The combination of beautiful luxury resorts and wildlife experiences might make this your favorite trip yet. Here are our top five Safari experiences in Sri Lanka.
Elephant Safari
The Sri Lankan Elephant is considered to be the largest of the Asian elephants and there are an estimated number of 7,500 Elephants in this island. Elephants are the largest land mammal in Sri Lanka weighing up to 5 tons with an average height of 7-10 ft. Therefore it is a no-brainer, that if you are visiting Sri Lanka, that you do block out some days to experience one of the many Elephant Safaris that are available in this nation. Although you will be able to witness Elephants all year around, the peak season for Elephant Safari is during the dry season from August to mid-October as they gather to feed around lakes within the park. Some of the best Elephant Safaris in Sri Lanka are, Habarana Elephant Safari, Minneriya National Park and Udawalawe National Park.
Leopard Spotting
Spotting one of the big cats on a safari is every safari-goers dream come true. Encountering these magnificent beasts up-close and personal is definitely a moment you will hold close to your heart for years to come. Two of the biggest wildlife sanctuaries in Sri Lanka, Yala National Park and Wilpattu National Park, are both key destinations in spotting leopards. The expert safari guides will be as determined as you to spot a leopard or two, so they will take you to the most likely spots and follow any tips they might receive to ensure your experience is amazing. Although spotting a leopard is not guaranteed, the thrill and anticipation will definitely make this a fun experience. So pack a bit of luck and enjoy this safari as you encounter numerous other animals on the way.
Exploring Bird Sanctuaries
Another wonderful experience you could have is exploring bird sanctuaries. This island is home to many endemic and endangered birds. Therefore, the best way to experience some of these beautiful beings is by visiting a bird sanctuary. This scenic outdoor bird sanctuary is the ideal space for those interested in bird-watching to spend some time in. The Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary, Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary, Bundala National Park and Mannar bird sanctuary are all home to over 140-150 species of birds. If you want to catch a glimpse of the migrant birds of Sri Lanka, such as the Blue-tailed Bee-eater or the Indian Pitta, the ideal season for this is from early August till April. So grab a pair of binoculars, a sketchbook and a camera and enjoy your time marveling at nature.
Marine Life Experience
As you can imagine, the island that is home to a very rich biodiversity is also home to a thriving marine life. Whale-watching and dolphin-watching are huge tourist attractions because of the surreal experience they provide. On a good day you will witness hundreds of dolphins swimming and flipping right beside your boat. Fortunately for you the season for both these experiences are quite long as the dolphin watching season is from mid-October to March and the whale watching season is from November to April. Kalpitiya, Mirissa and Trincomalee and seen as prime locations for such adventures. If this experience is not on your bucket list already, make sure you add it and tick it off when you visit Sri Lanka.
Lesser Known Jewels
Additionally, there are numerous other safari and wildlife adventures you can experience in Sri Lanka. There are many rainforest expeditions such as Sinharaja and Knuckles range that will give you a glimpse of the plants and trees that are available in Sri Lanka while giving you the opportunity to see birds and animals in their natural habitat. Additionally, Wilpattu, Gal Oya, Yagirala, Wasgamuwa are all lesser explored spots that would definitely give you a memorable experience.
The above are our top 5 Safari experiences in Sri Lanka. As you enjoy these once-in-a-lifetime experiences, make sure to travel responsibly and follow the rules and safety guidelines of the park. Be cautious of your surroundings at all times and refrain from provoking animals so that you don’t put yourself or those around you at risk. But having said that, do make sure to enjoy every moment of these experiences because they are definitely worth writing home about!
