I have been camping in the wilds of Sri Lanka ever since I was a little boy. I got this opportunity through the Wildlife Society of my school S. Thomas College, Mt Lavinia. Every term holiday was a treat as we would go for over five days camping in a National Park. By the time is was 18 years I was the President of the society and had covered almost all the national parks and wilderness areas in the country. The good times I had and the friends I made will never be forgotten. These friends are still my closest, and even though they are spread all over the globe, we still manage to keep in touch, and it has become a tradition of ours that we do a wildlife trip somewhere every time they come down on holiday. Myself being the only one left in the country, count myself as the lucky one because I end up going to the jungles at least twice a month. My friends Gihan and Sisira came down from Australia after a very long time this January and it as tradition we decided we will go to our favorite park, Yala which had many fond memories for us. Only thing is due to the crowds and the behavior of the jeep drivers we had been avoiding this park for some time. Due to the time constraints I could not make any bookings inside the park , and thus I was resorted to booking a place outside. I heard many good reviews about the bungalow name Thippola, and thus I made the booking for the 13-15th of January.

We left Colombo early morning at 5.00AM and arrived at the bungalow at 9.00 (note that Gihan and Sisira drive very fast. As well as the Tanamalwila road is very good now) The place was very nice and very much to our liking. Its build on a very minimalistic style and we really liked the set up alot.

My regular jeep driver Jagath could not make it because he had another pre booked tour so he sent us his assistant with his back up vehicle. A Mahendra jeep which I was not very happy with, because it did not seem in the best condition as well it was very uncomfortable and noisy. But we went to the park nevertheless that evening and we had a good sighting of a crested hawk eagle with its prey a cattle egret. Who was still alive and was flapping its wings wildly in desperation. It was a sad sight but it was part of nature, I got some good images, and was very happy with my new lens a Canon 100-400mm which paired well with my Canon 7D body. I was giving some insights to Gihan on lighting and composition and he seemed to get the hang of things pretty well. He uses a 7D body as well with a 400mm Prime lens. We came across a leopard some distance away at Medha para but due to the crowds we went our own way.

crested hawk eagle with its prey a cattle egret

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That night back at the bungalow we had a superb barbecue with all the meats we had bought, and had a lovely time talking about the good old days which brought back so much fond memories of us boys camping in the wilderness. These experiences have shaped up into who we are today. Even now we are able to do anything and rough it out if necessary thanks to our adventures in the wilds as children.

By around midnight we decided to do a night drive in our cars along the Palatupana road to try our luck at spotting some nocturnal critters along the way. We came across few jungle cats which was quite rare, as well as some jackal and wild boar. We also had a close call with and angry elephant, when Sisira without realizing stopped our car right next to the elephant. The elephant charged but we managed to escape in one piece.

The next day, the sightings were not that great in the park, and thus during the evening we decided to do a night drive down the Situlpawwa road. Our driver recommended this road as he had seen leopards and even bears in the night. So by 9.00 PM we drove down this road, but came across an army check point. They told us that we cannot pass and that the road is closed after dark. Thus disappointed we turned around and did another drive in Palatupana. Our friend the elephant was waiting for us. This time he was hiding behind some trees, waiting for us to pass. We knew he was there so we raced passed him, and missed his wrath yet again. I wonder how the villagers brave this road at night, sometimes ever by foot and by push cycle. Safely back at the bungalow we slept soundly dreaming about our friend elephant and the next day to come.

In the morning before departing for Colombo we did one more round in the park, hoping for some better luck. I asked the tracker to take the Jamburagala road, and I was spot on, as we came across a large male leopard sleeping on a rock next to the road. There were three jeeps there already and they had already started making the dreaded phone calls to the other jeeps to come. To our luck we had parked in the best position with the best light, and our engine refused to start. So by the time the parade of jeeps arrived we were stuck and in a good location to take photographs once the leopard got up. The lighting was perfect and once he got up and looked at us I got some of the best leopard shots I have taken upto date. By then the other jeep drivers were getting angry and the got down and cursed us and they pushed our vehicle aside. We were a little annoyed and disgusted as we were there first and the way they behaved and handled themselves in front of the leopard was very bad. This had been the reason that I generally avoid Yala.

large male leopard sleeping on a rock next to the road

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We decided to head towards the Spill road to try to find a leopard on our own. While on this road our tracker suddenly asked the driver to stop the jeep, and there was seated on the side of the road a leopard cub, quietly obersving our jeep. The cub thereafter got up and climbed a tree next to the road. Here as well I managed to get some really good shots of the cub sleeping. As in the last sighing the engine failed on us, and we ended up having to push the jeep to give way for the parade yet again. We did not care as we were very happy with our sighting and photographs.

there was seated on the side of the road a leopard cub, quietly obersving our jeep

Celebrating we headed our way out. On our way we came across a lovely sighting of an elephant herd having a mud bath next to the road.

The herd had a very small calf with them, and this youngster was entertaining us with its antics. It was a small female and she was rolling in the mud and playing with the adults, it was the cutest sight I had ever seen.
The matriarch of the herd got curious of us and came within a few feet from our jeep. My friend Erich did not notice this and was happy clicking away at the baby. When I tapped his shoulder and showed him how close the mother had got, he panicked and jumped back and fell bang on the floor of the jeep. Thereafter he scrambled and crawled his way under the seat. We were worried the elephant would panic and charge, but she was frightened by all the commotion and she ran back to the herd. We were in fits of laughter and Erich was the victim of our jokes for a few days after the trip as well.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and had some amazing sightings. Our Gihan and Sisira headed back to Australia, but we already planned our next trips for this year and I am counting the days till they come back.