Sri Lanka is a treasure trove of different animal and bird species that possess high endemism in the world. Our forests along with the Western Ghats in India included in the top 25 biodiversity hot spots in the world. It is home to a wide range of amazing wildlife, including Sri Lanka’s big five: the Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Blue Whale, and Sperm Whale. There are 26 national parks along with many more wildlife sanctuaries to protect them. As a result, nearly 30% of the land of Sri Lanka acts as protected nature reserves for Sri Lankan wildlife.
Most importantly, Sri Lanka considers one of the best places outside of Africa for wildlife safaris. With an array of awesome sceneries and an abundance of natural wonders on show, safari in national parks in Sri Lanka gives an absolutely amazing experience. The wonderful, untamed wildlife within deep jungles is one of the best things you can see in the country. Therefore, don’t forget to include the jungle safari on your bucket list while you are touring the island.
We have summarized the most prominent national parks in the country and their distinct features. Visitors can select the desired national park to visit according to their highlights. The information includes details of each national park and the best time to visit them. Make sure that you’ll select the best time to visit each park to enjoy fine weather conditions while watching the remarkable wildlife of the island.
Map of Best National Parks in Sri Lanka
1. Yala National Park
Yala National Park is a highly famous, most visited park among all the parks in Sri Lanka. It is the second-largest park and the park covers 979 square km. The park situates in the southeast part of the country in a dry semi-arid climatic zone bordering the Indian Ocean. Rain receives mainly during the northeast monsoon from December to February.
Yala national park contains five blocks. Out of these five blocks, block 4 isn’t open to safaris. Block 1 and 2 are the most visited due to their variety of wild animals and high leopard density. In addition, blocks 3 & 5 are becoming known among visitors who don’t like overcrowding.
There are 3 entrances to the park. Palatupana and Katagamuwa entrances use for entering blocks 1 and 2. The Galge entrance used for entering blocks 3 and 5. Usually, the park is open from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Leopards in Yala
The number of mammals that have been recorded from the park is 44. Yala is home to the Sri Lankan leopard, elephant, sloth bear, and wild water buffalo, which are all threatened mammals. Among all of them, leopards are the major highlights of the Yala national park.
Yala National Park is a world-famous tourist destination because it has the highest density of leopards in the world. According to the records, an estimated 100 individual leopards are roaming in the park.
Yala Leopard Center
From 2020, a new identification system has been introduced to identify leopards in Yala national park. Yala Leopard Center (YLC) contains information on 102 leopards documented through the identification. Leopards are given specific names to recognize them easily.
This project hopes to give visitors a better insight into each of the big cats. This new information center will be useful to the visitors who visit Yala after the COVID-19 lockdown. Certainly, it will educate visitors on how to identify the park’s many leopards individually, adding more value to their wildlife experience.
Elephants in Yala
In addition, Yala plays an important role in the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants. There is a big elephant herd containing more than a hundred individuals in Yala. Therefore, it is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for elephant watching.
Birds in Yala
As well, Yala is one of the important bird areas in Sri Lanka. Yala harbors 215 bird species including six endemic species of Sri Lanka. Indeed, wetlands, shallow lagoons, and untouched coastline in Yala make it a reliable choice to view a variety of colorful and varied bird species.
Best time to visit Yala
The rainy season in Yala is from December to February and the rest of the year is fine to visit Yala. The dry season from March to August is ideal to spot wildlife, while the drought season starts in August. It should note that during the peak of drought season in September and October, several blocks of Yala will be closed. Therefore, it needs to check whether the park is closed or not before arranging your trip to Yala during these dry months.
2. Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park is the largest nature reserve in Sri Lanka, located 180 km north of Colombo. It margins by the northwest coast and is situated in the lowland dry zone of the country. The park spreads over 1,317 square km. The unique feature of this park is the existence of many natural lakes with rainwater. Inter-monsoonal rains in March and the northeast monsoon from December to February are the main sources of rainfall in Wilpattu.
Leopards in Wilpattu
31 species of mammals are identified within Wilpattu National Park. Mammals living in the Wilpattu are the elephant, sloth bear, leopard, water buffalo, sambar, spotted deer, and many more. It is among the top national parks in Sri Lanka famous for its high leopard population.
But leopards in Wilpattu are rather elusive than Yala, due to the vast area and dense vegetation of the park. For instance, they can easily hide among thick vegetation and stay invisible to visitors.
Birds in Wilpattu
Wilpattu is renowned for its wide variety of bird populations including the painted stork, the open bill, the cormorant, Sri Lankan jungle fowl, bee eaters, doves & pigeons along with many other species of birds.
Kudiramalai Point
Apart from the exciting wildernesses, Wilpattu is famous for its wonderful landscape. At Kudiramalai Point you can see the picturesque view of the ocean and copper-colored sands, which makes unique and extraordinary sight.
If you are visiting Wilpattu National Park, don’t forget to get a glimpse of this wonderful copper-colored beach. Certainly, this is one of the most unique sights you can enjoy in Sri Lanka.
Best time to visit Wilpattu
Wilpattu spreads over a vast area and visitor access is currently limited to approximately 25% of the park. The remainder of the park is still dense forests or shrubs. The best time to visit Wilpattu is in the high season from May to September. Wilpattu is the best place to give you a genuine sense of wilderness with the chance to witness its natural wonders and mysteries in a tranquil environment.
3. Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe is the most visited park for elephant watching, among all the national parks in Sri Lanka. it is the second preferred destination after the Yala National Park. It is a popular tourist destination for elephant lovers. The park is located 165 km from Colombo and spreads over 300 square km. The basic purpose of this park was to create a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River.
Udawalawe Reservoir
The main feature in Udawalawe Park is the Udawalawa Reservoir and the habitat surrounding it. The surrounding reservoir includes forests, marshes, and grasslands. Dead trees standing in the reservoir are visual reminders of the extent of forest cover before the construction of the Udawalawe Dam. The surrounding is home to many varieties of wildlife including birds, water buffaloes, and crocodiles.
Elephants in Udawalawe
Udawalawe is an important habitat for Sri Lankan elephants. Elephants attract to the park because of the abundant water supply from the Udawalawe reservoir. A large herd of elephants about 250 believed to permanently reside in the park. The distinct feature of the park is the photogenic elephant families. Udawalawe is the best place to capture the iconic view of an elephant family with their cute baby elephants.
Elephant Transit Home
You’ll find the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home closer to Udawalawe Park. It was established in 1995 for the purpose of taking care of abandoned elephant calves and then release to the park when old enough to feed them. A trip to the elephant transit home gives you the opportunity to bottle feed the little baby elephants raised in this transit home.
4. Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains National Park is the highest-altitude national park in Sri Lanka, lies at an altitude of more than 2000 m. Located 8 km from Ohiya, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Nuwara Eliya. While all other national parks allow only jeep safaris to enjoy wildlife, visitors can walk and enjoy the sceneries in Horton Plains.
It considers one of the most breathtaking hiking trails in Sri Lanka adorned with the lovely Bakers Fall. That is to say, this park is highly rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region.
Sambar Deer in Horton Plains
The largest herds of Sambar deer in Sri Lanka are living in the Horton Plains. It is the best place to see sambar deer and it isn’t rare to see them grazing by the roadside in the park. The sambar deer prefer to rest under shaded forest cover in the hotter hours of the day and they are active during twilight hours.
They can quite easily spot during the early morning and late afternoon. Therefore, visiting Horton Plains in the early morning is the best to spot grazing sambar deer while enjoying the best weather conditions.
Best time to visit Horton Plains
Most importantly, the weather is unpredictable in this area and views can cover with mist and fog at any moment. It is advised to visit Horton plains in the morning, as early as possible to capture stunning photographs of the surroundings. Horton Plains is having frequent showers throughout the year, especially from May to September. It is better to pack a raincoat while visiting Horton Plains.
5. Wasgamuwa National Park
Wasgamuwa is a national park in Sri Lanka situated 225 km away from Colombo. The National Park has a dry zone climate. Rain is received during the northeastern monsoon, from December to February, while July to September is the dry season. It is home to 23 species of mammals and one of the important bird areas in Sri Lanka.
Above all, Wasgamuwa National park is famous as home to sloth bears. But it might be difficult to spot them as they are elusive and rare to see in the daytime. The park is inhabited by a herd of around 150 Sri Lankan elephants. They can be seen as large herds roaming in the Mahaweli river area.
6. Minneriya National Park
Minneriya is a national park that is declared to protect the catchment of the Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The park situates 182 km from Colombo. The tank is of historical importance, built by King Mahasen in the third century AD. Minneriya national park is a world-famous destination to see the great elephant migration called “The Gathering”. This park becomes a highly famous tourist destination from August to October to visit this great elephant migration.
Minneriya Park is the dry season watering and feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in nearby forests. During the drought season from July to September, elephant herds migrate in search of food and water. They are gathering in grass fields on the edges of the Minneriya tank creating a great wildlife spectacle. If you are visiting Sri Lanka in that period, don’t miss this unique and wonderful sight, which will give you a lifetime golden memory.
Baby Elephant Twins in Minneriya
In 2020 July, the twin baby elephants were observed in Minneriya National Park for the first time in the history of Sri Lankan wildlife. The twins were playing with each other under the protection of their mom and it was a lovely sight to see.
To clarify, the general migration pattern of elephant herds is following; In between July, August, and September, elephant herds migrate to Minneriya National Park first. Then they migrate to Kaudulla National Park during the months of October to November when heavy rains started in Minneriya. Finally, elephants move on to Hurulu Eco Park from Kaudulla, for the last part of their migration during the month of December to January.
7. Kaudulla National Park
Kaudulla is a national park closer to Minneriya, located 197 km away from Colombo. It is a highly famous destination to visit large elephant herds. It is linked together to Minneriya Park by a jungle corridor. Elephants in two parks can move along the jungle corridor.
During the migrating season, elephants first gather in Minneriya and then migrate to Kaudulla Park, at the start of the rainy season. Therefore, if you are visiting Kaudulla Park to see elephant gathering, contact the tour operators to clarify the whereabouts of the elephants at the desired time of your visit.
8. Hurulu Eco Park
Hurulu Eco Park in Habarana is one of the three national parks in Sri Lanka in close proximity to the Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks. All three parks are immensely popular among locals and foreigners for their large herds of elephants.
The same elephant group you’ll find in Minneriya & Kaudulla finally migrate to Hurulu Eco Park during the rainy season.
9. Gal Oya National Park
On the eastern shore of the island right next to Yala, the Gal Oya National Park is located. The biggest attraction in Gal Oya is the Senanayake Samudraya Lake. The small island that sits in the middle of the lake is the best place to see the migratory birds including herons, cormorants, and many other species. Visitors can take boat safaris on the lake to see these amazing wildlife sceneries.
Boat Safari in Gal Oya
Sri Lanka’s only opportunity to enjoy a boat ride inside a national park to see the wildlife is the boat safari in Gal Oya. You’ll see flocks of aquatic birds including painted storks, cranes, herons, and many more.
An important feature of the Gal Oya National Park is its large elephant herd living in the surroundings. A boat safari through the reservoir offers the possibility of seeing them out for a swim. Certainly, you’ll be able to see the elephants roaming freely along lake banks and sometimes they are swimming in the lake.
10. Kumana National Park
Kumana National Park in Sri Lanka is a bird watching hotspot, particularly for its large flocks of migratory birds. The park is 391 km southeast of Colombo and contiguous with Yala National Park. Kumana is formerly known as Yala East, but later the name changed to Kumana National Park.
Kumana is one of the best bird sanctuaries in Sri Lanka, where you can see a large number of bird species including Cormorants, Painted Storks, Spot-billed pelicans, and many more. Most importantly, this is a prominent bird nesting and breeding ground on the island. 255 species of birds are recorded in the national park. From April to July, tens of thousands of birds migrate to the Kumana swamp area. reportedly, some species are flying from Siberia, around 9000 km distance from Kumana National Park.
Kumana is not only famous for birds but also for a variety of wildlife. It is one of the best places for watching leopards in Sri Lanka. Reportedly, more than 70 individual leopards roam in Kumana National Park. Other amazing wildlife includes herds of elephants, deer, crocodiles, and water buffaloes.
11. Bundala National Park
Bundala National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s major bird-watching areas, situated 245 km southeast of Colombo. It is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds. Bundala National Park harbors 197 species of birds.
The highlight of the park is the greater flamingo, which migrates in large flocks. It has been identified as an outstanding important bird area in the South Indian and Sri Lankan wetlands.
Thousands of greater flamingoes in Bundala National Park is a magnificent view to see. They visit in large flocks of over 1,000 individuals to spend the wintering season.
12. Sinharaja Rain Forest
Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve is the greatest remaining virgin tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka and a world heritage site by UNESCO. The reserve spreads around 112 square km. It is a biodiversity hot spot and home to many endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Out of Sri Lanka’s 26 endemic birds, 20 species can see in this rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them considers rare. It is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
You can enter the Sinharaja Forest from Kudawa, or Deniyaya entrances. The best months to visit the rainforest are from December to March. From May to September there are heavy rains from the southwestern monsoon and visiting the rainforest isn’t recommended at that time.
Sinharaja forest journey makes a truly authentic jungle experience in Sri Lanka. There are many wonderful sights including several lovely streams, waterfalls, and beautiful birds. The trek in the Sinharaja forest is a completely worthy trip to enjoy the immense biodiversity of the country.
What to Bring?
While you are going to enjoy the wildlife in Sri Lanka, you need to remember that dry zone jungles including Yala, Wilpattu, Udawalawe, Minneriya, Kaudulla, and other parks have a very hot climate. You’ll need a cap, sunscreen, and plenty of water to keep you hydrated. Wear comfy cotton dresses, because you are going to sweat a lot under the tropical sun. Be sure to bring a powerful zoom camera to capture the wildlife, since smartphones might not be much useful.
Wet zone parks such as the Sinharaja Rain Forest are abundant with rain, as well as leeches on wet surfaces. Therefore, remember to wear leech socks when entering the forest. The forest can be explored only on foot and it is better to use boots for protection.
To sum up, here we have pointed out the best national parks in Sri Lanka and their distinct features. You can have an adventurous experience of witnessing the amazing wildlife of the country with a jungle safari in one of these great national parks. There you can witness the untamed world of nature with the rare sceneries of beautiful wildlife. Discovering the beauty of wildlife in Sri Lanka will be an amazing experience you will never forget in your whole life. Welcome to visit the National Parks in Sri Lanka!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, and Twitter. All copyrights are reserved by original authors,
