Joanna James
The small island nation is home to a rather impressive 22 national parks, out of which Yala in the southeast is a favourite among the many tourists to the country. Hop in a mighty safari jeep and head into the tropical nature haven to treat yourself to a slice of exciting wildlife spotting.
Yala basks in the glory of having the highest concentration of Sri Lankan Leopards in the whole of the island nation, earning it the moniker, "Home of Sri Lankan Leopards". The approximate concentration is presumed to be 2.5 per square mile, which is undeniably impressive, not just on the teardrop island but in the whole wide world. If you are keen on spotting a few of these fascinating creatures, make your safari early in the morning or at dusk, when they are more likely to roam around the wilderness.
The South Asian nation of Sri Lanka isn't just proud to have their majestic elephants as one of their highly concentrated wildlife species, but also highly regards them as they are an ancient symbol of Sri Lanka culture, which is evident in the annual Kandy Esala Perahera—a grand procession in which a throng of elephants carries the most precious relic of Sri Lankan Buddhists, the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. The Udawalawe National Park in Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces have the highest concentration of Sri Lankan elephants, but the chances of spotting a herd on a safari in Yala are also pretty good
Sloth bears might not be that big of a deal to neighbouring India as they can be found extensively in the subcontinent, but it is not the same for pear-shaped Sri Lanka, making Yala national park one of the best places in the country to try your luck at spotting a few of these shy, shaggy, and black-coated creatures, especially in the months of May and June.
The world-renowned toque macaque monkeys are one of the wildlife species that are endemic to the Indian Ocean island nation of Sri Lanka, that one could spot in the sanctuary of the Yala National Park. Reddish-brown and utterly mischievous, Toque Macaque Monkey—or rilawa, as they are known locally—is one of the most studied primates in the country and a popular sight among the many visitors to the national park.
Another popular sight that's utterly similar to Yala's widely popular Sri Lanka leopard is the fishing cat, who gets its name from its habit of wandering around waterways and catching fish. To complement the national park's wide variety of wildlife species, such as the magnificent fishing cat, vacationing tourists could also find a clutch of fine Yala hotels, including the likes of Leopard Safaris Yala.
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.
