Call me crazy, but I really didn’t think of safaris when I thought of Sri Lanka.
Well, to be honest, I had no idea whatsoever to think of when I thought of Sri Lanka. It was the layover on my trip back from the Maldives so I just stayed and checked it out for a while.
The end result was falling in love with an astoundingly gorgeous country with some of the more friendly people I’ve ever encountered.
One of the most amazing things about this place is the endless jungle. It stretches for miles and miles in every which direction, as far as the eye can see.
Therein dwell all kinds of amazing creatures, the most exciting of which, for me, was the wild elephants.
Now I’ve seen my fair share of elephants in Southeast Asia, but they’re always domesticated, and honestly, I feel terribly bad for them. But these elephants are truly wild, roaming between various wildlife sanctuaries, just as elephants should do.
Sri Lanka also boasts the largest density of elephants in Asia. Despite this, they are still considered endangered as their population has been decreasing year after year due to a shrinking habitat.
At first I figured they must have been brought there by early settlers, but the locals insisted to me that they are native, and bones have been found dating back several hundreds of thousands of years.
The Sri Lankan elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of Asian elephants. They happen to be the largest and the darkest of the Asian elephants, though still smaller than African elephants. They can reach a height of 8-11.5 feet at the shoulders and weigh up to 5.5 metric tons.
Initially I thought that there must not be many males in the population, but later learned that only 7% of males actually grow tusks. I wonder how mother nature chooses who the lucky ones are.
The first time I saw the elephants was during a safari at Minneriya National Park near Dambulla in the Cultural Triangle.
I intentionally went in with low expectations, hoping to see perhaps an elephant or two. What I ended up seeing was at least two hundred elephants eating, mating, playing in the water, and generally doing elephant-y things.
The second safari took place at Yala National Park closer to the southern coastal stretch. There were still tons of elephants but one thing that stood out was the variety of animals there, which seemed to be out in full force enjoying every moment of the day and every morsel of that beautiful beachside landscape.
What really struck me, and one thing I’m not so sure is a positive, was how close we got to them in our jeeps. I was of the opinion that elephants can charge at any moment, and that’s not a receiving blow I want to be on the end of.
I can only guess that they’re so inundated with jeeps and people all the time, that though they may be wild, there’s an element of domestication there from the constant human proximity. (That said, these were all shot with a telephoto lens. We were certainly not close enough to touch).
Do it yourself:
- If in Dambulla, ask your guest house or hotel to organize transport for you to get to the area with jeeps (or they may be able to hire one for you) in order to visit Minneriya National Park
- Total cost for a day’s driver was $50 and park entrance was $20 per person
- If visiting Yala National Park, choose either a half or full day safari, again organized through your guest house
- Total cost for a half day safari was $50 including Yala National Park entrance fee
- In both parks, a jeep is highly necessary. The roads are bad and I did not see any other type of car attempting the terrain
All said and done, I was so happy to finally see wild elephants after mainly only seeing captive elephants in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Those that are used for the amusement of tourists to ride on lead truly sad lives.
Please, please don’t ever ride on elephants!
Do you love elephants? Have you seen them in the wild?
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Kylie says
Kristin these photos are incredible! I have a special place in my heart for Elephants, I am trying to make time to go to the Elephant Nature Park and from what I hear they are a responsible organization, glad to see that you agree. I’ll have to give a look into contributing. Cheers!
Kristin says
Thank you Kylie 🙂
Lots of my friends have reported a really great experience volunteering there.
Stefan says
Great!
Wonderful pictures! 🙂
Kristin says
Thank you!
Franca says
I’m so jealous right now! I have seen elephants in Asia, mainly in Thailand but as you said they were not wild and even if they live in parks where people don’t ride them and do other things to them, they are still not free as they would be in the wild. Thanks for sharing this amazing experience 🙂
Kristin says
It was good to see them just being wild elephants 🙂
Jamie says
I have no words for these photos. What a moment you must’ve had taking that photo of the big guy by the beach. The baby is too cute! I’ve never seen elephants anywhere other than a zoo but I do hope to participate in some sanctuary work (if I can find a humane one that does not involve riding one) when I go to Thailand in a few months. Gorgeous shots again!
Kristin says
If you take look at the end of the post I like one to Save the Elephants in Thailand. That would be a great choice as they take volunteers almost daily!
Hogga says
they are so cute!
Kristin says
They are! In a massive-gigantic-could-crush-me type of way.
Michelle - Very Hungry Explorer says
A beautifully written post with absolutely stunning pictures. Sri Lanka is now firmly on my list of places to visit!
Kristin says
Thank you so much! And it should be! I loved it.
Dan says
Elephants certainly are majestic creatures. It’s lovely to see them in their natural habitat – society has taken away the magic of it with zoos, I think.
I’ll definitely call into Sri Lanka in the future at some stage, I’ve got more destinations in mind than I know what to do with at the moment! You’ve really captured the essence of the place with your pictures, Kristin – especially the second one down, with the rainbow.
Hats off to you, madame.
– Dan
Hayley (Lovepuffin) says
Haaaa love the elephants and cows! Great post xx
Leo says
Hi, Kristin!! My parents have always told my sisters and me that life is going to school, college, then you start working and get a family, but I’ve never felt like this life was for me. I got my first taste of traveling in Argentina ( lived there alone for 5 months) and then in France ( 9 months) but what really made me like more was the mini backpacking I did in Brussels/Brugge and Amsteram ( 6 days only, but I was 17 – 18 now- and not a lot of money, so I think it’s already something). I really want to backpack around the world like you do and your blog just made me want it more and more! I hope you continue traveling and doing what you like and also that one day it will be my turn 🙂 Be safe!
Kristin says
Thank you for the kind words Leo! I think it’s only natural for our parents to want us to have stable lives, and the idea of traveling long term can be scary for them. That said, if you love it then you have to do it. Best of luck to you!
Helen says
Gorgeous photos Kristin!
I love the rainbow one… looks like the header on my website! 🙂
x
Kristin says
Thanks Helen!
Neil says
Great photos, and a great cause. Was at an elephant park in South Africa once and was truly incredible, Sri Lanka looks great too!
Kristin says
I’d love to see African elephants!
Keith says
I have also been on the half day safari at Minneriya National Park. Though it it wasn’t recent but in 2003 I can say that it all is one of my most unforgetable and exhilerating tours I have ever been on. You mentioned about the elephants being somewhat domesticated. I can assure you that in 2003 that one of the small herds we were able to observe was completely wild, remembering I was there in 2003. Our driver did everything he could to keep safe distance, but at one point a calf came out of the bush about 50 m behind our jeep, momma came out close behind. Seeing us so close she trumpeted turned and charged. Our driver was quick to get the jeep moving but when you are watching a mad momma elephant in full run comming toward you will wish you were in a faster vehicle. After about a half a minute of bravely fleeing for our lives with video camera running but catching very little because your just kinda pointing and not properly aiming. I can tell you that’s one female elephant that was wild. We had a wonderful time. Thank you for your article and bringing back special memories of an outstanding vacation in Sri Lanka
Kristin says
Hi Keith, yes they are definitely wild, I just felt that maybe we got a bit too close and should have respected their space a bit more. Was a real highlight for me, too, and completely unexpected. Sri Lanka was a wonderful place and I hold special memories of it as well!
Wasantha Karunanayake says
Hi. Kristin,
I am a Sri Lankan lived most of my life away from the country. Coming back to Sri Lanka , I realize the enormous potential of Holiday travel industry and started inbound travel operation company. When I read through your blog, I am really proud and am happy to see your amazing photographs.
Lucy says
Beautiful pictures. Can I ask what time of year you visited Sri Lanka? Thanks
Kristin says
I’ve been in October and in June and both were great!
Jane says
Hi Kristen
What time of the year did you visit
Kristin says
I’ve been in June and in October and both were good. This was in October.