OrnithVacations ~ Bird Specialist and Wildlife specialist Tour Leaders and Guides in Sri Lanka

" Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value

I was invited to join a two week birding trip to Sri Lanka for February 2020 to be led by Tharanga Herath (OrnithVacations). Birding in Southeast Asia has always been a desire but time, money, and other typical excuses always interfered with this wish. After visiting Sri Lanka, I can only say that anyone placing other travel destinations above this special place need to reassess their plans.

Our group wanted to try and see all of the country endemic species while getting great views of many of the varied avian species. We also were interested in seeing the natural scenery of the country and it's varied wildlife (elephants, turtles, butterflies, bats, etc.) Tharanga is one of the most talented and knowledgeable birders in the country. He worked tirelessly to make sure our group did not miss anything. In fact, we saw every country endemic and my country list of birds well exceeded my hope of 200 species (222!!).

Besides all the great birding and wildlife viewing, the travel bus, hotels, food and other amenities were first class. I've been on a number of bird tours over the years, and can't remember staying in nicer places, eating better food or being driven around in such a comfortable vehicle.

There are many birding hotspots around the world that someday I plan to visit but when people ask, I now say you need to get to Sri Lanka. And definitely travel with OrnithVacations."

- Ted Ross, New Jersey, USA. May, 2020.

Tharanga Herath did a great job of setting up and leading our recent birding trip. Accommodations, meals & transportation all top notch. By relying on his many years of expertise, we maximized our time and efforts and succeeded in locating all the endemic birds of this lovely island. I'd recommend OrnithVacations without hesitation, and I'd go birding with Tharanga again in a heartbeat. Great job!!"

- Jim Rowoth, Stockton, CA, USA. Feb, 2020

Ornithvacations (Pvt) Limited is a travel company established, run and collaborated by a team of well-experienced wildlife & tourism experts from Sri Lanka. The team has actively engaged in wildlife observation, research, conservation and tourism over the years. The aim of this establishment is to use their passion, expertise and experience on natural and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka effectively through a conservation- oriented and sustainable travel company. We promote the real splendour- both natural and cultural- of this wonderful island cradled in the tropical Indian Ocean. We welcome those who are looking to tour one of the most pleasant tropical destinations in the world, by providing them the company of accomplished guiding and hospitality. The keen traveller who tours with us will receive the benefit of our field experience being shared with, and will be served professionally to enjoy the island’s heritage with accuracy.

Tharanga is a well-known name in Birding circles, who has years of experience in leading birding tours with an extensive ornithological knowledge on avifauna of Sri Lanka.

Influenced by his childhood grown passion on ornithology and the birds of Sri Lanka, he gained vast field knowledge of the birdlife as well as other wildlife of Sri Lanka, through his studies and his regular traversing across all habitats of the island. After completion of his Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries and Marine Science, he qualified himself further to receive the National Tourist Guide Lecturer License in Sri Lanka, which authorized him to conduct tour leading business. He started his tourism career in 2005 and has been leading birding/butterfly & other wildlife tours since 2008. Over the years in this sphere, he has been highly commended by all keen birders and wildlife enthusiasts who travelled with him, for his professional expertise and hospitality.

Tharanga, who engaged in various researches on fauna of Sri Lanka volunteers as an instructor for the birds study group of Young Zoologists’ Association in Sri Lanka and an active member of Ceylon Bird Club, which is the foremost authority dedicated for the birdlife of Sri Lanka. Tharanga has been conducting lectures for state as well as other institutions on wildlife conservation over the years. He served as the Secretary of Sri Lanka Turtle Conservation Project, which was a project partner of GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project that was conducted in 8 Asia- pacific countries during 2014/2017.

Apart from being a professional birder, Tharanga is a leading bird and wildlife artist in Sri Lanka with an international recognition! Please visit his website www.tharangaherath.com for his aesthetic career. He has quite recently established a new website known as Birding.lk to share his bird sightings with a vision of creating awareness and conservation.

With over 25 years of experiences & expertise in birding and with professional experiences he earned as a freelance Bird Tour Leader, Tharanga founded OrnithVacations Private Limited with his like- minded colleagues. At present he serves as the head of the company while being a Specialist Tour Leader.

"It was my pleasure to visit Sri Lanka on a birdwatching trip led by Tharanga Herath. He is, without doubt, one of the best wildlife guides I’ve met on many such tours I’ve made perusing this hobby and helped raised my life bird count to over 5000 species. Not only is he expert in this sphere but I was delighted to learn he is a superb wildlife painter. I was very pleased add some, including one commissioned of a pair of blue nuthatches taken from one of my photographs, to my collection done by internationally famous wildlife artists. I can heartily recommend him" -Malcolm Silver MD, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto.

Mekhala is a founder member of OrnithVacations and engage mainly in public relations matters of the company. She had an enthusiasm in nature and culture in her childhood and highly influenced being loving wife of Tharanga. Her quick learning skills are shown as now she has an extensive knowledge in birding and specially on Butterfly fauna of the island. Her enthusiasm of ancient monuments of the island contributes largely on running the cultural section of the company.

With the long- held professional experience at a leading telecommunication provider, Mekhala plays a major role in Management and Communication of OrnithVacations (pvt) Limited.

'Dammi' is a well known name in birding tourism community, who has a vast range of tour leading experience as well as extensive knowledge on Sri Lankan Birdlife, Butterflies & other fauna. He is a specialist in flora as well. He has been leading birding & wildlife tours since 2003 and has been professionally engaged full time in birding and wildlife tourism industry over the years. Dammi is a founder member of Sri Lanka Youth Exploration Society and was a key member in various research teams who had done pioneering work on fauna and flora of the island. Further Dammi's eye had captured the splendour of the butterfly wing on film through his camera to hold a photographic exhibition called " Silent Wings".

Priyantha is an archaeology expert, who knows each and every stone in cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. Priyantha, who grown up and living in second ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka- Polonnaruwa, had the opportunity to explore each and every known historical site there, as well as in adjacent cultural highlights. With the passion for history and hidden wonders he has been guiding for 17 years with his multilingual skills. Priyantha is familiar too with the natural history of Cultural Triangle, influenced by his work as naturalist in one the prime hotels in wild Sigiriya. Priyantha who met Tharanga in 2006, when both were studying for national tourist Guide Lecturer License, is a great supplement to the team at OrnithVacations, as he is our cultural expert !

Sunil is one of the seniour-most Birding and Mammal tours chauffeur guides in Sri Lanka. His passion in wildlife was grown up during his childhood days spent in Wilpattu- the country of Leopards, Bear and the Elephant up on their family’s well recognized dedication in conservation. He’s been engaged in Birding & wildlife tourism for about 30 years and now serves for OrnithVacations. Sunil, a novel character has loads of delighted clients travelled with him, for his amazing ability in finding & spotting the most- wanted, led by his expertise in managing tours.

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