Some of the best, greatest national parks you could experience for rare wildlife (think tigers, elephants, and rhino's) can be found in India. Yet, were you to turn your glare to Sri Lanka you'd be delighted just as to discover Yala National Park. The park takes pride of place in Sri Lanka and our complete travel guide focuses on this one park and what you can get from it for your holiday vacation.
Like those parks in India, there are safaris that are guided tours to ensure you get maximum pleasure and act responsibly, and stay safe ― because these are dangerous animals. And Sri Lanka has crocodiles that are loose. They're wild and untamed. But don't be scared off, because a safari is a once in a lifetime experience that shouldn't, and can't, miss out on.
Be that as it may, on the African subcontinent, India or Sri Lanka, a safari is the same nonetheless:
Experiencing a herd of elephants pass by your vehicle ― as close as a dozen yards off ― is a lifelong memorable experience, in anyone's view. That beats any zoo, any day.
If Sri Lanka interests you with the wildlife, we feel maybe India's topmost popular national parks for wildlife would also interest you? Go on safari in one of India's national parks for sightings of the rare Royal Bengal Tiger, White Horned Rhinoceros and herds of elephants. Book in advance to guarantee your accommodation within the national park, so you are going on your safari fully refreshed without the travel beforehand.
You should budget US$15 for the entrance ticket, per person. With many tour packages and Yala National Park itineraries, the entrance fee may be included, but not always so check to avoid surprises. Depending on the time of year, also expect to be charged a little more, may a few dollars more for a ticket: prices fluctuate it seams. Without any doubt you will want to hire a jeep, if you have no tour itinerary, so include another US$20 for the jeep.
However, it greatly depends on the number of people going along in the jeep. The more people, the cheaper the hire is, with each jeep maybe carrying up to 5 people at a time.
Getting to the park is relatively easy enough. You can hire private transport from Kataragama City, which is less than an hour away. The best time to visit the park safari is between June and September, be sure to prepare yourself for the tour by taking with you:
Wear loose-fitting clothing, sunglasses and a hat to protect your face from the sun. A pair of sturdy boots, not sandals, for when walking around. As stated earlier, wildlife in the park can be dangerous but don't worry because the park wardens won't take you too close to the animals. Which is why you need a zoom lens as you'll grab a photo from a distance. The better the lens then the sharper the picture.
You may also need a certain level of patience and perseverance, as animal behavior doesn't always perform to human needs and wishes. But in saying that, every park is different and it does depend on the season.
As with all national parks, including those in India, there are multiple access points or gates. The entrance closest to the city of Kataragama is Galge.
The choice is yours. You can stay in Kataragama City, but travel for a day safari, or you can stay in or near to the park. A lot of the guided tours last anywhere between 4 hours (a half day tour) to 12 hours. It's our recommendation that a 6-hour tour is sufficient to see enough of the wildlife to make it worthwhile your time to visit. Either go for a safari in the morning or afternoon. An afternoon safari is ideal when holidaying very late in the year, (December) through to spring.
Some of you may feel it necessary for a one-night, two-day package. In which case there are glamping and tented camps, ideal as they let the air circulate more freely in any breeze.
There are a myriad of different animal and bird species scattered all over the park. It's the job of your tour guides to show you as many different animals and birds as possible. All you must do is be alert, be ready with your camera and have your finger on the button.
You are blessed with Sri Lanka having a variable monsoon season but stable tropical temperatures, averaging in the low 80's Fahrenheit year-round. There is one monsoon lasting from May until August, and the second one arrives in September to hang around until March. Regardless of when you visit during a monsoon, it'll be hot. Expect to feel the worst of the monsoon during the month of November with the heaviest rainfall.
The wildlife you may catch a glimpse of includes (but not limited to):
There can be up to 90 different bird species in the park at any one time with many of them being migratory. Every season brings in different species therefore. It really is a proper safari, no doubt about it:
The park is lively and vibrant, as butterflies flutter around and you are joyous of the birdsong. Peacocks spread their feathers to your amazement. Every time you see a leopard or an elephant, your heartbeat races ahead of itself, as do your emotions. It's nothing like what it feels like being at a zoo, far from it. That's because the animals are free of any containment.
The animals can please themselves with what they do, they must not pander to human needs. And that's the reward ― and perhaps why safaris are becoming far more popular?
As the park falls to the southeast of the Island, with a coastline, there is of course a beach. The natural surroundings are 190km distant from the Island capital of Colombo, and only 10km from Kataragama City. Even were you not interested in the park (we can't think why ever not) at least there is a decent beach close by. Chances are you'll want to come back to the beach the following day, before moving on from Kataragama. Do make allowances for this.
By the way, the beach and surrounding coastline were deeply impacted by the 2004 Christmas tsunami. A memorial was built and can be found near to the beach.
One concern for many on holiday interested in wildlife and nature is their worry about not seeing a prized animal in the wild. Usually this is a tiger or rhino, when it comes to Africa and India, more so than a Sri Lankan safari. There is no need to be concerned, or alarmed, that you may go home empty handed. That's another reason why we suggest you book a 6-hour guided tour as a minimum: a 4-hour tour is, we feel, too short.
On an African safari the big five are a must-see event, the lion, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard. Well, Sri Lanka has its own big five too, namely: the elephant, leopard, sloth bear, blue and sperm whales. You can catch sight of migrating blue and sperm whales from the southern coast off Sri Lanka, between December and April.
Other popular national parks in Sri Lanka are Wilpattu National Park, Udawalawe National Park (another favorite of ours), Minneriya National Park and Kaudulla National Park. Udawalawe National Park has some of the largest elephant herds on the Sri Lankan Island. If being around these gentle giants enthralls you, then most definitely take a day trip to Udawalawe. It's seeing the "little ones" running around that most people go weak at the knees for, the baby elephants are cute and super silly in their actions, there's unlimited fun.
With green forests, sandy beaches, muddy roads, verdant grasslands and so many varied fauna and flora, it's no wonder this is Sri Lanka's most popular national park. As your safari takes you through the trails, you can exit your vehicle to sit by a riverbank for breakfast (because your tour begins long before sunrise), rest or stretch your legs before resuming the tour.
It's a beautiful sight seeing the sunrise, finally, over the park and you see a different side to the animals too, for their behavior changes. Most of your enjoyment and pleasure will arise from sightseeing but part of the whole package experience is the landscape, the waiting in anticipation and drama about what the animals will do next. If you love animals and wildlife, then you'll love going on a Sri Lankan safari.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.