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Majestic Wild Elephants in Sri Lanka: Unforgettable Kaudulla National Park Safari

Majestic Wild Elephants in Sri Lanka: Unforgettable Kaudulla National Park Safari

Apologies for the lighter posting schedule last week. A demanding itinerary around the TBC Asia Travel Bloggers Conference, coupled with unreliable WiFi, delayed some planned articles. Normal updates resume next week.

I attended the TBC Asia conference in Sri Lanka (previewed here), featuring a pre-conference tour of key sights organized by Cinnamon Hotels. Watch their excellent recap video here. The conference itself was outstanding—details in my upcoming monthly roundup.

Choosing a weekly highlight was tough amid constant wonders. Sri Lanka exceeded expectations, echoing southern India's charm but with superior beaches, Buddhist heritage, calmer trains, and abundant wildlife like these elephants spotted on safari in Kaudulla National Park.

Sri Lanka's elephant numbers have halved over three generations to about 6,000. Historically hunted for trophies by British colonials—one major reportedly killed over 1,500—and impacted by civil war landmines and shootings, annual losses reached 100 until 2006. Now endangered, conservation efforts by the government are strengthening protections for this iconic species.

My first wild elephant encounter (beyond a Thai sanctuary visit) left me in awe. During the annual fall migration, dozens of herds—including calves—converge on monsoon-filled reservoirs. The sight of them traversing open grasslands toward water is mesmerizing. Our jeeps paused to observe family interactions, playful calves, and sparring bulls. I could have stayed all day.

Expect more wildlife next week at Yala National Park, famed for leopards too—fingers crossed!

Craving more elephants? Check my Facebook page here. Follow daily Sri Lanka photos on Instagram!

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