Moon Plains - jeep safari near Nuwara Eliya
Since it was opened to the public in 2014, Moon Plains has developed into a well-received additional tourist attraction in the highland valley of Nuwara Eliya, which actually never had been poor in touristic higlights. But Moon Plains is the only place in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, where a jeep safari can be experienced.
Attractions of Sri Lanka's Moon Plains
An observation platform, which is the destination at the end of the 3.7 km (2.3 miles) long Moon Plains dirt road, was constructed on the highest point ot the entire area, in an altitude of 1975 m (8480 feet) above sea level. It offers a phantastic 360 degrees panoramic view to Nuwara Eliya Valley in the northwestern and the Uva Basin in the southeastern direction. Six of the ten highest mountains of the island can be seen from this vantage point, clear weather conditions provided, plus Namunukula, the highest mountain of Uva Province.
Sri Lanka's highest mountain, Pidurutalaga, can be seen to the right of Nuwara Eliya. Single Tree Mountain is to the left. Behind it, there is a glimpse of Kikiliyamana Mountain to the right, whereas Great Western Mountain can clearly be seen to the left of Single Tree. Thelong crest in the southwest of the view point, to be seen behind the clearing of Sita Eliya, culminates in Conical Hill at its western end. Closer by is the imposing Hakgala Mountain to the left of Sita Eliya. A glimpse of the mountains of Horton Plains can be seen spotted behind Hakgala to the left, but the 3 highest mountains are further right and therefore covered. So is Siri Pada, which lies hidden behind Conical Hill. The long forested valley just north and northeast of the view point is that of the Uma Oya. The valley is also called Bomburuella, as the Uma river forms the series of waterfalls known as Bomburu Ella just below the summit of Moon Plains.
Sri Lanka's highest mountain, Pidurutalaga, can be seen to the right of Nuwara Eliya. Single Tree Mountain is to the left. Behind it, there is a glimpse of Kikiliyamana Mountain to the right, whereas Great Western Mountain can clearly be seen to the left of Single Tree. Thelong crest in the southwest of the view point, to be seen behind the clearing of Sita Eliya, culminates in Conical Hill at its western end. Closer by is the imposing Hakgala Mountain to the left of Sita Eliya. A glimpse of the mountains of Horton Plains can be seen spotted behind Hakgala to the left, but the 3 highest mountains are further right and therefore covered. So is Siri Pada, which lies hidden behind Conical Hill. The long forested valley just north and northeast of the view point is that of the Uma Oya. The valley is also called Bomburuella, as the Uma river forms the series of waterfalls known as Bomburu Ella just below the summit of Moon Plains.
viewing platform on the summit
suburbs of Nuwara Eliya
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Pidurutalagala, highest peak of Sri Lanka
Conical Hill behind the farmlands of Sita Eliya
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view to the rock of Hakgala
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Valley of Bomburuella
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NamE Moon Plains or Sandatenna
The Sinhala name of Moon Plains is Sandatenna (also transcribed Sandanthenna, Sadathenna, Sada Thenna etc.). Sandatenna village lies just to the northeast of Gregory Lake, the agricultural project and nature conservation area, where the jeep tours take place, is situated to the east of the hamlet, whereas the western part of Sandantenna, bordering Nuwara Eliya town. is covered by tea plantations. Road distance from Nuwara Eliya main bus stand to the entrance gate of Moon Plains Safari conservation area is 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
Recent History of Nuwara Eliya's Moon Plains
Actually, the history of Moon Plains is the story of a renaturalised garbage dump of the 1990s.It was cleaned and reconditioned in 2010. A part of the area still serves as Nuwara Eliya's trash disposal, but almost invisible in a valley surrounded by a cultivated Eucalyptus forest and in the modern form of a sanitary landfill with constantly improved leachate collection facilities since 2003.
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Flora and Fauna of Moon Plains
The first part of the jeep tour crosses farm area of an agricultural project. The much larger naturalised part of the plains carries typical highland vegetation, of which some species are endemic to the island. For example Calophyllum walkeri, known as Keena in Sinhala, a tree growing mostly in elevations above 1800 m (5900 feet). Moon Plains is a habitat of Rhododendron arboreum in particular. Known as Maha Rath Mala ("large red flower"), it is the official emblematic flower of the Central Flower. By the way, it's the national flower of Nepal, too. Not surprisingly, wild cinnamon, known as Wal Kurundu in Sinhala, also occurs in the forests at the slopes of Moon Plains.
Chances to observe wild animals are not as good as in Horton Plains National Park. The most common sight is spotted deer and buffaloes, Sambar deer and wild boars also occur, but they are rarely sightes. Moon Plains, like the entire Nuwara Eliya Valley, is rich in bird life, 105 species of birds, of which 16 are endemic, are recorded in the conservation zone.
Chances to observe wild animals are not as good as in Horton Plains National Park. The most common sight is spotted deer and buffaloes, Sambar deer and wild boars also occur, but they are rarely sightes. Moon Plains, like the entire Nuwara Eliya Valley, is rich in bird life, 105 species of birds, of which 16 are endemic, are recorded in the conservation zone.
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Best times to Do the Moon Plains jeep tour
The best season for a visit is from February to April, the latter month being Nuwara Eliya peak season. However, as weather conditions in the Nuwara Eliya Valley are much less seasonally constant and predictable, you can have good luck or bad luck in any month of the year.
The Moon Plains conservation area is open for jeep safaris from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm. Definitely the best time for a visit is 7.00 pm. There are two reasons for this recommendation. Firstly, the general rule in Sri Lanka's highlands is: the earlier, the clearer the view and the better the chances to observe animals. Secondly, most holiday makers arrive around 8.00 am. So if you start one hour earlier, you can enjoy the Moon Plains undisturbed. When you are standing on the viewing platform, the morning sun illuminates the Moon Plains in front of you as well as all mountains mentioned above. However, a late afternoon visit has the advantage of better views to the Uva Basin. This is worth considering for those who like to go to the Moon Plains Mini World End.
The jeep tour will take around 1 and a half or two hours. Personal motor vehicles are not permitted.
The Moon Plains conservation area is open for jeep safaris from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm. Definitely the best time for a visit is 7.00 pm. There are two reasons for this recommendation. Firstly, the general rule in Sri Lanka's highlands is: the earlier, the clearer the view and the better the chances to observe animals. Secondly, most holiday makers arrive around 8.00 am. So if you start one hour earlier, you can enjoy the Moon Plains undisturbed. When you are standing on the viewing platform, the morning sun illuminates the Moon Plains in front of you as well as all mountains mentioned above. However, a late afternoon visit has the advantage of better views to the Uva Basin. This is worth considering for those who like to go to the Moon Plains Mini World End.
The jeep tour will take around 1 and a half or two hours. Personal motor vehicles are not permitted.
