The Best Destinations to Spot Elephants Up Close With Culture Trip

Nothing matches seeing an animal in its natural habitat, totally wild and free to roam its land as it pleases. That’s the beauty of elephant-spotting in Sri Lanka, which has multiple protected national parks that they call home. On our 10-day Rail Trip around the island you’ll witness ancient temples, surreal rock fortresses and one of the most scenic train rides on the planet, but nothing will match the majesty of the moment you spot a trunk curling round from behind a branch. On day eight we’ll go to Udawalawe National Park, the best place in the country to spot them, with over 600 elephants calling this place home, usually in herds of up to 30. You’ll embark on an expert jeep safari in search of a herd or two, before following that up with a visit to Elephant Transit Home, a sanctuary that rehabilitates and releases orphaned or abandoned babies back into the wild.