A new development is safaris is luxury tented camps taking you overnight into the heart of the National Parks. The uniqueness of such camps is the complete ‘away from it all feeling’, with amazing water front sites, cool breezes & animal sightings. Although small, Sri Lanka has many wild life location suitable for camping and safari. Sri Lanka’s game reserve are full of surprises for you!
You may select an ‘’experience of a life time’’ from an assortment of tours; from a one day safari to multi- day Camping Safari Tours. There is a wide range of related options connected to camping such as observing or studying Fauna or Flora in various types of forests, Bird Watching or Butterfly watching…..or even observing and interacting with the indigenous People (Veddha’s) of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s abundant bird-life makes the island a true Ornithologist’s paradise. Of the 427 recorded species, 250 are resident and 33 are endemic to the country. With such a variety of environments ranging from wet to dry zone, forest to jungle, and Hill County to low lands, there’s no end to the fascinating locations in which to spot many of these beautiful birds. Most of the endemic birds (such as the Sri Lankan grackle) are restricted to the wet zone, while birds such as the Sri Lanka whistling thrush are the yellow-eared bulbul reside in the hill country. Other like, the brilliantly plumaged jungle fowl, the striking red-faced malkoha and the shy brown-capped babbler can be found in forests and sanctuaries throughout the island. Among the best areas for sighting these birds are the Sinharaja Rainforest and Adam’s Peak Wilderness sanctuary.
The large lakes (irrigation reservoirs) in the dry zone attract numerous varieties of duck, while larger aquatic birds such as stork, heron, egret, spoonbill, pelican, and ibis can easily be seen in the wetlands, especially at Weerawila, Kalametiya and Bundala National Park (which is also famed for its large flocks of migrant flamingos). Around mid-August the first migratory species arrive in Sri Lanka. Large flocks of sandpipers, stints, plovers, terns and harriers fly over from Northern India, Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe and settle along the lagoons and salterns of the eastern, north-western and south-eastern coasts. In the forested areas of Sri Lanka, birds like migratory tree warblers, thrushes and cuckoos can be seen.
Is famous for its elephant population, seen in small and large herds, Spotted, deer, Sambhur, Barking deer, Monkey, Wild Buffalo, Wild Boer, Sloth Sear, and innumerable varieties of birds, endemic and migratory. Peacock is the most famous of the birds at Yala. The mating dance of the ,ale with its colourful plumes fully spread is photographer’s delight.
Lying within the ancient kingdom of Ruhuna there are also a large number of archaeological sites. Notably Sithulpahuwa, a rocky site believed to have been a monastery which housed more than 10,000 people. According to over 60 inscriptions found at the site it is one of the greatest monasteries of the 2 c.B.C. found in Sri Lanka.
Is a well-known bird sanctuary where a multitude of birds breed and roost. One of the most significant features of the park is the ‘Kumana Villu’ – a 200 hectare natural swamp lake. It is at this mangrove swamp that many water birds nest in May and June. Regular sightings include pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and little cormorants. The very rare black-necked stork has also been spotted at the swamp. Besides the prolific birdlife, Kumana is also home to some of the mammals found in the larger YALA (West) park. For bird watching enthusiasts, this park is an ‘absolute must’.
Situated in the North Central Province closer to the ancient cities especially Polonnaruwa, at Wasgomuwa wild elephant could be easily sighted. It is also rich in other large mammals.
Maduru Oya lies close to Sigiriya. Established to protect the catchment areas of the main reservoirs under the Mahaveli schema and to provide a safe haven for the already depleting mammals. The area is being recognized as the most valuable conservation for elephants and endemic birds of Sri Lanka. Wild animals that roam the park comprises elephants, bears, leopards, sambhur, water buffalo, purple monkey, variety of deer, reptiles etc. Aquatic birds thrive.. sea eagle, great cormorant, little cormorant, painted stork, Sri Lankan jungle fowl, tailorbird, white ramped shama, black hooded oriole, red faced malkoha etc.
Circling the beautiful Minneriya Tank (3c.A.D.), the green surroundings are strikingly different to the arid landscape. Being part of the elephant corridor which joins up with Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa you are sure to sight elephants. During the months of August/September one of the most awesome wildlife spectacles ‘the Gathering’, ranked sixth in the Lonely Planet’s ten greatest wildlife spectacles take place. Over 300 elephants converge to enjoy the tank with the receding water level to play and make merry. A variety of bird life could be spotted including some endmic to Sri Lanka.
Lies in the southeast of Sri Lanka beyond the island’s central hills. Established in 1954 to protect the main catchment area the vast Senanayake Samudra, it is the only park which allows visitors to enjoy its beauty and wild life by Boat safari as well as buy Jeep. Covering an expanse of approximately 26,000 hectares, Gal Oya National Park is home to 32 species of mammals including herds of Asian elephants, leopards, water buffalo, sambhur, deer and the elusive sloth bear. Apart from Elephant Lovers, the boat safari has many surprises awaiting the Bird Lovers too. The ‘’Kurulu Dupatha’’ or the ‘’Bird Island’’ and some of these islands are teeming with birds. Best time to visit Gal Oya National Park is from March to July. During this period, on a boat safaris you behold the spectacle of herds of wild elephants swimming from island to island within the great reservoir.
Is next in popularity to yala, and elephants could easily be observed even in midday. In addition 39 species of mammals and 183 species of birds have been recorded.
Close to Anuradhapura is unique in its topography having several inland ‘Villus’ (lakes) that attract thousands of water birds. It is the domain of the elusive leopard. Bear and herds of deer and sambhur, are common. The vegetation is lush and wide changes of vegetation can be experienced in different sections of the park.
In the deep south on the way to Yala is Sri Lanka’s first recognized Ramsar site (I,e. a wetland of international importance). Popular with both local and migratory birds. Around 165 species have been sighted. The park is the last refuge of the Greater Flamingo in this part of the island, up to 2000 of these birds have been recorded during Nov/Dec. The lagoons also constitute one of the most popular wintering areas of migratory shorebirds in the country, accommodating up to 20000 shorebirds at anytime including the Black Necked Stork.
The Department of National Zoological Garden has set up an orphanage for baby elephants at Pinnawala which is about 13 Km from Kegalle Town, on the Kegalle-Rambukkana Road. The orphanage was established to feed, nurse and house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Often the young ones fall into pits and ravines in their quest for water during drought period. Other inmates at the orphanage are those displaced from their natural environs by development projects or those found diseased or wounded. The orphanage is 16 years old. The animals that were brought during the initial years are now capable of breeding and have in fact bred.
A sylvan shrine, 21 km inland from Tissa is a shrine dedicated to God skanda, the Hindu God of war known locally as ‘Kataragama Gods’ is one of the most important pilgrim sites in Sri Lanka. The annual festival is held in July/August when a large number of Buddhists, Hindus and even Muslims converge to take part in the festivities. They cleans themselves in the holy water of the Menik Ganga(river) and offer flowers, incense and fruits to the shrine. During the festival acts of self mortification is common. ‘’Kavadi’’ Dancing (dance of the peacock, the vehicle of god Skanda) and walking on red hot embers barefoot are performed by devotees much the awe of the onlookers. Katharagama however has visitors daily has and exotic atmosphere laced with religious fervour with rows of little boutiques selling sweet smelling jasmine, lotus and incense, fruit and also bead chains, bangles, and other bauble to temple the young.
A historic city, the ancient capital of Ruhuna Province, dates back to the 3rd c.B.C. , rose to fame during the reign of Kavantissa father of the heroic King Dutugemunu 2ndc.B.C. builder of many Buddhist shrine including the impressive Ruwanveliseya in Anuradhapura. Located on the banks of the picturesque Tissa Wewa (lake) – an artificial lake a favourite picnic spot for travellers handing towards Katharagama and the Yala National Park. They stop to lake a dip in the lake, cook, have a meal and then proceed, refreshed. Yala is about 20 km from Tissa and many local tour operators offer full day or half day tours to the Park. A cluster of dagabas and the much venerated Maha Stupa adds character and the lake, serenity and peace. Overall it is a pleasant city to spend some time.
Just 11 Km southeast of Tissa is the beautiful beach at Kirinda. Connected with the fascinating legend/history of a princess set afloat in a gilded boat on the Kelani River to appease the gods. Her perilous drifting voyage brought her to Kirinda, to be met by King kavan Tissa who fell in love and married her. Viharamahadevi was the mother of king Dutugemunu the warrior prince who became a pious ruler and reigned in Anuradhapura. A white dagoba on the rocky cliff commemorate her coming ashore at this spot.
