Sri Lanka is the proud home of 86 species of mammal, pride of place going to the magnificent elephant, the second largest terrestrial mammal surviving today. These fascinating animals can be seen with relative ease in most of the parks, in large herds of extended families as well as lone males. Sri Lanka is also famous for the beautiful solitary leopard, best sighted at dawn or dusk when these adaptable predators come down from the shade of the trees to hunt.
Other predatory animals, which can be found in Sri Lanka, include the sloth bear, golden jackal and mongooses. Primates such as common langurs and a wide variety of monkeys (such as the endemic macaque, purple faced leaf monkey and shaggy bear monkey) demonstrate their remarkable agility by swinging from branch to branch, often in huge troops.
As with the beaches and temples Sri Lanka is blessed with a fantastic array of National Parks from Horton Plains (no jeeps allowed) to those famous for their elephants or bird life. A few of the National Parks in Sri Lanka are mentioned below with more details available on request.
Yala National Park
Yala National Park, located in southeastern Sri Lanka, is the country’s most famous wildlife sanctuary and a must-visit destination for nature lovers. Covering nearly 1,000 square kilometers, it is renowned for its incredible biodiversity and high density of leopards, making it one of the best places in the world to spot these elusive big cats.
The park’s landscapes are diverse, ranging from dry forests and grasslands to lagoons and wetlands, providing habitats for a wide variety of species. Visitors can encounter elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer, wild boar, and over 200 species of birds, including rare migratory and endemic varieties.
Safari drives through Yala offer thrilling opportunities to witness wildlife in their natural environment while enjoying the park’s scenic beauty. With its combination of adventure, conservation, and natural wonder, Yala National Park provides an unforgettable experience that highlights the richness of Sri Lanka’s wildlife heritage.
Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park, located in the southern part of Sri Lanka, is one of the best places in the country to witness wild elephants in their natural habitat. Covering over 30,000 hectares, the park is home to large herds of Sri Lankan elephants, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.
The park’s landscape is mostly open grassland with scattered forests and a large reservoir, creating the perfect environment for elephants and other animals. In addition to its famous elephant population, Udawalawe is also home to water buffalo, sambar deer, crocodiles, jackals, and a wide variety of bird species, including raptors and colorful waterbirds.
Safari drives through Udawalawe provide an unforgettable opportunity to see elephants up close, often in family groups, as they roam freely across the plains. Peaceful and less crowded than other parks, Udawalawe offers a truly authentic and rewarding wildlife experience in Sri Lanka.
Minneriya National Park
Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the 8890 hectares of Minneriya National Park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to Sri Lanka ‘s favourites such as sambar deer, leopards and elephants. However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in 3rd century AD by King Mahasena).
During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks of birds that come to fish in the shallow waters.
Sinharaja Rainforest
A world heritage site and major eco tourism destination, The Sinharaja Rainforest is a rich treasure trove of nature with a great diversity of habitats and a vast repository of Sri Lanka ‘s endemic species found no where else in the world.
Bird watching here is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka! Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rainforest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word ‘Sinharaja’ means, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it is popular belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest!
