Wavulpone alias Waulpane - Sri Lanka's largest dripstone cave
Wavulpone, also spelt Wawul Pane or Waulpane or Wavula Pane and pronounced more like "Aulpone" with emphasis on the last syllable, is Sri Lanka’s largest dripstone cave and best caving destination. But in general, we advise against caving in Wavul Pane. The main reason is that the fauna is to be protected. Only scientific research should be fully supported. The cave is situated in the Bulutota Rakwana hills, the eastern foothills of the Sinharaja range, towards Pallebedda.
Translated, the term "Wavulpone" simply means "bat cave“. The name is telling. The entire ceiling of the cave is as densely covered with hanging bats as the floor is covered with their excrement. An estimated 250,000 bats live in Wawulpone, they belong to 6 different species, 5 insect-eating and one fruit-eating. Poisonous snakes live in the caves, too, feeding on the bats. A white cobra is said to have been spotted here. Several bird species endemic to Sri Lanka live around the cave.
The cave system consists of 12 grottos. The main cave is 457 m long and reaches 9m in width and 4m in height in the center.
It's pitch black in the cave after just a few meters, so you can't get very far without powerful headlights, especially since after a few dozen meters you have to wade through a shallow pond.
There is a small spring in the cave. Its water is said to have healing properties for skin diseases. In fact, the water has a high mineral content of calcium carbonate and iron hydroxide, which has colored the rock around the spring orange-red. The draining water soon forms an underground waterfall at the back of the cave, disappearing into a hole just wide enough for a person to abseil down. Below there are said to be snow-white stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites and stalagmites are also present in the main cave, they are an unusual sight in Sri Lanka. For the locals, it is like a miracle that stones and not just plants can grow.
The cave of Wavulpone is estimated to be 500 million years old. The limestone in the caves mostly dates back to the Miocene. But next to it you can find much older crystalline limestone with fossils of sea animals and leaves and also marble. This combination is said to be unique worldwide. You can find fossils of animals from different geological eras, and there is also a skeleton of a large reptile in the cave wall, perhaps a dinosaur.
The largest fern forest in Sri Lanka begins two kilometers behind the cave entrance.
Wavulpone is located in a romantic stream valley about ten kilometers west of Pallebadde, which lies on the main A18 road from Ratnapura to Embilitpitiya. After eight kilometers of bumpy dirt road into the Singharaja foothills, you have to take a left turn into the valley. The last part of the route that begins here is in poor condition and is quite steep in places, so an all-terrain vehicle is recommended. Or you can ride on the buses or use a Tuctuc. Even the most remote village in Sri Lanka is connected to the public transport network. From the village, which is 280m above sea level, you then have to walk about two kilometers through the stream valley. The path is signposted, so you can hardly get lost. The entrance can only be reached by wading through the stream.
Translated, the term "Wavulpone" simply means "bat cave“. The name is telling. The entire ceiling of the cave is as densely covered with hanging bats as the floor is covered with their excrement. An estimated 250,000 bats live in Wawulpone, they belong to 6 different species, 5 insect-eating and one fruit-eating. Poisonous snakes live in the caves, too, feeding on the bats. A white cobra is said to have been spotted here. Several bird species endemic to Sri Lanka live around the cave.
The cave system consists of 12 grottos. The main cave is 457 m long and reaches 9m in width and 4m in height in the center.
It's pitch black in the cave after just a few meters, so you can't get very far without powerful headlights, especially since after a few dozen meters you have to wade through a shallow pond.
There is a small spring in the cave. Its water is said to have healing properties for skin diseases. In fact, the water has a high mineral content of calcium carbonate and iron hydroxide, which has colored the rock around the spring orange-red. The draining water soon forms an underground waterfall at the back of the cave, disappearing into a hole just wide enough for a person to abseil down. Below there are said to be snow-white stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites and stalagmites are also present in the main cave, they are an unusual sight in Sri Lanka. For the locals, it is like a miracle that stones and not just plants can grow.
The cave of Wavulpone is estimated to be 500 million years old. The limestone in the caves mostly dates back to the Miocene. But next to it you can find much older crystalline limestone with fossils of sea animals and leaves and also marble. This combination is said to be unique worldwide. You can find fossils of animals from different geological eras, and there is also a skeleton of a large reptile in the cave wall, perhaps a dinosaur.
The largest fern forest in Sri Lanka begins two kilometers behind the cave entrance.
Wavulpone is located in a romantic stream valley about ten kilometers west of Pallebadde, which lies on the main A18 road from Ratnapura to Embilitpitiya. After eight kilometers of bumpy dirt road into the Singharaja foothills, you have to take a left turn into the valley. The last part of the route that begins here is in poor condition and is quite steep in places, so an all-terrain vehicle is recommended. Or you can ride on the buses or use a Tuctuc. Even the most remote village in Sri Lanka is connected to the public transport network. From the village, which is 280m above sea level, you then have to walk about two kilometers through the stream valley. The path is signposted, so you can hardly get lost. The entrance can only be reached by wading through the stream.
