I don’t know where to start here but Bunny and I had such a good time with you. From practically converting us both to Buddhism to learning at last to decipher the crested hawk eagle it was wonderful. Thank you for sharing your expertise and beautiful country and of course “country road” with us.
Mimi Marshal
**
Hi Jith.
From cyber space to face to face, we have been so pleased with your guidance and knowledge. Thank you for sharing so many things about Sri Lanka. The birds are spectacular and of course the leopard sightings were thrilling. I only hope my photos can tell the story! You will see.
Bunny Flemming
26th April 2009
When we met you at the British Bird Fair in August 2008, we both knew right away that we wanted to Walk With Jith!
What a great opportunity to see your beautiful country and the nature – the jeep safari in Bundala – Painted Stroks and the challenge of IDing the Terns ( and of getting the cactus needles out of Daves uh… shorts)…
And the culture – thanks for arranging our visit to the ruins and the temples at Polonnaruwa (a good museum there!)- and the surprising Buduruwagala. Surprising to see a women there and surprise #2 – a great birding spot as well…
And the exercise – yes, we would gladly face the challenge of Sigiriya again to see those exquisite frescoes (Thank you, Alan, for making us go there at 6 a.m. – we marveled at the palace, just the two of us and the day was fresh, ahead of the mid day heat)…
And the food – I will not forget eating a large scoop of coconut sambol with my breakfast scrambled eggs wow! Yummy curd in the terracotta pot, delicious “bakery” lunches, bindi, brinjal, and a hundred other new tastes and treats…
And the hospitality – treated like royalty at Ranwali and Topaz and the grand old Grand Hotel, and treated like family at Martins Lodge in Sinharaja…
And the adventure – wondering of the elephant would let us leave Bundala, wondering if even a Land Rover could get us up the roads to Martin’s, wondering if Alan would ever get a cell phone signal again…
And the birds – 30 endemics! Wow – two frog mouths in bove, both of the thick knees that funny camouflaged Ash Crowned Lark Sparrow 2 pairs of glorious Malabar Trogans, the shy shy Thrushes – Spot winged and Scally, the follow – the – leader Dark Froned Babbler and Brown capped Babblers, oh! A special “thank you” to the leaders of the pack, the Orange Billed Babblers – you make it all happen at Sinharaja * … and the animals – the night of the Green Turtle was the most touching nature experience ever…
And the guide – Jith you are a great naturalist and we will remember this wonderful two weeks forever.
Lorraine Shaffer Briddon, Chicago, USA
David Briddon, Cheshire, UK
16 April 09
Prasanjith,
Thank you so much for showing us almost endemic species of Sri Lanka and all beauty of Sri Lanka nature. The birds more very beautiful and your people were very friendly. We love all birds, nature and people.
Jith, your hospitality and kindness make all of us feel very comfortable while we were travelling and binding with you. Spending 14 days with you in Sri Lanka allow us to learn a lot in many aspects of your country.
Thank you very much again for this wonderful trip!
Chairatna Nilnond & Nut, Tida, Wilairatna, Noi, Kamolpan
From Hatyai, Thailand
April 13 -26, 2009
Click below links for photos and more information in Thai Language:
We found Jith on the Responsible tourism website went to his site and liked the mixture of culture, walking and bird watching.
We wanted to change the balance of the tour a little and this proved very easy. Paying the deposit to the UK bank and the balance in travelers cheques in Sri Lanka worked well.
During our three week trip virtually everything worked like clockwork. Prasanjith & Mr. Silva our driver looked after us exceptionally well always willing to stop for a photo. some fruit or buffalo curd and a more of information on the history, culture, religion and everyday life of this very beautiful country.
Met early at the air port then to first hotel after stopping at the ATM for some rupees. Note – that ATMs give cash in 1000 – 2000 notes so evolved as stratergy to get 50s, 100s, for tips. 500s are also very useful. Hotel are sometimes able to help but I used to go into the bank after using the ATM to get the lower denomination notes.
During is at a leisurely place and on the longer journeys Jith was fabulous at spotting birds or discussing various ….. of Sri Lankan life and we also loved “our lunches” brought at local bakeries and fruit stalls.
We asked for a mixture of accommodation from luxury resorts to very simple guesthouses and the mixture was perfect for us and our budget. In fact some of the best food and most memorable experience were at the guesthouses.
Any other information or help e-mail Martin & Mary at mlduckhole@aol.com
What an excellent week. The total 116 species doesn’t tell any part of the story. We did see all but 2 of the traditional wet zone endemics, but the quality of the birds, and not just specialities was hugely enjoyable. Jith combined an applaudable mix of holdcraft identification, and just as important, organizational skills. All 3 accommodations were comfortable and wholly suitable for the birding xxxxxx. Anyone considering birding, or even cultural, trips to Sri Lanka should visit Jith’s website before the tour companies – reasonable price, one to one instructions, and no competing with a crowd for the birds (or the best seat on the bus!)
It will be a pleasure to see Jith at the bird fair again, and I can only hope that the business progress from strength to strength.
Ian Hillery
Durham, UK.
20th February to 7th March 2009
Jith & Mr. Silva
I will start with a very big thank you for lots of hard work and early starts in the mornings which got us to your total of 231 species with only two of the endemics missing. This is a very good total and we are more than pleased with this number. Many of these would have been missed had it not been for your sharp eye and good hearing.
Good luck for the future!
See you at the Bird Fair.
Dave Nelson & Bob Crawford
Middlesbrough
England
Jan 3 – 20 Feb 2009
So jith, what was the question we were in fear of asking? At the supper table each evening -. “What time tomorrow?” With a little chuckle, you would give us the “bad” news! But of course it is sensible to start early, there are distances to travel and you are sure to see more birds before it gets too warm.
The south west and south was a good start. Pity we couldn’t visit Yala, but Bundala and Udawalawa produce good results. We “conghed it” in Sinharaja, but the experience and the birds will lingure in the memory. Even in the Cultural Triangle we saw some more species to add to the list – nearly 200 by the end of the trip.
Jith not only knows where to find birds, but an excellent organizer. His driver, Silva is a great asset and might in another life, has been a grand pix driver. There were other appropriate experts of various venues, which helped to make the trip that much more enjoyable. Thank you, Jith, for a good time.
Shirley and Barrie Bird
Peter and Jakie Bourne
28 January 2009
Jith,
Thank you for showing us your wonderful island. We have enjoyed it all; the culture, hotels, fantastic scenery and most of all the birds. The driver Nishantha and his assistant Sisira should also be commended for their friendly nature and bird spotting skills. Our appetite for Sri Lanka has certainly been whetted and we hope to return again.
Thanks again;
Ian & Lynn Cowgill, Melanie & Roy Rovill
***
28 January 2009
Jith,
Your good organization and local knowledge allowed our group to find 170 species of birds within the different nature reserves and cultural places we visited. The mixture of cultural treasures of different religious and industrial sites, like tea production factories, ensured a mix of interest for everyone. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and Jith ensured we was it at its best, well done Jith and thank you!
