kirby harold harold
Known for scenic landscapes and a rich wildlife heritage Sri Lanka is a nature lover's dream come true. From safari hotspots to rain forest sanctuaries the country's top wildlife hubs are as follows.
Ranked among the finest wildlife parks in all of Asia the Yala National Park is the most popular national park in the island. Home to countless elephants the park is well-known for the large number of leopards and peacocks occupying its confines. Divided in to 5 blocks the 97,880 ha enclosure is located 300km from the capital.
Vaulted at a height of 2000m the high altitude Horton Plains National Park is located in the island's highest placed plateau. With its climate and landscapes reminiscent of Scotland the lush parkland and forest is home to countless waterfalls and wildlife including shaggy bear-monkeys and sambar deer while the indigenous toque macaque also occupies the misty enclosure that is home to an 4000 foot precipice dubbed World's End.
Home to more sloth bears than found anywhere else in the island the Wasgamuwa National Park is fringed by the Amban and Mahaweli rivers. A bird watching enthusiast's hub the sanctuary's inhabitants include Yellow Fronted Barbet and the indigenous Red-Faced Malkoha. With more than 150 varieties of flora decorating its leafy confines which also contain historic remnants of water tanks dating back centuries.
Sri Lanka's self proclaimed birding paradise the Kumana National Park is the country's finest bird sanctuary to date. Home to more than 255 species of winged beauties the popular safari and camping hub is home to a variety of migratory birds as well as those endemic to Sri Lanka. In addition to Purple Herons, Yellow Footed Green pigeons, Wood sandpipers and Eurasian Spoonbill the venue is also home to elephants, European Otters and Golden Jackals.
As a wetland sanctuary that was the first in the county to be initiated as a Ramsar site the Bundala National Park is a thriving eco-system providing habitats for 32 mammals and over 197 bird species. Home to large groups of Greater Flamingos the parkland is also home to grey langur monkeys, spotted deer, elephants and wild boars.
Tipped to be the island's favourite elephant safari park the Udawalawe National Park is the verdant residence of a whopping 600 gentle giants. Founded in 1972 the venue's Elephant Transit Home was set up in 1995 and provides care for orphaned baby elephants. Thirty snake species, leopards, sambar deer and crocodiles are also known to occupy the park that is home to several camp sites.
As the country's first national park and its most expansive wildlife enclosure the Wilpattu National Park is home to a large crocodile, bear and leopard populace. Known for the high concentration of natural basic/tanks that are found within its confines the best time to explore the park is between the months of January and May.
As the site of the globe's largest elephant gathering the best time to visit the Minneriya National Park is the period between July and October. Renowned for its leopard, sambar deer and macaque population elephant gathering in the park was ranked as no.6 on Lonely Planet's list of the world's best wildlife spectacles. Tourists in search of Sri Lanka tours of the island's best wildlife sanctuaries should consult Jetwing Travels to view the some of the most comprehensive packages available to travellers.
