Sri Lanka has become one the most desired safari destinations in the world thanks to its abundance of national parks, diverse wildlife – including elephants and leopards – and sustainable approach to conservation.
Take away the headache of planning by booking a new experience with Culture Trip to see Sri Lanka’s impressive ancient temples and playful wildlife.
Sri Lanka, a tear-shaped island in the Indian Ocean, boasts some of the highest rates of biological endemism in the world – meaning that 16 percent of its fauna and 23 percent of its flora are unique to the country.
It has an abundance of birdlife – more than 400 species – and has its very own ‘big five’: elephants, leopards, sloth bears, blue whales and sperm whales. It is also one of the few places where people can combine whale watching with land safari in the same day.
There are 26 state-owned national parks covering an area of 5,734sqkm (2,214sqmi), much of which is protected by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation. Culture Trip travels across Sri Lanka in search of the best safari.
Minneriya National Park
Minneriya is only a short drive from the majestic Sigiriya rock fortress, arguably the most popular tourist attraction in the country. Over 8,800ha (21,745 acres) are home to hundreds of Sri Lankan elephants that like to congregate around an old reservoir. The seasonal gathering of elephants takes place during September and October on the bed of the Minneriya Lake, which dries up during those months and is replaced with lush grassland.
Gal Oya National Park
Gal Oya National Park is also worth considering. This lesser-known gem offers boat safaris and the opportunity to see the crocodiles that call Senanayake Samudraya, Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir, home. Here, it’s also possible to join the Veddas on a nature walk; the tribe is reputed to be descended from the indigenous population of the island. The tribespeople continue to follow their traditional way of farming and hunting with bows and arrows, and only a few hundred are left.
Yala National Park
A six-hour drive southeast of Colombo, this is the country’s premier national park, sitting along a long stretch of coastline. Yala National Park is packed with wildlife and is the best place for spotting Sri Lankan leopards – the park hosts around 30 to 40 within its 130,000ha (321,236 acres). Sloth bears are frequently seen here, too.
Udawalawe National Park
Less crowded with safari Jeeps than Yala, Udawalawe is known as the best place in all of Asia for observing elephants in the wild, with around 400 of them calling it home. It also hosts the Elephant Transit, where abandoned or orphaned elephant calves are cared for and treated before being released back into the wild. Elephant sightings are almost guaranteed here, but keep an eye out for the endangered rusty-spotted cats as well.
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park is located on the west coast close to the historical city of Anuradhapura, 188 kms away from Colombo .The dry zone jungle is thickly grown. Wilpattu Natonal Park is home for many villus, or natural lakes which dot the landscape in the Wilpattu National Park. There are approximately 30 species of mammals in the Wilpattu National Park which include the Sri Lankan Elephant, Sri Lankan Leopard, Lankan Sloth Bear, Sri, Spotted Deer, Buffalo, Sambar and Mongoose. Wetland bird species found in the Wilpattu National Park include the Garganey, Pin tail, Whistling Teal, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Large White Egret, Cattle Egret and Purple Heron. Also, many species of Gulls, Terns, Owls, Kites and Eagles are also lives here. The endemic Sri Lanka Jungle fowl, Little Cormorant and the Painted Stork can also Can be seen. Monitor Lizard, Mugger Crocodile, Common Cobra, Rat Snake, Indian Python, Pond Turtle and the Soft Shelled Turtle can be seen in Wilpattu National Park.
Reference: Wanderlust, Wilpattu, Culturetrip