National Parks in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park

Yala Park is the 2nd largest wildlife park in Sri Lanka. The climate here is semi-arid with vast dry woodlands and open patches of grasslands and is divided into five blocks. Jeep Safari tour through the wildlife Park will be an unforgettable adventure, along with an ODD chance of being charged at by a juvenile bull elephant! But as one will find out soon it's part of the daily routine of a young bull elephant and quite harmless. Park also includes wide varieties of wildlife and plants. Two large rivers flow through the park and are home to about 32 species of mammals, 125 species of birds, along with many reptiles and lagoon fauna species. The entrance fees are payable at the main entrance office and includes the services of a tracker.

Wilpattu National Park

Located 30km west of Anurdhapura, and to the south of Wilpattu National Park is River Modergam Aru; to the north is River Kalay oya. February to October is the best time to visit Wilpattu. Wilpattu National Park has a good network of gravel roads, particularly between the water holes which are the best places to observe wild life. A unique complex of over 50 wetlands like "everglades" called "Villu" is the most prominent feature of the national park jungle. Jeep Safari is the regular norm in exploring the Wilpattu National Park. While the big 4 of Sri Lankan wild life the Leopard, Elephant, Sloth bear, Deer, endemic birds can be sighted easily during a half day safari, During the safari, the tourists aren't supposed to get off the jeep at the tracks of the wild animals and expose themselves to the possible encounters in the wilderness.

Udawalawa National Park

The entrance to Udawalawe National Park is located near 11km post between Pelmadulla-Timbolketiya A18 road, the sixth largest wildlife sanctuary of Sri Lanka is located 180 km from Colombo in south-central sector of the island. Keeping company to the herds of Elephants, the main attraction of the wildlife park are Water Buffalo, Wildboar, Spotted Deer, Sambur Deer, Jackal, Samber, Black-naped hare, mongooses, bandicoots, foxes, the endemic Toque Macaque and Gray Langers. Sighting Leopard and other smaller cats like Fishing cat & Jungle cat would be a bonus, so keep your camera ready!

Wasgamuwa National Park

Located in the district of Matale, between Polnnaruwa and Habarana, 225 km away from Colombo, Wasgamuwa is the best place to observe Elephants. The nearest large town is Polonnaruwa, 10 km from the northern boundary. The best time to enjoy the sight of large herds is during November to May. In the rest of the year the elephants tend to migrate to nearby Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks. Other wildlife includes Purple faced langur monkeys, wild boar, sambar and spotted deer, buffalo and rarely sighted leopards and sloth bears. Among the reptiles are water monitor, mugger crocodile, estuarine crocodile and python.

Kumana National Park

Located in the Eastern part of Yala National park holds its own as a bird sanctuary at the same time being home to some of the larger mammals found in Yala west park. Highlights of Kumana is the large estuary fed by "Kumbukkan Oya" and most of the bird that nest at Kumana use this mangrove swamp during May – June to raise their young. Pelican is the most common while the rarest bird spotted here is black necked stork.

Minneriya National Park

Minneriya national park is located 182 kms away from Colombo, in the North Central Plains of Sri Lanka. The major city closest to Minneriya National Park is Polonnaruwa. The recently renovated, the ancient Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir irrigates a considerable area of the district of Polonnaruwa and is the focal point of the Minneriya National Park. May to October is the best period to visit Minneriya National Park in view of the famous Gathering of the wild elephant herds. The gathering is documented as the largest known meeting place of Asian Elephants in the world. During the dry season of August to September each year, herds up to 300 elephants are seen within a few square kilometers of the vast Minneriya Reservoir. This Elephant Gathering is a thrilling spectacle that would be remembered for rest of the life of all those who were fortunate enough to witness it. 24 species of mammals and over 170 species of birds have been recorded here and out Of the 25 species of reptiles recorded in the park 8 are endemic.