Have you ever visited a park where Lions roam around freely and in other side you could see Ostriches running around? Of course, you are in a bus and the bus is protected from metal rods so you are safe and sound inside (Otherwise none of us would like to have an encounter with Lions, right?). I'm talking about the first ever man-made safari park in Sri Lanka which opened its doors to the public in 2016. This is basically an open-air zoo. If you are an animal lover and pleasure hunter this is the best place for you to observe animals in a more free environment while you are in a moving cage.

Photo Credit: ThushanthA MadurA

Photo Credit: Lahiru Piumal

Next time when you plan a trip to Katharagama, Udawalawe or Hambantota, make sure to visit this amazing safari park and get an unforgettable experience. This park is situated in Ridiyagama, a town off Sooriyawewa in the Hambantota district, this park is a 500-acre expanse of land which is managed under the supervision of the Department of National Zoological Gardens. It is open everyday from 8.30 am to 6 pm and ticket prices are quite reasonable.

Since it is an open-air zoo, the management has taken all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the visitors. You cannot tour around the park with your own vehicle. There is a bus service that operates every half an hour. The safari tour will take 1hour around the park. You have to take your tour inside this bus, and you cannot get down at any moment. Once you get into the bus, it will take you through the park where you can see four zones dedicated to carnivorous animals and two zones dedicated to herbivore animals. Some carnivore animals present at the zoo are lions, tigers and leopards. This park also has a 35-acre African Lion Zone, a 54-acre Sri Lanka Elephant Zone and an 80 acres World Zone. The World Herbivore zone comprises different animals including zebra, African buffaloes, ostrich, camel, hippos, donkeys, different types of deer and Arabian oryx. In addition to that many other species endemic to Sri Lanka including monkeys, wild boar, spotted deer and palm civets can be found. During the season, you can also find around 55 different species of butterflies and 100 odd species of birds. 

Photo Credit: ThushanthA MadurA

You could possibly witness a small animal kingdom in this Safari park which is a novel experience for all nature lovers. It is not that every day we can see animals cross the road while we are in a vehicle so don’t forget to add this to your little list next time when you are in down south. 

Photo Credit: ThushanthA MadurA