Yala National Park
Day 7
Today we headed further south to Yala National Park, famous for its leopards. Before that we got to enjoy the views of Mini Adams Peak from the opposite side and then have a photo at the Ramada Falls just outside of Ella.
It took about two hours to get there and about half way through we saw there was an Iran side on a mini Persepolis. Seems Iran has some water projects here, maybe why getting a visa is very easy?
We arrived at our hotel and sat by the pool for an hour before lunch and then getting ready for the afternoon safari in the YNP. We were picked up by jeep which including entrance was $110 for the two of us. Again some pretty scenery on the way to the Park (about 15 minutes) including a huge Pagoda. The dogs here are even more brave/stupid than the rest of the Country. They literally lie in the middle of the road and don’t move even when cars beep at them. How there are no dead dogs scattered along the road is a mystery as they certainly don’t leave much room for error.
Having only just been to a National Park in Namibia, I didn’t know how this would compare. I knew I wouldn’t see Lion, Giraffe, Rhino, Zebra or Springboks like I did over there but I was hopeful that it would be productive so Aida got to see animals in their natural habitat. We did see two leopards but firstly there were about 20 other jeeps there jockeying for a view and secondly they were not the easiest to spot so photos were only good if you had a super zoom on your camera. There were plenty of peacocks, water buffalo and deer but if you have been to a safari in Africa you will be solely disappointed so I wouldn’t go out of your way to visit. However, if its on your way and your are keen to visit then by all means take a look, just don’t expect too much in terms of close ups with anything other than a peacock or water buffalo.