Wildlife

National parks, sanctuaries and the seasons that make them worth it.

9 destinations11 places

Wildlife destinations

Country
Sri Lanka
Heritage cities, misty tea highlands, leopard country and two coastlines — an island that fits a fortnight and rewards a month.
68 places
Culture · Wildlife · Beach
Region
South Coast
Galle's fort, surf bays, whale-watching harbours and the leopard parks of the deep south.
20 places
Beach · Wildlife · Food
Region
Cultural Triangle
UNESCO-listed ancient capitals and rock temples in the dry-zone heartland.
13 places
Culture · Wildlife · Family
Region
East Coast
Long white beaches, reef snorkelling and surf on the calmer side of the island (May to October season).
8 places
Beach · Adventure · Wildlife
City
Trincomalee
A deep natural harbour town with Koneswaram temple on Swami Rock and the beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli.
6 places
Beach · Culture · Wildlife
Area
Mirissa
Whale-watching harbour, a crescent beach and Weligama's beginner surf.
5 places
Beach · Wildlife · Food
Area
Sigiriya & Dambulla
The Lion Rock and the painted cave temples, with elephant safaris at Minneriya and Kaudulla nearby.
5 places
Culture · Wildlife · Adventure
Area
Yala
Leopard safaris in Yala, birding at Bundala and the pilgrim town of Kataragama.
4 places
Wildlife · Adventure · Sustainable
Area
Arugam Bay
Sri Lanka's surf capital, with the bird-rich Kumana park beyond.
2 places
Adventure · Beach · Wildlife

National park
Yala National Park
Yala, Southern/Uva Province
The island's most visited park and one of the best places on earth to see leopards.
WildlifeAdventureFamily
Forest
Udawattakele Forest Reserve
Kandy
Former royal forest above the temple: monkeys, birds and quiet trails.
WildlifeAdventureSustainable
Wildlife
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawala, Rambukkana
Captive elephant herd famous for its river bathing sessions (about 40 km west of Kandy).
FamilyWildlife
National park
Horton Plains National Park
Ohiya / Pattipola, Nuwara Eliya district
Cloud-forest plateau at 2,100 m with the World's End precipice and Baker's Falls.
AdventureWildlifeSustainable
National park
Minneriya National Park
Minneriya, Polonnaruwa district
Dry-zone park famous for the seasonal gathering of hundreds of elephants.
WildlifeFamily
National park
Kaudulla National Park
Kaudulla, Polonnaruwa district
Minneriya's quieter neighbour, with elephants moving between the two tanks.
WildlifeFamily
Harbour
Mirissa Fisheries Harbour
Mirissa Harbour
Departure point for blue-whale and dolphin watching in season.
WildlifeAdventure
Wildlife
Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatchery
Kosgoda
Conservation hatchery releasing hatchlings on the beach at dusk.
FamilyWildlife
National park
Bundala National Park
Bundala, Hambantota district
Ramsar wetland of lagoons and dunes: flamingos, crocodiles and quieter safaris than Yala.
WildlifeSustainable

Showing 9 of 11 places