Our favourite Sri Lankan national parks
Although Africa dominates the world’s idea of an authentic safari destination, Sri Lanka’s is a worthy competitor due to its’ biodiversity. Sri Lanka’s Big Five – leopard, elephant, sloth bear, blue whale, and sperm whale – are known as the islands’ great wildlife attractions. Not only that, but there is also plenty of exotic flora and fauna just waiting to be discovered. Sri Lanka may be small, but the wildlife here is plentiful and varied.
Our favourite Sri Lankan national parks, in no particular order, for rewarding and unique safari experiences are:
Yala National Park – Spot the elusive leopard
Yala National Park is the most famous (and busiest!) of National Parks in Sri Lanka and with good reason. Home to an amazing range of wildlife, Yala is a haven for leopards as well as sloth bears and elephants. A substantial section of the park is closed to visitors and rightfully so but the accessible area is vast enough to spot a plethora of intriguing wildlife, including the elusive leopard. However, there’s a catch to it. As leopards are extremely shy creatures, spotting one (or a few in rare opportunities) is not all that easy. The odds of a sighting is reasonably good if you manage to make more than one visit to the park. That said, Yala is not just about the leopards and other big ticket residents. Spotted deers, wild boar, crocodiles, buffalos, monkeys, pythons and innumerable birdlife are all very worthy reason to visit here.
Wilpattu National Park - For an authentic jungle experience
The name Wilpattu was coined by locals, for its natural lakes not only providing a gorgeous backdrop but also enriching all the animals and plants residing in the park. We always find that visitor numbers here remain low, even in the busiest of seasons because of its thick foliage veiling the wildlife. This might mean sightings are lower compared to the country’s other well-known national parks but on the flip side, this very quality makes Wilpattu more authentic and a highlight for a dedicated safari-goer.
Gal Oya National Park – An unexplored treasure
Gal Oya National Park remains peacefully, untouched by the hand of man. It is one of Sri Lanka’s hidden wildlife gems, yet to be explored. Distinct from other Sri Lankan protected areas, Gal Oya encompasses the country’s largest inland body of water, the Senanayake Samudraya Lake. Over 25,000 hectares of lush evergreen forest and open savannahs thrive around the calm waters. Time at Gal Oya is all about a discreet type of a wildlife experience - one that you’ll enjoy in quiet and beautiful isolation.
Apart from taking the conventional method of safari – what’s more unique is that Gal Oya is the only place in Sri Lanka where safaris can be done by boat. There are crocodiles, deer, elephants and many rare and endemic species of birds waiting to be discovered. With a bit of luck on your side, you may even see elephants swimming between islands or going for a casual soak at the lake’s edge.
Minneriya National Park – Witness the gathering
Have you ever seen an elephant gathering? They are brilliantly seldom sights, with herds of elephants (up to 200!) seen from June to September in Minneriya National Park. This phenomenon happens as a result of reduced water supplies in the dry season causing the elephants to flock to Minneriya lake, the man-made water-source in the middle of the park. The 40-minute drive in to the park through a dense forest on bumpy terrain is rewarded when the landscape opens up dramatically to spectacular views of gentle giants across the lake. Along with painted storks, herons, little cormorants and pelicans, the herds of elephants spraying themselves with the shallow, muddy waters to create one of the world's biggest pool parties is truly a magnificent sight.
Although the gathering is a seasonal event, it’s possible to see a large number of elephants here throughout the year. We would recommend early morning safaris for birdwatching while afternoon safaris are best for elephants.