I wasn’t always happy about the way animals are treated in Sri Lanka (we were taken to one elephant facility that I felt was well below the standards I have seen elsewhere). But you can’t fault their extensive national parks system and the habitats they provide for wildlife.
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Wilpattu National Park is one of the largest and oldest national parks in Sri Lanka. Its name is derived from the Sinhala words ‘Willu-pattu’, meaning ‘land of lakes’. The landscape is a mix of dense jungle, open grassy plains and the sand-rimmed water basins that gave it its name.
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When our tour company, Selective Asia, suggested we might like a stay at the unique Mudhouse in western Sri Lanka we were in two minds. Would we love the ‘back to nature’ vibe or would we find sleeping in the semi-open with few ‘mod cons’ too much of a challenge? But we took the plunge, booked a two-night stay, and it proved to be a great decision.
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I often feel the need to seek adventures abroad, especially in the tail-end of winter. So for most of February I have been in Sri Lanka, enjoying a mix of wildlife, culture and a bit of relaxation. This therefore will be a rather different monthly round-up from usual.
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I’ve spotted the impressive Land Monitor Lizards, the largest of Sri Lanka’s lizards, all over the country. In the national parks, in the gardens around Sigirya's Lion Rock and even in the busy streets of Galle Fort.
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Jaffna's clock tower was built to commemorate the visit of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales to Ceylon in 1875. In 2013 three golden statues of Tamil kings were added to enhance the surrounding area.
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The Oriental Garden Lizard is common throughout much of Sri Lanka. This is a male in his bright breeding colours.
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Sakkotai Cape, located near the town of Point Pedro in the Jaffna District, is recognised as the northernmost point of Sri Lanka. A short jetty marks the exact spot with a sign bearing the national flag.
