- Jacqueline Armitage-Jayasekera
Some places put wildlife behind fences. Sri Lanka puts it right in front of you—in the forests, on the beaches, even crossing the road like they own the place (which, let’s be honest, they do).
Here, safaris aren’t just a tourist attraction; they’re the real thing. You can:
🐘 Watch elephants roam freely in Udawalawe, Minneriya, and Wasgamuwa—no chains, no circus tricks, just elephants being elephants.
🐆 Spot a leopard in Yala or Wilpattu, where Sri Lanka boasts the highest density of these elusive big cats in the world.
🐊 Glide through Gal Oya on a boat safari, where elephants swim between islands and crocodiles lurk beneath the surface, watching everything (but hopefully not you).
🐻 See a sloth bear in the wild—if you’re lucky. They look like sleepy, shaggy teddy bears but move like they’re late for an appointment.
🐦 Wake up to peacocks calling from the treetops, their iridescent blues and greens flashing in the sun.
🦎 Spot giant water monitors lazing by the riverbanks, crocodiles sunbathing, and mongoose dashing across dirt roads, quick as a flash.
And if you want to see conservation in action, head to the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe. Unlike some so-called sanctuaries, this place is the real deal—a rehabilitation center for orphaned elephant calves that are later released into the wild. No touching, no rides—just a front-row seat to see baby elephants learning how to be wild again.
It’s wildlife the way it should be—unfiltered, unscripted, and unforgettable.
Come Sri Lanka with me.