RAMSAR Wetlands of Sri Lanka

In the whole world, only 34 places have the richest variety of life on earth. Biodiversity hot spots.
Wild places that cover just 2.3% of the Earth's surface. Home to 75% of the planet's most threatened mammals, birds and amphibians. And Sri Lanka is one of them. Home to 6 RAMSAR Wetlands and hundreds of threatened species. An island so wild, free and inspiring.

The 6 Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance in Sri Lanka

1. Annaiwilundawa Tanks Sanctuary
2. Bundala Flora & Fauna Sanctuary
3. Kumana National Park Wetland Cluster 
4. Maduganga Mangrove Lagoon
5. Vankalai Sanctuary
6. Wilpattu National Park Wetland Cluster

The signature 'Birding Safari' by Ayu in the Wild visits four of the six Sites*.

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Sri Lanka on 15 October 1990. Sri Lanka presently has 6 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 198,172 hectares. (All information: www.ramsar.org) (Images: www.ayuinthewild.com) For details of each RAMSAR Site..

Vantage points of the wildlife in srilanka

It's not only the wildlife safari goer who wants to be the first to 'spot' some unusual behaviour, a quick movement in the undergrowth or the distant blur of a swift-footed wild animal. In the wild, it can mean the difference between survival ...or not! 'Vantage Points' is our collection of wildlife images captured around our incredibly exciting wildlife parks that have captured the intensity of each animal in getting the best 'spot' to scour for food, catch a bit of sun, attract it's mate  or simply to survive!

On our safaris, we look at a different angle! How do animals behave? What do they do to live and survive? What makes them tick? And we learn all of this on foot, by boat and in safari jeeps. Our safaris are really Experiential adventure tours in the wild.  So out of the ordinary!

Talk to us about your tour in srilanka.
www.ayuinthewild.com
info@ayuinthewild.com
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If you are into +Beautiful planet Earth looking for +Amazing Places to See and love +Wildlife Worldwide +wildlifephotography or are a part of the community at +HQSP Birds +HQSP Animals +HQSP Landscape +Birds in Focus +BIRD LOVERS Worldwide who want a safari to be out of the ordinary, then this one is for you!

The Elephant Gathering + Hidden Trails

‘Elephant Gathering’ + Hidden Trails – 2 night safari or 3 night safari

2 nights/3 days or 3 nights/4 days

• See the world famous 'Gathering' at the Minneriya National Park
• Water based safari on a hidden elephant trail
• Visit the largest National Park in the island renowned for it's Big Cats-Wilpattu National Park
• Bush breakfasts, Bushwalks and sunset drives on hidden elephant trails of the North Western Province, Sri Lanka

Hidden Trails + 4 National Parks - 1 week safari

• See the world famous ‘Gathering’ at the Minneriya National Park
• Water based safaris to see Elephants on islands in the Gal Oya National Park
• Visit the two top Big Game Parks in the island – Yala and Wilpattu National Parks
• Track elephants on foot at sunset in the North West of the island
• Bushwalks and sunset drives on hidden elephant trails across four provinces in Sri Lanka
• Overnight on a tree-top hide experiencing what farmers do to protect their crops from wild elephants
• Night drives on lake-bunds to photograph mammals in the dark

Dates: Only in July, August, September 2013
For Rack Rates, Itineraries & Enquiries: info@ayuinthewild.com
(Discounts off the Rack Rate please register your email address on our blog)

No matter who you travel with or how you choose to witness the magnificent world famous spectacle of the annual 'Gathering', keep in mind that the wilderness belongs to the wild. We are mere intruders and  need to respect the fact that nature really belongs to it's original inhabitants.

We're excited! Just four months and a bit more to go, for the largest mammals on our island to start making their annual trek from  hidden corridors into open grassland in search of food and water. Herding together in pockets of jungles  - some areas, like Minneriya and Kaudulla, well known among Elephant enthusiasts; others, known only among just a handful  of us who have explored off-the-beaten path for decades.

INCLUDED

• Accommodation & meals
• Exclusive use of open-sided 4WD safari jeeps
• Guided by community based Guides who live with the wild
• Exciting activities including bushwalks and sunset drives off-the-beaten-track on hidden animal trails, safari drives in National Parks
• Park fees, cost of safari jeeps and all service charges
• Transfers and English-speaking chauffeur

EXCLUDED

• International airfare/visas to Sri Lanka/Domestic flights
• Items and expenses of a personal nature
• Gratuities for Guides and drivers
• Travel insurance

See our blog page ‘Hidden Elephant Trails 2013’ for more details.

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Elephant on a hidden trail...

He was looking us in the eye. For a moment we wondered if he was going to charge at us, but probably didn't consider us a threat! Check out these moments and more on our  'Ayu in the Wild Invitational Safari 'Hidden Elephant Trails 2013'. See the blog page for more details.

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White-bellied Fish Eagle, fishing...

A White-bellied Fish Eagle swooping in for his catch-of-the-day...and Egrets, busily gulping down their snack. Just a few among the hundreds that swarm the fishing boats in the coastal village off Pulmoddai - Kokilai Lagoon, Sri Lanka.

Kokilai Lagoon, February 2013

Our safaris are not just about what wildlife you see....

It's about how you see life in the wild.





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Submerged jungles and Elephants on islands,Gal Oya Sri Lanka

Indigenous people, the veddahs once roamed these jungles. Today, dead trees submerged and standing in mute testimony of the massive man-made tank that is the life of the Gal Oya National Park, in Sri Lanka. An incredibly exciting boat safari on the placid waters with breathtaking views of rugged mountain ranges takes you to tiny islands, lush and home to large herds of Asian Elephants. Glide softly, slowly, disembark from your boat on the edge of an island and watch these gentle giants silhouetted by an orange sunset. Bliss!

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Bushwalks, boat trails and grub in the jungles - Wilpattu & Kaudulla December 2012

There is something about having a meal by a river in the thick of the jungles, which cannot be explained. The thrill that you are actually grabbing some grub 'in the wild'. We were blessed with great weather. Little did we know that monsoons and floods were a few days away. For three nights we slept in jungle enclosed safari lodges, took an idyllic boat ride  in calm waters where purple herons rested among tall reeds, walked along a lake studying the hurried flights of butterflies. And then there were those Asian giants. Elephants at Kaudulla. Well past the 'season' for the world famous 'Gathering', yet over two hundred of them: several generations, majestic matriarchs and the mischievous babies...could have stayed there forever.....www.ayuinthewild.com  

 

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