What should you not miss in Sri Lanka?

SRI LANKA

What should you not miss in Sri Lanka?

WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT MISS IN SRI LANKA?

Go on safari!

If there is one thing you should not miss in Sri Lanka, it is a safari through one (or more!) of the National Parks. Sri Lanka is the country with the largest population of Asian elephants, so the chance that you can admire these majestic animals is very big. Most elephants live in the National Parks, but don't be surprised if you encounter them in other places! The most popular park is the Yala National Park, which is known for its large population of leopards. In addition to leopards, there are also sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, buffalos, deer and various bird species.

Tips voor unieke overnachtingen in Sri Lanka

Wilpattu National Park

Popular often also means busy. Sometimes the animals are hunted and there are far too many jeeps in the vicinity of the animals at the same time. That is why we chose the slightly lesser known Wilpattu National Park, which is located above Colombo. Just 10 meters away, a leopard suddenly appeared in front of our jeep, and we did not have to share this beautiful scene with any other jeep.

Tip: go early in the morning or just as the sun is setting, when the animals are most active and you have the best chance of seeing them.

Besides Yala and Wilpattu there are a number of other National Parks:

Luipaard in Wilpattu National park in Sri Lanka

Minneriya National Park

If you are in Sigiriya, add a safari to Minneriya National Park to your itinerary. This National Park is famous for its "Gathering of Elephants", where large herds of elephants gather at the Minneriya Tank, and is located right next to Sigiriya.

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe is known for its high elephant population and open landscape, making it very likely that you will encounter them on your safari.

Bundala National Park

This park is a paradise for bird lovers. You can spot flamingos, ibises, pelicans and many other bird species here

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

If you'd rather go into the jungle, head to Sinharaja Forest Reserve. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka's last remaining rainforests.

LEARN TO SURF AT ONE OF COUNTLESS SURF SPOTS!

Sri Lanka has a coastline of 1340 kilometers and both beginners and experienced surfers can enjoy the amount of surf spots. Most surf spots can be found in the south of Sri Lanka. Some well-known spots are Arugam Bay, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa and Hiriketiya. We took our first surf lesson in Sri Lanka in Hikkaduwa. The waves there were perfect for beginners. Later we also took some lessons in Weligama.

How to choose a surf school?
All along the coast you will find surf schools, from small local surf schools to large commercial organisations. There is a big difference in price and quality. Many 'schools' only offer surf lessons to beginners and do not know much about surfing. The lesson mainly consists of pushing your board and if you are lucky some encouragement. We even found out that some surf teachers cannot even swim. So always read the reviews first or ask around.

After a few disappointing experiences, we got a tip from our Airb&b host, a surfer himself and Sri Lankan, to take lessons at Surf'n' Lanka . And that was a bull's eye! We got lessons from Manju and he taught us more technique with a lot of passion. Our softtops were exchanged for hardtops and we slowly improved our surfing skills.

Best beginner spot
Weligama is very suitable for beginners, you mainly have sand breaks and the waves are not too high. A stone's throw away you will find Ahamgama and Midigama, here you will find a number of spots that are perfect for intermediates. The surf spots at these places are mainly reef breaks and you have to arrange a boat to get there, but often you can share it with other surfers.

Along the entire southern coastline you will find all kinds of cozy restaurants and surf shops, sometimes in places you would not expect. So it is always a good idea to search Google Maps.

TICKLE YOUR TASTE BUDS WITH A SRI LANKAN COOKING COURSE

A big fat tip is the cooking course of Wasantha in Unawatuna. Wasantha makes curries to lick your fingers. Really, her curries (and eventually ours too) are the tastiest we have ever eaten. At the end of the path, away from the hustle and bustle, Wasantha and her family have a restaurant. After you have been to the market for fresh produce, she teaches you how to transform them into the tastiest dishes. And while you are stirring in the pan, some monkeys occasionally come to look at you. That is the ultimate travel feeling.

Tips voor kookcursus volgen in Sri Lanka

EXPERIENCE LOCAL LIFE AND TRAVEL BY BUS

Okay, we have to admit, traveling by bus in Sri Lanka is not the most comfortable. But it is an experience! Unlike other popular destinations in Asia such as Thailand and Vietnam, you cannot book a luxuriously equipped tourist bus in Sri Lanka.

It doesn't work, it doesn't exist. Where 2 can sit, 4 can fit. And whether you like music or not, you will hear it, and loudly too. With a bit of luck, your driver will occasionally pay attention to the road and you will arrive safely at your next destination. Not comfortable, but fun to experience. In addition, traveling by bus in Sri Lanka is the cheapest means of transport, for a few euros you can be busy for hours. You don't have to buy a ticket in advance either, you put your bag somewhere where there is room (usually next to the driver) and just sit down. Someone will come to you to ask where you are going, you conjure up some rupees from your pocket and before you know it you have gained an experience (or lost an illusion, depending on your adaptability ;-))