the island’s biodiversity - despite its small size. The vegetation found at Knuckles is divided into five types, these are: semi-evergreen, sub montane, montane and riverine forests and the pathana and savannah grasslands.
31 species of mammals have been recorded in the Knuckles, four of which are endemic. Wild Buffalo, Wildboar, Black-naped Hare, Jackal, the endemic Toque Macaque & Purple-faced Leaf Monkey are commonplace. Fishing cats and mouse deer have also been seen.
20 species of amphibians have been recorded in the Knuckles wilderness of which 12 are both endemic and endangered. A highlight is Kirthisinghe’s Rock Frog which is found nowhere else in the world. 53 species of reptiles have been identified here of which 23 are endemic. Most commonly spotted of a nature trek are small geckos, pythons and monitor lizards. Among the endemic lizard species found at Knuckles range are Crestless Lizard (Calotes Leocephalus), Pigmy Lizard (Cophotis ceylonica) and Kangaroo Lizard (Otocryptus Wiegmanni) and the leaf nose lizard (Ceretophora Tennennti) is only found in this forest. There are 25 species of freshwater fish as well.
Over 130 species of birds inhabit the Knuckles Mountain Range and 20 of these are endangered. The endemics are represented by the Sri Lankan white eye, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Layard's Parakeet, Sri Lanka Spur Fowl, Sri Lanka Spot Wing Thrush, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon and the rare Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush. Migrants include Asian Paradise Flycatchers, Kashmir Flycatcher (which is endangered) Indian Pitta, Common Sandpiper, Gray and Forest Wagtails, Greenish Warbler and the Indian Blue Chat.
Weather
The weather is influenced by both locality and the influence of the dry and rainy seasons. Usually the mornings tend to be chilly and as the day progresses, the warmth sets in with a boldness. The temperature can range anywhere from 5 to 35 degrees Celsius while humidity is generally quite high. The rainy season makes its presence from late October and lasts for some months. Strong, gusty winds and sudden, enveloping mists are known to take over without invitation - naturally, Knuckles gives you diversity in climate too. Come evening, the inevitable chill of the night makes you want to gather around the campfire with a warm drink in hand.
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