Exquisite national parks in Sri Lanka – A wildlife lover’s paradise

With a drive time of six hours from Colombo, the capital of Colombo, the Yala National Park is renowned worldwide for its high leopard density. The park is home to approximately 30 of these big cats! The park is located on the southeast side of the island and is characterised by lowland dry scrubs sitting on a long stretch of rugged coastline. Other animals you will possibly get the opportunity to spot include the Indian palm civet, golden jackal, langur monkeys, ruddy mongooses, spotted dear, and buffalo. The park is also popular for its sloth bears, which can be observed regularly during the months of June and July which is when the palu trees become heavy with fruits. Most Sri Lanka boutique hotels such as the likes of Boutique Collection by Amaya will be more than happy to arrange a safari to the Yala National Park upon the requests of their guests.

Best for birdwatching sessions, the Horton Plains National Park is located in the cool climes of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. The park sits on the highest plateau of the island, while its cloud forests remain rich in endemic flora and fauna. Come nighttime, the temperature here tends to fall below freezing. Avid birdwatchers should keep an eye out for the elusive Sri Lanka bush warbler and the  Sri Lankan whistling thrush.

Best for sightings of Sri Lanka’s elusive sloth bear, the Wilpattu National Park happens to be the island’s largest park. It is located on the island’s northwest dry lowlands and is made up of villus – or lakes, with varying degrees of salinity and freshness. The park’s fauna is quite similar to its counterpart, the Yala National Park, and at one point was famous for its leopard density,  which has since dropped.

A small town located off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Mirissa is located in the island’s southern province and is the ideal location to base yourself to go whale watching. Apart from blue and sperm whales, you will definitely get the opportunity to take in large, playful pods of dolphins frolicking in the ocean as well. Consider going whale watching during the months from December to March, when the encounter rate is well over 80%.

The country’s only rainforest, the Sinharaja Rain Forest is situated in the wet and lush southwest part of Sri Lanka. Here one can also find various types of endemic fauna found nowhere else in the world! Wildlife one would possibly encounter include barking deer and purple-faces langurs.