As soon as we entered the 2 started taking us to most of the rocky places famous for LEOPARDS and at 6.10 we came across this family at Rukwila and the pictures will tell the story. It was amazing to watch and after that we had the luck to see 2 more during the day : one on a rock and another on a tree.It was a treat to watch and one of the best movements in wild life encounters .

This was my second visit to Wilpattu, the first being equally unsuccessful due to bad weather. The past week too it had rained almost everyday, but luckily this time, the skies opened up from the first day of our safari. This raised our hopes up quite high, but now, almost at the end of the second day, we had only seen fresh pugmarks, but no real Leopards…an air of frustration was starting to build up… Just as we passed the Borupanwila Junction, our driver suddenly uttered two words that made our hearts skip a few beats… ”කොටියා, කොටියා” (“leopard, leopard”!)

Later near Yala Junction Shantha shouted “anna kotiya” and in the rush I applied braked on the gravel and came to a screeching halt and wen we looked on the right hand side a male leopard fully grown was seated in the shade just next to the road . When I opened the sun-roof and aimed my camera the fellow turned towards the jungle went a bit and turned back and most thrilling movement happend.

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!