How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Tikiri worked tirelessly to make sure that the tour ran smoothly and to address any individual concerns.  He was also great fun to be around. 

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Certain wildlife experiences can only be seen a certain national parks and at certain times of the year in Sri Lanka.  Make sure this is clearly understood for the specific departure you are travelling on. 

Do you have anything else to add?

Accommodation in most places on this tour is best described as "rustic", i.e. full of character, but perhaps not full of all the facilities of a western hotel - come prepared to do without a few creature comforts.  

An incredibly varied trip, which truly "left the tourist trail far behind". Best moment, probably, - pre-breakfast, in a small motor boat way out from the shore at Kandakuli, spotting a blue whale blowing and then following the antics of a HUGE school of dolphins ... estimated to be several hundred. Excellent birding and wildlife throughout - both quantity and variety but particularly in Wasgomuwa National Park where the Eco team at our wild camp on the banks of the Mahaweli Ganga river provided gourmet dinners by candlelight. Stayed in amazing wilderness locations - just the names of the Mudhouse and "Back of Beyond" (where we were the only visitors) were enough to set the senses tingling. We were a small group on a new tour, and as such treated to all sorts of extra diversions not in the dossier - snorkelling over coral heads in a Marine Sanctuary accompanied by brightly coloured tropical fish ... an elephant ride into a lake, etc. Most unexpected moment ... being charged by an elephant when it was spooked by another vehicle ... lots of trumpetting, ear flapping and quite scarey when it actually made contact with our vehicle! Also got caught up in the Tsunami early warning panic on my last day and had to scuttle off to the Airport several hours ahead of schedule ... fortunately the tsunami never materialised! Excellent Tour Guide and Driver - so enthusiastic about the wildlife and cultural highlights their country had to offer. Advice - mosquitoes were out in force - make sure you have an effective repellent. If you are offered a chance to swim at the kayaking location ... just note that there are tiny fish in the lake whose sole purpose in life is to strip any errant bather of an outer layer of skin! Overall excellent value for money - we could not have been better cared for on any other trip.