Do not come here expecting a tourist park
Hiyare is a protected rainforest and a vital water source. There are no cafes, no boat rides, and no souvenir shops. If you want a commercial nature park, this is the wrong place.
If you want complete silence, dense tropical canopy, and a break from the coastal heat of Galle, this is exactly where you should go.
It sits just 16 kilometres inland from the Galle Fort. As you leave the coast, the temperature drops noticeably. You are trading the sound of the ocean for the calls of endemic birds and purple-faced leaf monkeys.
The Animal Rescue Centre
The most important work happening at Hiyare is run by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle. They operate an active animal rescue and rehabilitation centre right on the edge of the reservoir.
This is not a zoo. The animals here (often injured monkeys, pangolins, or birds of prey) are receiving medical treatment. The goal is always to release them back into the wild.
The volunteers are usually happy to explain their work to visitors. There is no official entry ticket, but leaving a cash donation is highly encouraged. It directly pays for the food and medicine these animals desperately need.
How to get there
The drive from Galle takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. You can hire a tuk-tuk from the coast for about 6 to 8 EUR return. You must ask the driver to wait for you, as you will not find another tuk-tuk up at the reservoir to take you back down.
For cyclists, the route from the coast is a beautiful, steady climb. I regularly ride my Bianchi road bike up these hills early in the morning before the heat and traffic set in. Just make sure you bring plenty of water.
Quick Answers
Absolutely not. This is a protected drinking water source for the city of Galle. Swimming, bathing, and boating are strictly prohibited to maintain water purity and protect the ecosystem.
Yes, especially after it rains. Wear closed shoes and long trousers if you plan to walk the jungle trails. Applying a bit of soap or Ayurvedic balm to your ankles helps repel them.
There is no official entrance ticket for the reservoir itself. The Animal Rescue Centre accepts donations, which directly fund the medical treatment and food for injured wildlife. Giving 3 to 5 EUR is a meaningful contribution.
