Joanna James
Sri Lanka is a country full of wonders and for the animal lovers it is nothing less than a paradise. To enjoy the best of Sri Lankan wildlife scene, head to one of these national parks showcasing the best of the country's wildlife. Here's a list of national parks to visit when in Sri Lanka.
A drive of about six hours from the Colombo city towards the southeastern region of Sri Lanka will take you to the well renowned Yala National Park. And it's well worth the long drive. This national park is by the side of a stretch of scintillating waters of the coastline. Besides the waters is the low land area. And time to time you can also see some rocky outcrops. This national park is the best one yet in Sri Lanka and is well known among the Asian continent. This place is popular for the leopards it showcases. Around thirty of these mighty creatures roam the lands of this park. On top of that, you can see many other mammals including spotted deer, sambar, wild pig, buffalo, monkeys, mongooses, toque monkey, langur monkey, Indian palm civets, golden jackal and so on. If you're looking for Sri Lankan wildlife tours, places the likes of SoulTrek Sri Lanka offer a good experience.
The Sinharaja Forest is the largest forest in Sri Lanka and this reserve is set in the south-west region of the country. The forest canopy stands magnificently tall at forty-five metres. It is been noted that more than half the varieties of trees found here are endemic to this region meaning you can't find it anywhere else. The five hour drive from Colombo is well worth it, and the reserve is enjoyed greatly by bird watchers. With endemic birds like the green-billed coucal, Sri Lankan blue magpie and the red-faced malkoha roaming the forests, what can you expect? Bird watcher's paradise it is.
These are two national parks only half an hour away from each other. The parks were established around massive reservoirs and the lakes here are surrounded by dense jungles. These jungles are home to many mammals. However, you've got poor chances of viewing them. The place is exceptionally known for the seasonal elephants that roam these lands. The gathering of these elephants takes place during the months of September and October. If you're visiting Sri Lanka during these months, you now know where to head.
A five-hour drive from Colombo would take you to the Horton Plains which is the highest plateau in Sri Lanka. The place is rich in many species of animals and plants endemic to this region. Plus, the place is popular for birds that can be viewed around the 880-meter drop called the World's End. Birds like the bush warbler and the whistling thrush can be seen at this place. Horton plains is best explored during the early hours of the morning, as the mist tends to set in later on in the day.
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