Tourists praise safaris, a country that is often overlooked, and there is none in Africa. When we think about safari, we usually think of countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. However, Asia has a country that is home to great safaris that many people don't consider. Plus, it has gorgeous views and plenty of other thrilling things tourists should do. Visitors have said overwhelmingly positive things about the safari experiences offered in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is an island nation located in the southern part of India. It is famous for its calm beaches and forests, but not many people know that this is a reliable place for safaris. In fact, Tom Bonavia, destination manager for Travelfinders' division, says Sri Lanka is a great safari destination, despite its relatively small size, as it has “the highest percentage of unique biodiversity in the world.” There are 91 species of mammals in the small Asian country, and on safaris here you can expect to see majestic creatures such as leopards and Asian elephants.
Tom offers advice on where to go for an unforgettable safari experience in Sri Lanka and lists four spots that tourists believe will have the best time. The first option he proposes is Wilpatu National Park, which he calls Sri Lanka's largest and “most undiscovered” national park.
Here, tourists will meet natural lakes where they will see beautiful waterfowls and dense arid forests supporting other wildlife, including crocodiles and elephants. “A visit from March to October. The water tables get low and animals come out drinking in the exposed lake,” he says.
He also lists Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site called “biodiversity hotspots” in Sri Lanka. There is also Uda Warwe, Sri Lanka's go-to place to see Sri Lanka's elephants and Yara National Park and see the “relatively undiscovered” parts of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka national park.
Based on TripAdvisor reviews, the best safari in Sri Lanka is the private jeep safari in Minnariya National Park, which has received hundreds of rave reviews for its elephant experience. One said, “Our guide seemed a step ahead of the others, but we had a 1% that made all the difference. We were worth five stars, including baby elephants, solo bulls.”
Another said: “We had amazing views, saw lots of elephants, and our driver was very friendly and knowledgeable when it comes to animals. Amazing experience!”
The third person said: “My partner and I had the best experience on this safari with our tour guide Basi. We saw many elephants, including babies, and learned a lot about the elephants that made the tour so interesting too. Look at the whole park.”
Visitors are blown away by the Sri Lankan safari offerings, but there are plenty of other things that attract tourists to the country. Sigiriya Ancient Rock Fortress captivates visitors who go there to experience breathtaking landscape views and the interesting history of the region.
There is also a Peak View Point for Little Adam. This is the hiking spot that boasts the best mountain views you'll ever see. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's beaches are fantastic with outstanding seaside spots such as Mirissa, Hikkaduwa and Mawella.
As for safety, the UK Foreign Office will not advise on travel to the country, but it says terrorist attacks at locations such as hotels, beaches and tourist attractions will be excluded.
