Nature and Wildlife

The wildlife of Sri Lanka is an exotic enchantment which is a treat to all the adventure enthusiasts. The sights and sounds of the beautiful Asian Elephants, feisty and elusive leopard, hairy sloth bear, the genteel deer, flamboyant birds and more exquisite creatures, are few things that attract globetrotters from around the world. The country houses 22 National Parks, and the most popular four Yala, Wilpattu, Minneriya and Udawalawe contain some of the most impressive wildlife found in Asia. Below are some of the best national parks of Sri Lanka.

Bundala National Park ? Covering an area of 6216 hectares of eco tourism appeal, the National Park is located in the Hambantota District, and falls within the southeaster arid zone of Sri Lanka, with a general climate that can be classified as hot and dry. With immense bio diversity, and a diverse birdlife, the national park is a must visit for anyone with love for the wilds.

Gal Oya National Park ? Located in the southeast region of Sri Lanka, and to the west of Ampara, the Gal Oya National park was established in the year 1954 to protect the catchment area of the Senanayake Samudra' Reservoir. Considered as a major eco tourism venue, the national park is rich in flora and fauna. For birding enthusiasts, approximately 150 of Sri Lanka's 430 species of birds have been observed in this region.

Kaudulla National Park ? Kaudulla National park is Sri Lanka’s newest National Park, wildlife reserve and eco tourism attraction, as it was opened in the year 2002 just before the massive Wilpattu reopened. Situated around the ancient Kaudulla tank, the national park provides a 6656 hectare elephant corridor, only 6 km from off the main Habarana - Trincomalee road.

Habarana ? Habarana, a small city in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka, offers an opportunity to explore the glorious past of the country from a hideaway where history, time and tradition meet. Habarana is a popular tourist destination for safari lovers as it is the starting point for safari's in the nearby Habarana jungle and the Minneriya sanctuary which is heavily populated by elephants.

Horton Plains National Park ? The highest plateau in the country, the Horton Plains National Park is undoubtedly one of the world’s best nature reserves and eco tourism venues. Characterised by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, the park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. For bird enthusiasts, there 87 species (14 of which are endemic), including many migratory birds.