We embarked on our safari with 'Visit Wilpattu' at the renowned Wilpattu National Park. Immediately, we noticed how peaceful it was compared to parks like Yala, where hundreds of jeeps roam simultaneously. On a busy day, there are only about 65-70 jeeps here, despite the park being larger than Yala.
Our guide, Bhashi, from visitwilpattu.com, provided us with a fantastic jeep, especially when traveling with children. It was a compact customized vehicle with no barrier between the driver and passengers, allowing for easy communication and discreet pointing out of wildlife. This 4-person (excluding the driver) jeep was also perfect for navigating the park's terrain.
Bhashi, our knowledgeable guide, truly excelled in his craft. The park is his life, and he knows it like the back of his hand. As soon as we entered, he spotted deer and could tell us about their antler development and species.
Of course, we were eager to spot Sri Lanka's land big five:
Leopards
Sloth bear
Elephants
Buffalos
Crocodiles.
Sri Lankan's big 5 consist:
Leopards
Sloth bear
Elephants
Blue Whale
Sperm Whale
Although Wilpattu is renowned for leopard sightings, the chance of encountering one remains quite slim, as a billboard at the entrance humorously reminded visitors: 'Probably you don't see me but don't get disappointed. I saw you.'
Around half-past six, Bhashi drove us to a remote area where he had spotted leopards in the past few days. After a challenging 15 km ride, we came across two leopards in the middle of the road, a mother and two cubs. Unfortunately, the second cub remained hidden in the bushes.
Soon, four more jeeps arrived, but they maintained a considerable distance and didn't chase or disturb the leopards. When the leopards disappeared into the foliage, Bhashi was certain they would cross the road to a watering hole further ahead. He gently guided another jeep to stop, allowing a 500-meter stretch of road for the leopards to cross.
We waited for 20 minutes, but the leopards didn't reappear. However, we were treated to the magnificent roar of one of them, a truly awe-inspiring moment.
As our leopard adventure came to an end, Bhashi continued to show us various beautiful and unique bird species. Since it wasn't our first safari, we appreciated the diverse birdlife even more. Opting for a full-day safari proved to be a great decision, as Bhashi preferred avoiding half-day trips to maintain a relaxed and unhurried pace.
The natural beauty of the park was mesmerizing. In the heart of the park, there was a rest area with clean restrooms, where we enjoyed our breakfast while Bhashi planned the rest of the day's route.
Despite waiting for over half an hour at a recommended location, we couldn't spot a leopard. Nevertheless, the afternoon was filled with sightings of birds, buffalos, peacocks, toucans, monkeys, lizards, and crocodiles, all thriving in their stunning natural habitats. We had a delightful lunch at the rest area, where Bhashi warned us to eat indoors to avoid mischievous monkeys.
While we were finishing our delicious homemade Rice & Curry, Bhashi had his meal. Suddenly, there was a commotion among the other visitors, as monkeys had infiltrated a jeep. It turned out that the monkeys targeted our jeep too, and one cleverly opened a cooler box and carried away a Tupperware container. A bit further, we witnessed another monkey opening the driver's door from inside as if it was a daily routine.
As I chatted with other people, some expressed dissatisfaction due to limited sightings, especially of elephants. Bhashi had already warned us about the slim chance of seeing elephants, which typically occurs only towards the end of the day.
In the afternoon, we made one last attempt to spot a leopard. Bhashi advised us not to search for bears before 3 pm as they are usually inactive. However, Shamila, who had become quite the ranger herself, spotted a leopard sitting under a big tree, 200 meters away. With Bhashi's binoculars, we could observe the leopard closely, though capturing a perfect photo proved challenging. Nonetheless, gazing through the binoculars was a fantastic experience. The girls were equally enthralled, and Jaïra remarked on the leopard's beautiful coat.
On our way back to the park's entrance, a journey of nearly 40 minutes, we received a delightful surprise. Two bears crossed our path, and we were mesmerized by their adorable interactions for about 20 minutes. It was an extraordinary encounter at such close proximity.
With these bears, we completed our big five sightings across two parks. We were extremely satisfied, and the girls had an unforgettable day. If you're considering a safari, decide beforehand what you'd like to see and choose the appropriate park accordingly.
Never expect to see everything, and opt for a full-day safari. It may be more expensive, but the experience is undoubtedly worth it. And knowing that your driver won't disturb the wildlife is truly invaluable.
For the ultimate safari experience, get in touch with Bhashi via www.visitwilpattu.com or whatsapp at +94778661488.
P.S. Bashi can arrange a wonderful accommodation up to 4 people just about 5 minutes from the entrance, it will makes you feel you are sleeping inside the park. Cost 4 person incl. diner and breakfast 20.000 roepies. Have fun!