Sri Lanka maybe a small island but it provides a natural habitat to an enviable variety of wildlife, fauna and flora. A rich and diverse collection of mammals have found their homes in Sri Lanka or its surrounding ocean and catching a glimpse of them is a must do on your trip to this paradise island. Being one of the finest wildlife watching countries in South Asia, a Sri Lanka wild life tour is guaranteed to give you a heart-warming and jaw-dropping experience of the big five mammals in action. The world renowned hospitality of safari hotels in Sri Lanka will make your expedition in to the wilderness and the deep seas all the more comfortable and luxurious!
Here’s what is not to be missed;
1. The elusive leopard
Craving the taste of a real wildlife excursion, full of adventure and suspense? Head to a national park in Sri Lanka and try your luck at spotting a local leopard. The Sri Lankan leopard has been classified as endangered and is a leopard subspecies that is native to Sri Lanka. Hop on a dedicated safari jeep and enjoy the wind in your hair while you wait for this majestic creature to make an appearance and give you an experience of a life time. Yala National Park has the highest density of leopards in the world, so if your heart desires to witness these magnificent mammals, a Yala safari, curated by the experts at Cinnamon Wild Yala is a must!
Photo Credits: Chandika Jayaratne
2. The majestic elephant
The Sri Lankan elephant is a tourist attraction as well as a local favourite. Elephants are a highly conserved species in Sri Lanka and also carries an immense cultural and sacred importance. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to witness the gathering of hundreds of elephants who gather to graze and feed at the Minneriya National Park, this experience can be enjoyed in five-star comfort with Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts. Venture into the wilderness and have yourself a truly Sri Lankan experience with the local elephants.
Photo Credits: Chandika Jayaratne
Photo Credits: Cinnamon Nature Trails
3. The adorably disheveled sloth bears
The distinctly shaped sloth bear with its disheveled and shaggy black coat is a treat to your eyes. Rise with the sun and head out into the thick jungle where there is undisturbed forest growth and observe the habits of this endemic and omnivorous bear. Experience the wildlife curiosities that Sri Lanka has to offer and journey through the wilderness to witness the wildlife wonders of this paradise isle. These special creatures can be spotted mainly at Wilpattu and Yala.
Photo Credits: Chandika Jayaratne
4. The giant sperm whales
Sperm whales are the largest active predators on the planet with males reaching nearly 20m in length and we’re indeed lucky to have these magnificent creatures finding their home in the deep seas of Sri Lanka. These ocean dwellers are a treat to your senses and whale watching in Sri Lanka is known to be rewarding and one of the most satisfying experiences in this paradise island. The fortunate position of Sri Lanka close to the continental shelf where the meeting of the warmer and colder waters brings together a rich feast of nutrients on which the sperm whale feeds making Sri Lanka one of the top destinations for sperm whale spotting. Sperm whales coupled with the hospitality and comfort offered in Sri Lanka is an experience not to be missed in this tropical island.
Photo Credits: Sampath Gurusinghe
5. The mammoth blue whales
Sri Lanka claims to have the best encounter rate for blue whales and lives up to the expectation by providing some of the best and top-notch whale watching expeditions in the world. Some of these creatures are occasional visitors whilst others are permanent residents around Sri Lankan waters. Traverse deep into the blue waters of Sri Lanka, enjoy the sun and warmth of tropical Sri Lanka on your journey to catch a glimpse of the largest whales that swim the oceans of the world.
As a part of Sri Lanka’s unwavering effort to conserve its diverse wildlife, flora and fauna, Sri Lanka will be hosting the Conference of Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP18) from the 23rd of May to the 3rd of June 2019 in Colombo. Participate at this crucial discussion in five-star comfort, style and luxury by booking your stay at Cinnamon city hotels such as Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo and Cinnamon Red Colombo. Enjoy the best of what Sri Lanka has to offer right from the heart of the bustling capital city of Colombo.
Author- Shenella Fonseka
