Tissamaharama | Sri Lanka

Tissamahara is the perfect base to do a safari in Yala National Park. Yala National Park is the second-largest and most visited park in Sri Lanka because it has the highest leopard density in the world. Here are my must do’s in Tissamaharama.

1) Yala National Park

The main reason people stay at Tissamaharama is to do a safari in Yala National Park. Yala is one of the largest and busiest parks in Sri Lanka. You have the best chances here to spot a leopard in the whole wide world. Besides the leopard, you can also spot some elephants, deers, crocodiles, buffaloes, boars, the Sri Lankan sloth bear, and birds.

Read my Yala National Park safari tour guide here to plan your trip to Yala but to also see what I’ve spotted during my safari!
» Yala National Park Safari Guide | Sri Lanka

2) Tissamaharama Lake

We stayed at the Lake Wind Hotel that has a view over Tissamaharama Lake (Tissa Lake). The lake is a reservoir to irrigate the rice fields in Tissamaharama. When we were there, the lake was filled with lotus flowers and locals were taking a swim to refresh themselves. After our safari in Yala, we passed the lake after sunset and it made the scenery more beautiful!

Fun Fact: The trees around Tissa Lake are the residents for fruitbats. We didn’t see those, unfortunately.

3) Debarawewa Lake

When we left our hotel to go to the safari, we first passed Tissa Lake on our right and then passed Debarawewa Lake on our left. The lakes are so enormous and beautiful! We don’t have anything like that in Belgium.

4) Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara & Tissamaharama dagoba

The Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple in Tissamaharama. We didn’t visit this one, but we did visit the Tissamaharama Dagoba. The dagoba is one of the largest stupas in Sri Lanka and we were lucky enough to see people painting it!

Fun Fact: There is a small museum next to the Tissamaharama Dagoba where you can find one of the first toilets and shower heads in the world!

5) Salt Mines

When you’re driving to Yala National Park, you’ll end up passing the salt mines of Tissa. Salt is cultivated from salt lakes that have the color red/pink. We’ve seen a salt lake like this in Senegal. It was fun to see another lake like that again!

6) Stilt Fishermen

Stilt Fishing is a traditional fishing method of Sri Lanka, starting just after World War II. If you want a photo, you have to pay for it.

These were mine 5 must do’s when in Tissamaharama. I hope this will help you shape your visit to Sri Lanka!

Life of a Passion