NATIONAL PARKS
Fact: you stand a chance of seeing the big five: elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sperm whale and the blue whale, while you go on a two-week safari in Sri Lanka!
There are approximately 21 National Parks in Sri Lanka where tourists to Sri Lanka can spend an adventure holiday spotting wild animals to their heart’s content (including bird watching), during safari camping. This small island offers the animal enthusiast, as much as India, Malaysia and great Africa put together! Less costly, more laid back and less commercialized, Sri Lanka has been described as ‘one of Asia’s top wildlife destinations.
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01. Yala National Park - Southern Province.
Recognized as a wildlife sanctuary as far back as the year 1900, Yala is Sri Lanka’s premier National Park. Famous for elephants, varied bird and mammal species, and other animals, Yala, located in the south-east of Sri Lanka, has only two zones out of 6 open to the public. In visiting this national park, you will come across varied regions from semi-deciduous forests, dry monsoon forests, moist monsoon forests, fresh water and marine wetlands, thorn forests and grasslands, and yes for the discerning tourist sandy beaches!
02. Bundala National Park - Southern Province.
A wetland sanctuary with beaches, lagoons, dunes and scrubby jungle is home to giant squirrels, crocodiles and civets. At the same time, sightings of turtles arriving to lay eggs are common from October to January. Most importantly, it is a wintering ground for migratory waterbirds in Sri Lanka. Location: southern province.
03. Udawalawe National Park - Uva Province.
Located in the southwardly located Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces this 30,821-hectare park is where you can go on safari to spot elephants (even in midday) and sambhur,
04. Horton Planes - Central province.
Horton Plains National Park is the highest national park in Sri Lanka, and it is located in the central highlands of the Country. It was designated in 1988. It is located at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m and encompasses montane grassland and cloud forest. It is rich in biodiversity, and many species found here are endemic to the region.
05. Minneriya National Park - North Central Province.
Minneriya is located close by to Sigiriya(20KM)in the central province.
Part of the elephant corridor, this park joins up with Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa parks. It is where you can see the world-famous ‘Elephant Gathering’ which takes place annually, over three months, mid-year, when they gather to graze and laze on the bright green grasses. Located in North Central Province of Sri Lanka, this 8890 hectare is the park, is based around the beautiful ancient Minneriya Tank (3rd Century A.D), attracting other animals during the dry season from June- September.
06. Wilpattu National Park - North Western.
Once renowned for its leopard population (you could be lucky enough to encounter one or two that roam about), sloth bear and crocodiles: all of which are considered threatened animals. Located in the Northwestern and North Central provinces of Sri Lanka, it got its name – Wilpattu (Land of Lakes) due to its 60 plus Villus (Lakes), most often visited by herds of deer and innumerable varieties of water birds.
