Ramani Jayewardene

Born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Ramani is also half Swiss. Ramani grew up close with her Swiss mom's seven siblings and her cousins, swapping frequent visits and spending extended holidays in the Alps each year. She lives and breathes nature and has been involved with wildlife professionally for more than two decades. With a biology degree from Smith College in Massachusetts, she focused her energy on marine biodiversity research. Her projects have included valuable work on Sri Lanka’s complex reef system, as well as studies on whale and dolphin behavior off Bangladesh and in the Myeik Archipelago of Burma. She has also assisted Sri Lanka’s premier ornithologist on some fascinating bird research.

Having grown up in an adventurous, wilderness-loving family that spent every holiday exploring Sri Lanka's national parks, Ramani is as adept at navigating the jungle as she is exploring the ocean. She is also fluent in Swiss German, acquired while working in Switzerland during her college summers. Between research projects, she has spent time teaching biology and environmental topics to children and young adults, including a post on the secondary faculty at Colombo International School.  

Ramani has worked as a naturalist guide in South Asia since 2012. Her combination of academic knowledge, research experience and intimate familiarity with habitats makes her a favorite with travelers who like to delve deep into the wild world and its natural history. Her own travel portfolio extends well beyond her native Sri Lanka: she has also spent time among the flora and fauna in the wilds of Bhutan, India, Nepal, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and the Swiss Alps, including extensive hiking and travel around Appenzell, St. Moritz, Zermatt and the Schiltorn. When she's not outside adventuring, you're likely to find her reading, doing yoga or cooking.

Upcoming Adventures with Ramani:
Sri Lanka Wildlife & Cultural Treasures
The Wilds of Borneo: Orangutans & Beyond

Praise from Nat Hab travelers:

S. Fortunow
“Ramani was the finest guide we have ever had in 30+ years of traveling! Both her knowledge and people skills were outstanding.”

S. Diamen
“Ramani was truly outstanding! She has a broad and deep knowledge of all aspects of her country. She cares about each traveler and goes out of her way to ensure their specific needs are met.”

M. Greenfield
“Ramani should get a score above 10. She was exceptionally knowledgeable, thoughtful, kind, forward-thinking—and more.”

K. Kesling
“Ramani is an amazing naturalist and super Expedition Leader. She has a huge depth of knowledge and is wonderful at keeping everything organized. Her direction to the vendors and lodging providers kept us on track and made this trip so pleasant. Thank you, Ramani, for an amazing experience!”

S. Griffin
“Ramani is the best Expedition Leader I have ever had!”

L. Runde
“Ramani is one of, if not the, best Expedition Leader I have had on any trip. Her passion and knowledge are amazing. She attends to every detail. I highly recommend her!”

M. Parker
“Ramani was very knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, culture and history of Sri Lanka and was always available for questions!”

M. Chandler
"Ramani is a real find for Nat Hab. She is the jewel in Nat Hab's crown. Her knowledge of the history, culture and wildlife of Sri Lanka is absolutely outstanding. She is a natural and compassionate leader."

J. Magnusen
"Ramani was outstanding. I can't say enough nice things about her personality and abilities."

T. Eveland
"Ramani and Toby are two of the best guides I have experienced. Not only were they knowledgeable, but they anticipated traveler needs and were always available to answer our questions."

A. Kalhorn
"Ramani made the trip very enjoyable. She is intelligent, knowledgeable, and has a great personality."

T. Iki
"Ramani was amazing. She is a soft-spoken Sri Lankan historian and naturalist. She is an incredible storyteller able to make all the information paint pictures in our memory banks. She instantly made you feel like a good friend interested in sharing experiences. She was on top of quietly arranging many details and helped us interact with interesting people involved in conservation projects. She's a fantastic Nat Hab Expedition Leader find!"

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