Give Leopards their territory!

Planning on a big cat safari in Sri Lanka? Here's what you need to be mindful of...

The wilds of the Sri Lankan jungles, belong to the wildlife

Untrained safari drivers in Sri Lanka are known to overcrowd an animals territory

The Sri Lanka Leopard (Panthera Pardus Kotiya) is the largest carnivore in the island and the top most predator with no competition from other predators such as tigers or lions. (Although reference to Lions in Sri Lanka's history, the flag, stories of legend & folklore point to their likely existence thousands of years ago). As a result, the Sri Lankan Leopard is  much bolder than in other habitats across Asia or Africa. Spending more time on open roads and jeep tracks, on the ground, stalking without much cover and in daylight.

Think before you book your safari holiday in Sri Lanka....

• Book your safari through respected agents that offer professional Guides & jeep drivers - not only will you enjoy learning about the wildlife in Sri Lanka but your Guide will ensure the territory of an animal is respected.
• Ask for experienced Trackers. Be aware that Trackers allocated to your jeep from the Wildlife Department may not be the most trained and knowledgeable Guides - you may need to remind them of Park Rules - especially of not speeding towards an animal sighting.
• Don't get too close! Be aware that Jeep drivers who tout for work are not trained to respect wildlife and more often than not, will overcrowd an animal - please give wildlife their space and zoom in for the best images.
• Ask for a 4WD safari vehicle. Although the traditional Land Rover jeeps with seating to the sides may not look as comfortable as the newer jeeps with raised seating - they are much safer to travel in and more often than not driven by experienced safari drivers who know the terrain well. The old fashioned Land Rover jeeps can also handle rougher terrain than the new jeeps so you get to explore the more unexplored habitats.

Sri Lankan Leopard has adapted well to different habitats

The Sri Lankan cat has adapted well to different habitats - from the riverine ecosystems in Wilpattu National Park to the more scrub jungles and open plains of Yala and Kumana National Parks. With many small lakes making up their 'home-range' the Sri Lankan Leopard roams freely around the perimeters of each lake to feed on the resident animals of deer, sambhur, wildboar, grey langurs and the occasional buffalo calf. This 'roaming' from one lake to another also provides great opportunities for safari-goers to get their one-great-big-cat photo! 

Be a responsible wildlife tourist  - zoom in from a distance to get that top shot..

Do remember, that the wilds belong to the wildlife. We're merely visitors in their territory.

Give Leopards their territory - Yala Sri Lanka

Top 5 Ayu in the Wild safari experiences in 2014!

#1 Best of African & Asian wildlife

Lion Cubs - Southern Africa

Sri Lanka
one of the world's best destinations
for Leopards

African & Asian wildlife:  A 15 Day wildlife encounter through Asia & Africa - as part of one professionally guided photographic safari experience!  
Two weeks of privately guided safari drives, bushwalks and night drives that will leave you spellbound with the contrasts and similarities of Asian wildlife & in Southern Africa! Enquire info@ayuinthewild.com +wildlifephotography

#2 A Classroom in the Wild

Learning the difference
between Asian & African Ele's

Understanding the
habitats of Waders

A Classroom in the Wild: Treasure hunts! Mud-on-your-hands! Belly crawls! Nature Crowns! Nurture a love of nature in your kids...and everything wild in between: big animals, small mammals, insects, birds, trees, plants and even poop!! 

Our Junior Rangers safari for kids from 4 days to 7 days in jungle-tucked Eco Lodges and Campsites. Exciting bushwalks, tree-planting activities and safari drives in 4x4 jeeps with on-safari discussions on wildlife interpretation. Enquire  info@ayuinthewild.com  +Vacation Idea

#3 Migrants of the Wilderness

Migrants of the wilderness: A seasonal tour of 8-15 days from December to February each year. Explorations by jeep, foot and boat along the best routes of the migrant Sperm Whales, Blue Whales & Spinner Dolphins in Kalpitiya and the hundreds of Waders & Greater Flamingos across Mannar in Northern Sri Lanka. Top it off with exciting 4x4 safari drives in our largest national park as we stalk after predators and prey around the beautiful sand rimmed water basins of Wilpattu NP or  our most wildlife rich habitat -Yala NP.  Enquire info@ayuinthewild.com   +BIRD LOVERS Worldwide +HQSP Birds +CATS all over the World 

#4 Gourmet in the Wild

Al fresco dining
deep in the heart of the bush

Sea-food at one of
San Pellegrino's Asia's Best 50
Restaurants

Gourmet in the Wild - Culinary Adventures from 3 days to 3 weeks to explore the best of cuisine across wild Sri Lanka and it all starts with some inspired fine dining in award winning restaurants of Colombo. On safari, you will pick the best of local produce from farmers markets or before it even gets there...off the soil, in the jungle farmers farm!  In between safari drives and bushwalks try your hand at rustling up dishes which are the local favourites in each province. Wilderness cuisine  and al-fresco dining have never been this exciting! Enquire info@ayuinthewild.com  +Food Network +Culinary Travel +FoodTravel 

#5 Off-peg wildlife trails

Off-peg wildlife Trails: A 2 week tour in July or August each year with off-peg wildlife trails across some less traversed wild habitats in the North central region, central highlands and the east coast. Boating safaris to see elephants on tiny islands that stand isolated within the submerged jungles of a man made lake. Aerial photography on scenic flights. Walking safaris to photograph elusive Tuskers. Tented Camping deep in the remote east coast wilderness. And the finale - the world's 6th greatest animal spectacle (Lonely Planet), the 'Gathering' of hundreds of Asian Elephants at the glorious Minneriya Tank. Enquire info@ayuinthewild.com

Experiential Safaris...redefined

Whether it's on our walking safaris, boating trails on idyllic lakes or exploring the more remote corners in the less-traversed Block II of Yala NP, we prefer to watch wildlife well away from the crowds. Observe & learn about the behaviour of animals, understand their nocturnal habitats and their interactions with humans. See life wind down as the sun sets in the rural heartlands. Our Naturalists and Guides make nature come alive through natural history, culture, folklore and every little thing you see around you, on safari.

Life as a Jungle-farmer

The real Sri Lanka through the eyes of the locals.

Ask anyone who has been on safari with us and they wouldn't deny that community interactions are part of the best memories they have of their safari with Ayu in the Wild.  http://ayuinthewild.com/p7.php

A jungle-farmer's life is tough! Waking up before dawn to collect water, set out to work on the field before the sun becomes unbearably hot and as the day ends, gather firewood before heading home.

Most often, 'Paddy-farmers' (who grow rice)  close to wild Elephant corridors need to stay awake on all-night vigils. Sitting in a tiny watch hut, vulnerable, in the middle of his field or maybe high up on a tree with just a faint light for company. Despite electric fences that are meant to be a deterrent, Elephants still break through, keeping logs on the fence and stepping over! At night, intermittently, each farmer yells out to the other in the next field - a simple tracking mechanism to ensure no one has fallen asleep or come to any harm.

On safari a few weeks ago, we spent some incredible moments with a jungle-farmer and his family experiencing how to cook-like-the-locals-in-the-wild.

We picked vegetables off his plot and helped cook five curries on an open fire of three bricks. Ever tasted prawns grilled on a banana leaf over a wood-fired bbq of sorts? 

After a long safari ride we visited them again as night approached - just to chat about their day and ours. They had even lit a campfire! The jungle-farmers' life is one of incredibly hard work. Yet, they can be the most hospitable people you will ever meet. Talk to them and they never fail to smile!

As the night became cooler from the breeze wafting through the vast lake in front of their tiny clay, wattle and daub hut, our day out on safari came to a perfect end.

If you would like to travel on an experiential wildlife safari contact us on info@ayuinthewild.com

For +It's a Wild, Wild World +Beautiful planet Earth +Amazing Places to See +Explorations 

On a bush walk at dawn in Yala

We set off at first light on our bushwalk in Yala. Watching the sun rise (rather quickly) over the ocean, the sand dunes, the shrubs.  Birds and butterflies and a peacock or two enjoyed the early morning warmth. The silhouette  of a butterfly at dawn was just enthralling.

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Lord of the Carnivores, Sri Lanka Why do they mesmerize us so?

It's true. You never tire of them. A single sighting can cause a complete system shut-down. Tripods don't balance. Fingers fumble with camera settings. You even forget that your camera offers any advanced settings!

Even more exciting than getting a great Leopard photo is traveling with a great guide who actually knows about their behavior.
The 'sawing' sounds they make. Their stealth and craftiness when stalking hapless prey. Tracking their pug marks on soft sand during the day and checking their after-dark stalking tactics on night drives. Identifying them by the markings on their forehead. Why do they give birth at a certain time of the year? How do siblings behave? Walking off-the-beaten-paths and maybe, just maybe coming across their scat and checking out their diet!  

Safaris that help you learn about the Lord of the Carnivores www.ayuinthewild.com 

(Specials for registered enquiries from the blog)

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