Like many islands, Sri Lanka boasts a high number of endemic species, animals and plants found nowhere else on Earth. The country is also regarded as one of the world’s top five hotspots for biodiversity, testament to the sheer number of species which call the tear drop isle home.
comparison. Global travelers have rated Sri Lanka as one of the best nature & wildlife tours destinations out of Africa.
A heaven for the bird watching enthusiasts as Sri Lanka is home for over 400 varieties of birds. Not only that, Sri Lanka is home for Big 4 wildlife species such as Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bears and Blue Whales.
You can have a 4 WD drive saafri tours in any of these National Parks to witness wild life
Yala National Park
The most famous national park in Sri Lanka, Yala is home to 215 bird species and 44 mammal species. Expect to see roaming elephants, herds of sambar deer, crocodiles and buffalo. What’s more, the park has the highest concentration of leopards in the world.
Udawalawe National Park
Framed by the soaring Central Highlands, Udawalawe is one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants. Herds are often seen roaming in numbers of up to 100, with other mammals in the park including water buffalo, wild boar, sloth bears, spotted deer and the endemic toque macaque.
Minneriya National Park
As part of Sri Lanka’s elephant corridor, large numbers of elephants migrate across the country to Minneriya every year. Known as ‘The Gathering’, as many as 300 come to the park’s reservoir in the largest meeting of Asian elephants anywhere in the world.
Wilpattu National Park
Translating to ‘natural lakes’ in Sinhala, Wilpattu’s most prominent feature is its wetlands. Known as ‘Villu’, the park has over 50 lakes surrounded by grassy plains. Despite being Sri Lanka’s largest national park, visitor numbers remain low and give the park a true sense of wilderness.
Bundala National Park
One of Sri Lanka’s best destinations for bird watching, Bundala protects an important area of coastal wetland. Almost 200 bird species have been recorded here, including ibis, pelicans and huge flocks of greater flamingos. Visitors can also spot crocodiles, elephants, turtles and a variety of other fauna.
Gal Oya National Park
The only national park in Sri Lanka where you can take a boat safari, Gal Oya protects the vast Senanayake Samudra Reservoir. The park is home to 32 mammal species, with a visitor highlight being the sight of herds of elephants swimming across the reservoir from one island to another.
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These 2 National Parks do not allow Safari vehciles inside but you can get amazing experience on foot with our guidance.
Horton Plains – Sri Lanka
Horton Plains National Park Set over 2,000 metres above sea level, the Horton Plains feel a world apart from the rest of Sri Lanka. Large areas of the park are covered in pristine cloud forest, with dramatically plunging cliffs at its southern boundary. Home to a variety of endemic species, it’s one of the best places for bird watching.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
World Heritage-listed Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a biodiversity hotspot. Containing Sri Lanka’s last area of primary tropical rainforest, it’s home to over 50% of the country’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many types of reptile, insect and rare amphibians.