Sri Lanka Magazine

Udawalawe National Park

WHAT TO WEAR When visiting temples, you’ll need to dress respectfully, covering both your shoulders and knees. As you will be travelling around the teardrop isle, you’ll need to pack options. For example, light, loose, cotton clothing is perfect for the lowland areas that can be humid, whilst in the highlands, you will want to pack a fleece and jeans for the cooler evenings. WHAT TO TIP We often get asked about tipping your drivers and guides on our tours. You aren’t expected to tip, but drivers and service staff very much appreciate it. If you are happy with the service, $10 per day is reasonable. The local currency is closed, meaning you cannot take any in, so it is a good idea to bring USD for tips.

One of the best safari destinations outside Africa, Sri Lanka is home to 26 national parks, and every one is unique. Stretching to the sands of the southern shore, Yala’s shrub jungle hosts sloth bears, crocodiles and the planet’s highest density of leopards – though it still takes keen eyes to catch them on the prowl. Up-close elephant encounters are the big draw in neighbouring Udawalawe, where huge herds roam the open savannah. In the central highlands, Horton Plains offers cloud forest scenery and dramatic ‘World’s End’ cliffs. Wilpattu in the north is a calm, crowd-free wilderness – a paradise for camping, birdwatching and nature walks close to the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Safaris in Sri Lanka are expert-led 4x4 jeep tours arranged from parkside hotels each dawn and dusk, so you can enjoy the wild as much or as little as you wish without ever compromising on comfort. Most parks and their safari drives operate all year, but Yala closes in September for the breeding season.

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