Tika Traveller

Discover Sri Lanka & Maldives From Those Who Know It Best

Blogs from Tikalanka are designed to enhance your knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives and keep you up to date with recent developments. We intend to post regular features on travel, news, lifestyle and accommodation as well as guest articles from current and past customers, which will give you first-hand experience of Tikalanka, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Category: Wildlife

Emirates and SriLankan Airlines agree reciprocal interline partnership

TikaWeeks #41/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th October 2023

Emirates and SriLankan Airlines have established a reciprocal interline partnership to boost connectivity for passengers of both airlines. The partnership will enable access to new points on each other’s networks via Colombo and Dubai, utilising a single ticket and enjoying the convenience of baggage transfers. This week’s update also highlights the issue of elephant-human conflict on the island, whether Yala has had its day, and Sri Lanka’s central and crucial role in the Indian Ocean since antiquity.

Leopard prowling in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Laurence Pordes)

TikaWeeks #33/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 14th August 2023

With the sighting of a melanistic (black) leopard cub in Yala National Park in March this year, interest in Sri Lanka’s apex predator has surged once more. Also in March, the inaugural Global Leopard Conference was hosted in South Africa. Leopards may be the most adaptable of the big cats, however the leopard’s global population and distribution are in decline. Many of the threats to leopard survival occur commonly across the world where leopards are found, and those protecting them are seeking better conservation solutions.

TikaWeeks #28/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 14th July 2023

Sustainability has rightly taken centre stage as we strive to combat climate change, but what does it really mean? By today’s common definition, to be sustainable we must balance how we meet human needs with our ability to continue to do so for the foreseeable future without degrading the natural environment. This update outlines the core principles of sustainability with regard to travel and Tikalanka.

TikaWeeks #23/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 6th June 2023

As another sign of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, the central bank cut interest rates for the first time in three years last week, while in May, India extended the US$1bn credit line by a year, further easing the financial burden on the country. Inflation is coming down, government revenues are looking up and pressure on the island's balance of payments is diminishing. "This can possibly be seen as an end to the crisis.”

TikaWeeks #21/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 25th May 2023

Sri Lanka is home to well over 400 species of exotic birds with names to match, like the White-throated Flowerpecker, Blue-faced Malkoha and Sri Lanka Paradise-flycatcher. Thirty three species are endemic while the vast majority are vagrants, migrants or residents. The joy of bird watching on the island is to see them wherever you travel, although some areas are better than others. You don’t need to be an avid ‘twitcher’ to enjoy the birdlife across the country as the little peckers seem to come to you!

Golden sand, swaying palms and the clear blue waters of a typical sun-drenched beach in Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #19/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th May 2023

When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka? Since the end of the civil war in 2009, there is no ‘best time’ to travel as the entire country is open so you may visit when it is best for you. However, different areas are better than others at particular times of the year depending on the prevailing monsoon season. The Maha monsoon affects the north and east of the island between October and February, while the Yala monsoon arrives in May and lasts until October in the southern and western regions.

Family group of Asian Elephants, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #12/2023: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 23rd March 2023

Rewilding is a relatively new endeavour in Sri Lanka, although some schemes have been active for years. Jetwing Vil Uyana began an ambitious project back in 2005, converting abandoned paddy fields into a wetland mosaic fed by irrigation channels from the surrounding farmland, and planting thousands of indigenous trees. Today it is enjoying the fruits of an enlightened and welcome rewilding initiative.

TikaWeeks #14/2021: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 6th April 2021

Today is the 20th anniversary of the launch of Responsible Travel, which pioneered the concept of responsible travel – better holidays, better for communities, better for nature. We joined in 2005 and it was the best decision we ever made in terms of our marketing strategy. Throughout this time RT.com has been incredibly supportive and we count many of the company as friends. We would like to thank all at RT.com for their passion and commitment to spearheading responsible travel throughout the globe.

TikaWeeks #07/2021: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 19th February 2021

Earlier this week, the Government of Sri Lanka announced that the temporary restriction on travel originating from the UK to Sri Lanka has been lifted with immediate effect.This is certainly some good news amid the many downbeat remarks from our own government ministers about the possibility of reopening foreign travel in the immediate future. However, entry to Sri Lanka is still subject to an initial 14 days stay in ‘Safe & Secure’ Certified Level 1 hotels and regular PCR tests.

TikaWeeks #03-2/2021: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 21st January 2021

To date, the list of ‘Safe & Secure’ Certified Level 1 hotels in Sri Lanka runs to 55, of which 25 are offered by Tikalanka, and there are currently 17 approved tourist sites and attractions, mostly national parks and cultural sites. Let’s hope that the ongoing health audit continues apace in order to approve many more of our favourite accommodation and places to visit as ‘safe and secure’ in the near future. Visit Sri Lanka Tourism for up to date information on the things you need to know for safely travelling to Sri Lanka.

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