THE WORLD OF THE BLACK LEOPARD

From the misty tea plantations of Sri Lanka’s highlands to the rugged Laikipia plateau in Kenya, Senaka Kotagama’s extraordinary journey—spanning over five decades and every continent—culminates in his debut book, The World of the Black Leopard, set for release in June 2025. A self-published work by this Sri Lankan explorer, photographer, and author, the book blends gripping adventure with the groundbreaking discovery of Giza, (Black Beauty in Swahili), a rare melanistic leopard. Senaka became the first Sri Lankan to track this elusive “ghost in the darkness” in 2023, inspired by pioneering camera-trap images from wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas. More than a memoir, this book offers readers an immersive dive into the wild, paired with a noble purpose with all profits flowing through to the Rotary for Little Hearts project.

Born in the mid-1960s in Sri Lanka’s lush tea country, Senaka grew up in a family that cherished the outdoors. The rolling hills and dense forests were his playground, fostering a deep connection to nature that would define his life. This early bond with the natural world set him on a path of exploration that few from his homeland have followed. By profession, Senaka is a Tea Taster, but his true calling lies beyond the tasting room—in the untamed corners of the planet.

Senaka’s adventures read like a catalogue of the world’s wildest places. In South America, he tracked jaguars and anacondas through the dense Amazon rainforest. He dived into Brazil’s Abismo Anhumas, a surreal underwater cave, and rafted beneath the roaring Iguaçu Falls. His scuba-diving exploits took him from 

Senaka’s adventures read like a catalogue of the world’s wildest places. In South America, he tracked jaguars and anacondas through the dense Amazon rainforest... 

Sri Lanka’s coastal waters to the pristine Similan Islands, all the way to the Myanmar border, where he swam alongside rare tiger sharks, and the whale-rich seas off Vietnam. In Chile’s Patagonian Andes, he pursued elusive pumas across windswept peaks, while Tanzania’s Serengeti brought him face-to-face with cheetahs and a near call with an angry lioness. India’s Bengal tigers, China’s Manchurian tigers, and Indonesia’s Komodo dragons have all crossed his path, each encounter fuelling his insatiable curiosity.

The World of the Black Leopard chronicles Senaka’s spirit of adventure with vivid detail and poetic resonance. Fewer than a handful of outsiders have ever glimpsed Giza, this elusive 'ghost in the darkness' a freak of nature revered by the native Samburu and other tribes sharing her mystical plateau. Fascinated by this elusive predator, Senaka continues to make multiple journeys to Laikipia’s wilderness in Kenya—an overlooked gem often overshadowed by the popular Maasai Mara. These efforts not only spotlighted Laikipia’s hidden wonders but also inspired fellow Sri Lankan and international wildlife enthusiasts to turn their gaze toward this remote region.

What sets The World of the Black Leopard apart is its fusion of drama, firsthand knowledge, and a unique creative process. Senaka’s compulsive writing—often jotted on his phone while bouncing through rugged terrain—pairs seamlessly with his photography. This dynamic combo captures fleeting sights, sounds, and emotions that memory alone cannot retain, lending the book an authenticity and depth that elevates it beyond traditional travel or wildlife narratives. Stunning illustrations accompany the text, drawn from his extensive visual archive, promising readers an experience that demands to be savoured.

This book offers a window into the shrinking wilds through the eyes of a modern-day explorer inspired by literary giants like Wilbur Smith. With its blend of historical context, factual insights, philosophical musings, and breathtaking imagery, The World of the Black Leopard is a pioneering work—an odyssey into a remote habitat few Sri Lankans have ventured. It invites readers to embark on a journey of empathy, awe, and cognitive awakening.

For Senaka, the rewards of his adventures—adrenaline-fueled encounters and quiet moments of empathy with nature—outweigh any financial gain. All profits from The World of the Black Leopard will support Rotary for Little Hearts, a project led by Rotary District 3220 to raise $1 million for Sri Lanka’s Lady Ridgeway Hospital. Each year, over 3,000 Sri Lankan children are born with congenital heart defects, and limited medical resources leave many without care. This initiative aims to expand intensive care and surgical facilities, offering these young patients a second chance at life. Through this book, Senaka transforms his lifelong passion into a lifeline for others.