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

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 plans.

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.

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+

Here’s a curiously delightful venue which drifts across the Beira Lake in Colombo

How about spending a memorable evening in an unrivalled above-the-lake event space featuring a meticulous interior and exterior design? Do read on to know more interesting facts.

About
Away from the lavish lifestyles of the bustling capital city is the “8° on the Lake”, the floating restaurant of Beira Lake which comes across as a fascinating venue for your evening functions. Docked at the Cinnamon Lakeside’s pier, it captures the hearts and minds of everyone especially at the coming of the dusk. This will be the best spot in Colombo to celebrate your private parties and special celebrations.

Design
The large windows and the transparent dome allow you to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking Beira Lake and beautiful night sky adorned with stars. The wood panelled floors of the upper deck make it an incredible space for a great dance floor. It’s better to spend time during an evening because the heat during the day can ruin your fun.

Location
Those who are holidaying at a luxury hotel in Colombo the likes of Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, should definitely go a dinner cruise along the picturesque Beira Lake to indulge in an exceptional experience in the bustling capital city of Sri Lanka.

Entice your taste buds!
While enjoying a nice time with your friends, you’ll be able to savour a wide array of Western and South Asian cuisine. Sip your favourite cocktail while feasting your eyes on the stunning vistas of the lake. What’s more attractive?

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. 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+

Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve

Vallee De Mai Nature Reserve is a protected UNESCO world heritage site which is located in the Praslin island of Seychelles Archipelago. This tropical reserve is home to a number of distinctive plant and animal species that cannot be seen elsewhere in the world. Read on to know more.

Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve — Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve | Img by: Leila Maziz via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

About

Located in the middle of the Praslin Island which is the second largest Island in Seychelles; the Vallee De Mai Nature Reserve is rich in biodiversity. The reserve is composed of a well- preserved palm forest that is home to the world’s rarest plants and animals in the world.

History

The park was an unspoilt virgin forest till 1930 and after the exploration and researches done by environmentalists, the forest obtained a Nature Reserve status in 1966. The reserve later, became a popular tourist destination and words about this wondrous reserve started to spread and during 1983 under Criterion (vii), (viii), (ix), and (x) the reserve obtained recognition as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Flora

The reserve is home to 6 endemic plant species that includes the flagship species of global significance as the largest seed-bearing plant in the world – their coco-de-mer. The 19.5 ha area of palm forest includes a wide range of plants that have not undergone any changes since the prehistoric times.

Fauna

The animal species that belong to the reserve include a myriad of bird species most of them being endangered species, law enforcement and penalties for harming these creatures have been made strict by the government. The reserve is also home to small amphibians and mammals such as turtles, hedgehogs, fruit bats and more.

Visiting here and accommodation options

You can visit the island by a boat or ferry which is located 40 kilometers away from Mahe. You can choose to stay at a hotel in Seychelles in the mainland of Mahe the likes of Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino or you can also find accommodations in the island of Praslin itself where the reserve is located.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travelers across all walks of life. Google+

Sinharaja Rainforest

Century-old trees spread their bony arms overhead while the undergrowth is cushiony soft. It’s not surprising that the Sinharaja Rainforest located in South-western Sri Lanka was declared a World Heritage Site in 1989.

When & how to get to the forest

The first step in planning a trip to Sinharaja is selecting which time of the year to visit the forest reserve. The Sinharaja Forest experiences two monsoon rain seasons a year which take place between the months of November to January and then again from May to July. Visiting the park in the remaining months is, therefore, a good idea.

Border

The mesmeric nature of this popular rainforest in Sri Lanka will be the perfect way to begin your discovery of the paradise isle. Koskulana Ganga, Gin Ganga and Kudawa Ganga beautifully border the rainforest. When the rains thrash steadily, these rivers swell delightfully.

Highlights

There will also be those who slither away or remain camouflaged while you pass by. Keep your eyes peeled if you wish to spot the hump-nosed lizard or the green pit viper, they can be friendly too! When exploring the Sinharaja Rainforest it would become evident as to why Sri Lanka is called a paradise isle.

Accommodation

There are cabins and dormitories managed by the Forest Department at the Kudawa entrance and some private eco-lodges around the forest reserve are half an hour to ten minutes away from the Kudawa entrance. Saman Villas long known as a tranquil beach retreat is a good base from which to explore the surrounding area and offers easy access to many things to do in Bentota. The Kudawa entrance to the Sinharaja nature reserve can be accessed along the Southern Expressway from Bentota.

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

Pulau Payar Marine park Langkawi

Langkawi, also known as the Jewel of Kedah, is definitely one of the most beautiful tropical landscapes in the world, and consists of 104 islands situated off the North-West of Malaysia.

Background to Pulau Payar Marine Park

The park actually consists of four islands, which are Payar, Lembu, Kaca, and Segantang. These islands are renowned for their biodiversity, and were eventually integrated to form a unified marine sanctuary. Payar is the largest of the islands, and contains the Marine Park Centre.

Aquatic Activities

If you’re into snorkelling or scuba diving then there’s no better place in Langkawi to indulge in these activities. The best dive/snorkel site of the park is Coral Garden but unfortunately that area is currently closed to the public in order to preserve the coral.

Hiking Trails

If you do not wish to get yourself wet then the best thing for you to do would be to tackle one of the many hiking trails that are available throughout the park. This is a great way to explore the beautiful sights that the islands have to offer on the surface.

Getting to the Park

The park can easily be accessed by boat or catamaran, so if you’re residing in many of the hotels Langkawi has to offer such as Berjaya Langkawi Resort, you won’t have any trouble getting to the park.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+

Minneriya Elephant Gathering

Although poachers have ruthlessly brought down the elephant population across the regions of Asia and Africa, Sri Lanka is home to some 5,000-8,000 elephants. Found in north-central Sri Lanka is the Minneriya National Park where hundreds of elephants every year travel to the banks of the reservoir constructed by King Mahasena to mate, feed, bathe and even socialize.

One of world’s biggest “gatherings”

Welcoming jeeps full of tourists from across the world, this wildlife spectacle occurs every year. Known as “The Gathering”, it offers a great chance to catch glimpses of elephants spraying muddy water onto each other, calves playing around and older elephants pulling the lush grass off the ground.

When and where?

The Minneriya National Park is found about a ten-minute drive away from the popular Habarana forest. As the water in the other sources in the park recedes during the dry season from July through early November, massive herds of elephants start to advance toward the reservoir. Many a popular travel & lifestyle magazine published online such as Cinnamon Magazine features The Gathering during the season providing enough information for enthusiastic tourists and locals.

How can you head to The Gathering?

Luckily enough, there are many safari planners and tour guides around the Minneriya Park. You can easily arrange a tailor-made safari to visit and witness The Gathering.

The plus points

Although relatively small compared to other reserves in Sri Lanka, Minneriya Park is also home to other wildlife including sambar, spotted deer, langurs and even macaques.

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+

Dampier Peninsular; A Must Visit Attractions

Broome, a tourist town that is situated in the Kimberley region of Australia has some of the most beautiful sights in the region, making for an ideal adventure hotspot.

Dampier Peninsula and Cape Leveque
The breathtakingly beautiful Dampier Peninsula has a length of more than two-hundred kilometres and is only accessible through Cape Leveque road. Natural coastal splendour doesn’t get much better than it does over here.

Indigenous Experiences

There are many captivating colonies of indigenous Australians present throughout this region. One can learn a great deal about their culture as well as the history of the peninsula, which includes the Sacred Heart Church, built by the indigenous locals and Phallatine monks in 1917.

Accommodation
There are many choices of places to stay available at the Dampier Peninsula. If you’re feeling really adventurous there are camping sites and bush-shelters, but if you’re looking for something more comfortable there’s nearby Cable Beach accommodation to choose from with options like Oaks Cable Beach Sanctuary.

Getting There
Making your way to the Dampier Peninsula is an adventurous task, and if you’re going to take the unsealed Camp Leveque road, you’re going to need a 4X4. Sometimes the road can be closed due to flooding so be sure to check the road conditions beforehand. Although you can get fuel along the way, getting other facilities can be quite tricky.

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

Discovering Hanifaru Bay in Maldives

Image Credit-Shiyam ElkCloner, Dharavandhoo Thila – Manata Black Pearl, CC BY-SA 3.0

One of the most precious marine habitats in the Maldives, Hanifaru Bay has a rich marine biodiversity and offers plenty of amazing sights to be discovered. Those lucky enough to dive here will also see a wide range of marine life that swim wild and free in its waters.

Where can it be found

Image Credit-Frédéric Ducarme, Baa atoll islands, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hanifaru Bay can be found in what is known as the Baa Atoll in Maldives. While this site is part of a Biosphere Reserve it is also a Marine Protected Area. Those in search of a hotel near Hanifaru Bay from which to head to this site can consider options such as Dhigali Maldives.

The highlight at Hanifaru
The main draw at Hanifaru Bay is undoubtedly the chance to see manta rays. In fact, this site is known as one of the largest manta ray feeding destinations in the world. Little surprise that underwater photographers love coming here!

Best time for mantas

Image Credit-TANAKA Juuyoh (%u7530%u4E2D%u5341%u6D0B), Manta alfredi maldives, CC BY 2.0

When it comes to seeing mantas feeding on plankton at Hanifaru Bay, the best time to visit is the period from May to November. Literally, hundreds of mantas can be seen during this time and make for an unforgettable underwater spectacle.

Other marine inhabitants

Image Credit-Shiyam ElkCloner, Dharavandhoo Thila – Hanifaru Bay Sharks, CC BY-SA 3.0

Apart from manta rays, this underwater area is home to other species too including sting rays and whale sharks which add to the allure of Hanifaru Bay. Diving here is bound to be an experience you won’t soon forget.

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+