Drove from Colombo to Kandy, took the scenic route along Raja Mawatha, past Victoria, Randenigala and Rantambe reservoirs and along the Minipe canal to Mahiyanganaya. It was almost dark when leaving Mahiyanganaya after visiting the temple. From there to Rathkinda, we took a long route for the fear that the causeway at Ulhitiya might be flooded.

The best time to visit these parks is during the drought season during July to September but usually yala is closed for visitors during the month of September so I thought of doing this trip on late August but then again when I checked with my contacts @ yala I came to know that this time the park will remain open so shifted my plans to September where the affects of the drought is much more severe so our chances of sighting leopards is @ high.

We started from Colombo at 6.00 a.m. in the morning. Had morning Tea at Hingula and stopped for lunch at Loggal-oya. We reached Bulupitiya Junction [22km from Bibile town] around 3.00 p.m.
Few of us decided to walk [10km to the camp site from Bulupitiya Junction] watching birds and butterflies as older people and few others decided to go by the tractor. We reached the camp site by 6.00 p.m. We saw few birds and heard the “Painted Francolin” as well. Few Jumbos were there too close to the camp site.

Bundala National Park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala harbors 197 species of Birds, the highlight being the Greater Flamingo(WHICH IS NOT SEEN RECENTLY), which migrate in large flocks. Bundala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and redesignated to a national park on 4 January 1993. In 1991 Bundala became the first wetland to be declared as a Ramsar site in Sri Lanka. In 2005 the national park was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the fourth biosphere reserve in Sri Lanka.

We wanted to leave Colombo as early as possible but it didn’t start too well. We could only leave Colombo by 9.00am, its bit of a strange time compared to what I am used to. But it’s the way when you are travelling with a little one. We managed to drive without any major stops until Lellopitiya where we had stopped for lunch. First major target attraction was Kirindi Ella falls. The turn off for Kirindi Ella is just about 200m before the Pelmedulla town on to your left.

Our 2nd day objective was to do the Kirigalpotta Nature Trail and My Engagement on top of Kirigalpotta. But it previous night it rained….. Tent got damaged… didn’t have a good night sleep and crew members wanted to return home so we did Circular Trail. We finished the trail around10AM we had our breakfast on campsite and returned to the Van. But I had hope in getting Engaged on top of Kirigalpotta and I convinced my crew members to agree on doing the “Kirigalpotta Nature Trail” But they didn’t agree with me at first.

We booked the camp site 3 from Wild life department which was the totally isolated from crowd but unfortunately when we reach there, the camp site numbers had been changed by Wildlife Dept. Earlier site number 2 had been changed to 3. We got the camp site in between the two (1&3 earlier)

This was a real disappointment but anyway its bit isolated from the bakers trek. So its better to call and find out before booking.

This is a continuation of a 4 day trip. We camped First Night and before going to sleep our objective was to complete the “Kirigalpotta Trail” on next day. It was a special trail because I was planning to get engaged on top of kirigalpotta.

But unfortunately there were heavy showers at night with extreme wind conditions. Our tent got damaged. Water came in to the tent and we had to take a decision and there were no alternative other than returning back to our Van. It was 11.30PM and we started walking on the rain to the Van. Phew! This was a once in a lifetime experience. I don’t think anybody have ever walked around 12AM inside Horton Plains.

We started the journey from Colombo. We used a Nissan Caravan as our transportation. First day we stayed at Havaeliya and next day morning we started the journey towards Horton Plains. You will need to purchase a ticket before entering Horton plains. Our main target was to cover most of Horton Plains within three days and First day we planned to treak to the top of Totupola kanda. When we arrived at Horton Plains it was cold and Misty.

This event was organized by Adventure Sri Lanka (flickr) group as its 3rd event on this year.

Yala Ruhuna National park also known as Yala block one is situated approximately 280Kms away from Colombo. This is the only open area of Yala National park for visitors, since the block 3 is closed after some LTTE attach at in the area. Entrance to Yala block one is at Palatupana. Yala block one is so popular among visitors due to it’s high density of leopards. Park guides at Yala says that block one has of approximately 32 leopards. Yala block one is roamed by 15 tuskers. Most popular one of them called “Kublai Khan” died reacently.

The drive to Vilpattu was quite effortless. It was early morning and road up to Puttlam is in great shape. With just two stops, one for fuel and the other for breakfast, we were at the park entrance well before noon.

I’m a big fan of Vipattu. One reason I love it because of its shear size. The camp site we reserved is known as the “Kali-Villu” which is 40km in side the park from the entrance. For a country that is just 400km long from the top to bottom, that is quite a bit of a distance away from civilization!