Petra – General Manager at Khiri Travel Sri Lanka

“It was absolutely overwhelming to see and feel the power of thousands or millions of wildebeests…”

Out of Africa – like the movie is one of my all time favorites, so is this breathtaking continent. To travel there had been my dream since childhood, and I finally made the first trip when I was in my 20’s. Easily one of the best and most fascinating places I ever visited, and can’t wait to return. 

The sheer vastness, the colors and sounds and most of all, the amazing wildlife leaves one speechless. I call it Serendipity – the occurrence of an unplanned fortunate discovery. My friend and I met an English Wildlife Photographer who invited us to join him for a few days on roads less traveled, and this was the beginning of my fascination and affection for wildlife. I was so blown away about my first encounter with wild elephants, love at first sight and never-ending. Quite obvious to notice for those who have seen my office with all the elephant ornaments. And it peaked further, a few days in the famous Masai Mara Nature Reserve witnessing the Great Migration, one of the most incredible wildlife spectacles in the world. It was absolutely overwhelming to see and feel the power of thousands or millions of wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River, hoping not to be caught by any of the hungry crocodiles. 

For many it is a highlight to also see a kill, that is part of nature, but I rather enjoyed the days observing the abundance of wildlife from zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, antilopes, hippos to the jaw-dropping big cats. Wow, nothing more beautiful and impressive than to see them roaming freely in the wild – an absolutely unforgettable experience of a lifetime. Now I feel truly blessed living in Sri Lanka, recently named by Forbes as the best safari destination outside of Africa.