Popham’s Arboretum
Sam Popham’s Arboretum, located in Dambulla on the Dambulla-Kandalama Road, is Sri Lanka’s only dry zone Arboretum, where visitors can see a diverse range of trees, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and mammals in their natural habitat. The arboretum was founded in 1963 on seven and a half acres of the scrub jungle by Sam Popham, an Englishman with an unrivalled love for trees. In 1989, Sam Popham decided to donate his good work to the Institute of Fundamental Studies (IFS) Kandy for conservation, research, and education. The Institute of Fundamental Studies (IFS) Kandy has since purchased an additional 27 acres of shrub jungle, which has now been developed as an extension of the original Arboretum.
The Arboretum typical of a semi-evergreen Monsoon Dry Forest consists of Ebony, Palu, Margosa, Weera, Milla, Tamarind, Velan and Ceylon Iron Wood amongst others. Simply walking along the twisting footpaths that go over wooden bridges built over small streams and the endless soothing greenery, accompanied by bird sounds and the smell of the good earth all around, completely immersed in the beauty of nature, is an experience out of this world.
Wildlife in the Arboretum
The jungle with its shady trees and spectacular bird life, including Jungle Magpie Robins, Jungle Fowl, Red vented and Black capped Bulbuls, Black headed Orioles, Crimson backed Woodpeckers, Brown headed Barbets, Black headed Orioles, Paradise Flycatchers, flower peckers, sun birds, tailor birds, Parakeets, Eagles, and many more. Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Mouse Deer, Black Naped Hare, Rock Squirrels, and the rare (endemic) Slender Loris are also found in this natural treasure trove.
Night Walk
The winding nature trails are ideal for a night walk or night safari, as many animals can be seen from a distance without disturbing their habitat, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for nature enthusiasts.
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