Explore the Stunning Wonders of Seethawaka Botanical Garden
Seethawaka Botanical Garden 42-hectare (106-acre) is located near Avissawella in the village of Ilukovita in Sri Lanka. This botanical garden covers 79 acres. The park was initially established as a rubber and tea plantation in the 20th century and later became a park called “Pannaagula”. Also, this is one of the five botanical gardens in Sri Lanka.
The Sabaragamuwa mountain range surrounds it, and the views from the garden are breathtaking. The Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanical Garden is referred to as “Little Nuwara Eliya” because of its scenic beauty and the cool climate.
Only a 90-minute drive you can reach to this garden, from Colombo. If you enjoy spending time outside close to Colombo, this is the ideal location for that with beauty of the nature.
Main Purpose of the Seethawaka Botanical Garden
Its main purpose is to perform as a research area and conservation area for threatened and endangered plant species in the Sinharaja Rainforest which is a biodiversity hotspot. This is not a traditional botanical garden in the country, the Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanic Gardens are mainly composed of plants rather than flowers.
The garden has a cool temperature, and the Kumbuk foliage is large, mainly throughout the garden. Also, it’s a calm place where you can further observe well-maintained landscaping.
Main Locations of Seethawaka Botanical Garden
Indigenous Flora
Here you can find rare and unique species found nowhere else on Earth, including the captivating orchids, ferns, and medicinal herbs.
Orchid Paradise
Seethawaka Botanical Garden is home to a dedicated orchid house. You can lose yourselves in the beauty of these delicate and colorful blooms, each with its own distinctive charm.
Japanese Garden
This is the most beautiful location of the garden, and it is hard to imagine that such a picture-perfect scene could exist there. It contains a little bridge and a sand garden in the middle of a lawn with well manicured grass, groomed plants, and smaller flower patches.
Ferns Garden
The Ferns Garden has a nice stream running through it, and the entire area is cold and shaded, which creates the perfect climate for the growth of wet zone ferns. It has more than a thousand fern species that are native to the nation’s wet zone.
Rose Garden
A great location at the peak. More than 75 different types of colorful roses may be seen in the Rose Garden. There are many different hybrid rose kinds, ranging from red velvet to those with yellow, orange, pink, and purple.
View Point
It provides the greatest overall panoramic view of the garden and the nearby mountain range. In the distance, green hills tipped the blue sky, and views of the exquisite garden and picturesque lake provided picture perfect images.
Kumbuk Grove
One of the distinctive locations of the Seethawaka Botanical Garden is this Kumbuk forest. You can get the nicest fresh air and a refreshing wind in the cool, shaded location.
Hiking Trail
The entire 3.5 mile track is worth trekking for everyone who enjoys the beauty of the outdoors. You may pass many plant kinds, including local indigenous trees. The name and biological name of each tree are listed on a name board. The path has a slight elevation rise, but it is not a difficult or rigorous climb. You can make the hike more enjoyable by the cold, pure air and mountain wind.
Boat Ride at Seethawaka Botanical Garden
Visitors can also enjoy a boat ride at the man-made lake built using the natural water flow from the nearby hills.
You can observe many varieties of wet zone plant species in the Seethawaka Botanical Garden. The threatened and vulnerable endemic plant species have been exported to the area from the Sinharaja Rain Forest, and then it has been conserved to grow and protect those plant species.
Food and Beverages at Seethawaka Botanical Garden
A food outlet is situated inside the garden, which is not far from the main gate. You can buy food and other necessities from that outlet. Also, you can bring your food inside the park.
Traveling inside the Seethawaka Botanical Garden
A nicely paved path directs to the summit of the park at which visitors can relax a bit and observe the garden below and the mountainous surroundings. By foot or you can rent an electric golf cart from the entrance if you wish.
Seethawaka Botanical Garden travel inside the garden by golf carts
Facilities of the Seethawaka Botanical Garden
There are good sanitation facilities available in the Seethawaka Botanical Garden. Water taps and resting areas are also available for visitors. The garden is also a fantastic spot for photoshoots. It is also open for shooting a music video or a film.
Getting to Seethawaka Botanical Garden
Seethawaka Botanical Garden is located in Illukowita, between Puwakpitiya and Labugama close to Avissawella. The easiest route to the gardens is through Avissawella Road. Take the Puwakpitiya – Thunmodara road from the Puwakpitiya Railway Station. Travel 6 km to read the garden on the right.
Another route is to take the Bope road from Padukka and reach Labugama from Bope. From Labugama take the Puwakpitiya – Thunmodara road and travel for 3.5 km to reach the gardens.
Other Attractions near by Seethawaka Botanical Garden
From Labugama to Puwakpitiya, you will also pass the Dambora Ella Waterfall and Thunmodara Ella Waterfall. Traveling from Puwakpitiya you will pass the Kumari Wala Ella waterfall. Ella Uda Ella waterfall lies very close to the garden and can be reached from the by-road in front of the gardens.
- Dambora Ella Waterfall
- Thunmodara Ella Waterfall
- Kumari Wala Ella waterfall
- Ella Uda Ella waterfall
Opening Days and Opening Hours
The garden is open the whole year. It is suggested mornings and evenings are the perfect time to visit this beautiful garden.
Open Days all 365 days
Opening Hours 7.30 AM – 6.00 PM
Ticketing Hours 7.30 AM – 5.00 pm
Seethawaka Botanical Gardens Entrance Fees
Local Rates
Local Adults: 200 LKR
Local Children below 12 years and School Children: 30 LKR
Local Adults over 60 (NIC proof needed): 50 LKR
Rates for Foreigners
Foreign Adults: 3000 LKR
Foreign School and University Students ((Must have satisfactory proof): 2000 LKR
Foreign Children (5 to 12 years): 1500 LKR
Electric Car Ride Rates
Electric Cars (4 seater) – 1 hour ride: 1000 LKR
Electric Cars (8 seater) – 1 hour ride: 2000 LKR
Vehicle Parking charged
