A S H D OW N
A S H D OW N
W I L D L I F E : E Q UA D O R & G A L A PA G O S
WILDLIFE: SRI LANKA
If you’re looking for wildlife locations in South America, then why not try stopping off in Ecuador’s Amazon region. Here you can find the most amazing array of tropical birds; herons, kingfishers, spoonbills and ospreys to name a few. Walk along raised boardwalks through the dense flooded palm forest and very often you’ll get to see various species of monkeys showing off their dare devil jumping skills! Take a dugout canoe across the lakes and along the canals that stretch out all around the lodges where you will find all sorts of insects and spiders, and lazy lizards watching you, as you slowly paddle by.
When your rainforest visit comes to an end then what would be better than an onward trip to the Galapagos Islands. Perhaps a 7 night cruise where you won’t have to keep packing or unpacking and you can completely relax and enjoy the wildlife. The yachts travel at night so you have plenty of time to visit the numerous islands during the day. Look out for the basking marine iguanas, the waved albatrosses, giant tortoises, the Galapagos penguins and so much more. Take time out to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the conservation efforts of this unique environment.
A S H D O W N T R A V E L 24-26 Station Road East, Oxted
National Parks, sanctuaries and nature reserves abound on this compact little island nation. Each offers a plethora of landscapes and a stunning variety of both endemic and migratory favourites in the wild. Sri Lanka has a vast range of bird species, numerous amphibians and an immense variety of resident reptiles. Something can be found to suit every wildlife enthusiast’s palate here, and since Sri Lanka is a small island, you will find that you can squeeze in a multitude of activities in just one single holiday. The Yala National Park and Wilpattu are the best known of the national parks for leopard. Yala is also one of the most visited national parks in Sri Lanka, due to the population density in Yala which is as high as one leopard per square kilometre in some parts of the park. The Udawalawe National Park is famed for its resident elephant population and is one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka. It is also instrumental in the establishment of the Elephant Transit Home which is an important
project that is geared towards the conservation of elephants in Sri Lanka. More spectacular than possibly any other wildlife event in Sri Lanka is what is known as the ‘The Gathering’. During the dry season (July to September) more and more animals congregate around the Minneriya reservoir where grasses are rich and fertile. For several months of this drought season different herds of wild elephants gather at the reservoir. They come from the areas beyond Minneriya, and at any one time it is possible to witness up to 300-400 elephants. They are not migrating, they simply ‘gather’, to socialize, bathe, feed and possibly mate. Whatever your preference, the accommodation options are varied to suit all budgets. From basic to luxury tented camps to the newly opened Chena Huts in Yala, the island has many lodges and hotels located near the national parks. No matter what time of year the opportunities to enjoy sighting will not disappoint wildlife enthusiasts.
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