Kulu Safaris Yala

Kulu Safaris’ paradigm is to seamlessly blend the adventure of a Sri Lankan safari with exceptionally comfortable accommodation, while minimizing our ecological footprint, to offer you the definitive wildlife experience.

Our tailor-made, mobile safaris feature customized tents that are finessed with thoughtful touches; we also run our own, modified, safari jeeps.

Our guides are professional, trained naturalists who have spent years learning the nuances of our jungles. Our staff are driven by an energy to surpass every single guest’s expectations. In effect, we offer our guests the best game viewing experience on the island.

Kulu is the first operator to establish and practice of environmentally conscious camping. We have adopted a strict “no-plastic” policy, use renewable energy to as great an extent as possible, and have implemented an eco-friendly waste-management system.

ABOUT US

From childhood, our founders’ spirit of adventure and thirst for discovering the wild has led them to traverse the length and breadth of this magical isle on foot, over water, and by road (well, in many instances there were no roads but that didn’t stop them!).

Some highlights of these trips would include navigating around a herd of wild elephants to cross a dry riverbed, winching out of monsoonal floodwaters, kayaking down rivers, circumnavigating the island on borrowed motorbikes, and exploring ancient caves and forgotten jungle monasteries.

Lest we forget our trusted 1954 banged up Mercedes Benz that got us through many jungle adventures! Nights would be spent around a campfire, sometimes quietly watching an array of wildlife coming to drink at a waterhole a safe distance from camp.

The idea of Kulu Safaris was thus hatched on such an evening in the heart of the jungles of Wilpattu, under a starry sky, with just a tarp for shelter and the crackle of dry sticks on a campfire.

CAMPS
The spirit of Kulu is to tread lightly, leaving a minimal footprint on the natural ecology of our wilds. Across the island, Kulu operates several campsites that are non-permanent, yet we strive to offer the most comfortable accommodation with touches of luxury for the comfort of our guests.

Our campsites are handpicked for their remoteness – most often our guests are the only dinner party for miles! All tents have been custom-made in South Africa by one of the world’s leading safari outfitters.

Our Base Camp in Yala offers large tents (each tent is over 200 sq. ft.) that are secured on raised wooden platforms. Each tent includes a small deck (or ‘veranda’ as we like to call it) for some private space to sip an evening drink, or to relax with a good book.

The tents have en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold showers. The fly screens support excellent ventilation while keeping out pesky critters.

Kulu’s Yala camp is ideally situated to explore the multiple sectors (referred to locally as ‘blocks’) of Yala National Park, and we run the majority of our safaris in Block 1 and 5. however, for guests staying 3 or more nights, we visit Block 3, 4 and Lunugamvehera National Park.

We also offer a mobile safari option, for tailor-made camping experiences to suit specific client requests. Although these tents are smaller, they are comfortable, cool, and well equipped.

Often, we deploy these tents to host our Wildlife Documentary clients, who need to be more agile when filming wildlife in remote parts of the island. The mobile option is also popular among adventurous groups seeking a unique and customized ‘off the beaten track’ experience.

For Wilpattu National Park, we offer clients the opportunity to stay in our bungalow, built within the buffer zone of the park. It is a great option for a family or single group to spend time exploring the treasures of Wilpattu.

The bungalow is situated on an elephant corridor near a popular waterhole for game, so guests are treated to the company of nocturnal wildlife in the dry season.

PARKS / YALA (RUHUNA) NATIONAL PARK

For us at Kulu, Yala is an endless book of enchanting tales, featuring a cast of incredible (and sometimes amusing!) characters, whose individual lives are woven intricately into the grand tapestry of the jungle’s perfect ecological balance.

The beauty of the jungle is that every game drive is unique and inimitable, and Yala’s abundance of short stories keeps our guests constantly engaged and entertained.

As much as we enjoy the wide spectrum of Yala’s biodiversity, we cannot ignore the gravitas of its main attraction – the Sri Lankan Leopard (or as intellectuals prefer to refer to our very own subspecies – “panthera pardus kotiya”).

Yala has received much coverage in the media for its dynamic leopard behaviour, and has thus been featured in documentaries by National Geographic and the BBC (Kulu Safaris is honoured and privileged to have been a key strategic partner for both organisations).

In 2014, we were fortunate to witness an epic and unscripted biopic of leopard behaviour unfolding before us, when a mother successfully raised her three cubs into adulthood.

If a family of four leopards at a single sighting wasn’t special enough, we were speechless when we witness a fifth leopard briefly join the group (presumably the male who sired the cubs) – seeing five leopards at one sighting is literally unheard of!

While such sightings are rare, Yala is probably the next best place behind the Sabi Sands in South Africa to observe leopard behaviour. While leopards dominate most of the chatter related to Yala, there have been some special and rare sightings that have flown in under the radar (pun intended!).

In 2012, a small flock of “Combed Duck” – a species of duck that was believed to have been extinct (partially due to excessive hunting) – was spotted in Yala after 80 years.

More recently, in 2015, we witnessed a juvenile Black Necked Stork – the species is critically endangered and the Kulu team were ecstatic to show our guests a healthy juvenile in the wild.

Fun fact: our bears climb trees (yes, really!). Sri Lanka’s Sloth Bear is elusive, yet from April to June in Yala is typically the best time to watch these clumsy (yet extremely dangerous) shaggy, black entertainers.

Bears have a fond affinity for the fruits of “Pallu”(Ironwood) trees that ripen at this time. They nimbly climb up these trees to have their fill of Pallu fruits, balancing deftly from branch to branch. Bear sightings can be rare and fleeting but the visual appeal of their behaviour is well worth the patience of tracking them.

The months of November to February bring a flurry of colour and activity to Yala with the onset of the migratory season of winter birds. The park welcomes this diverse array of waders, shorebirds, and land birds with its abundant ecological diversity, which offers visitors a great birding experience.

Over two hundred species of birds have been recorded at Yala. Numerous raptors are common to Yala and sightings of Serpent Eagles, Hawk Eagles, Brown Fish Owls and White Bellied Sea Eagles are frequent on game drives.

During the shooting of “Wild Sri Lanka”, we witnessed one of the most captivating displays of aerial acrobatics by a raptor, where an Oriental Honey Buzzard expertly plucked off bits of honeycomb from an active beehive hanging off a rocky outcrop.

(Wild Sri Lanka was produced by Nat Geo Wild and released in 2015. It is a remarkable documentary that examines Sri Lanka’s biodiversity, and showcases our wildlife through some epic footage over a three-part series.

Yala’s monsoon rains coincide with the migrant bird season, replenishing the lakes and waterholes to sustain life for the next year in the jungle.

The park is at its most photogenic during this time and abundant with Spotted Deer and their fawn, as well as with small herds of Elephant and Sambhur Deer (Rusa unicolor).

During the dry season from July through October, chances of animal sightings around waterholes increase and some great drama unfolds; standoffs between Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant, and Sloth Bear make for great wildlife theatrics.

An aerial view of Yala features countless hues of green, made up of a gently rolling carpet of shrub jungle and open plains, dotted with the deep blue mirrors of water holes and lakes.

Rocky outcrops playfully immerge from the shrub, defying any rules of conformity, while the Indian Ocean irritably pounds into the eastern coastline.

The entire expanse of Yala is composed of a diverse ecology and landscape, from shrub jungle, to riverine forests, to open planes of grassland. This diversity not only sustains a wide spectrum of flora and fauna, but also offers a host of fascinating backdrops for wildlife photography.

Hidden quietly beyond the spotlight that falls on Yala’s much publicized leopard density is evidence of an ancient kingdom that once thrived on this part of the island.

Remains of historically significant Buddhist shrines (“chetiya”) and structured complexes of worship (“vihara”) lay nestled within the jungle. The keen eye of a curious traveller may spot the tell-tale signs of human existence of a bygone era and our guides are happy to elaborate on these hidden gems.

WILDLIFE
Over a dozen species of Dolphin (Spinner and Striped dolphins are most common) reside along our coastline – probably in their highest visible concentrations off Kalpitiya and Mirissa.

December to March is the best window to be amongst them –pods consisting of hundreds of dolphin frolic gleefully approximately 1km – 2km off our shoreline and make for quite a spectacle.

Alankuda, in Kalpitiya, is a little over an hours’ drive from our Wilpattu camp, and we can make arrangements for our guests to take a break from the jungle and spend a morning out at sea with an entertaining pod of Dolphins during the season.

Blue Whales have become a prominent feature on the tourist map and are visible around the same time of year. Reports of Killer Whale (Orca) have made the news recently, and this has kept researchers busy trying to figure out what they’re up to in our warm waters. Large pods of Sperm Whales are common while Pilot Whales are seen occasionally as well.

Interestingly, some researchers are of the opinion that it is a land-based phenomenon that keeps these mammals resident along our coastline.

The plethora of the island’s rivers that flow into the ocean bring with them a rich collection of nutrients to the edge of the continental shelf, which helps sustain a strong whale and dolphin population close to our shores.

Three Sisters is a gorgeous beachfront villa, and offers swift access to Mirissa, which is the epicentre of the island’s whale watching experience. Three Sisters is a part of the Haritha Collection.

The island’s assortment of habitats – cloud forests, rain forests, arid scrub, denser wooded jungles and riverine forests, wetlands and grassland plains, estuaries and lagoons – supports a remarkable mosaic of biodiversity.

The shallow lagoons of Mannar (northwest of the island) are a blur of pink as thousands of flamingos descend to feed during winter. Lurking beneath the surface of most bodies of water around the country are ‘Mugger’ Crocodiles.

Yala is one of the best locations on the island to view these imposing crocodilians. The dry season reveals just how dense a population of Mugger Crocodiles Sri Lanka holds, when countless individuals sun themselves on the banks of receding waterholes.

We are also home to Estuarine Crocodiles (also known as Salt Walter Crocodiles, or “Salties”) that inhabit brackish lagoons and river mouths.

Coined Sri Lanka’s “Big Five”, Blue Whale, Sperm Whale, the Sri Lankan Leopard, the Asian Elephant, and Sloth Bear are the most marketed and sought after natural tourist attractions.

But our Kulu Guides don’t overlook a shy, yet important supporting cast that includes (but not limited to) the nocturnal Loris family (Grey Slender Loris and Red Slender Loris), endangered primates (Purple Faced Leave Monkey and Bear Monkey), small cats (Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Rusty Spotted cat and the cheeky Palm Civet), and the fabled yet ominous Forest Eagle Owl.

Barking Deer and Mouse Deer (best seen in Wilpattu) are skittish yet fascinating to watch if approached with stealth. Black Eagles glide haughtily along the edge of mountains and rocky outcrops and a sharp eye can often spot them above mountain roads as they hunt for monkeys and other small prey.

The most dangerous and imposing of all our wildlife species is the Wild Buffalo (referred to as “Kulu Harak” in Sinhala).

Local guides would reverently agree that an aggressive Wild Buffalo is the most chilling encounter to experience on safari (even more so than Leopards, Bear, or Elephant). They gather in large numbers in Kumana National Park, but healthy populations can be found in Yala, Wilpattu, and Uda Walawe National Park as well.

Perhaps the most under-appreciated mammal on our island is the Sloth Bear. Unlike Leopards who are photogenic and have a degree of predictability to their behaviour, Sloth Bear mannerisms are random at best.

Their dishevelled appearance and clumsy gait understate their true intrigue. They are nimble tree-climbers and make for ferocious adversaries.

They nap with the innocence of tired children in the most random of places, like the hollow of a tree or in a storm drain. Yet their screams when startled or in combat reach a blood curdling pitch. Sloth Bear sightings in Yala and Wilpattu are relatively frequent and a treat for any wildlife enthusiast.

Every dawn in the jungle begins with a symphony of countless birdcalls that only nature herself could compose to such perfection. Birdlife is abundant throughout the island, and while all our camps are stocked with “bird books”, we believe getting your own for the duration of your trip will be money well spent.

Birding in Sri Lanka

Lester is a fanatical birder and overall naturalist from childhood. He is a reputed bird artist and is one of the most experienced birders and naturalists in Sri Lanka. He has extensively bird watched throughout India from the south to the north (Ladakh), Rajesthan to Tinsukia in Assam and the Andaman Islands as well.

His incessant search for bird species in the region takes him regularly to various destinations in India’s lesser known wild places, and also been to Thailand, Maldives and Taiwan on two occasions searching for more Asian bird species.

His present interest is mainly on pelagic birds in the Northern Indian Ocean. He has been a professional birder for over 17 years, leading tours In Sri Lanka and India including the Andaman Islands as well.

As a devoted wildlife sound recordist, his collection of Indian bird sounds, alone exceeds over 400 species, recordings of rare and not so common bird from all over India. Some of his recordings of Indian birds are included in e-Book of Helm Field Guides: Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (2012).

He is a member of the Rarities and Records Committee of the Ceylon Bird Club apart from being a member in many other reputed nature and conservation oriented societies and clubs.

Sri Lanka is a year-round birdwatchers’ paradise, attracting hundreds of species of bird from various parts of the world, to all corners of the island. Of the island’s 427 recorded species, resident birds amount to approximately 250 while endemic birds number at 33.

Sri Lanka’s diverse geographic locations and environments which range from wet, dry zone, forest and jungle, hill country and low lands plays haven to a range of birds; some of which are restricted to certain areas while many others can be seen throughout the island.

Best time for birding

The island’s two distinct monsoon seasons, hilly interior and various wet and dry zones means there is plenty of birdlife to satisfy birders year-round. Fir best weather, the ideal time to visit for birding remains between November and March, when migrant birds arrive.

Around mid-August is when the first migratory species are believed to arrive in Sri Lanka in large flocks flying from as far as Scandinavia and Western Europe to settle along the eastern, north-western and south-eastern coasts.

The month of December has been declared as National Bird Month by Sri Lanka’s Field Ornithology Group, the national affiliate of Bird Life International.

What Bird and Where?

Storks, herons, egrets, spoonbills and pelicans, the Ceylon flycatcher, Green beater, eagles, herons and woodpeckers are just a handful of the birds that flock to Sri Lanka.

These feathered friends are seen in just about every corner of the island; the highest densities however hang out in and around sanctuaries spread throughout the island, namely Kumana National Park, the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary and Udawatte Kele.

EXPERIENCE

Our love affair with the wilds birthed the name “Kulu”, which means “untamed” in reference to Sri Lanka’s Wild Buffalo (hence our logo!) in our native Sinhala language.

It symbolizes the paradigm that would guide the evolution of the ‘Kulu Experience’ – to present the untamed Sri Lankan jungle in the safest, most comfortable, and responsible way to fellow lovers of the wild.

Our safari thesis is translated through the Kulu team who brings this experience to life. They are likeminded individuals who live and breathe the pillars of conservation, value and service.

They share our founders’ passion for constantly learning about the nuances of wildlife, the jungle, and our proud history.

Their passion is to show off the best Sri Lanka has to offer with innate warmth, sincerity, and efficiency; this is what transcends the expectations of our clients to establish a stay with Kulu Safaris as the highlight of their visit to Sri Lanka.

We cater to clients with varying interests and passions. We host professional photographers on long stays, who depend on our local knowledge and guiding expertise to capture the best of our jungles through their lens.

We love hosting families – our guides are adept at translating their knowledge of the jungle into a fun, learning experience for children. Also, our kitchen is well geared for their discerning tastes!

And for the honeymooners – we eagerly await the chance to spoil you. While the jungle weaves its own unique spell of romance and charm, we love curating tailor-made surprises to make your honeymoon stay with us all the more special.

But we won’t share all our tricks on here – do write to us, and we’ll come up with some creative ways to indulge your whims!

Activities

Just in case the lure of safari isn’t enough, Kulu has several activities on offer to keep you busy. We have kayaks at our Yala Camp, so guests can get out on the water for a couple of hours of solitude, exercise and experience a different aspect of nature.

For more experienced guests, we invite them on a ‘jungle walk’ led by our guides. The walk provides a rare opportunity to learn interesting tips on the art of tracking, animal behaviour, and offers a unique perspective for birding as well as photography.

We also enjoy taking our guests to explore sites of historic and cultural significance in the vicinity of camp. Kataragama is one of the most sacred and symbolic places of worship for all religions, but especially for Buddhists, Hindus and indigenous communities.

Sithulpawwa (which is believed to translate broadly to “Hill of the Quiet Mind”) is an ancient jungle monastery that dates back to the 2nd century B.C. Both locations attract many devotees, especially during times of religious festivities.

And what safari is complete without a sun downer at a scenic location, to mark the end of a perfect day in the jungle? But we like to keep the details a secret – you’ll just have to stay with us to experience it!

The Vehicles

We challenge you to find a jungle addict who doesn’t share a passion for great off-road vehicles, and Kulu’s portfolio of vehicles reflects that passion. Our fascination with Toyota and Land Cruisers goes back to our childhood adventures.

Our jeeps are modified for comfort, reliability and photography. Because our adventures take us to the back of beyond, we have fitted our jeeps with the best recovery equipment and accessories for superior terrain handling, comfort and safety.

Our fully retractable canvas canopies allow for a 360 viewing and photography opportunity, and our jeeps are well stocked with refreshments and safety gear.

As much as our drivers and guides are adept in the art of tracking animals and reading their behaviour, their driving skills in the toughest of terrains are the best in the business. But in the same token, safety is paramount; drivers are trained rigorously before they take on the responsibility of game drives with guests.

We pride ourselves in offering our guests the best opportunity to view and photograph wildlife without compromising on safety and comfort.

Ecological Footprint

Keeping true to our pioneering spirit, Kulu Safaris has strived to be the most ecologically conscious safari operator in Sri Lanka. Our ‘No Plastic’ policy saved approximately 5,000 plastic, single-use water bottles in 2015. We offer our guests unlimited, purified water in reusable glass bottles.

We generate most of our power from solar and rechargeable batteries, and have deployed a fully organic waste management system.

Our campsites are constructed in a manner that will allow us to return it to the hands of its owners – the animals – leaving behind nothing but our footprints, and taking with us priceless memories of encounters with its wildlife.

Our conduct in national parks is unobtrusive and respectful of the animals that we enjoy watching; are guides are trained to achieve the best balance between viewing opportunity to our guests while not crowding around a sighting.

Website: www.kulusafaris.com

Rooms: 6

Price: from 652 EUR per night