Bundala National Park, located 250 km south of Colombo in the Hambantota district, is Sri Lanka’s first wetland to be declared a Ramsar site. This unique reserve of thorny scrub jungle, beaches, dunes, and lagoons is a haven for biodiversity. It is home to 197 bird species and 32 types of mammals, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Bundala is particularly famous for the seasonal arrival of Greater Flamingos, who migrate from Siberia and India between August and April—up to 2,000 have been recorded during one season. Other notable wildlife includes elephants, wild boar, sambar, spotted deer, and grey langurs.
Set over 2,000 meters above sea level, Horton Plains is Sri Lanka’s highest plateau, located 20 km south of Nuwara Eliya. Often described as awe-inspiring and remote, the park’s mix of grasslands, forests, lakes, and waterfalls offers breathtaking scenery. Wildlife includes sambar deer, wild boar, the shaggy bear-monkey, and the endemic toque macaque. Popular attractions within the park include Baker’s Falls, Chimney Pool, and World’s End—a dramatic cliff with an 880m drop, offering one of the island’s most stunning views.
Gal Oya National Park, part of the post-independence Gal Oya Valley project, features Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir, the Senanayake Samudra. Unique for its boat safaris, visitors can watch elephants swim across the lake—one of the park’s most iconic sights. The park also features lush forests and supports leopards, crocodiles, deer, wild boar, and water buffaloes. Around 150 of Sri Lanka’s 430 bird species are found here, thriving on the lake’s islands and in the surrounding forests.
Established in 2002, Kaudulla is Sri Lanka’s newest national park and is easily accessible from the Cultural Triangle. Located near the historic Kaudulla Tank, jeep safaris are a popular way to explore the park, especially between August and December when around 250 elephants gather here. The park also connects with the Minneriya and Somawathie reserves via a protected elephant corridor. Kaudulla features dry evergreen forests and is home to 24 mammal species, 25 reptiles, and 160 bird species—including leopards, fishing cats, sloth bears, and the rare rusty-spotted cat.
Bordering Yala in southeastern Sri Lanka, Kumana is a prime bird sanctuary, ideal for safaris and camping. It hosts 255 bird species including rare migratory visitors such as the Black-necked Stork and Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, as well as common species like the Eurasian Spoonbill and Purple Heron. Mammals include elephants, jackals, and European otters. The park also features ancient cave inscriptions and is part of the annual Pada Yatra pilgrimage route to Kataragama.
Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park is famous for “The Gathering”—the world’s largest congregation of Asian elephants. From July to October, up to 300 elephants converge on the park’s ancient reservoir, built nearly 2,000 years ago. Recognized by Lonely Planet as one of the top wildlife spectacles globally, the park is also home to sambar deer, toque macaques, and leopards.
Wilpattu, Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest national park, is located on the west coast and is characterized by lush forests and natural water basins called villus. These water sources attract a wide array of wildlife including crocodiles, birds, and herds of mammals. Renowned for its leopard and sloth bear populations, Wilpattu offers a rich, primitive wilderness experience. The best time to visit is between January and May.
Yala, in the island’s southeast, is Sri Lanka’s most visited national park. Made up of five blocks—two of which are open to the public—it boasts one of the world’s highest leopard densities, especially in Block 1. Once a hunting ground, Yala is now a top destination for viewing elephants, peacocks, and other wildlife. The vibrant display of a peacock’s mating dance is a highlight for many visitors.
Located just south of Sri Lanka’s central hills, Udawalawe was established in 1972 around the Udawalawe Reservoir. It is one of the best places in the country to see elephants, with around 600 individuals roaming freely. The park also supports crocodiles, deer, buffaloes, and a range of reptiles. The nearby Elephant Transit Home cares for orphaned calves before releasing them into the wild. Visitors can camp or stay in bungalows near the Walawe River for an immersive experience.
Named after the Sinhalese word for sloth bear (walasa) and forest (gamuwa), Wasgamuwa remains a refuge for this endangered species. Bordered by the Mahaweli and Amban rivers, the park is rich in birdlife, including the endemic Red-faced Malkoha and Yellow-fronted Barbet. It also has over 150 plant species and numerous historical ruins, including ancient tanks and irrigation canals built by King Parakramabahu.
Famous as the filming location for The Bridge on the River Kwai, Kitulgala is one of Sri Lanka’s wettest regions, influenced by both monsoons. Now a popular adventure tourism site, it is best known for white-water rafting. The Kelani Valley Forest Reserve protects the river’s ecosystem and supports a variety of endemic birds like the Spot-winged Thrush and Ceylon Scimitar Babbler. The forest also shelters rare amphibians and the Grizzled Indian Squirrel.
Sinharaja is Sri Lanka’s last remaining tropical rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the southwest lowlands, it harbors an incredible array of endemic flora and fauna, with over 50% of the island’s endemic mammals, reptiles, butterflies, and insects found here. Declared a reserve in 1875, Sinharaja is both ecologically vital and steeped in myth. Visitors may encounter species like the Spineless Forest Lizard or the rare Bamboo Orchid during a trek through its dense, life-filled terrain.
Just off the coast of Nilaveli on Sri Lanka’s east coast, Pigeon Island is one of only two marine national parks in the country. Named after the endangered Blue Rock Pigeon, the park was first protected in 1963 and declared a national park in 2003. Divided into two islands, it features one of Sri Lanka’s best-preserved coral reef systems and is home to over 300 species of reef fish, blacktip reef sharks, and sea turtles—making it ideal for snorkeling and diving.
Located in Sri Lanka’s northern region, Mullaitivu National Park was established to protect elephants and reduce human-wildlife conflict in areas once ravaged by war and deforestation. Covering over 100,000 acres, the park provides a crucial habitat for the island’s remaining elephant population—currently estimated at 3,000–4,000. It plays an essential role in conserving the natural ecosystem while helping to prevent further elephant deaths from habitat loss.
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