Joanna James
Sri Lanka is a gorgeous little island that possesses a myriad of stunning appeals. From stylishly sleek modern shopping malls to gloriously majestic ancient temples and castles, this island provides its visitors a full range of delightful exploration options. Sri Lanka is also an island that is replete with rich bio diversity. The following article gives details about a few of the many national parks in the island that you can visit to witness the island's beautiful flora and fauna.
The unspoiled beauty and the majestically wild glory of Yala make it the most popular national park in the island of Sri Lanka. Needless to say every single visitor who decides to get on a safari jeep and traverse through its winding, dusty roads harbours fondest hopes of spotting the regal beauty of Sri Lankan leopards. And quite often, none of them return from the tour dejected, for this beautiful destination has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.
You will also be able to witness the beauty of elephants, sloth bears, water buffaloes and crocodiles when you visit this spectacular national park.
Yala is easily accessible from many hotels in Kataragama Sri Lanka. If you stay at a centrally located hotel such as Mandara Rosen Kataragama you will enjoy great convenience of reaching this iconic destination.
The beautiful Wilpattu National Park is also a place of exquisite beauty that is a veritable paradise for nature lovers. There are many gorgeous birds that you would be able to easily spot here including species such as painted stork, the open bill, eagles, whistling teal and Sri Lanka jungle fowl. There are also 31 species of mammals recorded in this area. You will be able to catch glimpses of elephants, sloth bears and water buffaloes when you embark on an adventurous safari ride through its wild terrains.
This famous park which is located in the south eastern coast of the island is quite popular among bird lovers. 255 species of birds have been recorded within the park which is considered to be one of the most important nesting and breeding grounds of birds in Sri Lanka. Rare species of migratory birds such as black necked stork, great thick- knee and lesser adjutant can be seen here between the months of April and July. Elephants and sambar deer will also delight you from time to time when you are touring through this park.
Yet another popular park among bird lovers, Bundala National Park provides all of its visitors a delightfully rich experience. A stunning range of migratory birds out of which the greater flamingo is prominent, can be seen at this park along with elephants, toque macaque, leopards, fishing cats, wild boars, mouse deer and spotted deer. Bundala National Park which has been identified as an outstanding Important Bird Area in the South Indian and Sri Lankan wetlands is located in Hambantota, approximately 250 kilometres southeast of Colombo.
Minneriya National Park which is located the North Central Province of Sri Lanka is famous because of the large numbers of elephants that are attracted to the grass fields of the park during the dry season which starts in June and lasts until September. This occurrence which is known as The Gathering is regarded as the sixth greatest wildlife spectacle in the world and includes a herd of approximately 700 elephants!
This park which is located on the outskirts of the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces is definitely worth a visit. It is a haven of safety for elephants as well as rusty spotted cats, fishing cats, Sri Lankan sambar deer, wild boar and water buffaloes. Many species of birds such as Sri Lanka spurfowl, red-faced malkoha and Sri Lanka grey hornbill are also quite easy to spot here in Udawalawe National Park.
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