As promised, let’s have a deeper dive into the animals of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is known for its leopard population, which was a major factor in my decision to visit. The country has numerous national parks for wildlife viewing, but you can also encounter animals outside of these protected areas.

Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park in Sri Lanka is huge and has tons of cool animals like leopards, elephants (I was told elephants, but I only saw ONE), and water buffalo. You can also find old ruins there, like an ancient Buddhist monastery. If you want to see leopards in the wild, Wilpattu is one of the best spots in Sri Lanka. Oh, and it’s great for birdwatching too! The number of peacocks is especially interesting to see. The landscape of Wilpattu National Park is less savannah and more forest and jungle. That’s why it’s also challenging to spot the animals.

The nature itself was quite astonishing. Even without the animals, the scenery was worth seeing. 

Honestly, I am not into birds, but feel free to like the following pictures 🙂

Then for sure the normal animals you find everywhere, like deer and monkeys.

Then, it was hard to spot, but also scary to see: a python!

And yes, I also have a picture of the ONE elephant I saw:

And finally, the pictures I have been waiting for so long to make. The leopard!

Actually I had been 3 leopards walking together, but I have been to slow to get all three on one picture.

The animals which are also in Wilpattu but I didn’t see were the Sloth Bear and King Cobra. 

Udawalawe Nation Park

Before heading to the safari in Udawalawe, it was recommended to visit the elephant transfer home. The elephant transfer home in Udawalawe is like a safe haven for elephants that have been hurt or lost their families. They get looked after by people who really know their stuff, making sure they get all the medical attention, yummy food, and a cozy place to stay. The main goal is to help these elephants get better and eventually go back to living in the wild. Plus, they teach visitors about how important it is to protect elephants – it’s a win-win! 🐘❤️

I used the afternoon feeding session to visit this amazing place. Can you imagine 40 baby elephants running around trying to get as much food as possible? And they don’t have control over their trunk. Watching them running was one of the most adorable things on this trip

The real adventure began early the next day with an elephant safari in Udawalawe National Park. This park is a haven for nature enthusiasts, boasting diverse habitats like grasslands, forests, and wetlands. Udawalawe is renowned for its large elephant population, and visitors may also encounter water buffalo, leopards, and vibrant peacocks.

Besides a sloth and a fox, I have seen TONS of elephants 🙂 . My most favorite scene was a group of 4 mums with 3 babies. 

As I depart Udawalawe and conclude my Sri Lankan report, it’s clear that 15 days was simply not enough time to fully experience this beautiful country. I would have loved to explore the eastern region, a part I didn’t get to visit this time. However, this just gives me a great reason to return in the future.

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