1 Mahoora Camps at Rekawa BeachMoonlight turtle watching beach campout – Rekawa Beach

Celebrate the miracle of birth with a species as old as dinosaurs, nesting near your modernised tented-accommodation on Rekawa Beach.

SLDT/1702/Cam04

Why should you book this trip?

  • Marine turtles have been roaming the world’s oceans for about 190 million years and today eight of these reptiles remain. We camp at a safe distance where five out of these species regularly visit to nest.
  • Seeing and witnessing the life of this amazing animal coming to the beach and laying eggs is a once in a lifetime experience.
  • Furthermore, most of our clients get the opportunity to witness the hatchlings going to the sea as well.
  • The comfortable setting of the tented camp gives you a relaxing atmosphere. A warm campfire and Sri Lankan cuisine coupled together with BBQ dinners will add to the flavour of your experience.
  • An opportunity to meet and interact with the local communities.
  • Your experience is led by a professional naturalist cum environmentalist who is very familiar with responsible turtle watching in the natural habitats.
  • Your naturalist-guided night walks to see turtles and morning nature walks makes your experience unique – a facility that Mahoora guarantees.
  • We work with the Turtle Conservation Project (TCP), a community which aims to safeguard the turtles’ nesting sites and make sure that the eggs hatch safely.
  • Five out of seven of the world’s sea turtle species are found at the Rekawa, Tangalle seashore.
  • This experience has been named as one of the top 5 things to do in Tangalle. 
  • Logistically situated on your way to the famous Yala National Park, or to the Deep South.

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Included in the price

  • Tented Accommodation on the Rekawa beach
  • Service of a professional naturalist who is very well familiarized with responsible turtle watching
  • Permit fees
  • Unlimited beverage service
  • All meals during your stay
  • Bottled water throughout the day
  • All Government tax

 

Exclusions

  • Tips for the staff
  • Anything that is not mentioned above

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Tour in brief (1 night, 2 day)

  • Do get in touch with your safari specialist as soon as the booking is confirmed, where you will be advised on the meeting point. You will be picked up and driven to the campsite at the pre-arranged meeting point at 12.30 p.m. by Mahoora staff
  • In reaching the campsite, the Team Leader will warmly welcome you and brief you about your stay with Mahoora. Thereafter, you will be accompanied to your tent by our staff. Lunch will be served shortly afterwards
  • In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Turtle Conservation Project by meeting conservationists in the area, followed by evening tea and coffee
  • On your return from these visits/meetings and once you are refreshed, you will have the wonderful opportunity to dine under the stars enjoying the exquisite BBQ meal that our chef prepares
  • Generally, late nights are the best for turtle watching. Guests can choose to stay in the tent and then be woken up when staff spot the turtles or join the patrolling teams
  • On the following day, after a morning nature trail followed by breakfast, you can depart from the campsite with the best experience of Mahoora Camping on the Rekawa beach

Important

  • The pickup time from each pickup point is 12.30p.m.; late or early arrivals may result in inconveniences
  • Mahoora Camping’s meal basis is on full board, from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 2. This is a standard procedure and will remain the same for all our guests
  • Lunch is served at the campsite; it is an experience by itself (any change to this will be specifically advised by our staff)
  • There should be enough time to do an evening activity. Guests should leave the campsite by latest 2.30 p.m. for the afternoon activity after having lunch
  • In case you get delayed due to unavoidable circumstances or for help on how to get to the location, please call the contact person early
  • Personal effects for warm, windy, rainy conditions should be carried by clients
  • Insect repellent, sunscreen etc. are recommended
  • Sandals or walking shoes are recommended
  • Please refrain from making casual donations to anyone. If you like to tip, please hand it over to the Team Leader at the camp. He will distribute it amongst the staff
  • Please do not buy any wildlife-related products from anyone, as it is illegal and against our sustainable policies

Rekawa responsible turtle watching programme

The small fishing village of Rekawa is located about 10km east of the south coast town of Tangalle. Sri Lanka Day Tours works closely with the TCP (Turtle Conservation Project) in their ‘Turtle Watch’ programme on the Rekawa beach where visitors can observe the ancient ritual of turtles coming ashore and laying eggs. This pioneering conservation programme was started in 1996 to protect sea turtles in their natural habitat while providing an alternative source of income to people formerly dependent on the illegal collection of turtle eggs. Five out of the seven species of marine turtles that are familiar (but endangered) come to nest in this part of the Sri Lankan coastline, making it an ideal location to marvel at one of nature’s most fascinating processes.

Marine turtles of Sri Lanka

Marine turtles were roaming the oceans for about 190 million years. Among the many different varieties of this species only eight reptiles are found living today. Of the eight, Sri Lanka is famous for five kinds of turtles (Green turtle, the Leatherback, the Hawksbill the Loggerhead and the Olive Ridley) who regularly visit the sandy beaches to nest in the south-western and south-eastern coast. Turtles are best seen in the nights.

Turtles are very nervous when they are looking for a place to nest and can be easily scared. The turtle can only be approached when she starts laying the eggs. By then the turtle is engaged in a very mechanical, almost trance-like behavior and it is unlikely for her to be frightened by spectators. Turtle watching can include some waiting and some walking on the beach as this is nature and it is the turtle (female) that sets the time and place of the event. Of course there is no guarantee that the turtles come to nest every night, but sitting on a deserted beach under the open starry sky is an incredible experience in itself.

What are the five species of marine turtles found in Sri Lanka?

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

These turtles are migratory and can be found in all tropical and subtropical oceans such as the Indian, Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific. Young Green Turtles are more carnivorous, while adults are herbivorous and feed exclusively on marine vegetation such as sea grass and marine algae. Green Turtles are an endangered species.

Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Quite the runt of the turtle family, the Olive Ridley Turtle is the smallest of the marine turtles. They live in the tropical Indian, South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and are omnivorous, eating crustaceans, fish and a range of marine vegetation. These turtles have been recorded nesting on the same beach over a period of a few weeks, and depend on the security of a small number of important beaches to lay their eggs. Olive Ridley Turtles are an endangered species.

Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

The Leatherback Turtle is the largest of the marine turtle family. Leatherbacks are picky eaters and feed exclusively on jellyfish – they’ll even travel long distances in search of them! Found mainly in the waters of the Arctic Circle, Leatherbacks can survive extreme cold as, unlike their cousins, they can regulate their own body temperature thanks to layers of fatty tissue which insulate their bodies. Leatherback Turtles are an endangered species.

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Hawksbills are also relatively small turtles, though larger than Olive Ridleys. Their diet includes jellyfish, sponges and crustaceans. The Hawksbill Turtle gets its name from its narrow bird-like beak, which it uses to catch prey hiding in small crevices. Hawksbill Turtles are a critically endangered species.

Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta)

This turtle nests on tropical beaches, as well as beaches in the Mediterranean and south-east coast of America. Although Loggerheads are common throughout the rest of the world, it is the rarest nesting species in Sri Lanka. Only Loggerheads from the Indian subcontinent nest in Sri Lanka. Research shows a particular colouration from these species specifically, which suggests a unique population with rare genes! Loggerhead Turtles are an endangered species.

 

 

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Feedback

I would highly recommend Sri Lanka day tours for the half day safari they arranged in Kaudulla Park. It made our trip in Sri Lanka. The kept excellent communication with me both via email and whatsapp to arrange dates, cost and timings for pick ups. The driver for our safari was very well experienced for getting us safely around the park, and what's more, seemed to chose the best route for the drive starting with Eagles, then lone elephants, to a small family of elephants (the youngest being a 2 week old elephant) to the grand finale of approximately 150 wild elephants grouped together. Phenomenal experience and memory for my first safari. Top marks. 

Simon Bradshaw – UK – AUG 28