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Adventurous Tours Around the Wildlife Parks in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is well known for its iconic wildlife and national parks among many travellers who visit the country. Are you a wildlife enthusiast too? Here are a few national parks that you cannot miss out on when you visit the island.

Yala National Park

Prepare for an adventure like no other when you visit Yala National Park. This land area has a rich ecosystem from monsoon forests to grasslands and sandy beaches. The highlight of your safari here would be observing the elephants and Sri Lankan leopards.

Horton Plains

Located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, this is where you ought to be to observe the splendour of the island’s natural environment. The precipice known as World’s End is the most popular spot to visit here.

Udawalawa National Park

This park has mainly marshes and plains that are full of wildlife activity. If you are lodged at one of the boutique hotels in Sri Lanka close to this national park, do visit to observe the wild elephants and beautiful birds that live here.

Wilpattu National Park

This is a land area that is rich in flora and fauna due to the many lakes within its premises. Around these bodies of water live leopards, elephants, water buffalos and the lazy sloth bears too. Don’t forget to enjoy a stay at hotels by KK Collection too as you embark on your safaris.

Minneriya Elephant Gathering

The elephant gathering at Minneriya is one of the most famous wildlife phenomena in the world! Elephants from different herds all gather together to travel in search of water to Minneriya Wewa. One could even call it the elephant’s summer home for their summer vacation.

When and where?

Located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, Minneriya National Park is the spot where elephants from all over the country gather. This occurs during the dry season from July to October.

Why?

During the dry season of Sri Lanka, the water available for these huge mammals decrease in other parts of the country. Minneriya National Park has plenty of water and shelter for these giants of the wild.

How can I see the gathering?

This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka. You can rent a vehicle from Malkey Rent A Car and drive up to this region. There are a few hotels that provide easy access to this national park at which you could stay and set out with a guide at the right time.

Best time to go

Although you’ve got time from July to October, the best time to visit for the best experience would be in August and September.

Minneriya National Park

Giving you the perfect respite from becoming ‘templed-out during your stay in Sri Lanka, Minneriya National Park will feast your eyes with its famous ‘elephant gathering’. Read and know more facts.

Overview

Dominated by the ancient Minneriya Tank, the park unfolds plenty of lush forests, grasslands, and wetlands. It’s located in the North Central Province, Polonnaruwa district. The wetlands closer to the reservoir provides an important feeding ground during the dry season. If you are starting your journey from Colombo, book an air taxi in Sri Lanka with an entity like Cinnamon Air, to make your journey faster and hassle-free

The elephant gathering

This is an entirely natural phenomenon that takes place between August and September annually. The largest meeting venue for Asian elephants! Park’s reservoir welcomes more than 300 elephants during the dry season. An amazing sight to behold!

Vegetation

The park’s vegetation comprises wetlands, grasslands, abandoned chena cultivated lands, and tropical dry mixed lush forests. The reservoir along with its surroundings plays a significant role as a wetland, speaking volumes of its rich biodiversity.

Fauna

The Minneriya National Park is home to more than 24 species of endemic animals. The most important of them is the ‘wild elephant’. You can also spot different species of aquatic birds and fishes.

Surfing in Unawatuna

Those who come to Sri Lanka for holidays, never miss out on a trip to Unawatuna if they are into surfing. Unawatuna surfing is super great for both beginners and intermediates.

Unawatuna

Located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, Unawatuna is a coastal destination that’s immensely popular among world travellers. Thanks to properties such as Unawatuna Beach Resort owned by popular hospitality chain ‘Araliya Beach Resort & Spa‘, this beach town is 100% tourist-friendly.

Surf points

Dewata Beach (also known as Clossenburg Beach), Bonavista, Dalawella Reef, and Kabalana are some of the most popular surf spots available in this area. They all offer some decent waves.

What to take for your surfing tour

Unawatuna Beach | Image via Flickr by Iris Liu

Be it vests, shorts, or skinnies, make sure they absorb heat well enough. Do not forget to take good sunscreen with you because Unawatuna can be hotter and sunnier than you think!

Other things to do in Unawatuna

You can surely explore Galle- the ancient colonial city in Sri Lanka during your tour to Unawatuna. If you have enough time, you may also head to explore the Japanese Peace Pagoda and the Jungle Beach.

What You Need to Know About the Sacred City of Kandy

Popularly known as the city of Senkadagalapura, the sacred city of Kandy was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. Drawing tourists, pilgrims and other visitors in numbers, this city radiates a celestial atmosphere which makes it stand out among other cities in Sri Lanka.

The Positioning

1024px-Knuckles_Forest,_Sri_lanka — Abishek Palraj, Knuckles Forest, Sri lanka, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kandy is located in the central part of the country, with an elevation of 500 metres from sea level. Hidden in the thick forests and majestic mountain ranges, the city stands in pride in all its glory. These mountain ranges include two of Sri Lanka’s most beloved hiking hot spots, Knuckles and Hanthana. Kandy’s location and historical significance have been core reasons for opening up many hotels and resorts like Hunas Falls Hotel, Kandy. Most tourists and pilgrims who visit this sacred city often seek accommodation in a hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka for a comfortable stay as a day’s trip will not do justice to the beauty of the city.

The History

Kandy was the last capital of the country in the era of the ancient kings. It is also home to the Sri Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Tooth which shelters the relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha. Although the locals rebelled massively to save the kingdom of Kandy from British rule, the efforts were finally beaten as the British Ceylon period rose from 1815 to 1948, until the country was freed of colonial rule and gained independence.

Climate

While Sri Lanka is widely known for its tropical weather conditions, Kandy’s geographical positioning deviates the city climate to a wetter and cooler temperature as a result of its 500-metre elevation from sea level. However, the city is still a part of the country’s tropical climate and faces the monsoon seasons from May to July and October to December.

The Kandy City

The cityscape of Kandy includes a quadrangular manmade lake at its centre, with two open spaces in which one corner is occupied by the administration buildings of the old capital. Although not as commercialised as Colombo, Kandy still welcomes tourists and hosts several hotels, shopping complexes and local eateries to taste the traditional flavours of Sri Lanka.

Set Off on a Hike to Knuckles

Renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Knuckles Mountain range has been famed for its human fist like appearance from certain angles. This magnificent gift of nature is located in the Kandy and Matale districts of Sri Lanka and is highly popular among hikers from all over the world.

Knuckles_mountain_range_-_Sri_Lanka — Thusitha Jayasundara, Knuckles mountain range – Sri Lanka, CC BY-SA 4.0

How to Get to Knuckles

While several access points allow you to reach Knuckles, the most popular entrance is in Matale. However, this solely depends on where you are residing at. If you plan to travel to Kandy on a vacation, the access point will not be over a journey of an hour or two to Hunnasgiriya, once again, based on the route that you choose to take. However, do visit the Kandy Escapes website for a deeper insight on how to adapt and prepare for the weather conditions in Kandy, if you wish to enter Knuckles from a Kandy access point.

How to Climb Knuckles

While Knuckles’ popularity attracts many hikers, it is only advisable that you climb the mountain range if you carry a considerable level of experience in the art. However, a guide must accompany you, regardless of your level of hiking experience, in order to avoid getting lost. Therefore, a qualified guide will direct you through the paths that should be taken.

Grab a Bite on The Way

As you climb up one of Sri Lanka’s most difficult mountain trails, hunger will not be too far away. Being a protected reserve prevents hotels and resorts from opening up in the Knuckles and therefore, food is likely to become a luxury during the course of your hike. Stock up what you need in a backpack and grab a bite whenever hunger takes you over.

Other Attractions

While setting off on an adventurous hike is what Knuckles is known for, the areas surrounding this mountain range host plenty of other attractions for hikers and tourists. Deep into the forest lies Meemure, a rural village of picturesque views, Kandy, the sacred city of the Temple of the Tooth and the Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple in Matale.

Best attractions in Doha

The capital of Qatar, Doha attracts visitors from across the world on a daily basis. If you’re planning a trip to the city, then here are some of the star attractions to explore while there.

Islamic Art

An architectural gem, the Museum of Islamic Art is hands down one of the best places to visit in the city. Here you will be able to take in an extensive collection of artworks, metal work, ceramics and textiles that span over 1400 years!

The Corniche

There is no doubt that The Corniche is one of Doha’s best-loved attractions. The waterfront promenade hugs Doha Bay for over seven kilometers. Consider heading there for a relaxing stroll or better yet to catch a sunset. The entrance is free, and the Corniche can be reached easily from hotels such as Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli with ease.

The Gate Mall

Offering a luxurious shopping experience, the Gate Mall is definitely a great place to visit. The mall is home to numerous designer brands, high-end restaurants, cute cafes and many a spa in Doha, Qatar.

Barzan Towers

The Barzan Towers is located in Muhammed, Qatar, and is considered to be a must-visit tourist attraction in Doha. It’s a great place to take in stunning views of the city. No entry fee is required.

Things to do in Doha

There is no doubt that Doha, the capital of Qatar has the best of everything! Here is a list of the four best things to do while on a visit to the middle eastern metropolis.

Experience Qatari culture in Souq Waqif

An authentic and one of the oldest marketplaces in Doha, Souq Waqif offers shoppers a variety of items to shop and choose from. From spices, souvenirs, and traditional Qatar clothes among much more. The marketplace can be reached easily from many restaurants in Wakra including hotels such as Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli with ease as well.

National Museum of Qatar

Spanning a whopping 1.5 kilometers, the National Museum of Qatar opened to the public in 2019, and tells the story of the country in three themes starting from the ” Beginning’ moving onto Life Qatar and Modern History of Qatar.

Aspire Park

Located in the Baaya district, the popular Aspire Park is the ideal place to rest and relax. The largest park in the city, this spot offers visitors plenty of recreation facilities and lies nearby the famous Villaggio Mall and Hyatt Plaza.

Barzan Towers

The Barzan rowers is open at all times and is quite a popular spot among visiting tourists. Today the Bazan Towers stand as a monument to the old history of Doha.

Perfect holidays are made of cotton candy lips and Ferris wheels

“Treat life like a Ferris Wheel ride… You must get past the fear to enjoy the view” – Linda Poindexter. If you’re afraid of heights, let’s keep that aside for now because the Wheel of Brisbane is too good to miss! Here’s why.

How The Wheel came to be

This striking structure that stands out from Brisbane’s skyline was built in 2008 as a part of the 20^th anniversary of Expo 88. Since then, it’s been a major attraction among tourists and locals alike because there’s no other place like it in the city that has gorgeous, unblemished 360 views.

Getting there

Just as the wheel is super easy to spot from afar, it’s easy to get there too. You can easily find comfortable and luxurious accommodation in the city of Brisbane. Hotel deals offer great discounts and weekend offers for you and your family to have the perfect staycation or weekend getaway! If you stay in a hotel like Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte Suites, the Wheel is simply a 6min cycle ride.

Why is this ride so fun?

Do you need another excuse apart from the 60-meter liftoff and a heart-dropping halt in a glass gondola at the very top? If adrenaline is not your thing, then the breathtaking views of all of Brisbane are what makes this ride to amazing. The Wheel is open from 10 AM to 10 PM allowing visitors to visit at any time. The egalitarian and safe glass gondolas are designed to offer you the best viewing experience and the lights during the day and sunset really allow you to see everything up to the horizon.

Added features and VIP gondolas

VIP Gondolas in Ferris Wheel,Brisbane | Image via *Unsplash*

Each gondola holds up to 8 people and 600Kg in weight and is equipped with climate control and a high-quality audio system that narrates what you see. The entire ride lasts up to 15mins leaving you with that pleasant-high feeling. You can also book a special VIP gondola to celebrate your personal special occasions or to woo that special someone in your life. These hold up to 4 people and are perfect for viewing fireworks on NYE.

Visiting Yala National Park in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park is renowned the world over for the incredible wildlife which lives within the confines of the park! Catch an exciting safari and witness the wild animals in their natural habitat. Here’s all you need to know before you go!
Best Time to Visit the Park
Whilst the park is open for the most part, it is considered to be “peak season” during the dry season. This runs from February to July, and it is during these months that the animals are drawn out the dense shrub to the watering holes in search of water.

Where is Yala?

This national park is located in the southeast of the island and spills over to provinces – Hambanthota and Monaragala. It’s one of the largest national parks and covers an extent of over 130,000 hectares. The park in itself is quite remote and it’s best to hire a private vehicle to reach it.

Where can I stay?

Despite being in a remote stretch, many hotels have sprung up to meet the demand in Yala. Hotels, resorts, villas, or guesthouses, there are varied accommodation options to suit your budget in the area! A Yala hotel such as the Cinnamon Wild Yala is an excellent choice for those who want to stay in the comforts of a lovely hotel whilst also being close to the park entrance.

What can I see?

What won’t you see in Yala, is a better question! From tuskers and elephants roaming the plains to plenty of Sri, Lankan sloth bears ambling about, you’ll have front row seats to plenty of exciting encounters with some wild critters. The most exciting spotting is always the Sri Lankan Leopard, as it is one of the shyest big cats in the world!