Kaudulla National Park. A paradise for jumbos.

by Navoda Dissanayake (Sri Lanka)

I didn't expect to find Sri Lanka

Kaudulla is one of the most visited National Parks in Srilanka today. Located in North Central Province,close to Polonnaruwa,this park is a home for many species of Wildlife mainly the elephants. I thought of taking a tour to Kaudulla National Park because I had to prepare a presentation as part of my degree programme in my uni. I left home around 6.30 in the morning by public transport and reached the park at 8.30. As instructed by the park warden,the best time to see wild elephants was after 2.30 in the afternoon. Until then,I spoke to some tourists because I had to include some of their opinions in my presentation.Some said that Srilanka's pristine beaches, breathtaking landscapes,diverse wildlife have drawn their attention. The park office complex comprises of a small museum,ticketing counters,an auditorium and a parking area. After spending few hours talking to foreigners, I set off to the park. The path that took us to the park was amazing.Jerky and bumpy movements through the track gave me some unforgettable experiences.Suddenly, I entered into an open area where I hit the target. I was so lucky to see a large gathering of jumbos roaming around in the area. It was undoubtedly a pleasant sight.I was fortunate to see about 100 elephants on that day. Some were drinking water while others were feeding on grasses. I could also observe some nursing mothers with their calves. Just imagine how affectionate they are.Playful juveniles were so active and watching their activities was so exciting that I could not take my eyes at bay . I kept watching at these creatures for a little while. In the meantime, I met a Spanish lady and she wanted to know some other interesting tourist attractions in Srilanka. I managed to provide her with required information. Her only hope was to visit Srilanka again. On my way back to the exit,the driver took us through another route. It was a forest patch where I came across different types of wildlife. I saw a nests of wasps,herd of deer, a water monitor,an eagle,a peacock. Respecting the park rules and regulations, I left the park before 6 o 'clock in the evening. I caught a bus flying from Trincomalee to Colombo. I got off at my home town , Kurunegala and came home at 9.30 p.m with lots of unforgettable experiences of my journey to wilderness.