So,we focus on slow & ethical safaris in Udawalawe National Park đ and Yala National Park (Block 5 & 6 only)đŻ
Where wildlife leads, we followâŚwith respect đżđđđđ What if a safari wasnât about racing to tick off a leopard or elephant, but about moving slowly enough to notice the soft rustle of leaves, the glint of a bee-eaterâs wings, and the silence between things? At Nomad Trails, we try our bes
t offer something quieter. Something smaller. Something more human. We guide private, respectful safaris through Udawalawe National Park and the lesser-known Block 5 & 6 of Yala, parks weâve chosen for their balance of beauty, space, and quiet. In Udawalawe, elephants roam freely across open grasslands, while water buffalo graze and birds fill the skies. In Yala Block 5 & 6, you might catch a glimpse of a leopard or sloth bear. But more importantly, youâll find room to pause, observe, and feel. I personally guide most safaris myself. Itâs always just one couple or family at a time, never rushed, never crowded. Unlike most jeeps that go in at 6AM or 3PM, we usually start around 10AM. That way, we enter after the morning crowd has left, and weâre out of the park before the evening rush begins. It gives us a much better chance of enjoying the landscape without being surrounded by dozens of vehicles. Still, to be completely honest with you, we wonât be the only jeep in the park and I don't claim to be. And I donât think we need to be. But Iâll always do my best to choose a less crowded time period to go to the park, avoid the busiest spots, take the quieter tracks when possible, and find those moments where it truly feels like itâs just us and the wild. Thatâs my goal: to show you as much wildlife as possible while staying realistic, respectful, and kind to nature. Because itâs not about being completely alone. Itâs about creating the kind of space where you can actually feel what you're seeing. Thatâs what I call a slow safari. And because actual wildlife is so real and never stages or never fully predicted and that's the beauty of it!! Now If you ever decide to do a safari with us, I want to say this with kindness. If your goal is a guaranteed leopard or elephant sighting, then maybe a zoo would be a better choice. Not because you're wrong to hope for those moments, but because the wild doesnât work like that. And honestly, thatâs what makes it so special. Some days, we see elephants within minutes. Other days, we wait for hours. Sometimes the leopards come close. Sometimes they donât come at all. That part is never in our hands. But the more open-minded you are, the more rewarding the experience becomes. So, while most people keep their eyes fixed on the âbigâ animals, I believe the real joy is in everything else. The bee-eater flashing past in sunlight, a lizard clinging to a branch, the shadow of a raptor gliding silently overhead. These are not just background details. They are part of the same wild rhythm. And if weâre patient, truly patient, nature always has something to show us. Not on command. Not in a rush. But slowly, in its own time. Thatâs the kind of safari I believe in. So if youâre the kind of traveler whoâs curious, calm, and understands that nothing in the wild is guaranteed, yet everything is possible, then maybe this is your kind of safari.
