SRI LANKA
Wanderlust Travel Magazine|April 2020
Big wildlife encounters. Historic rail journeys. Ancient culture. There’s a reason why this resilient island keeps winning gongs – here’s how to explore its wonders
EMMA BOYLE
SRI LANKA

We stepped outside our hotel and the heavens opened. It was past 4pm, but we were determined to try our luck in Minneriya National Park and witness ‘The Gathering’: the largest congregation of wild elephants in the world.

When the driver turned up in his Mahindra jeep, he smiled. “Not Minneriya”, he said in his broken English, “We go Kaudulla”.

Slightly taken aback, we climbed aboard and set off, racing through the rain to Kaudulla, Minneriya’s lesser-known sister reserve. We were the last vehicle to enter and, as we navigated our way through dark jungle, we passed plenty of Jeeps heading the other way but precious little wildlife.

Finally, we emerged onto a large plain, and while the rain had eased, dark clouds billowed low in the sky. We pushed on, passing more exiting Jeeps with sodden occupants.

Our driver seemed to relax, and at that point the dark grey shadows of elephants started to emerge on the horizon. More appeared in the grasslands and soon they were close enough for us to smell the earthy hunks of grass they plucked with their trunks and twisted into their mouths. The animals appeared unruffled as we raptly observed them, then our driver pointed to the distant lake where further herds dotted its banks – a count of 300 seemed conservative.

Minneriya and Kaudulla are connected by a wildlife corridor and the spot where elephants congregate depends on the day. Our driver admitted we had been lucky, although our journey around Sri Lanka often resulted in serendipitous, right-time, right-place events, such as seeing dolphins while fishing and, as we walked hilly tea trails, stumbling across sari-clad female tea pluckers weighing huge bags of leaves.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2020-Ausgabe von Wanderlust Travel Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 2020-Ausgabe von Wanderlust Travel Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS WANDERLUST TRAVEL MAGAZINEAlle anzeigen
Vermont, USA
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Vermont, USA

The Wanderlust team relocated to New England for part of this issue, as we explored a lush state filled with outdoor escapes, historic towns... and lashings of maple syrup

time-read
6 Minuten  |
October/November 2023
Unique North America
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Unique North America

See a side to the USA and Canada beyond the big cities and discover incredible stories and special wildlife with our pick of the trips

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October/November 2023
The call of the Rockies
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

The call of the Rockies

From historic ski lodges to rustic backcountry cabins and a mock-Scottish castle, we pick the stays in Canada's Rocky Mountains that make the most of their setting

time-read
6 Minuten  |
October/November 2023
A new dawn for the Garifuna community
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

A new dawn for the Garifuna community

When the Garifuna people settled in Belize, they had to carry their traditions and culture with them; now a new trail is inviting visitors to explore this heritage through local communities

time-read
9 Minuten  |
October/November 2023
On the edge of history
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

On the edge of history

In south-west Colorado lies the largest archaeological preserve in the USA, a series of vast cliff dwellings whose residents 'vanished' overnight. But was the answer to their disappearance in plain sight?

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
October/November 2023
Tigers burning bright
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Tigers burning bright

As India celebrates 50 years of its Project Tiger conservation scheme, we visit the reserves of Madhya Pradesh to see how its success has impacted a tiger population that once looked in danger of disappearing

time-read
9 Minuten  |
October/November 2023
SEASON'S GREETINGS
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

SEASON'S GREETINGS

From fiery fall foliage to art fairs and harvest festivals, opens up a wealth of across the USA and Canada autumn experiences

time-read
10 Minuten  |
October/November 2023
Waking a sleeping GIANT
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Waking a sleeping GIANT

A slow drive along the North Wales Way, from the English border to Anglesey, reveals not only a land of incredible local food and castles, but a region that is slowly reimagining itself

time-read
8 Minuten  |
October/November 2023
The rebirth of old JEDDAH
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

The rebirth of old JEDDAH

As efforts to restore Al-Balad, Jeddah's historical district, take hold, we get an exclusive peek at how art and culture are taking centre stage

time-read
10 Minuten  |
October/November 2023
Star-studded escapes
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Star-studded escapes

Wilderness, history and wildlife combine at some of Britain's most iconic stargazing sites, as more and more travellers are looking to the heavens

time-read
8 Minuten  |
October/November 2023