Umesh Tour Srilanka

18/09/2022

Visit Sri Lanka

16/09/2022

16/09/2022

call for us
+94 74 135 9498

16/09/2022

If you’re thinking of including a safari in your Sri Lanka itinerary, you won’t go far wrong with a Yala safari.

It’s up there with Udawalawe National Park as one of the most popular Sri Lanka national parks. Some would say that Yala is the best national park in Sri Lanka, but it really comes down to personal preference.

The two parks are very similar, especially in terms of the wildlife you may see. It depends on the route you’re going to take during your Sri Lanka holiday as to which one you choose.

If you love safaris, maybe you’ll have time to squeeze in both! See here for an excellent Udawalawe safari.

The main difference between the two is that you may have a slightly higher chance of leopard spotting on a Yala National Park Safari, which has the highest density of leopard anywhere in the world.

Despite this, sightings are still not guaranteed. Udawalawe, on the other hand, has a large population of elephant and so elephant sightings on an Udawalawe safari are all but guaranteed.

This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through one, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you.

Yala National park leopard sighting
Yala National Park leopard sighting

During a trip to Sri Lanka in 2010 we chose to do a safari in Yala National Park. We had just finished a 4 months overland trip through Africa.

We went on safari in Tanzania, the Okavango in Botswana, Etosha in Namibia and the Kruger in South Africa. You get the picture. We’d done a few safaris and were prepared to be underwhelmed with Yala.

We asked ‘how could it compare with the amazing safaris we’d just done?’. We booked it anyway because it was considered one of the highlights of Sri Lanka, and we’re very glad we did.

If you’re into wildlife, then Yala should definitely be included in your Sri Lanka itinerary.

16/09/2022

Sigiriya is one of the most valuable historical monuments of Sri Lanka. Referred by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World this ancient palace and fortress complex has significant archaeological importance and attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is probably the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka.

The palace is located in the heart of the island between the towns of Dambulla and Habarane on a massive rocky plateau 370 meters above the sea level.

Sigiriya rock plateau, formed from magma of an extinct volcano, is 200 meters higher than the surrounding jungles. Its view astonishes the visitors with the unique harmony between the nature and human imagination.

The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains.

The surrounding territories of Sigiriya were inhibited for several thousand years. Since 3th century BC the rocky plateau of Sigiriya served as a monastery. In the second half of the 5th century king Kasyapa decided to construct a royal residence here.

After his death Sigiriya again became a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century, when it was abandoned.

The main entrance is located in the northern side of the rock. It was designed in the form of a huge stone lion, whose feet have survived up to today but the upper parts of the body were destroyed.

Thanks to this lion the palace was named Sigiriya. The term Sigiriya originates from the word Sihagri, i.e. Lion Rock.

The western wall of Sigiriya was almost entirely covered by frescoes, created during the reign of Kasyapa. Eighteen frescoes have survived to this day.

The frescoes are depicting n**e females and are considered to be either the portraits of Kasyapa’s wives and concubines or priestess performing religious rituals. Despite the unknown identity of the females depicted in the frescoes, these unique ancient paintings are celebrating female beauty and have incredible historical significance.

One of the most striking features of Sigiriya is its Mirror wall. In the old days it was polished so thoroughly that the king could see his reflection in it. The Mirror wall is painted with inscriptions and poems written by the visitors of Sigiriya.

14/09/2022

Join with us

21/08/2022

umesh tour srilanka join with us

21/08/2022

21/08/2022