Tour Reviews, testimonials from United Kingdom

Jean, Steve, and Mandy from UK at Tissamaharama, Yala

See more photos of Mandy West here: http://mandywest.zenfolio.com/p849893888

23 March - 4 April 2013

Jean Mckell and Steve Harford, Rutland U.K

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BIRDING, WILDLIFE & CULTURE TOUR
14TH – 29TH MARCH 2013

Carole & Barry Eccles
United Kingdom

Organisation & Administration 
Overall, the standard was good but we felt that more information regarding the following would have helped:

Chris Hill, Upali and Dave Hill

25 January 2013 to 09 February 2013

Hi Jith

Thanks we are both back safely, Chris in Australia and I am back in the UK. Upali was excellent, we certainly saw a lot, some great times.

At the moment we compiling our trip list and report and will let you both have a copy of this when it is finished.

Kind regards

Dave
UK 

Cynthia, Upali the tourguide, and Ted

14-29 Nov 2012 

We arrived several hours late in Colombo due to various delays on the outward flight. Despite this, and after a fairly confusing phone call to Jith from Doha our guide/driver Upali was waiting for us. We were very relieved to see him. The 3 hour transfer to our hotel in Kitulgala had to be driven through the ‘rush’ hour. There wasn’t a lot of rushing but it was a real experience enduring the driving conditions in a new country. Upali quickly gave us confidence in his own driving skills and it remains a mystery how he avoided all manner of hazards on this and all subsequent journeys.

Our alternative hotel (2 nights) at Kitulgala was fine with particularly friendly staff. The food was good.

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27th July 2012

Unawatuna Beach Resort: Clean and comfortable. Very good service and excellent food
The Centauria: We were the only guests staying at the hotel which made it a slightly strange experience. Food service were extremely good
The Grand Hotel: Luxury hotel, fantastic experience with a lively atmosphere. Good food and service. Friendly staff
Topaz Hotel: Adequate in every respect lacking in charm. Good food.
Sigiriya Village Hotel: Our favorite hotel. Extremely comfortable rooms. Lovely atmosphere in an idyllic setting. Great atmosphere and excellent food. Friendly staff  
The Mud House: Fantastic service from extremely friendly staff. We were very well looked after. Good range and amount of activities on offer
Ranweli Holiday Village: Clean and comfortable

TRACY ROWLAND, Nandana-guide, and Tracy's husband

TRACY ROWLAND

07 04 2012

Accommodation:

Hotel Name:     

Comments (rooms/food/facilities/service/etc.)

HORATHAPOLA COCONUT ESTATE

A great place to stay at start of end of a tour. Room & food excellent. Good bird spotting in grounds/estate

Palm Gardens Anuradhapura

Very good in all respects. Good birding in grounds & around ace Would Recommend

Heritance Kandalama

A fantastic setting but let down a bit by tired equipment in rooms (fridge). Probably not recommended as a touring stop as little time to enjoy the facilities (pool / surrounds etc) Food excellent.

Topaz Kandy

Rooms tired + basic, food & bar good. OK for a 1 night stop, probably not for longer

Exmoore Zoo Group 2012 - At Martin's Lodge

21st January to 05th February 2012

Tour of 10 people Bird watching and Culture

16 days of organized excitement! Five Leopard and a Sloth Bear plus the elusive Green billed Coucal. This was our third trip with JITH and cannot recommend him highly enough. This was our third trip with Jith and cannot recommend him highly enough. The knowledge and experience he has gained since he began his company “Walk With Jith” has made him stand out against other guides. A lovely gentle and understanding individual, we wish him continued success and will definitely return. 
Danny and Lyn Reynolds,

Partners Exmoor Zoo, Devon, UK
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Gwynfryn and Kathryn

12 Jan 2012

Dear Jith

Thank you very much for arranging such a lovely holiday for us.  Our guide (we can't remember how to spell his name) was very good at spotting the birds, the car was always clean, he was always ready at the correct time.  He made sure we had plenty of comfort breaks and water.  He was very good at the bird calls.  He mentioned that there was a questionnaire to complete at the end of the holiday but he hadn't got a form.  

Accommodation  
Soverign - very good.

Rest House - other guests had had problems with their bills as well.

Sigiriya - good. 
Nature Walk - very good, people food and room all very nice.

Grand Hotel - very good.  

Judith, Alan and Jane, Jeff at Horton Plain

13th to 29th November 2011

A wonderful trip to this beautiful island expertly organized and guided by Jith and ably assisted by Mr. Silva, who charming and courteous driver. Wonderful scenery, great food and opportunities to have fantastic close ups of superb birds.
A truly memorable and magical trip. 
With our grateful Thanks    

Jeff and Janet Hollyhead - USA
Judith and Alan Savarge – UK

Dave and Sarah Hobson with Jith - 14 Aug 2011

26 July to 9th August 2011    - 15 nights 16  days

Well where do we start. Thank you Jith for an amazing trip. We wasn’t sure what we would make of Sri Lanka but we love it and thanks to you for all your knowledge of the cultural side. 
We came to Sri Lanka mainly for the birds and wildlife. Before we arrived in Sri Lanka we exchanged lots of emails asking if we could see bats and leopards. He delivered us with 100s of bats and 3 leopards so was very happy. Birdwatching wise was excellent. We saw 27 of 33 endemic birds, 175 species of Birds in total of which 112 where new (would have been happy with a 100).

Andy and Emily
UK

Feedback: Culture tour 16th April – 29th April

Lesley Scott n Jenney Scott at Martin's Lodge

16/04/2011

How can we put into words what a wonderful week we have had?

You have created for both our needs, as amateurs birders who can’t always see what you want her to see and teenage princess who hates to move an inch without checking her hair, but you made her see the light + visit the rainforest wearing leech socks + funny waterproofs and no makeup + trimmings + and she actually enjoyed herself!! You have taught us so much about your wonderful Island and your passion and enthusiasm is inspiring. A never ending supply of funny stories and simple jokes has kept us amused us throughout and I am sure we have amused you with our funny English ways + “things”.

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2001 March 11

Many thanks Jith for our second birding trip with you albeit only a week this time.

Although a shortened trip the birding as ever was superb and the transport and support from “Mr. Silva” was second to none. (as was his ever present smile)

We loved Sri Lanka, the birds and the people the first time we came and nothing has altered, long may it remain unchanged!

Phil & Di Swanwick
STOKE-ON-TRENT

Alan - Jith - Betty Fowles - Gery - Tina Shirt - Mr Silva

29.01.2011 – 12.02.2011

We’ve had this trip booked for 18 months & it was worth the wait – despite the heavy rain & flooding we experienced in the first week. For my first ever “birding” holiday this was tough but Jith has shown great patience & now I’m “hooked”.

The habitats have been as varied as the accommodations & that variety has enriched the experience. We’re currently in Galle with your final adventure in the morning. Down to Merissa at 05.15 am to go in search of the mighty Blue Whale. Fingers crossed we were lucky as we were in Yala when we saw a leopard with a young cub.