December 11, 12 and 13^th were the days and it was a long weekend which was not to be wasted. Our decision was to go on camping in Udawalawe or in Wilpaththu but ultimately a decision was taken to go for Udawalawe. Waruna had high hopes about Wilpaththu but ……… bad luck.

Campsite was booked well in advance and all geared up for the trip. On 11^th morning we left Colombo. Had to stop at a few places to buy some stuff and food we needed and at around 1 we reached the park entrance. There was a little delay at the park office since there was a difficulty in finding a proper tracker to go to the campsite. We had plenty of time to get to the campsite hence we decided to go on a safari and get to the place around 5 o’clock.

Probably it should be the end of the dry season for Udawalawe according to the park officials as there was some considerable amount of rain in the last few days. But most of the areas in the park were dry and dusty. At the very start of the journey we saw two jumbos drinking water right ahead of us. One of them was standing on the road so we had to stop until they are done with drinking. After 10-15 minutes they slowly walked into the jungle and we continued our drive.

Jumbos enjoying some cold water

Driving on a dry lake

We spent 3-4 hours with the safari and the most common sights were elephants, Peacocks, buffalos, deer and crocodiles. Have to say that if you are a bird lover you will have plenty of opportunities to spot various numbers of birdies in the park including the fast and mischievous guy green bee-eater.

Such a poser

“Dude, we are hungry”

“What are you looking at human?”

Spot the croc!

As planned we reached our campsite around 4.30 pm. Away from civilization! Away from the concrete jungle! Campsite was so spacious and every moment spent here was like injecting stress relief medicine into you.

Pansadara campsite

We quickly set up the tent and went for a quick bath in the nearby Walawe River. According to our tracker, nearby area of the river is a normal bathing spot but not the area upstream or downstream. Even when you bath near the campsite river bank, you need to be in full alert.

Bathing in walawe river (Mahesh in action)

Lighted up the lanterns around the campsite and then prepared diner. Maggie noodles and sausages did the job more than enough. Hail chef. Laksri for the delicious first meal!

On the second day, we woke up early, had tea and left the camp for the safari part 2. While we were driving we suddenly saw someone or something crossing the road very quickly way ahead of us. From distance, to me, it looked like an elephant but once again it was so quick and lightning fast as it crossed the road. Our tracker also had noticed the scene and according to him those were two hunters who ran across the road into the thick greenery hearing the jeep sound! We had to go to the rangers’ office to report the incident.

We drove through the jungle without much luck and decided to go near Udawalawe reservoir where we spotted two jumbos, actually a little tusker and an elephant.

“Jeeps could roam in the reservoir area tracks freely now as the water level is very low but in the rainy season the complete area gets flooded and covered, there won’t be any tracks or safaris along these routes”- Mr. tracker

Udawalawe reservoir

These tracks are not available in the rainy season in Uda walawe reservoir

We had our breakfast near the Gonawiddagala bungalow, where visitors are allowed to get off their vehicles. Top part and the roof of the Gonawiddagala bungalow and part of the reservoir was visible from this place. Afterwards we drove back to the camp without any animal sightings.

Gonawiddagala bungalow from distance

Prepared our lunch which consisted of salmon, meat balls, rice and dhal. Hail Chef. Laksri once again! for the delicious meal. We spent a relaxing evening at the campsite that day. In addition to that, were able to spot a couple of huge crocs on the sandy river banks.

That night we lighted up a campfire in addition to the lanterns and had a chat until midnight. And on the next day we packed up to leave Pansadara.

Campfire

Camping Crew before departure

Cheers!