Ranweli Holiday Village and day trips

Hi All

My wife and I are considering staying here for a week in Oct/Nov this year as, after reading the reviews on here, it sounds just what we are after.

My question at present is regarding the trips/excursions that will be possible from here. We would like be able to see the wildlife and culture which Sri Lanka has as opposed to just staying by the pool. Will getting to the elephant orphanage, the wildlife parks and other areas of interest be feasible from here? If so, will it be easy to arrange and also inexpensive?

We are not used to travelling to countries such as this as we ususlly go to the US of A so are a little nervous and unsure about what to expect from this trip so any help and advice which can be provided will be greatly appreciated.

many thanks

Ranweli Holiday Village and day trips

Hi there

We have stayed at Ranweli twice within the last 18 months and can certainly recommend it. We have used it at the beginning and end of our holiday, touring inbetween, but we also did things whilst staying here.

Being an eco/wildlife hotel, the tours it specialises in mostly have a nature theme. I still have the notes the hotel gave me when we inquired about trips in Jan 2007, together with the prices they quoted at that time - it might be a little bit more now. Here goes:

Nature Walk - Ranweli premises - 2 hrs Rs500 p.p (about £2.50 each)

Birdwatching from Ranweli by boat - 4 hrs Rs1500 p.p.

Cycle tours 2 hrs Rs500 p.p.

4 hrs Rs750 p.p.

7 hrs Rs1000 p.p.

Archaelogical sites - Panduwasnuwara and Yapahuwa - 1 day tour, incl. of lunch Rs6000 p.p.

Birding in Anawihundawa (?) ';Ramsar'; wetland from 7.30 to 3.30, all incl. Rs4000 p.p.

Boat trips are available, taking you up river from Ranweli and they point out all the wildlife like water monitors, sea snakes, brahminy kites, kingfishers, bee eaters, etc. etc. That only cost us £5 for the 5 of us, took about an hour and was really worth doing.

They were also able to arrange any tour we wanted, but in the end we settled for the nature walk which really was brilliant, as was the cycle tour. Some of the other options seemed rather expensive to us.

If you want to do things like the elephant orphanage, the hotel could certainly organise it for you, but I would recommend using ';Anthoney';, who is the local entrepreneur and runs a seafood restaurant just outside of Ranweli gates. He is well known and respected, even by the hotel and to be honest, he will do any trip for you a lot cheaper (We even did a night time drive to Adams Peak to climb it by sunrise - not really recommended from this area, I might add - it is an exhausting 4/5 hour drive, then a 3 hr climb, but we were determined to do it and I have no regrets!! I only mention it because Anthoney could even arrange that and anything is possible if you want to do it.)

Don%26#39;t hesitate or worry about going to Sri Lanka, or to Ranweli. It is a fantastic place and you will love it.

Sue

Ranweli Holiday Village and day trips

Hi SusieStAustell

Thanks for replying so quickly, that has really put our minds at ease to know that we can do plenty at what appear to be very affordably prices.

I don;t suppose you know what the weather is likely to be like at this time of year? from what I have seen it is likely to be hot and wet.

Hello again

Oct/Nov is certainly not the best time of year in Sri Lanka, but nothing is as bad as the weather we get here! I would not be put off going at this time of year anyway.

The sea will be quite rough but at Ranweli, because the beach shelves quite steeply, I wouldn%26#39;t say it is ever a good place for swimming, although the beach is very clean and attractive and is covered with exotic shells. Stick to the pool which is gorgeous and looks out over the lovely beach.

Yes, you are likely to get some rain, but it doesn%26#39;t rain all day or every day. It tends to come in later in the afternoon/eve/overnight and often it%26#39;s a quick downpour before the sun reappears. You can more or less guarantee some sunshine at any time of the year in Sri Lanka and it is ALWAYS hot. Ahh ... lovely. Six weeks, six days before we%26#39;re back there again.....

Sue

Thanks again Sue

Have a great time when you%26#39;re there

Ranweli is a great hotel, I have visited the hotel many many times over the years. Its location is fab, which I am sure you read about, and is an Eco-friendly hotel. There are many species of birds to be seen, and they even arrange a small boat tour from the hotel around the peninsula to see the birds etc. The hotel is sooooo accommodating when it comes to organising trips to see the local areas, wildlife and cultural area.

There are so really nice restaurants in Negombo and you can always arrange a driver to take you of an evening for a few hours to have dinner and look around the nik nak type shops.

Do plan what you want to do, and you can always contact the hotel in advance for the excursions they can arrange etc.

I am sure you will have a lovely time.

Hi,

I hope you have chosen to visit Ranweli in November this year.

Due to its strategic location trips/excursions can be organised to many cultural sites and even Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.Please speak to Ramani the Guest Relations Officer who will assist you.

Ranweli is a wonderful eco resort and you will definitely enjoy your stay.

Many thanks,

Hi

Please does anyone know how much a night it costs to stay at the Ranweli hotel and what food is available .

Thanks

Ian

Hi

Ian

Check their website:

http://www.ranweli.com/

Hans

Hi Hans

Thank you so much I will do that I hadnt seen the site before

Yours with thanks

Ian