(Over)tourism in the Udawalawe National Park

This is our entry in the FRIENDLY FRIDAY PHOTO CHALLENGE: TOURISM.

In February 2018, we were taken on a Udawalawe National Park Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka. Our transport was a 4×4 safari jeep with a capacity of six tourists, although there were only the two of us, accompanied by the driver and a guide.  They sat in the cab, while we sat in elevated seats in the back.  Our tour was only for a half day, and so we sped through the preserve from sight to sight (birds and beasts).  We were not alone.  There were many other jeeps also jockeying to see the sights.  As jeeps passed each other, guides shared what was available to be seen, and all jeeps in the area converged to the latest find.  In between the big finds, we enjoyed seeing birds and other smaller creatures at a more leisurely pace.  Here is a typical view: the tourists outnumber the elephants.

Udawalawe National Park Elephant Safari

This photo was taken on February 5, 2018. Specs are:

Canon 100D, ISO 320, f/16, 1/80 sec, 55 mm.