The massive entryway is flanked by fruit vendors and toy peddlers who find this gateway a lucrative market as throngs of people including a large number of children stream in continuously. Even if it is not a local holiday, bus loads of students visit the zoological gardens in Colombo with their classmates and teachers. On holidays the road becomes somewhat impassable as there is an unending influx of coaches and cars carrying enthusiastic animal lovers.
These fans first encounter a few flamingos who occupy a rather prominent spot just beyond the ticket counter and then each person may choose his or her path depending on the layout given. Whichever route one chooses to take ultimately one will come by a number of different animals; some local, some Asian and some from far off countries.
Bears, tigers, lions, horses, giraffes and rhinoceroses are seen within the zoo premises and each of them has a considerable area devoted to them, hence the feeling of being cornered in a cage is not heavily felt. The area inhabited by the chimpanzees and baboons is typically noisy and even the visitors soon join in the merriment with the animals who engage in different antics while swaying between trees. The butterflies and birds reside in a comfortable but closely knitted enclave; this area is useful for educational purposes.
The spectacle of the visit is the afternoon elephant show which is well received by the audience that perches themselves on the stone seats around the elephant ring. The mahouts bring forth their magnificent creature who is usually dressed in merry, summer colours. The little girls and boys cheer loudly as the elephants prance, jump and dance to the music.
There are small huts and summer houses here and there for people to rest and enjoy an ice cream or a picnic lunch. Large trees grow everywhere offering sufficient shade while you journey through the park.
All Sri Lanka tours should include a comprehensive round of the city of Colombo as there is so much to see and do. Talk to Elegant Travels who will be more than happy to plan your holiday in the country. Travel Sri Lanka and explore the wonders of nature, the man made miracles that constitute the pageantry of the emerald isle.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+