I am just back from Sri Lanka and have over 2500 photos to sift through and edit, so I will update when I can over the coming weeks. I manged to get some good shots of Blue and Bright Whales but although we saw leopards they were either very far away, concealed in undergrowth or in almost complete darkness. Below is our itinerary. Please turn to category pages for more photos.
SIGIRIYA
Sigiriya is famous for its Lion Rock which we visited but failed to climb. It was our first day, Linda wasn't well and I certainly wasn't fit enough to climb all those steps. However there were other things to see including wildlife there and at our hotel.
Sigiriya is famous for its Lion Rock which we visited but failed to climb. It was our first day, Linda wasn't well and I certainly wasn't fit enough to climb all those steps. However there were other things to see including wildlife there and at our hotel.
MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK
It was raining when we went so we had fun watching several 2 wheel vehicles getting stuck in the mud. Although we knew there were elephants we really didn't expect to see many but were pleasantly surprised to see several herds plus lots of birds.
It was raining when we went so we had fun watching several 2 wheel vehicles getting stuck in the mud. Although we knew there were elephants we really didn't expect to see many but were pleasantly surprised to see several herds plus lots of birds.
KITULGALA
We stayed in a remote hotel next to a river on a rubber plantation and saw kingfishers there. We decided to take a walk and the hotel dog decided to accompany us. Then another joined us, and another, and another, until we had 5 dogs. One owner came after his dog, but gave up trying to catch it! Eventually after an hour or so all dogs were returned to their natural territory.
We stayed in a remote hotel next to a river on a rubber plantation and saw kingfishers there. We decided to take a walk and the hotel dog decided to accompany us. Then another joined us, and another, and another, until we had 5 dogs. One owner came after his dog, but gave up trying to catch it! Eventually after an hour or so all dogs were returned to their natural territory.
NUWARA ELIYA
Nuwara Eliya is a small town but we were taken to Victoria Park which is a small oasis of calm. While looking in a pond another tourist couple came up to us and asked what we were doing. "Looking for frogs" was our reply. "Well, we are from France" came the unexpected reply! Well at least they had a good sense of humour!
Nuwara Eliya is a small town but we were taken to Victoria Park which is a small oasis of calm. While looking in a pond another tourist couple came up to us and asked what we were doing. "Looking for frogs" was our reply. "Well, we are from France" came the unexpected reply! Well at least they had a good sense of humour!
HORTON PLAINS
Horton Plain is a high escarpment. What we didn't know was it was a 9 km walk over some very rough tracks. We did manage to complete the walk but it nearly killed both of us! However, it was worth it for two spectacular views and some birds like jungle fowl and grey shouldered kite.
Horton Plain is a high escarpment. What we didn't know was it was a 9 km walk over some very rough tracks. We did manage to complete the walk but it nearly killed both of us! However, it was worth it for two spectacular views and some birds like jungle fowl and grey shouldered kite.
ELLA GAP
After the strain of Horton Plains, Ella Gap was a restful delight. The hotel had a beautiful view straight down the valley and each room had a hammock. Sheer bliss!
After the strain of Horton Plains, Ella Gap was a restful delight. The hotel had a beautiful view straight down the valley and each room had a hammock. Sheer bliss!
UDA WALAWE NATIONAL PARK
We had two safari drives in Uda Walawe and saw lots of different bird species plus elephants and buffalo and crocodiles. The hotel had large gardens and was set beside a river, so there was plenty of wildlife there including eagles flying overhead.
We had two safari drives in Uda Walawe and saw lots of different bird species plus elephants and buffalo and crocodiles. The hotel had large gardens and was set beside a river, so there was plenty of wildlife there including eagles flying overhead.
ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME, UDAWALAWE
This is a resettlement camp for orphaned elephants. We saw them getting fed and given their milk. One baby "Stumpy" had lost a rear leg and had been fitted with a metal one. He got preferential treatment by the staff but he seemed to get around well and was happy enough although he will never be released back to the wild.
This is a resettlement camp for orphaned elephants. We saw them getting fed and given their milk. One baby "Stumpy" had lost a rear leg and had been fitted with a metal one. He got preferential treatment by the staff but he seemed to get around well and was happy enough although he will never be released back to the wild.
YALA NATIONAL PARK
We had heard Yala was the home of many leopards and we did see three on our two safari drives. However, it is just bedlam when a leopard is seen. About 50 jeeps descend upon the spot and the first jeeps can stay as long as they want casing frustration and chaos. The first leopard was over 200 metres away and could only be spotted by our guide who couldn't point out exactly where it was. The second was closer but hidden in deep undergrowth. The third we saw in almost darkness as the park was closing. The problem with any Asian park is the thick undergrowth close to the track, so if a leopard (or anything) is not up a tree it is virtually impossible to see one, unlike Africa where the undergrowth is thinner.
We had heard Yala was the home of many leopards and we did see three on our two safari drives. However, it is just bedlam when a leopard is seen. About 50 jeeps descend upon the spot and the first jeeps can stay as long as they want casing frustration and chaos. The first leopard was over 200 metres away and could only be spotted by our guide who couldn't point out exactly where it was. The second was closer but hidden in deep undergrowth. The third we saw in almost darkness as the park was closing. The problem with any Asian park is the thick undergrowth close to the track, so if a leopard (or anything) is not up a tree it is virtually impossible to see one, unlike Africa where the undergrowth is thinner.
BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK
This was a lovely park and not very busy. There are few animals other than deer and crocodiles although we briefly saw a grey mongoose. However, it has lots of birds. We also had breakfast on the coast and walked down to see the local fishermen selling their catch to the tour guides and I helped push their outrigger boat up the beach. Really heavy, hard work.
This was a lovely park and not very busy. There are few animals other than deer and crocodiles although we briefly saw a grey mongoose. However, it has lots of birds. We also had breakfast on the coast and walked down to see the local fishermen selling their catch to the tour guides and I helped push their outrigger boat up the beach. Really heavy, hard work.
MIRISSA BEACH & WHALE WATCHING
Mirissa is a lovely sandy beach with palm trees and the warm Indian ocean. There were some surfers there too and a Japanese girl who fancied herself as a fashion model ! We spend two days whale watching in the morning and were not disappointed. Blue whales and Bright whales were seen.
Mirissa is a lovely sandy beach with palm trees and the warm Indian ocean. There were some surfers there too and a Japanese girl who fancied herself as a fashion model ! We spend two days whale watching in the morning and were not disappointed. Blue whales and Bright whales were seen.
GALLE (Pronounced GAWL)
Galle is an old fortress by the sea. Nothing much there except a lighthouse a couple of coffee shops and eating places and about 50 jewellers shops. Nice sunset though.
Galle is an old fortress by the sea. Nothing much there except a lighthouse a couple of coffee shops and eating places and about 50 jewellers shops. Nice sunset though.
MAHAMODARA RIVER
This was a real delight. We were the only boat on the river and were able to get close to many birds and water monitor lizards without disturbing them. We even saw a group of parakeets nest building.
This was a real delight. We were the only boat on the river and were able to get close to many birds and water monitor lizards without disturbing them. We even saw a group of parakeets nest building.
CONCLUSION
Sri Lanka is a wonderful place for a holiday with a breadth of stunning scenery and climate. It is also a great place to see wildlife. Don't expect to see leopards like you see them in a zoo and be prepared to be frustrated with a clamour of jeeps to see them and you will be ok. Would I recommend it? Without a doubt, YES ! Please turn to the category pages for further specialised photos.
Sri Lanka is a wonderful place for a holiday with a breadth of stunning scenery and climate. It is also a great place to see wildlife. Don't expect to see leopards like you see them in a zoo and be prepared to be frustrated with a clamour of jeeps to see them and you will be ok. Would I recommend it? Without a doubt, YES ! Please turn to the category pages for further specialised photos.
SOME NEW ADDITIONS !
I have been reviewing some old photos and decided to add some more Sri Lanka photos. I hope you enjoy them !
BABY ELEPHANT FEEDING, MINNERIYA
HOME FROM SCHOOL
COOLING DOWN
EAGLES
HERON
KINGFISHERS
STORK
MONKEY
INDIAN DARTER
MELISSA