Guide To Minneriya National Park

A safari through the wilderness and rugged jungles of Minneriya National Park will offer you plenty of opportunities to see Sri Lanka’s gentle giants; the elephants!

Where is it?

Minneriya National Park is located in the North Central Province of the island. There are many ways to get here, either by bus, car or plane! As flying the fastest and most convenient way to travel to the park, you’ll be able to arrange a flight through Cinnamon Air. Those interested in driving can rent a car through the many car rental groups in Sri Lanka.

Minneriya National Park | Image Credit - Photnart, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikipedia Commons
Minneriya National Park | Image Credit – Photnart, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikipedia Commons

Elephants

The Sri Lankan elephant is a treasured beast on the island. The Minneriya National Park has approximately 150 – 200 elephants and The Gathering inside the park is known to be one of the largest wild elephant gatherings in the world.

Threats

Sadly, the Minneriya National Park faces a huge threat of being wiped out; the animals with it, due to human encroachment, overfishing, poaching, water pollution and the clearance of the forest.

Other animals

The other wonderful animals that reside in this park include the Sri Lanka leopard, deer, sloth bear, toque macaque, monitors, jungle fowl and much more.

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Guide to Wildlife Safari in Yala

The mesmerising and informative Yala Safari is something every visitor or native should experience at least once in their lifetime.

Image Credit - Walkers Tours
Image Credit – Walkers Tours

Where to go

Adventure tours in Sri Lanka are rarely planned without including a safari or two in it and of all the places to go to on the island, the Yala National Park attracts the most visitors every year. A Yala Safari can be arranged with the help of any travel agency, Walkers Tours, for example, and you will have a fun-filled day where you watch the wildlife in their natural habitats.

Image Credit - Walkers Tours
Image Credit – Walkers Tours

About Yala Safari Park

Being the second biggest national park in Sri Lanka, it is also known as the Ruhuna National park. Spreading over a massive 979 square kilometres, this reserve is home to many endemic animals and birds, and a few endangered ones too.

The Safari

They pride themselves on providing the best tours and safaris on the island and a guide will take you through the jungles as he explains and shares fun facts about every animal or bird you spot.

What to expect

The Sri Lankan leopard and the Sloth bear are the most sought-after animals, closely followed by the deer, elephants, and crocodiles.

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Dolphin Watching near Raa Atoll Maldives

When it comes to travel in the 21st century, the Maldives islands are one of the most famed and sought after destinations on the planet, right up there with locales such as Paris and Bali.

Via-pixabay,Cc0

Raa Atoll

This a significant administrative division in the Maldives that boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in the nation. Alifushi island also falls into this territory and is one of the most renowned of the islands in the country

Moresby Channel

This channel exists between the Northern Maalhosmadulu Atoll and the Fasdhutere Atoll, and is a very historically significant place. It was named in honour of Captain Robert Moresby, who more or less single-handedly chartered the Maldives atolls.

Tourism

These atolls are strictly off limits for tourists until very recently due to their unique geographical and zoological features. If you’re looking for a Maldives beach resort around this beautiful place there are a few to choose from such as Dhigali Maldives.

An Abundance of Marine Life

In addition to remarkable schools of Dolphins, you can discover a range of other creatures such as rays and some incredibly rare whales such as the Tropical Bottlenose Whale which many believe to be the rarest species of whale in the world.

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Guide to Whale Watching in Mirissa

Mirissa is one of the most popular coastal locales in Sri Lanka, and in addition to offering beautiful beaches with powdery sands and turquoise waters, it is has a significant whale population.

Overnight stay at Cape Weligama & Weligama
Image Credit – Walkers Tours

International Grade Operations

Pretty much all the providers of whale-watching expeditions operate under very strict guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of the marine titans. Among many things they refrain from venturing unnecessarily close to the whales, and they never interfere with the creature’s course.

The Vessels

The whale-watching boats are generally large vessels with a capacity of at least forty people. The ones run by the military are even bigger, and can hold more than a hundred passengers. The price is also generally inclusive of insurance relating to the boat and its passengers respectively.

Procuring a Tour

A whale-watching adventure should definitely be a priority when it comes to things to do in Sri Lanka. You can easily procure a whale-watching expedition from many travel providers such as Walkers Tours.

Whale-Watching Season

The optimal time to go whale-watching is from November to April, where there’s a very high number of whales and the seas are also quite calm. Although there will be whales from May to October as well, the seasons tend to be quite rough and the voyage is not recommended.

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Top Things To Do In Sri Lanka

Srilanka Ella Landscape
Srilanka Ella Landscape | Img Credit : amanjahemal via  Pixabay (CC0 Creative Commons)

 

Are you a first-time visitor to the beautiful, culturally and historically rich island of Sri Lanka? Here are some of the top things you should do when you’re here.

 

Hike
Sri Lanka is blessed with an array of jaw-dropping landscapes that are begging to be hiked on and explored. Don your hiking boots and set forth on any of the trails of Sri Pada, World’s End, Mini World’s End, Knuckles Mountain Range and much more.

 

Beach
Lay all day on the golden sands or enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool waters of the Indian Ocean, with an island cocktail in one hand. The southern and eastern beaches are the most popular for beach lovers. In Sri Lanka, resorts around the beach can be found in abundance, with accommodation options from Theme Resorts & Spas.

 

Temples
Being a Buddhist country, there are a number of temples you can visit, from the iconic Sri Dalada Maligawa to other temples in the country.

 

Wildlife
Did you know Sri Lanka is possibly the only country in the world where you can see the largest land animal and the largest sea mammal?! Visit Minneriya National Park for a chance to see elegant elephants or embark on a whale watching safari to see the ginormous blue whale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Trang Island Adventures

Thailand is one of the most ultimate choices for a tropical getaway and there are many breathtaking experiences to be had in this nation. A Trang Island adventure however, is something remarkable.

The Islands

There are more than 46 islands to explore outside of the mainland area, offering secluded beaches, snorkelling experiences, and many Krabi resorts to choose from such as Anantara Si Kao Resort.

Now showing Photo, Resort And Andaman Sea Panorama
Image Credit: Anantara Si Kao Resort

Pak Meng Pier

This is where most voyages concerning the Trang Islands begin, and the moment you set foot on this pier you will be able to witness the exquisite tropical splendour of these islands and Thailand as a whole.

Ko Lao Liang Phi in Mu Ko Phetra National Park
LerdsuwaLaoLiangPhiCC BY-SA 3.0

Ko Muk

This is the most popular first stop on a Trang Islands adventure. It features a range of affordable lodgings, a beautiful white-sand bar on the eastern side known as Hat Sivalai, and spectacular beaches on the west side, Hat Farang, which are eclipsed by looming limestone cliffs.

File:2016 Prowincja Trang, Ko Muk (02).jpg
Photo: Marcin Konsek / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.02016 Prowincja Trang, Ko Muk (02)CC BY-SA 4.0

Ko Kradan

If you’re looking for someplace that is simplistic and isolated then Ko Kradan might just be perfect for you. The island has pristine beaches with fresh powdery sand leading to shallow aquamarine waters.

File:2016 Prowincja Trang, Ko Kradan (02).jpg
Photo: Marcin Konsek / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.02016 Prowincja Trang, Ko Kradan (02)CC BY-SA 4.0

Ko Ngai

A direct contrast to Ko Kradan, this is one of the most developed of the Trang Islands so it is best to visit Ko Ngai towards the end of the tour so you can feast on expertly prepared Thai cuisine at one of their many restaurants.

File:Koh Ngai 07.jpg
KhunkayKoh Ngai 07CC BY-SA 3.0

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Extreme Water Sports to try out in Kalutara

Kalutara is a quiet coastal town located in the south of Sri Lanka and is one of the best places on the island to partake in a variety of water sports.

Jet Ski

Hop on a jet ski and rip through the mesmerizing lagoon waters of Kalutara. This adrenaline pumping sport is a great way to spend the afternoon, especially if you’re staying at AVANI Kalutara Resort.

Surfing

Surfing is an island wide favourite and if you’re looking for popular things to do in Kalutara– this is it! Grab a surf board and catch some of the biggest and baddest waves around the coastal areas.

Parasailing

With the wind as your friend, parasailing is a great way to enjoy the scenery and partake in a thrilling activity! Feel the adrenaline rush through your bones as you soar above the shimmering ocean waters.

Wind Surfing

Sri Lankan beaches, lagoons and rivers are the best places to try this water sport as you’re constantly blessed with the gusts of wind. Glide along the waves and let the wind be your guide.

Diving

Don your flippers and scuba diving kit and dive into the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean. Only those with a PADI license are permitted to dive.

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Best Leopard Spotting At Yala National Park

Yala has become Sri Lanka’s most visited national park mainly due to the number of leopards that can be spotted during a jungle safari.

Image Credit - jetwingeco
Image Credit – jetwingeco

Important things to remember

As you will be stepping in to wild life territory, do keep in mind that you are the guests here and refrain from polluting or feeding any animals.

Why choose Yala

If you’re planning a leopard safari in Sri Lanka, then Yala National Park is definitely the place to go, as there it is one of the only parks on the island with a large number of leopards.

Safe and Responsible tourism

For those looking for a reputable service, tour agencies such as Jetwing Eco Holidays will be able to provide you with a safe and responsible safari tour, as some of the safari jeeps are known to create havoc inside the park, putting the animals’ lives at risk simply for a picture.

Other animals

While you may be keen to see leopards, these wild animals may not always be around when and where you want them to. Appreciate the chance of seeing other animals of the park like deer, sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, birds and so much more!

Things to remember

You are not permitted to get off the vehicle at any point during the safari. The park will provide a tracker for every safari jeep. The park opens at 6am and closes at 6pm.

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Minneriya Elephant Gathering

Via-pixabay,ajoheyho,CC0

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.

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Things To Do In Kalutara You Didn’t Know About

 

Kalutara in the dazzling western coast offers more than just golden beaches. Here are a few things to do in Kalutara, Sri Lanka that you probably didn’t know about.

Canoeing in Kalu River

a couple canoeing on a river
Canoeing is the best way to explore Kalu River

Gently flow along the Kalu Ganga (කළු ගඟ ) (River) which in Sinhalese means the “Black River”. According to local travel guides such as Travel Kalutara this can be done as a half day tour or overnight tour. Along the way, you’ll see verdant tropical greenery, exotic birds and cheeky monkeys who’ll make funny faces at you!

Water Sports

jetskiing is a motorized water sport
Jet Skiing – Photo via Pixabay

Where there’s a beach, there’s almost always a chance for some fun in the water. In Kalutara you can try out a number of watersports such as

  • Jet skiing
  • Water skiing
  • Bodyboarding
  • Banana or tube rides, to name just a few.

 

Fishing Trips

fishing trips in kalu river
Hope on to a traditional boat ( Oruwa) and go on a fishing trip

Have some fun and catch your lunch at the same time! There are many hotels and tour operators who offer deep sea fishing expeditions in Kalutara. Hunt for a variety of fish ranging from tuna to sailfish, dorado, mackerel, and even the humoungous Marlin!

Spa in Kalutara

anantara spa in kalutara
A luxury spa in Kalutara – Photo by Anantara Kalutara Resort

You need a good break, after all, that adventuring around right? So book a spa session at one of the many luxury hotels in Kalutara and be prepared to be pampered like a prince or princess with a wide range of holistic Ayurvedic treatments.


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.