Natural | The Adventure Travel Site

Catch a Glimpse of Leopards in Yala

Though Yala is loved for over 44 species of mammals, its leopard population is what attracts many tourists here. Many wildlife enthusiasts – be it foreign or local – don’t forget to go on a safari at this national park while they’re holidaying at a Yala hotel.

Overview

Yala National Park is the most visited of its kind in Sri Lanka. It’s divided into five blocks but only the first and the last are accessible for visitors. Block One is the most popular as it is home to around 40 leopards.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Yala National Park is the dry season of the country. February and March are considered the ideal months to visit should you wish to spot leopards.

Don’t Evade Personal Space

Choose to go on your safari with responsible and eco-minded drivers and guides. Plan to get the services of reputable companies such as Cinnamon Wild Yala that emphasises the well-being of animals over photo opportunities.

Identify Leopards

Lepoads yala national park | Image via Flickr

Just like fingerprints of humans, leopard spots are unique for each leopard. Experienced guides might be able to point out leopards by their names and describe their behavioural patterns.

Pigeon Island: Dive into the Marine World of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has two main marine national parks, and one of them is the Pigeon Island National Park in Trincomalee. Exploring coral reefs and diving as you wish are all possible here!

It’s a Marine National Park

This important marine national park has two islands (the Small Pigeon Island and the Large one). The large one is considered the most important because it’s fringed by the coral reef.

Explore the beaches

The best thing about the beaches here is that they are very shallow. It’s safe to explore the beaches, and if you want, there are shops from which you can get safety jackets for rent.

Diving experiences

The best way to explore the waters is by snorkelling or diving. Don’t worry about the equipment as there are many diving schools to offer you their services.

Getting to Pigeon Island

If you have made plans to stay at one of the Trincomalee hotels the likes of Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, getting to Pigeon Island is not at all a difficulty. It’s located just 1km away from Nilaweli Beach.

Exploring the Ruins of Ancient Carthage

Found in present-day Tunisia, Ancient Carthage has a rich history and though many of its once grandiose structures are in ruins, this UNESCO World Heritage Sites still offers much to discover.

Archaeological Park

Amongst the key sites in Ancient Carthage, the Archaeological Park offers insights into the city’s history including when it was under Roman rule. Within easy reach of properties like The Residence Tunis by Cenizaro, this site is home to graves from the 5th century BC, an underground burial chapel, Roman cisterns and more.

Baths of Antonine

Dating to the 2nd century AD, these ruins of an expansive Roman bath complex overlooking the Mediterranean is also worth visiting from a Tunis hotel. While only several columns and the foundations are to be found, you can imagine what it would have been like in the days when Romans used these baths.

Theatre & Roman Villas

Overlooking the ocean and constructed on a hillside, this ancient Roman theatre offers a captivating sight on Avenue Reine Didon. Nearby, is a park in which one can see ancient Punic shaft graves as well as the restored 3rd century Villa des Volières, which features fragments of sculpture and lovely views from the terrace.

Carthage National Museum

A great place to learn more about Ancient Carthage, the Carthage National Museum showcases key artefacts that were found at the historical sites and ruins. You can get a clearer idea of what the city would have been like as well as view a wide range of exhibits from sarcophagi and jewellery to sarcophagi.

Mozambique Wildlife Safari

Mozambique isn’t the typical urban country where high-rise buildings are all you see. The country and its people are very much in tune with nature ad attempt to protect their wildlife. This is exactly what makes a safari here so exciting.

The abundance of wildlife

The Limpopo National Park in Mozambique is one of the most impressive parks which has been merged with South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Now wildlife in the two regions roams free. A safari here is one of the top things to do in Mozambique.

Gorongosa National Park

This was the regions most abundant national park in the 1960s. But once the civil war began, animals were poached for ivory and meat. Now projects have begun to bring the park back to its former brilliance and visitors get to see it all.

Moving to water

When it comes to wildlife, Mozambique is also blessed with rich marine life. There are many diving and snorkelling opportunities available to witness it all.

Tours and places to stay

Now that the country has recovered from the civil war, there are many hotels belonging to large chains like Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas that have decided to set up here. They may even organize your tours.

Nuwara Eliya’s Top Attractions

Little England is the name given to Nuwara Eliya. You will at once see why when you visit this town because the buildings you see in this area, the climate, and everything else is very much similar to an English setup.

Image credit-Unsplash,Egle Sidaraviciute,CC0

Nuwara Eliya Water Falls

Nuwara Eliya is an area blessed with beautiful waterfalls. Glen Falls, Lovers Leap, and Ramboda Falls are just some of them. To witness the beauty of some, you will have to hike a little, but the views are astonishing!

Tea Bluefield Tea Factory

This region has a lot of tea estates, from where the world-famous tea brand ‘Ceylon Tea’ was originated from. During your tour, head to the Bluefield Tea Factory and enjoy an impressive cup of tea after a detailed factory visit.

Horton Plains National Park

Although this National Park is located 30km away from the city, it is worth a visit. You will find the World’s End here at the Horton Plains. It’s a bit of a long hike, but you are sure to enjoy it!

Where to stay in Nuwara Eliya?

Since it’s a very touristy area, you don’t need to worry about options for accommodation in Nuwara Eliya. Hotels such as Galway Heights are available with world-class services to welcome you for a blissful holiday.

A Guide to Wildlife in Sri Lanka

If you are looking for a “wild” holiday which is more about wildlife encounters than nightlife fun, then Sri Lanka is an ideal destination! Here’s a glimpse into the many species you may come across.

Mammals
Sri Lanka has over 100 mammal species including the endemic leopard and elephant. Leopards can be spotted at the Yala National Park, while elephants can be seen at Minneriya National Park near Habarana; hotel options in the area such as Cinnamon Lodge Habarana offer excursions to see “The Gathering” of hundreds of elephants around July. The sloth bear, sambar deer, toque macaque and European otter are some of the other local mammals.

Birds
Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in Sri Lanka which encompasses endemic (like the Sri Lankanjunglefowl and Sri Lanka spurfowl) and migratory (like the Pacific golden plover and greater flamingo) species.The Sinharaja Forest Reserve andBundala National Park are two bird watching hotspots.

Reptiles
There are plenty of reptile species in the island which include a great many snakes such as the sand boa, green vine snake andIndian cobra. Also grouped amongst reptiles are the mugger and saltwater crocodiles as well as five sea turtle species like olive ridley, hawksbill and green turtles.

Marine Species
Out at sea, Sri Lanka is blessed with more diversity and one will find over 900 marine fish species; these include reef fish as well as larger varieties like marlin and sailfish. The country also offers one a chance to spot marine mammals from blue and sperm whales to spinner and bottlenose dolphins.\

Pala-U Waterfall of Hua Hin

If you thought Hua Hin was all about lazing around on golden beaches with azure waters, well, you were right! But that’s not all there is to it, Hua Hin is a place the ignites the spirit of adventure and Pala-U waterfall is definitely a must-see.

Location

This beautiful waterfall is surrounded by vibrant green trees looking picturesque with an earthy background. It is located in none other than the largest national park of Thailand, Kaeng Krachan National Park. The park is just 63 kilometres away from the city and is an enjoyable journey as well.

User: (WT-shared) Onyo at wts wikivoyage, Ngerdmau Waterfall, CC BY-SA 4.0

Entering the sanctuary unobtrusive

Arrive at the park and you’ll have to pay a sum of 400 baht to enter. You are sure to find an expereince that was certainly worth the price! The vegetation here is thriving and hues of green decorate the woods here. Try to spot the unobtrusive wildlife here. When it comes to things to do in Hua Hin, hiking this trail is simply unmissable.

Listen to the call of nature

Pala-U forest reserve is home to a lively ecosystem. The waterfall here has about 15 tiers and goes under the same name as the park. Of these 15 tiers of waterfall, tourists are usually encouraged to visit just the first 3 as the rest might be dangerous.

How about a stay?

The only way to experience nature even better is a stay over at the reserve. Now you might have already booked into hotels like Avani+ Hua Hin Resort in the city, but a comfortable stay is possible here as well. You can either pitch a tent or book one of the small houses available here.

Things to do in exotic islands in Seychelles

In Seychelles, you find three large islands, namely Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. Out of all of them, Mahe is always the most special because there are so many activities you can try out when you are there.

Hitting the Beau Vallon Beach

Although there are more than 50 beaches on the island, Beau Vallon can be called one of the most touristy beaches. As there are many hotels close by this beach- the likes of Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino, it never lacks visitors who come there for activities like parasailing and even jet skiing.

Exploring Victoria – the capital city

Exploring Victoria can mean exploring the best of the island of Mahe. Say goodbye to the busy city life and just enjoy this destination, especially the Victoria Botanical Gardens that’s a lovely heaven of rare tropical flora.

Tasting the best of street food

It’s true that you get to enjoy all different cuisines from Indian to Spanish from your hotel in Mahe, but once in a while, try giving yourself a chance to taste some street food too. Visit Bazar Labrin on a Wednesday and have the best street food experience with live music and dancing.

Stargazing after a hike

If days are just so busy for you, release all your stress with a great stargazing session. Just plan a hike at night, and spend your night seeing the amazing star patterns on the sky.

Udawattekele in Kandy

The Udawattekele Forest Reserve is the historic royal park that crawls across the uppermost spine of the Kandyan plateau. It spans 257 acres and was once known as “Uda Wasala Watte” which means “the gardens above the palace.”

Senkada and Rajasinghe

Ancient records state that there was once a brahmin called Senkada who dwelled in the caves in Udawattekele and that was how Kandy got one of its older names; Senkadagala. The cave was visible on a walk through the forest reserve until 2012 when it collapsed in a landslide. The gardens were used as a pleasure garden by the kings of Kandy and were forbidden to the public.

Colonial Era

During the colonial era, the British used some of the lands to construct a garrison and pathways that today are used and disused trails through the reserve. On the south-eastern side stands an abandoned British garrison now overgrown. It was attacked by Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe’s forces in 1803 and the British troops manning the garrison were massacred.

The Fall of the Kingdom

After the Fall of the Kandyan Kingdom, the forest was subject to human activity including clearing and logging. Its condition deteriorated until it was declared a forest reserve in 1856 and made a sanctuary in1938.

Important Part of the Plateau

The Kandy lake is fed from springs that originate in Udawattekele. It also carries out air purification thanks to its elevation and placement above the city. There are many a hotel in Kandy that are in close proximity to make it to the sanctuary in under a couple of minutes. The reserve is only 10 minutes’ drive from Kandy town so you can easily get to it from a hotel in Kandy that is comfortable and spacious like Kings Pavilion.
The forest is home to endemic trees such as Madatiya, Tel Kekuna and Ankenda. There is a dense spread of flora thus restricting sunlight from reaching the underground layer. Some of the species of creeper are over 200 to 300 years old.

Bottle Beach Koh Phangan

Bottle beach is revered as one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing and laid back time in Thailand – Bottle Beach in Koh Phangan is where you need to be!

Overview

The remoteness and tranquillity of Bottle Beach is one that plenty of visitors enjoy. Most of the visitors visit the beach just as a day trip, but to truly savour everything this location has to offer – a longer stay is recommended.

Christian Fernandez Gamio (Golfer70), Koh Phangan BottleBeach 22, CC BY-SA 3.0

How to get to Koh Phangan

This beautiful island doesn’t have its own airport, which means that you’ll have to reach the island through a boat trip. Otherwise, you can try travelling to Surat Thani by bus or train and then get to the island through a boat. Lomprayah, Seatran, Raja Ferry are a few of the service providers you can opt for!

What to expect

Despite being quite difficult to reach, it’s the most rewarding beach in Koh Phangan! The beach is quite secluded, except for a handful of resorts as not many people make the journey to this spot. The sand is as soft as it gets and the water is extremely clear, even on gloomy days! With enough effort and help from your hotel in Koh Phangan, the likes of Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas, this treasure isn’t too hard to find!