Real treats today, two safaris! We were to set out early, so early it was still dark when we left the lodge. Our objective the Ayala National Park and an early start meant not having to wait too long. The sunrise over the bush was amazing and having looked at some rather bizarre exhibits in the 'museum' while we waited we were soon bumping over the rough tacks into the park. Everything was very quiet; we saw water buffalo taking an early morning dip and there were some spectacular birds and pelicans. Other animals seemed to be asleep until we saw one lone elephant wandering across the open plan, obviously separated from the rest of the herd.
Time to return to the lodge for breakfast and to collect our luggage; we were on the move again .
Traveling on to another National Park area we stopped at the Elephant Transit House a charity that looks after abandoned baby elephants on the borders of the national park.We watched as the 'tiny', by elephant size, animals waited to go into the feeding stations where large 'bottles' gave each elephant the right amount of milk. Some were real characters and acted up for the spectators, others were just interested in getting their milk. Such fun.
This afternoon another game drive, this time in the Udawalaw National Park. After so few animals this morning we weren't sure what to expect but even while we were entering the park an enormous monitor lizard walked passed right up close to our jeep. There were lots of peacocks strutting about and lots of colourful birds but best of all the there lots and lots of elephants wandering about and crossing the paths very close to our stopping points. For wild animals it was very like being in the zoo they were so close.
Enjoying an amazing sunset we set off for our 'home' for tonight, Kalu's Hideaway. Quite an interesting little place off the main track, apparently owned by a quite famous retired Sri Lankan cricketer. Which might explain why our key fob was a cricket bat!
Another great day.