Wild Coast Tented Lodge’s Wild DealYala National Park, Sri Lanka

When people think safari, they usually think Africa. Fair enough. It's earned the reputation. But a growing number of wildlife lovers are discovering there's another destination quietly punching well above its weight, and it's only a fraction of the flight time from Australia.

Sri Lanka might be better known for beaches, tea plantations and train journeys, but its wildlife credentials are seriously impressive. Nowhere is that more obvious than Yala National Park, home to one of the highest concentrations of leopards anywhere on earth.

On the edge of the park, where dense jungle gives way to the Indian Ocean, Wild Coast Tented Lodge offers a safari experience that feels worlds away from the traditional game lodge setup. Think luxury cocoon-style tents, ocean views, exceptional dining and twice-daily game drives led by expert naturalists who know every corner of Yala's wild landscape.

Leopards are the headline act, but they're far from the only residents. Elephants roam the park's grasslands, sloth bears emerge from the scrub, crocodiles lurk in waterways and more than 200 species of birds keep keen-eyed wildlife spotters busy between sightings.

For travellers keen to slow things down, the lodge has launched a new Ten-Night Wild Retreat designed to showcase the best of the region at a more relaxed pace. The fully inclusive package includes 25% savings on stays of 10 nights or more, complimentary airport transfers, 30% off spa treatments, private sundowners, guided nature walks, wellness experiences and plenty of opportunities to maximise wildlife encounters without rushing from one sighting to the next.

The odds of spotting a leopard are high. The odds of wanting to leave are not.