Sri Lanka Nature

Yala National Park

Regarded as the most popular national park in Sri Lanka, Yala is surrounded by traces of ancient civilisation while the park itself comprises of pilgrim sites and a number of intriguing wildlife. Leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, the Golden Palm Civet and a wide variety of birds are some of its inhabitants. Comprising of five extensive blocks, the Yala National Park should definitely feature on any traveller’s itinerary.

Kumana National Park

Kumana is Yala National Park’s smaller, less-visited sister - it was even once known as Yala East. As such, you’ll get all the great fauna and flora that Yala is famous for, without the large crowds that follow.


Spread over 357 sq km, Kumana’s numerous lagoons make it the perfect sanctuary for birdlife. May-June is nesting season for the nearly 255 species of birds, which have been recorded in the National Park.

It’s not all about the birds, though. It’s not uncommon to see leopards, elephants, buffalo and crocodiles. There are even a smattering of very rarely seen bears in the park.

Kumana also has great religious significance - it is the site of the annual Hindu 'Pada Yatra' pilgrimage, where thousands of devotees make their way through the park on the way to the Kataragama festival.

Gal Oya National Park

Located in Sri Lanka's Eastern provinces, Gal Oya National Park is the only place in the country where you can take a boat safari. You'll embark on Senanayake Samudraya, the largest reservoir in the country.


The reservoir is home to myriad lifeforms including freshwater crocodiles - which can be seen mouths agape, basking on the basin's banks - and elephants that swim from island to island looking for fresh vegetation. The park is also enticing for birding enthusiasts, boasting around 150 of Sri Lanka's 430 species of birds.

For those looking for a quieter safari experience, Gal Oya is the one to go for. While the rarity of vehicles in the park means the animals are a little more camera-shy than their neighbours in Yala and Kumana national parks, you really will have the feeling of being on a truly wild safari here.

Minneriya National Park

Elephants are a common sight in Minneriya, which has found fame as the location of the world’s largest known gathering of Asian elephants during the dry periods when they converge around the Minneriya Tank reservoir. Featuring a variety of wetlands, montane forests and scrublands, Minneriya is one of the most visited national parks in Sri Lanka having been declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.

Horton Plains National Park

Named as a national park in 1988, Horton Plains is situated 32 km from Nuwara Eliya. The park is rich in biodiversity, with many endemic species living amongst the abundant flora and fauna. The trek to World’s End cliff and Baker’s Falls waterfall are also popular with visitors to the park.

Wilpattu National Park

The Wilpattu National Park is home to the elusive leopard, and travellers on the lookout for the species will also come across a number of willus, or lakes. The premises receive an annual rainfall of 1000 millimetres, making the best time to visit during February and October.

Wasgamuwa National Park

A favourite for all those making their way towards the north central part of Sri Lanka, the Wasgamuwa National Park is rich in biodiversity. Found 225 km from Colombo, the park boasts a prized collection of mammals, reptiles and birds, making it a must-visit for those arriving in Sri Lanka on holiday.

Udawalawe National Park

Bordering Uva and Sabargamuwa Provinces, the Udawalawe National Park covers over 30,000 hectares and provides the ardent nature traveller with a wonderful outdoor experience. Whether you are interested in elephants or fascinated by slithering snakes, the area will prove to be well worth the time and effort spent.

Pigeon Island

Found a short distance from Nilaveli Beach, Pigeon Island is a national park and consists of two areas. An enchanting coral reef surrounds the larger of the two, while species of shark and turtle can be seen swimming in nearby waters. Scuba diving & snorkelling are popular pastimes carried out here, and visitors should also keep an eye out for sightings of the famed Rock Pigeon after which the island was named.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Translating to the ‘Kingdom of the Lion,’ the virgin rainforest of Sinharaja is filled with plenty to see. Encounter flocks of colourful birds and majestic mammals as you wander down lush jungle paths.


A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sinharaja spans an area of around 21 kms from east to west and is a rich storehouse of endemic plants, birds, butterflies & amphibians.

Knuckles Forest Reserve

Looming large over the Dumbara Valley, the Knuckles Mountain Range offers thrill seekers plenty of space to go trekking and sightseeing within its surroundings. Capture sights of indigenous plants and wildlife as you head off into the distance, only to arrive at a local tea factory, where one can learn how Sri Lanka’s favourite beverage is manufactured.