Jungle Tourism | The Adventure Travel Site

Why Botswana is considered a unique travel destination

Botswana is the wildlife enthusiast’s every dream. With diverse landscapes across the country that host diverse ecosystems it is a great place to visit to learn more about animals. Here are the 6 top reasons why you should visit Botswana.

1. Unique and Very Diverse National Parks and Game Reserves

There are so many diverse and unique national parks and gaming reserves around Botswana. There are great places that you can explore close to hotels in Gaborone.

2. A Large Diversity of Wildlife

There is a diverse array of wildlife distributed among these national parks including lions, elephants and giraffes on the dry plains and crocodiles, buffalos and hippos close to the Chobe River.

3. Various Types of Safaris

You can ask at your hotel the likes of Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino about the various types of safaris available. There are boat cruises down the Chobe River, motorboating across the Okavango Delta, air safaris and a good hardy ride of a 4×4.

4. Has Stunning Sunsets

Because Botswana is so flat, you can be guaranteed a front-row seat to some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the world.

5. Is a Unique Travel Experience

It is a truly unique travel experience that will help you better understand nature. It is an adventure that will bring you close to the true beauty of the earth.

Amazing Attractions to Discover in Yala for an Unforgettable Vacation

From wildlife safaris to exploring exquisite cultural sites, Yala is an ideal place to spend your summer vacation. You will find many properties in and around this spellbinding city such as Cinnamon Wild Yala.

Adbar, Tourism Yala National Park, CC BY-SA 3.0

Yala National Park
No trip to Yala is complete without visiting its amazing national park – one of the most visited of its kind in Sri Lanka. It is home to a beautiful forest that provides lifeblood to many exotic animals. Animal lovers can even expect to spot the elusive leopard here during a safari arranged by their Yala hotel.

Magul Maha Viharaya
Hiding historical value in its ancient constructions, Magul Maha Viharaya is yet another attraction that can be visited during your trip to Yala. According to chronicles, Vijayabahu the Great has used this temple complex during the battle to unite the country.

Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya
A temple complex that’s believed to be built by King Kawanthissa during the 2nd century B. C., Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya can easily be accessed from many Yala hotels. The main stupa can be found overlooking a large pond from a large mountainous area.

Yala Leopard Centre
Couldn’t spot a leopard during your safari? Fret not – you can visit this incredibly informative centre that offers marvellous insights into the lives of leopards.

A Guide to Wildlife in Sri Lanka

If you are looking for a “wild” holiday which is more about wildlife encounters than nightlife fun, then Sri Lanka is an ideal destination! Here’s a glimpse into the many species you may come across.

Mammals
Sri Lanka has over 100 mammal species including the endemic leopard and elephant. Leopards can be spotted at the Yala National Park, while elephants can be seen at Minneriya National Park near Habarana; hotel options in the area such as Cinnamon Lodge Habarana offer excursions to see “The Gathering” of hundreds of elephants around July. The sloth bear, sambar deer, toque macaque and European otter are some of the other local mammals.

Birds
Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in Sri Lanka which encompasses endemic (like the Sri Lankanjunglefowl and Sri Lanka spurfowl) and migratory (like the Pacific golden plover and greater flamingo) species.The Sinharaja Forest Reserve andBundala National Park are two bird watching hotspots.

Reptiles
There are plenty of reptile species in the island which include a great many snakes such as the sand boa, green vine snake andIndian cobra. Also grouped amongst reptiles are the mugger and saltwater crocodiles as well as five sea turtle species like olive ridley, hawksbill and green turtles.

Marine Species
Out at sea, Sri Lanka is blessed with more diversity and one will find over 900 marine fish species; these include reef fish as well as larger varieties like marlin and sailfish. The country also offers one a chance to spot marine mammals from blue and sperm whales to spinner and bottlenose dolphins.\

Thrilling Safaris at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Ever had the thrill of seeing regal leopards and majestic elephants roam free in their natural habitats? Such wildlife encounters and a whole lot more awaits at the Yala National Park!

Plan Your Safari
Located in the southeast part of the country, this park can be accessed via the gates at locations such as Palatupana and Katagamuwa. For a safari tour, Sri Lanka is best explored via 4WD vehicles and Yala is no exception. A little after 6:00am and again after 4:00pm are generally the best times for spotting wildlife.

Kings of Yala
The apex predator at the park is the Sri Lankan leopard; safaris here are very popular since it has the world’s highest density of leopards in the wild. Such wildlife drives can be organised by local travel specialists the likes of Walkers Tours as part of unforgettable excursions to spot these stealthy felines.

Other Wildlife
On your adventures in Yala, you mayobserve many other creatures too including elephants who may be gentle giants, but shouldn’t be disturbed! Keep watch to also spot sloth bears, water buffalos, spotted deer, toque macaques and mugger crocodiles. Part of the park encompasses the coast where sea turtles are known to visit too.

Diverse Birdlife
Equally impressive are the diverse bird species at Yala; one of the best places for birdwatching in Sri Lanka, the park has recorded around 215 bird species. These includeendemic varieties such as the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Sri Lankan junglefowl which is also the nation’s national bird.

Minneriya National Park

If you are a nature lover and are hoping to catch some elephants on your trip to Sri Lanka, then one of the best places to visit would be the Minneriya National Park.

How to get to Minneriya National Park

Located in the North Central part of Sri Lanka the Minneriya National Park has been pronounced an untamed animal haven since 1938. It is about 180km from Colombo and takes about 5 hours if you are driving.

shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates, Minneriya National Park (7568194474), CC BY 2.0

Best time to visit

The best time to visit would be from May to October as this is the time that you will be able to see herds of Asian Elephants gathering and making their way towards the water. The dry season beckons these gentle giants out into the open and the best times to start your jeep and go on the safari would the early morning hours from 5am – 8am.

What you can see

The safari ride in the park will have you seeing many animal species and birds. But the park is most famous for the herds of Asian elephants that gather at the watering hole during the hot seasons in Sri Lanka. Other animals you may come across on your safari are the spotted deer, sambar, and the purple-faced langur monkeys.

Where you can stay

If you are wondering where to stay during your trip, there are many hotels and resorts in the area that will put you up. You can even consider staying at a luxury hotel in Sigiriya Dambulla such as the Heritance Kandalama which is a mere 1 hour away from the National Park.

The Wildlife of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is surely a paradise for those who love biodiversity. Due to this same reason, the country has become so popular for wildlife safaris among tourists from all around the world.

Witnessing the Sri Lankan elephant

There are 26 National Parks in Sri Lanka and you can definitely spot Sri Lankan elephants at several of these parks. The Minneriya National Park and the Udawalawe National Park are just to name a few.

Leopards – a rare scene

Tourists love to arrange most of their adventure tours in Sri Lanka around the Yala National Park. In Yala, there is an unmatched leopard density worth exploring, and this is in addition to the other wildcats such as jungle cats, civet cats, and rust-spotted cats.

Watching the blue whales

If you travel to Mirissa or Trincomalee in Sri Lanka with Walkers Tours, you will get this rare privilege of exploring the largest animal species on earth- the blue whale.

Bird watching in Sri Lanka

Peacefully engage in birding at national parks such as Kumana and Bundala. The Sinharaja Bird Wave is also another popular attraction among bird watchers who come from all over the world.

Elephant back safari ride in Habarana

Elephant Back Safaris in Sri Lanka is one of the most joyful leisure activities for a number of reasons. It is also a very rare experience that’s loved by westerners the most.

Why elephant back safaris are fun?

Rather than just holidaying in a Sri Lanka resort enjoying luxury, experiencing an elephant back safari is fun and exciting. You simply share some hours of your day with an elephant while exploring nature.

The experience

On one such safari, you can view the exotic wildlife from the back of a majestic elephant. You also get the chance to feed the elephant and see how it gets groomed after a bath, which is a rare sight to enjoy.

Why Habarana?

Habarana is one perfect transit point for herds of wild elephants who belong to Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks. So, Habarana has become one of the locations that provide this experience in Sri Lanka allowing guests of nearby resorts the likes of Habarana Village by Cinnamon to have this firsthand experience.

The best periods

Water levels are good during the months of March and July; needless to say, this makes the best time for a safari!

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Despite its small size, Sri Lanka is one of the most richly biodiverse regions in South Asia. The island is home to all manner of fascinating wildlife, both big and small. This is in large part due to many national parks and forest reserves spread out through the island – these act as safe havens to some of the most unique and rare creatures on the planet!

The Big Game

The large national parks in Sri Lanka such as Yala and Wilpattu are great places to spot the stars of Sri Lanka’s wilds – namely the leopard and Sri Lankan elephant. In fact, areas like Yala National Park have some of the highest leopard concentrations in the world! The best way to catch a glimpse of these spectacular species is to choose one of the Sri Lanka wildlife tours that cover the large national parks, like the ones offered by Soultrek Sri Lanka.

Forest Dwellers

Sri Lanka’s forest reserves are perhaps the most biodiverse areas in the country; even though these verdant refugees aren’t usually home to the biggest game, the island’s forest denizens are by far the most unique and bizarre. Take for example the sloth bear – a small ursine species with shaggy black hair that specialises in eating insects. Then there’s the endemic red slender lorries, a peculiar primate that patrols the forest canopy at night.

Avifauna

Sri Lanka is without a doubt a bird lover’s paradise, and a bird-watching trip to any of the island’s avifauna hotspots can be extremely rewarding. Some of the notable species found here include the endemic Ceylon magpie – a strikingly colourful bird native to the central hills of Sri Lanka – and the very rare Sri Lankan whistling thrush.

Marine Life

Sri Lanka’s impressive biodiversity isn’t just contained to the forests and parks on land, the calm blue waters that surround the island are home to a menagerie of life that’s just as impressive. The coral reefs of Hikkaduwa, in particular, are home to many different types of reef fish and are regularly visited by various species of the endangered sea turtle. Further out at sea you’ll find the true giants of the ocean – baleen whales such as the blue and humpback whales regularly visit the warm waters of Sri Lanka!

Enjoy A Bumpy Yala Safari Ride to Satisfy Your Adventurous Thirst

Sri Lanka is often cited as one of the premier safari locations in Asia. The island has a number of national parks that harbour an array of fascinating wildlife – both big and small. Among these, Yala National Park is perhaps the most popular and with good reason too!

Where is Yala

Yala lies to the southeast of Sri Lanka and is bordered by the Indian Ocean. Specifically, it is around 300km away from Colombo, but the journey is relatively easy due to Sri Lanka’s highly-developed road network. There are several parks adjacent to Yala as well, all of these in tandem create a hotspot for some of the island’s wildest denizens.

Dan arndt, Wetland – Yala NP, CC BY-SA 4.0

When to Go on Safari

Most Yala hotels, such as the Cinnamon Wild Yala, always keep their guests informed that there are two peak times to go on safari – dawn and dusk. The cool air means that animals are more active during these times, so you’re more likely to spot Yala’s fascinating denizens.

Thilinakaluthotage, කැලේ අයුතිකාරයා, CC BY-SA 4.0

Interconnected Ecosystems

Yala National Park is made up of a number of unique ecosystems that all intertwine together. Habitats range from dense scrub forests, open grasslands, dense woods, and placid lagoons. Watering holes, in particular, are fascinating biomes that often attract a litany of different animals.

The Park’s Wildlife

By far, Yala’s most famous attraction is its leopards. In fact, the park has one of the highest densities of wild leopard in the world! Now, as you keep your eyes peeled for this elusive big cat, don’t miss out on all of Yala’s other iconic characters – there are the majestic Asian elephant, the ill-tempered buffalo, and skittish chital to name a few.

© Mahoora Tented Safari Camps (https://www.mahoora.com/) / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Leopard in Yala National Park, CC BY-SA 4.0

Yala National Park Sri Lanka

If you’re planning to tour Sri Lanka, you should definitely make plans to view the island’s amazing wildlife. In recent times, Sri Lanka has been cited as a premier destination for safari-goers outside of Africa. This is in large part due to the numerous national parks doted around the island, and among these ones clearly stands out – Yala National Park.

The Location

Yala is situated in the South-Eastern edge of Sri Lanka, bordered by the waters of the Indian Ocean to the south. The park stretches for over 130,000 hectares and consists of a variety of biomes, from dense scrub forests to lagoons surrounded by fertile grassland. Due to Sri Lanka’s highly developed road network, reaching the park mis relatively easy by car – it’s a 300km drive from Colombo via the Southern Express Highway.

Leopard Watching at Yala

If there’s one thing Yala is known for above all else, it’s for its leopards. In fact, Yala boasts one of the highest concentrations of leopard anywhere in the world! Due to a large number of vehicles that pass through Yala near every day, these big cats have become habituated to safari jeeps and do not shy way from them. As such many safari operators – like Walkers Tours – make a point to seek out these elusive big cats, providing you with some excellent photo opportunities.

The Elephant Herds of Yala

Leopards aren’t the only stars of Yala, as the park is home to several herds of majestic Sri Lankan elephant. There exists a natural corridor that connects Yala to Uda Walwe National Park, and the elephants regularly use it to travel back and forth between the two protected areas. If you’re aching to get a good look at these gentle pachyderms, the dry season which lasts from May to August is the best time to visit.

The Other Denizens

While the big cats and elephants are the park’s main attractions, they are by no means its only residents. Yala is, in fact, a bird lover’s paradise – it is home to over 130 species of birds, including the rare black-necked stork and raptors like the crested serpent eagle. If you visit the banks of the park’s many lagoons and tanks, you’re bound to spot basking mugger crocodiles and the odd monitor lizard. Ungulates like chital and sambar – favourite prey of the leopard – are also a common site.