Joanna James
Sri Lanka may be a small island country, but it sure is buzzing with the most amazing wildlife. With many forms of wildlife you find there – you will fall in love with the country in no time.
Sri Lanka is considered to be one of the best destinations in Asia as there's a bunch of national parks and forests that make a perfect habitat for every form of wildlife. There are safaris Sri Lanka where most of these places are included in the itinerary. Also, there's a domestic air taxi service – Cinnamon Air – that will take you anywhere in the country. If you are travelling with an aim to spot wildlife, you are in luck!
In Kosgoda region in Sri Lanka, there's a Turtle Conversation project you can be a part of. As a volunteer, your job is to watch and help preserve turtle nesting sites. The turtles you find in Sri Lanka are olive ridley, hawksbill and loggerhead. You have the chance to build the hatcheries, feed the baby turtles and release them back into the sea when it's time.
The abundance of marine creatures doesn't come as a surprise as the country is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. In the north-west region of the country, off the beaches, there are hundreds of dolphins that gather around for a good feed and to play around. Also, if you are lucky, you will have the chance to sight sperm whales and blue whales. The perfect spot for sighting whales is the south coast.
To sight elephants, visit Wasgamuwa National Park and Udawalawe National Park. At Wasgamuwa National Park, you can see elephants frolicking without the slightest care in the world – baby elephants will be the cutest thing you'll have ever seen. Udawalawe National Park, on the other hand, is home to a bunch of elephants as well, but your chances of seeing them are less compared to Wasgamuwa Park.
Bird watchers will find this place to be mesmerising. The canopied trees – some of these trees are endemic to Sri Lanka – provide the perfect shelter for migrant and resident birds both. Among the most sighted are Sri Lankan blue magpie, green-billed coucal and red-faced malkoha. Birds aren't the only species you can see though – there are also other forms of wildlife such as purple-faced langur, leopards, barking deer and squirrels.
When you say visiting the up-country, the place you must visit is the Horton Plains. It is a prairie with lush green vegetation which many species have come to love. Horton Plains is the perfect example of the country's varied climate which is the very reason why they are masses of migrant and endemic birds taking shelter there.
The island is a sanctuary in itself. The abundant wetlands and estuaries are home to migrant birds. If you are in Mannar, you can also visit Wilpattu National Park. What's more, the island is perfect for kite surfing.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
