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Wild safari in Sri Lanka gives an exciting opportunity that any nature lover would dream to enjoy in the jungle. There is an opportunity to observe rare sceneries of wilderness and get a wide range of unique wildlife experiences.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, look no further than Sri Lanka to enjoy a special safari trip. Particularly, Sri Lanka is an ideal place to see herds of majestic elephants and gorgeous leopards. Heading out for a wild safari to see these wild giants is one of the best things to do on the island.
Properly planned and professionally conducted Sri Lanka Safaris will allow you to get up close and capture the best shots of amazing wildlife in jungles. The wildlife safari experience in Sri Lanka will definitely be an eternal golden memory in your heart forever.
1. There are so many wild safari options
First, you need to select one of the most professional safari operators in the parks you want to visit in Sri Lanka. This is one of the choices you need to be making not based on the price only. There are 26 national parks in the country, while the most visited parks are Yala, Wilpattu, and Udawalawe respectively. Kumana, Minneriya, Wasgamuwa, and Galoya National Parks are also great but lesser visited destinations. Deciding the best park among them is the most important thing to consider while planning your trip.
Read MoreMost visited national parks in Sri Lanka,
1. Yala
2. Wilpattu
3. Udawalawe
Each of these national parks has its own unique fauna and is famous among visitors due to different reasons. Yala is famous for leopards, where it has the highest density of leopard population in the world. Wilpattu is the largest national park in the country, where you can capture many stunning shots of amazing wildlife. Udawalawe, Minneriya, Kaudulla, and Wasgamuwa are famous for their large herds of elephants.
2. Don’t miss the great elephant gathering
If you are in Sri Lanka during July to September, your safari trip checklist won’t be complete without visiting the elephant gathering in Sri Lanka. This annual elephant migration is considered one of the great wildlife spectacles in the world and it takes place in Minneriya National Park.
Elephant gathering happens during the peak of drought season, around July-September.
This migration occurs between Minneriya, Kaudulla, and Hurulu Eco Parks.
The stars of Sri Lankan wildlife are gorgeous leopards
Yala National Park is a world-famous safari destination to witness these graceful leopards. The dry zone forests of Yala are home to a huge diversity of wildlife, while leopards are the dominating ones. Those who are dedicated to seeking leopards will definitely meet them on a Yala wild safari trip.
Sighting leopards is the prime target of many safari-goers.
Wilpattu is also famous for leopards but its animals are a little more reserved, and can easily hide in the dense vegetation. Since it may take a longer time to get the reward of seeing them, it best suits patient safari-goers.
Pool of naturalists at Mahoora Camps in both of these camps will most definitely be able to plan your safaris to get the best out of your time.
If you want a more exclusive leopard safari in Sri Lanka, Kumana National Park is your best bet. Explorer Camp by Mahoora takes you deep into the Kumana National Park and hosts overnight private makeshift camps.
Read More4. Look for elusive sloth bears
Sloth Bears are one of the Big Five in the Sri Lankan wilderness. They are considered a threatened species and listed vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Sloth bears found here are endemic to Sri Lanka and you see them only in the country’s northern and eastern lowland jungles. Although they live in many Sri Lankan dry zone national parks, they are quite rare to witness in the daytime.
Sloth bears are one of the “Big Five” living in Sri Lanka
Wilpattu National Park and Wasgamuwa National Park are the most famous for sloth bears, but they are quite elusive and difficult to see among dense vegetation. Nevertheless, if it is your lucky day, and with a professional wildlife guide, your odds are much greater.
Sloth bears are quite elusive and rare to see in the jungle.
5. Capture the jaw-dropping sceneries
One of the biggest attractions of a Sri Lankan safari is obviously the wildlife. However, it’s not just only the wildlife you’ll see, while touring national parks. Sri Lanka is indeed a beautiful country and the sceneries inside national parks are quite impressive too.
Remember to concentrate not only on the animals but also on the breathtaking scenery around you. You may capture the most beautiful, photogenic shots of Sri Lanka while enjoying your safari trip.
Sunset is the best time to catch some magnificent shots inside the parks. The fiery colours of the sky combined with darkness in the jungle creates this wonderful view of Sri Lanka.
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6. Enjoy bird watching
Sri Lanka’s national parks are abundant in lovely birdlife. The island is home to more than 400 species of birds and is extremely popular with bird watching enthusiasts. Among these birds, 34 species are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka acts as a winter destination and breeding ground for lots of migratory birds. Therefore, you’ll see lots of different varieties of birds around the tanks and reservoirs of national parks. Look carefully at the treetops and you may witness some beautiful birds during your safari trips.
7. Ready for the hot climate
Most of the Sri Lankan safari tours are available in dry zone jungles, where the temperature stays consistent throughout the year, around 30 °C or more. This hot tropical climate can give travellers a bit of a challenge. Thus, afternoon safari-goers must be ready for hot and dusty weather inside the parks.
Ready for the hot, sunny weather inside the parks
It is important to carry a water bottle to stay cool and hydrated. Wearing a comfortable cotton dress will be more convenient to face the hot daytime during your journey. Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen to escape harm from the oppressive sun. Remember to wear a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself. These precautions and selecting the best safari attire will help you to enjoy your safari trip more comfortably.
8. Bring a correct camera or at least a fully charged phone
Most wild animals are likely to keep their differences from the visitors. It means that it’s hard to get great shots of the wildlife using an iPhone. But not having any of it is not the best option either.
If you could, go with a decent zoom lens, because it’s great at capturing moving objects a few hundred metres away. The best thing is to put your camera in sports mode and keep it ready all the time. It will make the snapping of moving animals easier.
If you are using a phone camera, learn the art of holding it correct and keeping it safe in a moving open vehicle.
9. Decide the best time
The rainy season in dry zone national parks is from September to December. Thus, the best time for a safari is between January to July, the dry period. It is easier to spot animals in this dry season because decreasing water sources bring them into the open frequently.
The first half of the year is the dry period and the best time for a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka
Block 1 of the Yala National Park closes each September and reopens in October. It is important to confirm available tours from safari operators, during your intended travel period.
Animals come to open areas frequently in the dry season
There are three types of safaris in Sri Lanka; Early morning, late afternoon, or full-day. Early morning safaris are great for bird viewings, while late afternoon ones are best for leopard and elephant sightings. Afternoon safaris are fantastic, but the heat of the sun can be too much. Morning safaris are cool, but maybe sightings of animals are less.
10. Get help from your guide
Most of the tour guides on safari trips are locals with a whole wealth of knowledge, so they have invaluable experiences in the jungle. However, please note that the trekkers given to you at the entrance of each park by the department of wildlife are not guides.
Provided you get one organised, there is a lot you can learn from them about Sri Lankan wildlife. Most importantly they interpret what you see! This is one of the best ways to get the most out of your wildlife safari trip in Sri Lanka.
11. Enjoy camping in the wilderness
Camping inside national parks in Sri Lanka gives a marvellous adventurous opportunity to enjoy Sri Lankan wildlife. You could do a usual “do it yourself” style camping or book an all inclusive more luxurious glamping with great facilities. Explorer by Mahoora is the pioneer in Mobile Glamping in the country.
Located just off the southeast coast of India is the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. It’s a tropical paradise of golden sandy beaches, wildlife and delicious spicy food.