The Big Five of Sri Lankan wildlife are: the elephant, the leopard, the sloth bear, the Blue whale, and the Sperm whale. And, being the relatively small and compact island that Sri Lanka is, it’s one of the few countries where you have the chance to spot elephants and whales on the same day, so what is keeping you? We’ll take you through the best spots to see the variety of the most interesting species of the country, a lot of which are endemic to the island.
Wilpattu National Park is the largest of the parks on the island and it has the highest eco-density, i.e. diversity of vegetation and animal population in a designated area. If you like to see the leopard, this is the best park to do it. But because it is a nocturnal and shy animal, we recommend you stay at least 3 nights to maximize your chances of seeing one. Wilpattu is in the northern part of the island, near Anuradhapura and the other cities in the cultural triangle, so a combination with the main cultural sites of the island is easily made.
The park is located 30 km west Anuradhapura and located 26 km north of Puttalam (approximately 180 km north of Colombo). The unique feature of this park is the existence of (Natural lakes) – Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. The park is 1,317 square kilometers and ranges from 0 to 152 meters above sea level. Nearly one hundred and six lakes and tanks are found spread throughout Wilpattu. Wilpattu is the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world-renowned for its leopard population.
Visitor access is currently limited to approximately 25% of the park, the remainder of which is dense forest or scrub. Popular visiting periods spans between the months of February and October.
Wasgamuwa National Park is in effect the basin of the Mahaweli and Amban rivers. All animals of Sri Lankan wildlife can be seen here, but what the park is most special for, is the wealth of darting, colorful butterflies. If you see them flying around you, you’ll be enchanted by their beauty, and understand why Sri Lanka was called Serendip, chance discovery, by the Arabs. Wasgamuwa is located near Polunnaruwa, Dambulla and Sigiriya, and can be easily accessed from there, as well as combined with a visit to them, of course.
Kaudulla National Park is a national park located in Polonnaruwa district. It is 190km away from Colombo.
The best time to visit the national park is between August to December . The most population of elephants can be seen in the month of September to October yet elephants could be seen any time during the year.This place is one of the best places to spot the Asian elephants. Despite that asian spoonbills, grey headed fish eagles painted stork and open bills could also be seen. If you are lucky enough can capture some leopards too.
The reservoir of Kaudulla is the heart to the wildlife living in the park. Herds of elephants come from Minneriya Wasgamuwa and Somawathihiya during the dry season.The place is dedicated to the wildlife living there, so you can’t sleep there.It will be a wonderful experience to see so many elephants together.
Minneriya National Park is a national park located in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was recognized as a national park having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The Minneriya National park consists of a large herd of elephants. The elephants come from the Wasgamuwa National Park and benefit from food and shelter that is found in abundance. This is one of the popular safari rides in Sri Lanka. You can experience magnificent elephants herding around the reservoirs.
Meanwhile,the park is habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka, Purple-faced Langur and the Toque Macaque.
The Minneriya reservoir is the blood for the national park because of the water resource. Minneriya is a home for many species as well as for migrant birds. Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer, leopard endemic to Sri Lanks can also be spotted.
Best time to start your safari ride is 5:30am to 8:30am during the morning time or 3:00pm to 6:00pm in the afternoon.
Gal Oya National Park is one of the most prominent centers of ecotourism on the island.
The specialty of this park is its bird island, where you can enjoy a plethora of specimens of our most beautifully colored and peculiarly shaped feathered friends. It is also the only park where there are boat safaris on offer. Located in the east or southeast of the country, it can be combined with stays in or visits to Badulla and Ella, two other hotspots for ecotourism in Sri Lanka.
Udawalawe National Park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. The reserve covers 30,821 hectares (119.00 sq mi) of land area and was established on 30 June 1972. Before the designation of the national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation (chena farming). The farmers were gradually removed once the national park was declared. The park is 165 kilometres (103 mi) from Colombo. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.
Udawalawe is an important habitat for Sri Lankan elephants, which are relatively hard to see in its open habitats. Many elephants are attracted to the park because of the Udawalawe reservoir, with a herd of about 250 believed to be permanently resident. The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home was established in 1995 for the purpose of looking after abandoned elephant calves within the park. A total of nine calves, on two occasions in 1998 and 2000, with another eight calves in 2002, were released in the park when old enough to fend for themselves.
The rusty-spotted cat, fishing cat and Sri Lankan leopard are members of the family Felidae present in Udawalawe. The Sri Lankan sloth bear is seldom seen because of its rarity. Sri Lankan sambar deer, Sri Lankan axis deer, Indian muntjac, Sri Lankan spotted chevrotain, wild boar and water buffalo are among other mammal species. Golden jackal, Asian palm civet, toque macaque, tufted grey langur and Indian hare also inhabit the park. A study conducted in 1989 found that considerable numbers of golden palm civets inhabit the forests of Udawalawe. Five species of mice also have been recorded from the park.
Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public, and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names such as, Ruhuna National Park and Kumana National Park or ‘Yala East’ for the adjoining area. It is situated in the southeast region of the country. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo.
The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds. Yala hosts a variety of ecosystems ranging from moist monsoon forests to freshwater and marine wetlands. It is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka. Yala harbours 215 bird species including six endemic species of Sri Lanka. The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. The area around Yala has hosted several ancient civilizations. Two important pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara, are situated within the park.
Kumana National Park is located on the southeast coast. It has a swamp lake as its distinctive trait, bringing about a flora and fauna to suit it. It is another one of the locations catering to ecotourism. It also has a bird sanctuary and is best visited between April and July. The park is right next to Yala National Park and not too far from Kataragama, the most important shrine in the country where followers of the Buddhist, Hindu and Vedda tradition, the indigenous religion, all come to worship. The different festivities at the site take place in July.