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Visit Sri Lanka During the Sloth Bear Huddling Festival Season

For the traveler consumed by wanderlust, who dreams of exploring and unearthing the beauty and serenity of mother nature, Sri Lanka is a place that dazzles and amazes especially when it comes to its natural beauty and exotic wildlife. Landscapes with panoramic views, gushing waterfalls, enticing wildlife and nature reserves, tea carpeted hills and many more beautiful sights, a visit to Sri Lanka is sure to leave you in awe while building unforgettable and ever-treasurable memories. With that being said, one of the interesting sights to embrace during your visit to Sri Lanka is the huddling up of sloth bears during the Palu season; a rare opportunity that will make you nonchalant in wonder and astonishment and allow you to get up close and personal with Sri Lanka`s sloth bears!
The Palu ( Manilkara hexandra ) or Ironwood Tree is a beautiful tree conforming to the classical shapes and proportions of what one expects from a tree. It has a robust trunk, with a bark which is deeply fissured into small rectangles. A spreading canopy is formed from tight clusters of dark green leaves. In May and June, the canopy becomes encrusted with a mass of yellow berries. The tree which is rich of symbolism, now signals the start of the sloth bear watching season in the dry zone jungles of Sri Lanka, as the sloth bears huddle up to consume these tasty and mouthwatering Palu fruits. It’s an experience not to be missed, as there is so much excitement in watching the sloth bears shifting from tree to tree often ignoring everything else!
AIRPORT/ WILPATTU

Sri Lanka is well-known for its warm welcome and the serene smile of its residents that make you feel like coming back home after a tiring day. That’s exactly what it feels like on arrival at Bandaranaike International airport, where you will be warmly greeted and taken care of with warmth, love and tranquility. From that point, you will be guided to Wilpattu; one of Sri Lanka`s key national parks for wildlife spotting and adventure. It is a destination which would give you adventurous chills and energetic vibes that would keep you excited right throughout your journey in Sri Lanka.

Hotel – Big Game Camp
Room- Tent
Meals – HB Basis (Breakfast & Dinner)

WILPATTU

On the second day of your visit, you will experience the excitement of a full day safari at Wilpattu National Park, which will leave you excited and wanting more!

Wilpattu National Park is situated along the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. It comprises of a unique complex of lakes called Villus, which are natural basins that are filled with rainwater and surrounded by open grassy plains set within dense scrub jungle. A multitude of sandy paths wind around the entire park and open up into these large natural lakes. The unspoilt and beautiful Wilpattu National Park is one of the largest and oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. It is ideal for those wanting to escape the flurry of activity of Yala and instead offers the opportunity for a tranquil, peaceful and undisturbed safari drive..

Hotel – Big Game Camp
Room- Tent
Meals – HB Basis (Breakfast & Dinner)

WILPATTU

Start your day with another full day visit to the beautiful Wilpattu National Park. The biggest draws in Wilpattu are Leopards and Sloth bears. Alongside these, it is possible to see Asian Elephants, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Asiatic Buffalo and Mugger Crocodiles. Endemic birds include the Ceylon Junglefowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Ceylon Woodshrike and Black-capped Bulbul in riverine habitats. Muntjac or Barking Deer are more easily seen in Wilpattu than any other national park. Butterflies recorded include the Great Eggfly, Great Orange Tip, Glad-eye Bushbrown, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose and Crimson Rose.

During the monts of May & June the Palu tree begins to bear fruit. The Palu (iron wood) is a beautiful tall tree with a bark textured with reticulations. The Bears take temporary absence of leave from thier role as a semi- specialist in termites. With berries a plenty, they go on a feeding spree with some reportedly showing signs of inerbation from gorging themselves on the palu fruit.

Hotel – Big Game Camp
Room- Tent
Meals – HB Basis (Breakfast & Dinner)

WILPATTU / SIGIRIYA

After the breakfast leave for Sigiriya. Check in to the beautiful hotel Jetwing Vil Uyana and spend the day time at leisure. A night at Jetwing Vil Uyana presents a rare opportunity to see one of Sri Lanka’s elusive primates, the Grey slender loris.

The resident naturalist will lead you on an hour-long tour along a beautifully carved nature trail that is located on the hotel premises itself. The path runs through a forest filled with a wide range of vegetation. You will find yourself crossing simple, yet beautiful bamboo bridges, passing over steams, which preserve the natural appearance of the forest. You will be given headlamps with red-coloured lights to assist you in your search for this shy and elusive creature. When the light comes into contact with the eyes of a loris, you will see the bright red reflection of a pair of eyes. If you are quiet, and lucky, the loris may approach you, giving you close-up views.

Hotel – Jetwing Vil Uyana
Room- Garden
Meals – BB Basis (Bed & Breakfast)

SIGIRIYA / MINNERIYA / SIGIRIYA

Morning stay at the hotel. The private nature reserve comprising wetland and forested habitats at Jetwing Vil Uyana is a haven for wildlife, with over 80 species of birds, 17 species of mammals, 36 species of butterflies and 21 species of reptiles and amphibians inhabiting the premises.

Afternoon visit Minneriya National Park for Elephants. The Minneriya tank dominates Minneriya National Park. The tank, surrounding flood plains, forest and wooded hills cover an area of 8889 hectares and extend north from the Sudu Kanda mountain range. Many small streams that converge at the reservoir feed the tank. This abundance of water attracts a variety of wild animals to the park. According to a census taken in 1986, 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish and 75 species of butterflies have been found in the area. Elephants are the key attraction here.

Hotel – Jetwing Vil Uyana
Room- Garden
Meals – BB Basis (Bed & Breakfast)

SIGIRIYA / NEGOMBO

After breakfast leave for Negombo for one night.

Hotel – Jetwing Lagoon
Room- Deluxe
Meals – BB Basis (Bed & Breakfast)

NEGOMBO / AIRPORT

Transfer to International Airport.

Prices (Valid from 01st May -30th June 2017)

Price includes:
Accommodation in all hotels mentioned above
Transportation in air-conditioned vehicle for the duration of the trip

* Terms & conditions apply

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