Ten of us, between us a couple of centuries spent in this jungle. We grew up around its edges, and we don't intend to leave.
Chamod grew up in a village on the eastern boundary of Wilpattu, and started leading visitors into the park the year it reopened, in 2010. He's the reason we exist, and almost certainly the reason your morning will go quietly.
He's also the slowest driver you'll ever ride with, and he won't apologise for it.
The forest rewards patience. We'd rather miss a sighting than rush one. You'll see more of the jungle this way, not less.
We are the visitors. Every routing decision we make starts there.
Every tracker, cook, and driver is from a village within an hour of the park. The money you spend stays in this corner of the country.
If we can't identify a bird, we'll say so. If a leopard hasn't been seen in a week, we'll tell you that too. The point isn't to perform competence.