Passionate Sustainability

Progress of the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) Mitigation Project

After a brief hiatus caused by the strict ban on inter-provincial travel due to the spread of Covid-19 in the Island, we are happy to report that the team is back in action at the site! Work on the sluice gate of the water tank has recommenced and, once completed, will play a crucial role in water distribution for cultivation and irrigation in the area. Fortunately, the construction delay has not been too much of an issue as the water levels in the tank are currently low due to the prevailing drought. We are happy to report that the project is still on track to be operational by the time the seasonal rains arrive in October. The grassland management phase is due to begin once the tank is filled by the rains and field observations will be done soon after the remaining movement restrictions between the provinces are lifted.

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Our Own Contribution in
Minimizing the Carbon Footprint

Our Projects

Project ‘Orange Elephant’

Project ‘Orange Elephant’ The Project ‘Orange Elephant’ (POE) was established to encourage farmers to cultivate crops such as oranges (which are not attractive to elephants) so that they have an alternative...

Urban Wetland Conservation Project

Urban Wetland Conservation Project The Colombo District is endowed with a variety of wetlands comprising of man-made lakes, canals, paddy fields, abandoned paddy lands and marshes. These wetlands provide a number...

Pangolin - Save the ‘Scaly and Unique’

Pangolin - Save the ‘Scaly and Unique’ We have partnered with the Pangolin Conservation Project initiated by the Biodiversity and Sustainability Research Group of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science...

Project ETH

Project ETH The Elephant Transit Home (ETH) is situated in the Udawalawe National Park and takes care of orphaned elephant calves from all over Sri Lanka until they are independent enough...

Reforest Sri Lanka

Reforest Sri Lanka Reforestation, as the name suggests, is the act of planting trees on a stretch of land which has lost its forest cover. This project is carried out with...

Planet over Plastic

Planet over Plastic Experiential Journeys has always taken measures to adhere to sustainable tourism initiatives at every possible chance we get, and now we are taking serious action to reduce the...

From our news bulletin archive

Our Efforts on Sustainability

Good people bring great change - a new style on the “Top”

Good people bring great change - a new style on the “Top” In keeping with our ethos of playing an active role in sustainability and conservation, we are proud to report that the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp has now embarked on a new journey to test out our new sustainable roofing style - Cadjan and treated palmyra leaves. In keeping with our ethos of playing an active role in sustainability and conservation, we are proud to report that the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp has now embarked on a new journey to test out our new sustainable roofing style - Cadjan and treated...

Ahaspokuna welcomes The FOGSL

Ahaspokuna welcomes The FOGSL We were pleased to host the Field of Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka, from the Colombo University, at Ahaspokuna recently. The FOGSL is a bird-watching and conservation organisation that goes on monthly field trips to conduct workshops and research in destinations rich in birdlife. Although it was only a day trip, the group headed by Professor Sarath Kotagama exchanged valuable knowledge with our team. We look forward to implementing the techniques and methods recommended by them, to improve the diversity and the density of the endemic bird population in the surrounding area....

The Field Work Training Session of “Academy of Wildlife, Ecotourism and Nature Interpretation”

The Field Work Training Session of “Academy of Wildlife, Ecotourism and Nature Interpretation” The Students of the “Academy of Wildlife, Ecotourism and Nature Interpretation”, participated in the Fieldwork Training Session at Diyasaru Park - in the Beddagana Wetland Parks. This was a collaborative session with the University of Sri Jayawardenapura aimed at empowering our students with the ecological knowledge in Ecotourism Industry to better cater to the industry requirements. The session was conducted by the Emeritus Professor and world-renowned ornithologist Sarath Kotagama and the environmentalist Dr Jagath Jayawardena....

Uva welcomes a new generation of guides

Uva welcomes a new generation of guides We’re happy to report that the project launched last year to empower youth in the Uva Province has concluded successfully. Official Area Tourist Guide Licences were awarded to 11 male and 5 female participants, by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority on the 24th of April 2022. This project was conducted by the Australia Awards Programme in Sri Lanka with the support of Sri Lanka Tourism, The Ministry of Tourism Promotion of the Uva Province and other industry experts. Our very own Nishanthi Kulathunga from Experiential Journeys (Pvt.) Ltd. played a key role as...

Birdwatching gets a boost

Birdwatching gets a boost We’re proud to announce that our parent company Eco Team (Pvt.) Ltd. has signed an agreement with the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL). The FOGSL is an organisation dedicated towards birding, ornithology, and conservation of nature which also aims to establish and strengthen links with similar organisations in foreign countries. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation attached to the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo. The agreement, signed by Eco Team MD Anuruddha Bandara, Prof. Sarath Kotagama and Prof Nihal Dayawansa, enables FOGSL to have access to Eco Team properties around the Island, to establish...

Progress of the Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Project

Progress of the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) Mitigation Project Good things come to those who wait and the villagers of Buttala Konketiya have been waiting a long time. The project had many hurdles to overcome, especially due to the travel restrictions caused by Covid-19 last year. The last hurdle has been a severe drought befalling the area with the seasonal monsoon rains not making an appearance. However, the villagers' patience has been rewarded with a recent spell of rainfall that has enabled rainwater collection in the tank. With the tank slowly filling up, the villagers have been able to use the water...

Challenging the Climate Change with AIESEC

Challenging the Climate Change with AIESEC Mahoora by Eco Team Camp -Yala - partnering up with the AIESEC - the University of Moratuwa launched the Conservation Project - An avifaunal approach to monitoring Climate Change and its consequences - Experience in selected habitat systems through the establishment of “Ornithological Monitoring and Nature Field Study Centers”.Mahoora by Eco Team Camp -Yala - partnering up with the AIESEC - the University of Moratuwa launched the Conservation Project - An avifaunal approach to monitoring Climate Change and its consequences - Experience in selected habitat systems through the establishment of “Ornithological Monitoring and Nature Field...

Good people bring great change

Good people bring great change In keeping with our ethos of playing an active role in sustainability and conservation, we are proud to report that the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Wilpattu played an integral role in a reforestation project conducted recently. This tree planting campaign was primarily organised by the members of Lions Clubs International District 306 A2, Lions Club of Bokundara - Jaliyagoda and the Lions Club of Boralesgamuwa. District Governor Lion Buddhika Rathnayaka, our very own Lion Parakum Duminda Kamburapola and other members of the clubs were proud participants of this project that successfully planted 100 new saplings...

Our steps forward with E-waste

Our steps forward with E-waste Irresponsible E-waste disposal has rapidly escalated into being one of the biggest environmental issues faced by Sri Lanka in recent times. In its continuing effort to stay true to its eco-friendly ethos, Experiential Journeys made a commitment to responsibly dispose of the Group's e-waste. We are pleased to announce that, the first load of e-waste for 2021 amounting to 40 kg, was sent for recycling to our e-waste collaborators Green Links Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. last week. This has always been the practice for the group and will be standard procedure going forward also and measures have...

Progress of the Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Project

Progress of the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) Mitigation Project Although hampered by the Covid-19 related travel restrictions in the last few months, the project has progressed steadily and is, we are happy to report, nearly complete. Finishing touches are being applied to the tank at Konketiya village as we await the monsoon rains to fill up the tank to make this project operational. Once the tank is filled by the rains, the grassland management phase will begin and field observations will be conducted thereafter.

Frequently Asked Questions

For amazing stories on Exjourneys

Our policy in discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

Animals Are Friends Too: Discouraging Animal Cruelty, Tourist Traps and Staged Tourist Shows

We at ExJ stay away from tourism experiences that are staged and involve animal cruelty and shopping traps that are contrived to exploit and deceive clients.

Even though some of the popular ‘attractions’ are not included in our programmes due to the above reasons, we have no objections in our clients making their own arrangements with our Drivers to visit these places.

Why we do not promote following attractions

Turtle Hatcheries

As this concept has serious negative aspects in terms of conservation, we do not encourage our visitors to patronize the turtle hatcheries, as not all of them are really turtle-friendly. We instead encourage them to observe turtles in their natural habitats.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

When we became aware that the animal welfare standards there were questionable, we stopped encouraging our clients to visit the orphanage. We are pleased to observe that the Born Free Foundation has now adopted similar measures.

Elephant back rides – Habarana

There’s uncertainty surrounding the attitude of this place towards animal welfare. There may be a few ethical operators, but in general, we are not in agreement with how the place is run. We all would love a photo of us riding an elephant, but is a lifetime of pain caused to these magnificent mammals really worth a few fleeting likes on social media?

Traditional Village Tour with a Canoe Trip and Bullock-Carts – Habarana

This is a tourist trap where a lot of the trip is ‘staged’ for commercial purposes. Such fake touristic experiences will not give our visitors an idea of what life in the country is really like, so join us as we show you the real side of Sri Lanka. And at the end of every vacation, always ask yourself, “Did you feel that your holiday was ethical, eco-friendly, and reduced environmental impacts?”

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