LEOPARDS & LEVIATHANS

You’ll start this Sri Lanka vacation in Negombo, with one night at the lovely Wallawwa. Perfect for acclimatising to the incredible surroundings, The Wallawwa is an excellent choice after a long flight thanks to its calming gardens, superb jetlag spa treatments and peaceful rooms. However, if you want to start your wildlife adventure immediately, you can go on your first safari by dipping into nearby Colombo and exploring its humming and vibrant street life.  Embrace the smells of the food markets, the colour of the old quarter and the roars of the tuk-tuks, before settling into a scenic corner and people-watching the afternoon away.

After a restful night, you’ll then fly to Trincomalee in order to experience Sri Lanka’s legendary beaches and northern coastline. For three nights at Jungle Beach, which is tucked amongst mangroves near Trincomalee, you’ll have trees growing right the way through your fantasy eco-hideaway, and 4 km of pristine beach all to yourself. As well as relaxing on the beach, you may also like to visit the hot springs at Kannya, the stunning cliff-top Temple of a Thousand Pillars, and the wistful Lovers Leap. During your stay, you’ll go on daily whale watching trips for a chance to spot a colossal blue whale – topping the bucket list for any diver, safari-goer or Blue Planet watcher – as well as sperm whales and spinner dolphins. The largest mammal on Earth, there are resident blue whales just off the shores of Jungle Beach so have your binoculars at the ready!

Leaving the ocean’s giants behind, you’ll fly inland to Sigiriya to witness the migrating giants of the jungle, the Asian elephant. You’ll stay in the Heritance Kandalama, an impressive eco-hotel completely draped in vines, for three nights of wildlife immersion as you watch monkeys scamper over the roofs and birds flit between balconies. During your stay, you’ll be taken to Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari to see the famous elephant gathering, which sometimes sees over 300 elephants congregate in one area. While in the Cultural Triangle, you might like to set some time aside to explore the region’s ancient temples and highlights, such as the impressive Sigiriya rock fortress and the Buddhist-filled Dambulla cave temple.

Named after the mountains that resemble a clenched fist, Knuckles Nature Reserve is your next stop and is home to a wide array of flora and fauna, including wild buffalo, leopard and the purple-faced leaf monkey. The region is also home to a number of tea estates, which provide excellent afternoon diversions. You can learn more about tea with a visit to Duckwai tea factory, as well as tick off the many resident birds, such as the flame minivets, egrets and spotted doves. You’ll stay at the Rangala House for two nights, a luxuriously converted tea planter’s bungalow perfectly-placed for exploring the misty Knuckles Mountains and the nearby city of Kandy.

Flown from Sri Lanka’s Central Province, you’ll end this wildlife vacation in the depths of the famous Yala National Park. Offering just five en suite tents, the Leopard Trails safari camp is the perfect launch pad for game drives into the area’s beautiful wilderness. Morning and afternoon safaris take up the majority of your time, where you’ll go with a guide to spot leopards, Asian elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, mugger crocodiles and Indian rock pythons – to name just a few. In between wildlife sightings, you can cool down during the heat of the day in your air conditioned tent, or by taking a crash course in bush cooking, learning how to prepare delicious Sri Lankan curries al fresco.