“If you are considering a trip to Sri Lanka, this has to be on your list. We spent a week travelling all over the country but our single night at Noel’s camp in Yala summed it up – the welcoming and charismatic people and the pride in the land and its nature.
We arrived just after midday and were met by Danu – who was to be our guide for the trip – in full safari regalia in his 4×4. We were already laughing at animal stories as we bounced down the track to the campsite – which has a special entrance to the park which beats the crowds we’d heard about. On arrival there was cold juice, beers and space to chill out before our first game drive. We’d booked normal tents but they were beautifully equipped, totally private and immaculately clean. An outdoor, screened shower as well as charging for phones topped it off – luxury for the middle of a national park!
Over the course of our two game drives we were lucky to sight birds, wild pigs, water buffalo, crocodiles and of course – a beautiful lone elephant at sunset and a leopard at sunrise. Danu knew the right spots to take us to catch a glimpse, chose always to work with the local wardens on drives, and had a network of spotters on the radio to get us to the scene of sightings. Racing along the track, holding onto the truck with one hand and the binoculars with the other, laughing all the way was pure excitement.
We would recommend anyone going to Sri Lanka to consider a safari a must. But don’t go cheap – it’s easy to drive around the park and spot no major game, or get stuck in traffic through the normal entrances, if you pick the wrong company and guide. Danu and all the guys at Noel’s – Dilanke and the others – had a spirit of adventure and commitment to conservationism that was contagious.
The park and animals of Yala are in good hands with these boys – and you will be too! You MUST do this.”
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Secret Retreats is a curated community of independent boutique hotel, villas, yachts and river boats keen to share their Asian Homes with travelers, sustainably and responsibly.
Conservation of the environment, culture and traditions of Asia is of paramount importance to all in Secret Retreats.
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