Bomburu Ella - waterfalls of Perawella near Nuwara Eliya

The main cascade of Bomburu Ella deserves to be counted among the most enchanting sights of this island nation that is so extraordinarily rich in waterfalls.

For holiday makers spending several days in Nuwara Eliya, it's definitely a must-see. But surprisingly, most foreign tourists traveling from Nuwara Eliya to Ella don't take this rewarding excursion. Most visitors of Bomburu Ella are Sri Lankans. They love to come to this place for a picnic, particularly on weeekends and bank holidays.

Actually, Bomburu Ella is not one waterfall but a series of around a dozen of cascades, several of which could be considered a waterfall attraction in itself. The group of waterfalls stretches over one mile (1.6 km) altogether.

Location of Bomburu Falls and Perawella Village

Except from the lowermost cascades close to the village, all waterfalls of Bomburu Ella lie in Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka's Central Province. However, Perawella village in Uva-Paranagama Divisional Secretariat just below the falls, where the hiking trail to the falls starts, belongs to the Badulla District of Uva Province. The waterfalls are also known under the name of the said village, Perawella Falls. Also the adventure park with the zip-line and almost all the stalls along the trail are situated in the territory of Badulla District.

Bomburu Ella belongs to the Sita Eliya Kandapola Forest Reserve. Actually the falls are just below the Moon Plains, the uppermost cascade is in only 1.3 km (0.8 miles) distance from the Moon Plains view point observation platform, as the crow flies, although the distance by road from there to Perawella is 20 km (12.5 miles) via Sita Eliya and Hakgala. The road distance from Hakgala Botanical Garden is 9 km (5.5 miles). From Nuwara Eliya or Welimada it's 18 km (11 miles) resp. 17 km (11 miles).

Waters and Heights

The Bomburu Falls are formed by one of the upper reaches of the Uma Oya, which flows more than 50 km (31 miles) via Welimada into Rantambe Reservoir, the lowermost of the three modern Mahaweli reservoirs, which not far from the ancient Minipe anicut. By the way, the last 20 km (12.5) of Uma Oya form part the border between Central Province and Uva Province again. Some water of the stream is diverted to a  nearby powerhouse located and also utilized for cultivation.

main waterfall of Bomburu Elle seen from a distance

The cliff of the picturesque main cascade of Bomburu Oya is 50 m (165 feet) high and 60 m wide, thereby one of the two widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, the other one being St. Clair's Falls. Together with the adjacent cascade further up (as seen on the photo), the main waterfall of Bomburu Ella measures 70 m (230) in height.

The highest point of the series of waterfalls, where the uppermost cascade starts, is at an elevation of about 1700 m (5577 feet), whereas lowest point below the last cascade within Nuwara Eliya District lies in a height of 1275 m (4124 feet) aboe sea level.

Seasons and best times to visit Bomburu Falls

The water carried by the stream in the Perawella area varies significantly not only from season to season, but it also can change suddenly after heavy rainfall. It can occur that there is hardly any water in local the dry season in June and July. Highest precipitation in this area is in November. However, the largest abundance of water in the stream is to be expected in December. The photos on this page were taken end of February 2023. During morning hours the waterfalls are better illuminated than in the evening, but the early afternoon is also a good time for a visit.

Bomburu Ella Hiking Trail

The trail to the Bomburu Falls starts at a large car park and bus stand at the northern end of the small village of Perawella. The fist part of the trail is a stairway do overcome a difference of elevation of roughly 30 m (100 feet). The stairway ends at an irrigation channel, near a ticket boot, where an entry fee will be charged. From there, the trail to the adventure camp and zipline and to the the bottom of the first waterfall runs along this channel. Here are some stalls selling fresh food and snacks and drinks.

Bomburu Ella hiking trail along the irrigation channel

bottommost cascade between Perawella and Bomburu main falls

lower cascade of the Bomburu Ella series of waterfalls

Altogether, it's only a 1.3 km (0.8 miles) hike from the car park to the main waterfall of Bomburu Ella. In the way, you will see the bottommmost cascades from a distance. These are still in the territory of Uva Province. In contrast, the lowermost cascades of Bomburu Ella in the Central Province are situated just alongside the hiking path. As mentioned above, the tremendous main waterfall consists of two cascades.

From there, it's another 1.3 km to the pool below the uppermost of the of the waterfalls. However, this track is much more difficult, not many people go further than to the main cascade. And walking further uphill requires first to reach the other bank of the stream. You can do so either by crossing the water or by jumping over an opening of a cement barrage. However, the leap will be rewading even for those who do not intend to go all the way upstream, because from the meadows to the left of the stream the main waterfall of Bomburu Ella offers surprisingly different sights from other angles.

Camping at the site is prohibited. But it's a perfect (and perfectly legal) spot for a picnic. Hiking boots are not a must, though recommendable, because it can be slippery after rainfall. Boots are a necessity only if you intend to climb the difficult second part as well.

stall at the Bomburu Ella hiking trail

Story of Bomburu Ella and how it got its name

A royal tusker of the Kandyan King Rajasinghe II in the 17th century, had grown up wild before having been domesticated. When in captivity the aminmal ran mad. After breaking his chains the elephant fled into the forest. Noone was able to catch the escaped tusker to tame the feral beast again. So the king announced to reward the person who would succed with ownership of a large property. Finally, an elderly man called Wanasinghe Muttha" managed to catch the tusker. He tied the animal to a Bo-Tree's root near the waterfalls. As the Sinhala word for "root" is Mule, the place came to be known under the name "Bo-Mule", from which today's name "Bombure" is said to derive.