April 27, 2025 – April 27, 2025
Off the beaten path on the southern edge of Sri Lanka, Hambantota reveals verdant beauty, ample culture and incredible biodiversity. It’s a gateway to several stunning national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Yala National Park is a top choice for its sheer variety of wildlife – you might spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears and more. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Galle is also accessible from Hambantota – the 18th-century walled Old Town features charming Dutch architecture and possesses a beguiling, exotic ambiance that enchants travelers. Mirijjawila Botanical Garden, located in the dry zone, features a dazzling spectrum of rare and endemic plant species.
Observe countless indigenous animals on a game drive through the Udawalawe National Park and watch orphaned elephant calves being milk-fed at a wildlife protection facility. As you ride through the park in an open-top safari-style vehicle, you will likely see water buffalo, sambar deer, monkeys and birds of every imaginable species. Still, the highlight will be the herds of Sri Lankan elephants as there are hundreds of them freely roaming about. These magnificent, highly intelligent creatures are the largest and darkest of the Asian elephants, but their numbers are dwindling due to loss of habitat. Orphaned baby elephants are often taken to the Elephant Transit Home within the park. There you will see how they are cared for until they can be released into the wild, which is typically at age 5. They must be fed every three hours with a special milk formula – an event that you will watch up-close.
