The beginning of the journey and the discovery of Sri Lanka
I discovered that leopards lived in Sri Lanka firsthand in the country itself when I ventured out in 2015 on my first real solo backpacking trip and was traveling in Southeast Asia.
I had left Australia definitively and reluctantly after a long stay of almost 5 years (an experience that changed my life).
Before returning to Italy, I wanted to pursue my passion for travel and combine it with photography, so I chose Asia for several reasons: it was close to Australia and, above all, it wasn’t a big budget option. I left Sydney with a backpack and a camera I’d purchased the previous summer, a Leica V-Lux 3.
Sri Lanka was the third and final country on my first Southeast Asia road trip (Indonesia and Malaysia had been there before), but it was also the country that ultimately kept me there the longest (almost a month).
The first safari in Minneriya National Park
I had traveled far and wide, experiencing misadventures, joys, and chance encounters (which later shaped my career). However, aside from a few snapshots, I hadn’t dedicated myself to wildlife. I didn’t think I was up to it yet, but above all, I didn’t feel remotely ready to tackle something that still felt too big for me. I didn’t have the money and I didn’t have adequate photographic equipment.
I only went on a single safari in Minneriya National Park, in the centre of the country, but it was completely out of season (this also made me realise that I was totally uninformed about wildlife) and in fact, apart from a few eagles high in the sky, I had no significant encounters.
But on that occasion, I discovered Sri Lanka’s natural treasure and slowly began to research it. The fact that the island was also home to big cats thrilled me.
I told myself that one day I would return, more prepared and more organized.
Returning to Sri Lanka after 9 years: a photographic journey
And so it was that in 2024, a full 9 years later, I kept my promise.
Not only did I return better equipped and with a wealth of information, but also with a substantial amount of knowledge gained from nature photography trips to South and Central America, Northern Europe, Italy, and other countries.
And above all, I returned with a very specific objective: the leopard.
In 2024, Sri Lanka was the second country on my trip (I had previously been to Sumatra to focus on the orangutans) and, in fact, it was in Sumatra that I began to plan in detail my moves for the “teardrop of India” and that was how I found a contact who later proved to be decisive and important: Mario, my guide.
Meeting with Mario, a local nature guide
Mario is a man in his fifties, speaks fluent Italian, having lived in Venice for 22 years working as a cook and now a nature guide in his hometown. He has such in-depth knowledge of leopards that I was amazed when he could figure out where he was just by listening to the Langur calls that indicated the presence of the felines. Incredible.
Thanks to him and his driver, we had several leopard encounters and sightings: mothers with cubs in tow, leopards in abandoned buildings, others crossing your path, and others resting in the vegetation.
Emotions and reflections on the photographic safari
I must say that the encounter with these large felines endemic to the island thrilled and enthralled me greatly, and a wonderful collaboration was born with Mario. Now, with his support, I organize photographic trips to Sri Lanka, one of which was already successful in July 2025.
