Chitral
Chitral was an airline executive for most of his working career before joining the Nature Odyssey team. He inhgerited his tremendous love nature and passionate interest in wildlife photography from his father. He won his first major photography award at the age of 18 at the Fourth Festival of Wild Life Photography where he received his award from the Duke of Edinburgh. Since then he has gone on to win first prize at the Centenary Photographic exhibition of the Wild Life and Nature

Protection Society and the 2 nd prize at the Exhibition held by the DWLC in 1990.

He also won the 1 st prize in the Birds category in the Nature Photographer contest in 2004 along with numerous commendations. He has held two, one- man exhibitions on wildlife photography and recently published a book of photography on the Yala National Park with his partner Dr.Ravi Samarasinha. He is an active member of the Photographic Institute of Sri Lanka and helps conduct resident Nature Camps on wildlife photography.

Chitral is a frequent visitor to Sri Lanka'a dry zone jungles as his favorite photographic subject, the Leopard, draws him like a magnet to parks such as Yala and Wilpattu. His vast experience as a photographer and intimate knowledge of the dry zone jungles comes in handy in promoting the Sri Lankan wilderness to dedicated photo tours and film crews .

   
Nilantha (Naturalist)  
A fanatical nature lover, Nilantha began his career in Nature studies at the Youth Exploration Society of Sri Lanka - a voluntary nature conservation organization based at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya.It was here that he got his basic grounding in Herpetology, Ornithology and Botany. Nilantha then joined Dr.Dittus in his Primate Research Programme based in Pollonaruwa, where he participated in over three years of research done on Toque Macaques by the Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C. in collaboration with the Institute of Fundamental Studies.

Taking his interest further, Nilantha attended the South Asian Primate Conservation Management Plan workshops held in Coimbertore, India before joining the Nature Odyssey team as head Naturalist.

He is also an active member of the Field Ornithology Group in Sri Lanka. An old boy of Kingswood College, Kandy, Nilantha has an exuberant and outgoing personality, is a strict vegan and an avid conservationist.

   
Tharaka (Naturalist)

A keen birder, Tharaka began his field studies in 1998 under the guidance of Prof. Sarath Kotagama and is a member of the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka. He gathered his working experience by working in many of Sri Lanka's leading eco resorts around the Dambulla and Habarana—the hub of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle. He also has an avid interest in archeology and is a dedicated student of Bird and insect life specially Butterflies and Dragonflies.

Tharaka enjoys pointing out different bird calls, and provides travellers with truly informative excursions

through Sri Lanka's dry zone environment. He is also a fitness fanatic, and practices martial arts combined with yoga.
   
Dilan (Naturalist)

Dilan displayed a very early interest in wildlife and birding. He was a member of the Young Zoologist’s Association of Sri Lanka at the National Zoological Gardens and went on to receive a diploma in Wildlife Conservation Management at the Open university of Sri Lanka.

He has more than 12 years field experience and expertise in handling reptiles including venomous snakes. Dilan is currently involved in gathering data on the different types of snakes found in the area surrounding our base in Yala.

Dilan is a member of the Ceylon Karate Federation, an art he believes helps him to improve his concentration and physical fitness, an athlete and an excellent cook.

 
Kolitha (Naturalist)

Kolitha, who hails from Kandy is another member of our team of naturalists. A former scout and cadet, he is an expert in the fields of birding and butterfly identification. A talented artist and graphic designer, Kolitha worked as aMaterial Development Officer in the Upper Mahaweli Environment & Forest Conservation Section.

He is a member of the Youth Exploration Society of Sri Lanka of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya. He was also part of a research project based in Sri Lanka’s Sinharaja rainforest and has received his training under

some of Sri Lanka’s leading conservationists. He enjoys sketching when at leisure.

 
 

 

The Colombo-based team of Nature Odyssey organizes and fine tunes visits to Sri Lanka to suit the individual preferences of the Nature, Adventure and Wildlife enthusiast. They share a passion for the outdoors and are dedicated conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts.
 

Dimitrius Silva (Tour Guide)

Dimitri has been a part of Nature Odyssey from its inception. With over 15 years experience in the trade Dimi not only heads our field team, he is also an integral part of our office and product development unit. During his career Dimi has lead countless tour groups from our top agents like Hauser Excursionen and other European and British agents. Dimi is the first Sri Lankan Tour Leader to be approved by Studiosus Resien, Germany to lead their groups in Sri Lanka.

 
 

Dimitri lived, and worked in the hospitality trade in Germany for 12 years. He now resides in the suburbs of Colombo, very close to nature, where he feels most comfortable and at home. Like most Sri Lankan’s Dimitri in a lover of music and will entertain you by strumming his guitar or playing piano. His wonderful, friendly personality will ensure that your Sri Lankan experience will be unforgettable.

 
 

Ruwan Jayasekara (Tour Guide)

 

Ruwan, has been apart of the Nature Odyssey Team for the past 04 years. He is a pioneer Trekking and Naturalist Guide Lecturer. He speaks fluent German and has participated in many Alpine Trekking Guide training courses in Germany. Some of the programmes he has attended include courses conducted by the Sebastian-Kneippe-Akademie and Hauser Exkersionen, Germany.

 
 

A highlight in Ruwan’s career was when he was approved by Studiosus Resien, Germany last year, to be a Tour Leader in Sri Lanka.

In addition to a sunny personality, Ruwan is an avid entertainer. His box guitar is a part of his essential equipment on most tours and listening to his soothing melodies with the backdrop of a bubbling brook will only heighten your Sri Lankan experience.

 
     

Nalaka Palipana (Tour Guide)

   

Nalaka is a Trekking and Naturalist Guide Lecturer and has been apart of the Nature Odyssey Team since its inception. He specializes in handling German & English speaking groups. Nalaka regularly participates in various Alpine Trekking Guide training courses in Germany in order to keep abreast with the latest information in the trade.

The programmes he has attended include courses conducted by the Sebastian-Kneippe-Akademie and

   
Hauser Exkersionen, Germany. Nalaka is one of three Guide Lectures in Sri Lanka to receive approval to be a Tour Leader for Sudiosus Resien, Germany.

Nalaka’s actual age is a mystery to us all! He however maintains a physique of a 25 year old by spending much of his free time playing many sports which include Badminton, Squash, and Cricket.

Nalaka’s passion for life and friendly personality will ensure that your time in Sri Lanka will always be a source of pleasant memories.