Most Thrilling Wildlife Safaris in Sri Lanka

Despite its small size, Sri Lanka boasts of stunning environs which change from misty mountains, rustic coasts to dense jungles. Within these the most exotic wildlife creatures exist!

Image by Anton Croos, Sri Lanka Elephants, CC BY-SA 4.0

Yala National Park

For those who want to spot a leopard, there will be no better place than this! Don’t get excited as you get closer to view a leopard on a tree or stalking its next prey! Sloth bears, elephants, and many other creatures can be experienced up close. If you wish to go on a thrilling safari in Yala, consider planning your trip with one of the local travel agents such as Holidays by Design to spend an amazing day in the wild.

Minneriya National Park

A park that is always covered in most popular Sri Lanka wildlife tours, Minneriya is best known for its large population of migratory elephants. The park is also home to diverse species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even fish. The surroundings too are quite beautiful with dense shrubberies and vast grassy plains.

Wilpattu National Park

Situated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, the Wilpattu National Park has gained extra popularity for its topographical feature called ‘Villu’. You can always trust the park to spot herds of spotted deer, lazy crocodiles and beautiful peacocks in full plumage and a jungle fowl on a scout for food.

Bundala National Park

This park is well-known as a wildlife hotspot for aquatic bird life! The most impressive aspect of the park is its terrain made up of sand dunes, scrub jungle, salt pans, lagoons and long stretches of coastline.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

The Paradise of Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Both trodden and untrodden paths of jungles in Sri Lanka hold an abundance of adventure and intrigue. Despite its small size, the country boasts a wide variety of wildlife. Do read on!

Yala National Park

If you want to spot a Sri Lankan leopard, there will be no better place than the Yala National Park! Don’t get excited as you get closer to view a leopard on a tree or stalking its next prey! Sloth bears, elephants, and many other creatures can be experienced up close. This dry zone park is just one of the rustic wildlife reserves Cinnamon Nature Trails and other leading tour operators in Sri Lanka cover.

Sinharaja Forest

Staying true to its name, the Sinharaja Forest which means the ‘Lion Kingdom’ is an important biodiversity hotspot in the country. In 1988, this forest became a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional geological features. It is home to more than 50% of endemic species including mammals, butterflies as well as many kinds of insects and reptiles.

Minneriya National Park

Bundala National Park

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Elephants in Sri Lanka

When we talk about the wildlife of Sri Lanka, it’s the elephants that come to our minds first. If on a holiday in Sri Lanka, you’ll come across many sanctuaries to view these majestic creatures.

Image by Rohit Varma, Elephas Maximus (19201959), CC BY-SA 3.0

About

Majestic elephants in Sri Lanka are known as the iconic constituent of the country’s wildlife. Elephants have been living for more than thousands of years and they’ve been revered from time immemorial. What’s more, Sri Lanka is home for the world’s largest herd of orphaned elephants. Elephas maximus maximus, the largest of the Asian elephant’ genus is found only in Sri Lanka!

Disposition

Sri Lankan elephants are self-aware, highly intelligent, emotional as well as robust in nature. These gentle jumbos often show emotional appeal using their head, trunk, tail, and their large ears. Even though the elephants were used for carrying, hauling and lifting heavy objects in ancient Sri Lanka, now they are mostly used in religious and cultural festivals such as ‘Kandy Esala Perahara’.

Where to spot

Those who wish to experience an elephant safari in Sri Lanka can plan your journey with one of the leading local tour operators such as Cinnamon Nature Trails for an exhilarating experience. Pinnawala is the best spot to witness a large volume of elephants. If you love spending more time with the jumbos, have a nice time bathing an elephant! Udawalawa, Minneriya, and Wagamuwa are some other places where one can catch a glimpse of elephants in the wild.

Lifestyle

At any given time, you’ll hardly find male elephants in a herd because mostly these herds include female and baby elephants. They are very active in the night and usually sleep under large trees in the daytime.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

The Elephants of Sri Lanka

Elephants are one of the most popular animals in Sri Lanka. These gentle giant can be spotted both in the wilderness as well as hundreds of domesticated elephants too can be spotted around the country. Read on to know more about these magnificent creatures.

Sri Lankan Elephants | Image Credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cherubino">Cherubino</a>, <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sri_Lankan_Elephant_in_Hurulu_Eco_Park_10.JPG">Sri Lankan Elephant in Hurulu Eco Park 10</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode" rel="license">CC BY-SA 3.0</a> — Sri Lankan Elephants | Image Credit: Cherubino, Sri Lankan Elephant in Hurulu Eco Park 10, CC BY-SA 3.0

About

Elephants are Sri Lanka’s largest land mammal and they are a protected species of animals in the country. Known by the scientific name Elephas Maximus Maximus and they are also the largest Asian elephant species.

Habitat and behaviour

The elephants can be found living in grasslands around many of the country’s protected wildlife reserves. Female elephants and their calves live in groups and male elephants live a solitary life and they only interact with other elephants during the breeding season.

Threats faced by the elephants

Despite the efforts of the government, the population of the Sri Lankan elephants are continuously decreasing due to habitat loss and poaching.

Seeing them

You can see these gentle giants up close and personal at the elephant reserves such as Pinnawala or if you wish to see them in their natural habitats you can book an Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka from nature travel operators the likes of Cinnamon Nature Trails.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Visit Goa Gajah ‘Elephant Cave’ in Ubud

For those enthused by the serenity of nature, the ‘Elephant Cave’ in Ubud will prove to be well worth the time and energy. Do visit this place and witness the marvel in this fascinating site.

‘Elephant Cave’?

Built as an ethereal place for meditation, the history of the ‘Elephant Cave’ dates back to the 11th Century. Locally known as Goa Gajah, the site has got its name due to its location in close proximity to the Elephant River. The mysterious cave, bathing pools set amidst lush paddy fields and ancient relics lure tourists from all around the world to immerse in the balmy atmosphere of this historical site.

What to see

As you reach the place, you’ll get an eerie feeling seeing the menacing entrance of a demonic mouth. According to Balinese mythology, it represents the child-eating witch Rangda. The cave itself is quite small, yet you’ll come across three stone idols wrapped individually in black, red and yellow cloth. Those with a keen eye will be able to spot many indentations where monks sat to meditate.

Location

The cave is located just minutes away from Central Ubud. Before commencing your journey in this part of the world, do take note of available accommodation options. Consider staying at one of the top hotels in Ubud close to the attraction, such as Alila Villas Uluwatu, from where visiting the Elephant Cave is not that difficult.

Surroundings

Besides its archaeological importance, the eye-catching view of the surroundings is sure to capture your mind! Lush gardens, rice paddies, stone steps and cascading waterfalls await to immerse you in tranquil seclusion.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Exploring the city of Kandy

Kandy, the hill city of Sri Lanka, is known for its religious significance due to the presence of Temple of Tooth. However, there is much more to this city, if you dare to venture off the beaten path.

Udawaththa Kele | Image Credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Nyanatusita">Nyanatusita</a>, <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Udawattakele_Forest_scene_4.jpg">Udawattakele Forest scene 4</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode" rel="license">CC BY-SA 3.0</a> — Udawaththa Kele | Image Credit: Nyanatusita, Udawattakele Forest scene 4, CC BY-SA 3.0

Udawatta Kele Sanctuary

Declared a nature sanctuary in 1938, Udawatta Kele – meaning Udawatta Forest – is not a highly visited destination among the tourists. However, it presents a mystique aura and has multiple treks and trails where one can stroll through and enjoy the lushness that surrounds them.

Trekking

There are many trekking trails around Kandy both historic and scenic. They are definitely worthwhile exploring and travellers should base themselves in a place like Mahaweli Reach Hotel and spare a day or two to enjoy pristine areas not too far from the city.

City’s colonial past

A neo-gothic 19th century Anglican Church, a Victorian fountain, the 19th century Garrison Cemetery near the old palace, the WWI and WWII Commonwealth War Cemetery on Deveni Rajasinge Mw by the Mahaweli River are the remains from the city’s colonial past.

Peradeniya Botanic Garden

In Kandy, things to do are plenty. Devoting a whole morning to visiting the Peradeniya Botanic Garden, one of best such facilities in the region, will not be wasted as there is much to see besides enjoying its beautiful surroundings. Stroll around the picturesque 200-year-old Kandy Lake in the evening and walk along shaded paths in Udawatte Kele, the historic forest reserve overlooking the Temple of the Tooth.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Bali Safari and Marine Park -Wildlife and wild life

This theme park is the ultimate day of fun, be it with family or friends, and is the island’s most visited animal theme parks of all time.

Wild Animals | Image Courtesy: By Yogwi21 (Own work) [<a href="//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>], <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABali_Safari_Animal_4.jpg">via Wikimedia Commons</a> — Wild Animals | Image Courtesy: By Yogwi21 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Bali Safari and Marine Park opened in 2007 and not a day has gone by since without it having a full house. Covering 40 hectares of natural habitats, this park is home to about 60 species of animal and birds, all of which are free to roam and enjoy the enclosure while in their natural habitat.

About

Bali Safari and Marine Park | Image Courtesy: By William Cho (Bali Safari & Marine Park) [<a href="//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0">CC BY-SA 2.0</a>], <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABali_Safari_%26_Marine_Park_(2688927963).jpg">via Wikimedia Commons</a> — Bali Safari and Marine Park | Image Courtesy: By William Cho (Bali Safari & Marine Park) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The majority of species come from 3 regions, namely, Indonesia, Africa, and India, including Himalayan bears, spotted deer, nilgai, bucks, African hippos, elephants, camels, zebras, ostriches, lions, and baboon. The classic safari jeep takes you through the different habitats created by man, and let you see a collection of wildlife you would otherwise have to travel 3 different countries to see.

Going inside

Wild Animals | Image Courtesy: Walter Lim

It takes one full day to enjoy everything the park has to offer, and for some nature lovers, even that isn’t enough. It is a different world in there, a world of magical forests and mighty lions and this visit is not something you’d forget easily.

Stay

Accommodation in Bali | Image Courtesy: By Simon_sees from Australia (Hotel Intercontinental Bali) [<a href="//creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0">CC BY 2.0</a>], <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AHotel_Intercontinental_Bali_(7373589284).jpg">via Wikimedia Commons</a> — Accommodation in Bali | Image Courtesy: By Simon_sees from Australia (Hotel Intercontinental Bali) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

After a tiring day at the park, all you’d want is a luxury wellness and spa visit. Don’t you worry, there are ample choices when it comes to spas in Bali, and one of them is at the COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+