For a country measuring just under 30,000 square miles, the wildlife of Sri Lanka is incredibly impressive to say the least. Home to some of the most diverse national parks across the subcontinent, the island boasts a remarkably high number of endemic species and one of the world’s largest gatherings of blue whales. Suffice to say, Sri Lanka hits the mark for a tropical paradise in every sense of the term. If you’re a wildlife photographer or just a plain old animal-lover, we’ve got you covered with your dream destinations to capture the most intriguing species roaming about in what has come to be their natural habitats.
Minneriya National Park
Located in the North Central province, the Minneriya National Park has been a designated national park since 1997. The highlight of this park is the hundreds of elephants you get to see all throughout the year. But the best time to visit would be during the dry season from May to October, when the water in the Minneriya tank would have dried up, uncovering the grasses to the animals grazing in the surrounding areas.
Apart from the massive herds of wild elephants, within the 8.889 hectares of land, you might catch toque macaques, sambar deers, buffaloes, porcupines, and even leopards (though rare)! Flocks of birds, both migrating and forest, with some fishing in the shallow waters is also a common sighting here.
As you enter through Polonnaruwa Road, don’t be unsettled by the uneven, dirt paths through the dense forest towards the main park. The dramatic opening into the light that is the heart of the park is a picture-perfect landscape shot that is worth the 40-minute drive in.
Yala National Park
Bordering the Indian Ocean, Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most well-known and second largest of its kind. With only designated zones for tourists respectively, the reach of this park, or more so a mass of forests, grasslands and lagoons, is worldwide, with a commitment to preserving a natural habitat in most of its areas as much as possible.
The pride of Yala is the leopards that cruise the wild - one of the best locations to spot these elusive animals. Find yourself a friendly local guide, who will easily bring you to the best locations to catch these cats in their everyday roamings while learning about the history of the park, and avoiding the crowds.
Apart from the leopards, there are hundreds of other animals you’ll catch sight of at this once regarded wildlife sanctuary like deers, wild boars, and, of course, the grand peacock. Plan your trip in advance, and make sure to get there as early as possible to miss the early afternoon crowds but also to get the best views as the animals are just starting the day themselves.
Udawalawe National Park
In close proximity to the capital, Colombo, Udawalawe National Park sits on the frontiers of the Sabaragamuwa and Uva province. The main aim of this park was to provide a sanctuary for animals that were displaced by the construction of the nearby Udawalawe Reservoir.
For guaranteed elephant sightings, this is the place to head to, especially with its added bonus of being significantly less crowded than other national parks on the island. Aside from elephants, within the vast space of 30,821 hectares, Udawalawe is home to a great number of water birds, 43 types of mammals, and 135 different species of butterflies.
Here, there isn’t a fixed season to visit the animals. There are also several accommodation and villa options should you choose to stay nearby. But the must-do activity at this national park is to go on a safari ride, specifically catered to tourists and takes you through your specific interests in wildlife.
Bundala National Park
Just 85 kilometres from Tangalle, the Bundala National Park is one of the finest spots for bird watching in Sri Lanka. Attracting an immense variety of migratory birds alongside the picturesque spectacles of aquatic birds enclosing its five shallow lagoons, this park is a thing of beauty.
And it is the pink greater flamingo that sits in the spotlight out here. Migrating from northern India, catch these delicately poised birds, perfectly lined up in the mellow waters. Juxtaposed against this scene, you might be taken aback by the troops of excited grey langur monkeys and foraging wild pigs if you just turn the other way.
If you happen to be here between October and January, you’re in luck as you might just be able to watch the island’s marine turtles laying eggs along the shores at night.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
A UNESCO designated World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve is home to over 830 endangered species of mammals, butterflies, insects, and reptiles. With plunging waterfalls, winding streams, and emerald green ferns, this natural ecosystem is the island’s last viable primary tropical rainforest.
Encircled by an unparalleled 45m high canopy, over two-thirds of the trees in the forest are endemic, with many even regarded as rare. Come by and marvel at the biodiversity in all its magnificence with stunning sights of the purple-faced langur, tree frogs, blue magpie, and the rare leopard.
