On my first night at Uga Chena Huts just outside Yala National Park, we come across a lone elephant tugging shrubs from the dry earth, effortlessly feeding himself with his powerful trunk. The massive bull calmly approaches our safari vehicle, curious about the quiet observers interrupting his dinner. I sit in awe, humbled by the sheer presence of such a majestic creature. Later, as we enjoy sundowners by the lagoon, the sky shifts from fiery pinks and oranges to a deep indigo, revealing a dazzling stretch of Milky Way stars—a moment that deepens my reverence for the natural world.

At dawn, I set off on a short drive into Yala. As we bump along rugged trails flanked by rocky outcrops, we search for the elusive leopard. Along the way, vibrant peacocks strut past, graceful deer graze in the brush, and wild boars trot through the undergrowth. Our guide, Gayan, shares stories of the 5,000 monks who once sought solitude in these ancient hills, carving out lives of quiet devotion among the stone crevices. We pause at a bend in the dusty road as two elephants emerge ahead, jogging gently into the brush. Later, by a murky lagoon, we snack on flaky pastries filled with curried vegetables while counting still-as-statues crocodiles, their jaws agape in eerie silence. Suddenly, a sharp, shrill cry pierces the air—a warning call from a deer. A leopard is near. 

Back at camp, I wander down to the wind-swept beach, waves crashing in a rhythm only nature could orchestrate. I’m told an elephant strolled by just the day before. In the sand, I spot paw prints, proof of wild visitors. 

Further south, Amanwella in Tangalle sits on a serene coconut estate, blending seamlessly into the tropical rhythm of the island. I sink my feet into the sand, soft as clouds, closing my eyes with appreciation as the waves crash around my legs. Sri Lanka feels like heaven.

Spiritual Connection 

Mornings at the award-winning Santani Wellness Resort in Kandy begin not with the jolt of an alarm, but with the gentle echo of Buddhist chants drifting over cloud-kissed hills and waking valleys. In Sri Lanka, nothing feels rushed—only unraveled, slowly and soulfully. At the open-air yoga shala, the scent of incense curls through the morning air beside a serene statue of Krishna. Dressed in simple white cotton, the instructor, forehead marked with sacred ash, opens the session with a quiet prayer, guiding us through meditation and soft, mindful stretches. It’s a far cry from the fluorescent-lit yoga classes I’m used to back home. This is the real thing, deeply rooted and reverent. 

Meals at Santani are a creative celebration of nature, prepared with mushrooms and vegetables grown right on the property. During a session with the in-house Ayurvedic doctor, my pulse is read with practiced precision. I'm told I’m a vata-pitta type, and offered simple, grounding lifestyle advice to bring balance to both my body and mind. It’s a reminder that wellness, here, is not a trend but a way of life.