Some tips and helpful notes for the tourist visiting the wild life parks and sanctuaries in Sri Lanka....

Some tips and helpful notes for the tourist visiting the wild life parks and sanctuaries in Sri Lanka....

You are not permited to alight from your vehicle within the park,except at specially marked locations.Camping is permitted at special camping sites,with prior permission.You must always be accompanied by a tracker provided by the park authorities.Please refrain from disturbing the peace of the wild with the use of radios,casette and CD players or loud music of your own.And,as in any other place,but more so in the wild,do not leave any litter behind.Park Bungalows Visitors to National Parks could find accomodation in Park Bungalows maintained by the Wil Life Conservation.All bungalows have basic amenities;water on tap, refrigerators, toilet, cutlery, crockery and presure lamps.Services of Bungalow Keeper and Assistant provided.

Reservations:Minimum of five persons (children under 12 years at half rate at US$ 10/- per person per day.Bookings only through Department of Wild Life Conservation,493,T.B. Jaya Mawatha,Colomo 10,Tel- 094-691321 , 688261/2. Hints to those who rent park bungalows-Take your dry rations and linon.Take plenty of fresh fruit-pineapple,papayas,banana,mango etc.Vegetables,some drinking water,coke,soda and other carbonated drinks,liquor,suger,eggs,bread,bacon,frozen or roast meat.Please note that once you are in the park you will have to travel several miles outside the park to reach the nearest town,and there too all your needs may not be found.Take a stock of fuel for your vehicle.

But just make sure nothing is found wanting at the other end.If you are touring on your own make sure to obtain all provisions from Colombo,or at least Galle or Matara (if travelling on the Southern route);Haputale or Bandarawela (if coming through the hills) and Ratnapura (if comming from the gem country).Those visiting Wilpattu should obtain supplies from Kurunegala,Puttalam or Anurdapura.Take plenty of Photographic films with you. All tourist who visit the National Park are required to pay a park fee and a vehicle fee.This applies to those who rent park bungalows as well.Park fees: Rs. 100/- per prson per day.Vehicle fees: Rs. 10/- per jeep (four-wheel drive vehicle. Entry to Ruhunu National Park-Yala,is restricted to 30 vehicles at any given time. Use of a four-wheel drive vehicles is recommended.

Your bungalow cook is used to the preperation of both Western and Eastern five star hotel. Casual VisitorsCould avail themselves of conducted tour leaving Yala Park Office and Wilpattu Park Office at 6 a.m & 3 p.m.for a 2-1/2 hour tour of either.The Park entry fee is Rs.50/- per paxJeep hire for a pax of 5 is Rs.625/- (not including park fees).Seat in a mini coach at yala is Rs.140/- and Wilpattu Rs.150/- (inclusive of park fee).