There is a frog living in the drain of our sink. I presume he’s searching for love, but sadly I think his barking croaks are only heard by travelers like us. As I lay contemplating Mr. Frog’s loveless plight in our Sri Lankan guesthouse at 3 am, everyone else is still asleep. Mr. Frog and I are both pining for something. He for a love, and me for the chance to see wild, exotic animals at daybreak. Sorry Mr. Frog, you don’t count.

When our wakeup call comes at 4:30 it’s a single light rap on the door and I’m halfway into my flip-flops before Jeff realizes that’s the call. It’s animal time! Somehow I feel like I’ve been waiting for this my entire life, yet I only learned of Yala National Park two weeks ago.

As we bounce along the road in the hired Land Rover, rainwater sloshes off the canvas roof sprinkling our shoulders and legs. The cold drops add another layer of goose bumps to our heightened senses. It’s like our bodies never forgot what it’s like to be hunted or to hunt – except now at least, our minds can grasp that this is just a safari. Still, my imagination can’t help turning the slightest dappling of a shadow into that of a bear or wild boar. Buildings and boulders are suddenly imaginary elephants lumbering down the path. And my mind is a broken record whispering the word “leo-pard…leo-pard…leo-pard”. I’m conjuring the animals like some kind of shaman. Seriously, who do I think I am?!

We enter the park after a slight race to the starting line. It’s a treat to be the first inside – knowing that the engine noise (and my squeals) will surely make the first animals  scamper before the runner-up tourists arrive. Suckers!

In the spreading sunrise, we immediately spot a family of wild boar, a herd of spotted deer, a pair of sluggish crocodiles, and a peacock in each tree. Drive a bit. Oh, and there’s a sloth bear taking a jaunt across the road. Drive a bit. Cool, there’s a group of samba deer. Drive. Holy, two leopard cubs. Jackpot. Bingo. I am a shaman. I am a soothsayer. I am a telepathic animal caller! Hear me, Wild!

Okay, I’m overreacting, but there is nothing like seeing a large cat in the wild. You feel like you are the luckiest person in the world. These animals let you see them when only they want to be seen. They are cunning and beautiful and can easily take you out if they wanted. Of course my first thought instead of fear is, “their size is totally do-able in our apartment.”

For more Sri Lanka photos click here

Here are some of the animals we encountered in our two morning safaris

–       Leopard (4)
–       Sloth Bear (1)
–       Crocodiles (Too many to count)
–       Elephant (2)
–       Mating Mongoose (1 of each)
–       Viper (1)
–       Storks, Bee Eaters, Fishing Eagles, Kingfishers, Owl,  (Numerous)
–       Wild Boar (Too many to count)
–       Water Buffalo (Dozens but our guide thought they were lame)
–       Jungle Fowl (Sri Lanka’s national bird – Numerous)
–       Peacock (Too many to count)
–       Spotted & Samba deer (Numerous)
–       Gray Langar Monkeys (Dozens)

Here are some other terrific safaris around the world:

Serengeti National Park – Tanzania.  The quintessential safari experience that really does look like a National Geographic documentary. What’s special: millions of migratory wildebeest, and countless lions, hippos, cheetahs, giraffe, elephants, etc.  As a bonus you can camp within the boundaries listen for lions and hyenas circling your enclosure at night.

Denali National Park – Alaska.  The multi-hour shuttle bus serves as your vehicle (cars are not allowed inside) where it’s common to see grizzlies, moose, caribou, wolves, foxes and beaver in a single afternoon.  What’s special: you’re almost guaranteed to see a grizzly and in the summer it’s daylight almost 24/7

Kinabatangan River – Malaysian Borneo.  Cruise the river in search of herds of Asian elephants, orangutans and proboscis monkeys (the kind with the huge noses).  What’s special: Borneo is bizarro-land for critters.  It’s packed with unusual wild life from snakes that can fly, to iridescent caterpillars, to giant civet cats who roam the rainforest.

Antarctica.  It’s not cheap, but an expedition to the great white continent will blow your mind.  Without a doubt, the most amazing place Jeff has ever seen.  What’s special: Imagine flooding the Alps and then sailing your ship through the top 1/3 of the mountains.  Then add millions of penguins, seals, whales and birds, and you have an adventure like no other.

Corcovado National Park – Costa Rica.  This safari on foot is way off Costa Rica’s beaten path.  What’s special: A rainforest hit parade of animals including four kinds of monkeys, sloth, tapir, coatis, toucans and jaguar.

Have your own list?  Leave us a comment and tell us about your favorite safari locations!