Meet the rareness of nature at Aliya Resort & Spa!

When you are surrounded by nature, you witness a world often missed by many. A few minutes in nature will surely make you yearn for more. Throughout the 24-hour day and night, different animals come to life, each displaying unique behaviours during their active hours. Observing their behaviours is an awe-inspiring experience that would connect you with nature. Aliya Resort and Spa by Thema Collection is one of the places in Sri Lanka that offers the opportunity to awaken your sense of wonder in nature. The greenish and peaceful surroundings of the resort invite the wildlife to join in beautifying the resort. From small butterflies to nocturnal species like loris and fishing cats, there is much to explore with the naked eye.

Year-round, the sounds of bird songs fill the background at Aliya Resort. Beyond the sounds, simply looking around reveals around 30 different bird species. If you join our early morning bird-watching trail, you may spot the Blue-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus viridirostris), Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae), Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis) and Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus). Additionally, from October to March, you might catch sights of migratory bird species like the Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsichorus paradiseus), Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura), and the rare Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrina) if you look carefully among the tree branches.

Not only birds, but tiny creatures like butterflies and dragonflies also grace with their presence at our resort surroundings. In our butterfly garden, you might also encounter the Blue Mormon, Sri Lanka’s second-largest butterfly, fluttering gracefully among the flowers.

While some animals are active during the day, many come alive at night. As the sun sets and the darkness envelops the surroundings, many nocturnal creatures appear. At Aliya, you may encounter the Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus indicus), Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus), Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), Hourglass Tree Frog (Polypedates cruciger), and Termite-hill Gecko (Hemidactylus parvimaculatus). These are just a few of the species you might come across while exploring the night trail at Aliya.

All animals prefer to live in undisturbed areas. To sustain such rich bio-diversity, it is important to maintain the surroundings, conserve nature and create a serene environment that supports wildlife, much like their natural habitat. If you are a nature enthusiast, join our naturalist for a guided tour and learn about all these fascinating creatures whether under the starry night sky or in the light of day. We take pride in the diverse range of species that call our resort home, and we remain committed to preserving this sanctuary, ensuring it remains a haven for wildlife for years to come.

Article by: Lathmi Wickramasinghe & Manushi Anuradha

Photo Credits: Lathmi Wickramasinghe, Gavin Bartholomensz & Tatiana Mingales