20 Jan 2023
Experienced guide Pradeep sat next to us in a comfy pickup, while the driver drove us through bumpy rugged tracks, so that Pradeep could see wild life that we would have missed otherwise. His hawk eye was instrumental in the quality of the proposed safari. Guides are well connected and quickly inform each other.
Entrance fee is currently 13,000 Rd pp. You have to add approx 7,000 Rs pp for Pradeep's all in services.
We hired a driver and his Toyota from Beliatta train station to Tissamaharana, where Pradeep resides and which is 20' from the park entrance gate. Uber can somewhat help finding such a driver. We came to Pradeep's hostel at 7pm (accomodation is not offered but Pradeep can advise on nearby restaurants), had dinner in town and slept at his hostel for a decent 5,000 Rs pp. This plan allowed us to be ready for a 6am safari. Time optimization !