Sri Lanka or Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean and shares its maritime borders with India in Northwest and Maldives in the Southwest. The country lies at a distance of nearly 30kms from the southern coast of India and is historically linked to Hindu Mythology (Ramayana) and Buddhism. ‘Sri Lanka’ (a Sanskrit word that means ‘resplendent’) is an indispensible attribute of the country’s life, landscapes, ecosystem and its colonial cities. Sri Lanka is a color blast of nature: its pristine beaches, clear blue sky, ubiquitous green pekoe tea farms and 22 national parks sheltering colorful bird species conjure up verve and excitement in the hearts of the tourists. The appropriate tropical climate gives way to shelter around 22% of the world’s species of animals and plants endemic only to Sri Lanka. Sailing through the azure sea or simply swimming with the blue whale and snorkeling in the corals seasoned by a glorious past have been tantalizing inquisitive souls to visit Sri Lanka from ages. Sri Lanka has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are dated as old as 4 BC. Despite its small size it has been classified as the “finest island of its size”. Country’s heritage, forested area, temperate climate and a two million population of smiling people speaks volumes about why Arabs once called it a ‘serendipity’ and why the world honors it as ‘the Pearl of the Indian Ocean’!t as ‘the Pearl of the Indian Ocean’!
The Wildlifer may opt for sea route or Air route to reach Sri Lanka. Sea Route: ‘Scotia Prince’ Ferry Service from Tuticorin Port in Tamil Nadu to Colombo port. The ferry service is available on two days a week and takes nearly 14 hours to reach Colombo port. Air Route: Colombo is the capital city of Sri Lanka and well connected by direct flights from all metropolitan cities by Srilankan Airlines. Other International flights for Sri Lanka are: Jet Airways India, Mihin Lanka and Spice Jet. Bhandarnaike International Airport in Colombo is the only airport in Srilanka.
Wilpattu National Park is located in the northwest coast of Sri Lanka. It is the largest park and was the first park to be upgraded to a national park in 1938. The Wilpattu Park is named after its natural lakes (villu) and basins which are nature’s gift to the wildlife in this arid low grassland forest of Sri Lanka. The park is less crowded and little exploited; people stay in the forest in tents and lodges to thoroughly cover this large forest. Wilpattu is renowned for its dense Leopard population and Sri Lanka Sloth Bears. It is rustic and less crowded which simply implicates jaw dropping quality time with the resting leopards and playful bears.
ACCESS :Wilpattu National park is at a distance of 180 kms from Colombo and it takes approximately 4hrs to reach.
SIZE :1085 sq km
WILDLIFE:Out of a Wilpattu Safari one can expect sights of Sri Lanka Leopards on move. There are 31 species of mammal including Spotted Deer, Mongoose, Sri Lanka Sloth Bears and Elephants. If lucky, you may also be able to track the following endemic bird species Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Little Cormorant and the Painted Stork. Also, the villus/ natural lakes are home to slithering Indian Cobras, Monitor Lizard and Mugger Crocodiles..
ACTIVITIES:Walking Trails, Night Safaris, Game watching, Birding
Yala National Park (also known as Ruhunu) is the most visited and second largest National Park of Sri Lanka. Yala is situated in the deep semi- arid region of southeast coast of the island and is a gazette national park since 1900. The park has been divided into five blocks and only three of them are open for visitors. Block 1 (Ruhana National Park) is the most interesting and heavily crowded by the Sri Lankan Leopard lovers. This endemic specie can be well found and photographed in the jungles of Yala. Yala has the highest density of Leopards living in the world and the acts of this sly predator would definitely take you by surprise. Leopards steal the show and Elephants are close runner ups! Find Sri Lankan Elephants, Deers in great numbers. Yala also has eye catching cultural relevance with a pinch of history. Dating back to the Ramayan days, Yala was the Ravan’s trerritory which has now submerged in the sea. Two of the important pilgrimage sites Sithulpahua and Magul Vihara of Buddhist Civilization in Yala are a frequent route for lakhs of pilgrims who march on foot across the forest.
ACCESS :Yala National Park is located in the Southwest region; about 290 kilo meters from Colombo and can be reached in 6-8 hours by road, given the snarling traffic conditions.
SIZE :979 square kilo meters
WILDLIFE:Yala has 44 species of mammals but Sri Lanka Leopards are present in great numbers (350 approximately). Elephant herds, Samabars, Spotted Deer, Boars, Crocodiles, Wild water Buffalo and Sri Lankan Sloth Bears can also be found in Yala. Around 215 species of birds (few Northern migratory include white-winged Black Terns, Curlews and Pintails). Jungle Fowl, Hornbills, Orioles and Peacocks are an often sight.
ACTIVITIES:Safaris, Night Safaris, Birding
Minneriya National Park was gazetted as a National park in the year 1997 to protect a 3rd Century AD technical marvel in form of – ‘Minneriya Tank’ built by King Mahasena for water conservation. Minneriya is famous for its all pervasive Elephant Safaris and 850 hectare of Paddy fields that it irrigates up. Especially when Sri Lanka observes a dry Season (June to September) and water recedes at other parks then shores of Minneriya tank becomes a prime attraction providing water and fresh grazing to the Elephant herds and migratory birds. Over three hundred Elephants congregate to socialize and mate; this event has been formally referred as “The Gathering” by Lonely Planet. It is the largest gathering of Asian Elephants anywhere in the World. Minneriya turns out to be a favorite safari spot in Sri Lnaka to spot playful Elephants. The Park has a diverse habitat of tropical dry mixed evergreen forests including plains, grasslands, abandoned chena lands, wetlands, rocky outcrops and hilly areas which makes it difficult to spot other species of birds. Sri Lanka endemic monkeys and birds can also be found hanging from the tree tops or gliding through the jungle.
ACCESS :Minneriya National park is situated 182 km northeast of Colombo and can be reached in five hours.
SIZE :88.9 sq. km
WILDLIFE:Elephants herds have the fame of Minneriya but there are 24 species of mammals including Leopards, Sloth Bears, Wild Buffalo, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey (endemic), Toque Macaque (endemic), Spotted Deer, Sambar, and Gray Slender Loris can be found here. There are total 160 species of bird (including 11 endangered) can be found in minneriya. Few of the endemic birds are Sri Lanka Hanging parrot, Junglefowl, Brown- capped Babbler, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Gray Hornbill. Endemic reptiles
ACTIVITIES:Hot Air Baloon Safaris, Birding, Jeep Safari, Primate Safaris
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