On Safari in Sri Lanka
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Updated: 4th August 2015
A safari in Sri Lanka is sure to be a highlight of your trip if, like me, you are a complete animal lover.
From the Ceylon Jungelfowl (the national bird) right through to the beautiful and gigantic Elephants, the amount of wildlife to be discovered on this relatively small island is impressive.
With monkeys playing around in roads, chipmunks jumping about and huge lizards crossing the streets you are spoilt before evening setting foot into one of the many national parks.
Elephants, Leopards and Peacocks are among the offerings a safari in Sri Lanka can delight you with although each national park is famous for it’s different animal inmates.
My journey took me to Minneriya, which is easily visited and arranged from popular tourist spots Polonnaruwa or Sigiriya. An early start is your best bet to ensure you are not fighting through jeeps to get a front row seat of these magnificent giants.
Even before entering the park we were greeted by a heard of Elephants just next to the main road which skirts around the park. Beyond excited and only a few meters from them I knew we were onto a winner. Due to the large water lake in the middle of the park, during dry season especially it is known for its great migration of reportedly up to 700 Elephants. At anyone time between 100-200 Elephants can be found here making it a likely bet you wont take long to spot one.
Home to two rare breeds of Monkey, the Toque Macaqu and the Purpe-face langur, these are two kinds you are less likely to find just hanging around elsewhere. The endangered Sri Lankan Sloth and Leopard also reside here although sadly neither came out to play on my visit. With Water Buffalo and Deer making up some of the other 20 mammals in the park a stake out isn’t necessary to start getting the rewards of your early morning jeep journey.
The painted Stork and Great White Pelicans are just a couple of the hundred plus bird species which call this beautiful land their home so naturists and animal lovers and both well catered for.
Where ever you decide to take a safari in Sri Lanka you are sure to discover another side of this surprising country. With a private Jeep, entry and pick up from as little as £60 it is also really great value for a day trip out. Most of these photos were shot on a normal lens which gives you an idea of just how close you are able to get to the wild here. Why not head over to my Top ten Sri Lanka must see list for some more inspiration.
Have you been on Safari in Sri Lanka at a different park? Let me know how it went in the comments below…
Read more: Sri Lanka travel guide
I just now sat down to take a look at your site…and it’s gorgeous! You’ve done well here, Dan. I feel like a lot of travel bloggers forgot about aesthetics, so this is a treat. Hope that side of the world is treating you well. ;)
Bless you, thank you so much! It’s certainly been a labour of love for a few months (damn being a perfectionist!), finally got around to using my graphic design training though haha! Life is good thank you! How are you?