Sri Lanka – Blue Whales & Leopards
For the chance to see Leopards, Elephants, Whales and more all within a stone’s throw, Sri Lanka is the place to be. Our journey started in Colombo, the bustling capital, then took us to cultural wonders like the Sigiriya rock monolith and the archaeological site at Polonnaruwa. From there, we ventured to the scenic locales of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and the somewhat desolate but stunning Horton Plains—a high plateau in the central highlands. It’s mind-boggling to think that until the 1940s, this plain was home to large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. Now, the most common sight is the elegant Sambar Deer. Sri Lanka, a small island with a big variety of wildlife, making every mile of our journey a thrilling adventure.
The Rainforest at Sinharaja
Leaving the cool Central Highlands of Sri Lanka , our journey took us to the lush tropical rainforest of Sinharaja, a precious haven of primary forest in Sri Lanka. Amidst the thick vegetation, wildlife hides, but we spotted some captivating lizards. Sinharaja is renowned for its bird waves—a unique phenomenon where various bird species travel together through the forest, usually guided by the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. During our stroll along the forest tracks, we were lucky to witness two of these captivating bird waves.
Uda Walawe National Park
Continuing our southern journey, we arrived at the arid lowland landscapes of Uda Walawe National Park. Renowned for its sizable elephant population and a haven for birdlife, especially raptors. The landscape of Uda Walawe features a mix of grasslands, scrublands, and teak plantations. Creating a unique habitat that supports a variety of flora and fauna. In addition to elephants, the park is home to a rich array of wildlife. Including water buffaloes, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boars, and a variety of bird species.
Moving from Uda Walawe, our next stop was Yala, Sri Lanka’s most renowned park, albeit popular for all the Leopards it hosts. While it offers excellent wildlife sightings, the experience is sometimes overshadowed by the numerous jeeps jostling for prime viewpoints. The park, bustling with visitors, often leaves you surrounded by an array of onlookers, some of whose genuine interest in wildlife may be a tad questionable. Having said that our guide managed to get us off the beaten track resulting in some excellent photo opportunities.
We finished our journey, by heading to the coastal area of the Mirissa, keeping our fingers crossed for a glimpse of the Blue Whales. An early start and a bit of searching paid off as we were treated to a spectacular sight – not only Spinner Dolphins but also the a single Blue Whale. The ocean adventure in Mirissa added the perfect finale to our wildlife trip.
