Top 05 Wildlife Safari Adventures in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has an abundance of natural beauty, with an enchanting variety of climates, elevations, vistas and wildlife. In fact, Sri Lanka has 26 national parks that are carefully overseen by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Each offers the opportunity to observe and enjoy their unique terrains, ecosystems and inhabitants. It’s no wonder, therefore, that so many local and foreign travellers include a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka in their itineraries.
Best Wildlife Safaris in Sri Lanka
We’ve short-listed our top five picks to make your choice of the best safari park in Sri Lanka easier.
1. Yala National Park Safari
Located on the southeastern coast, Yala National Park is the prime pick for a Sri Lanka wildlife tour. It is the country’s second-largest national park with nearly 130,000 ha of light forest, grassland, shrubs, tanks, lagoons, sand dunes, and water holes. The park is home to 45 mammal species, including the endemic Sri Lankan leopard, elephant, sambar, sloth bear, jackal, crocodile, and spotted deer. There are around 215 bird species – including peacock, nearly 20 amphibian species, and 47 recorded reptile species – six of which are endemic to Sri Lanka.
The ideal time to visit Yala is during the dry season (June-September), as wildlife – including leopard – are likely to gather around open water bodies during this time. Half-day and full-day guided safari tours are the best way to experience the park and its wildlife. It is highly recommended that you book an official trekker ahead of your visit. Designated picnic sites are available for visitors to enjoy. The ancient sites of Sithulpauwwa rock temple and Magul Maha Viharaya are frequented by pilgrims and tourists alike. The park is easily accessible by road, being a half-hour drive from adjacent Tissamaharama city, and about 10 minutes by car from Kataragama. Visitors from Colombo can reach the park in under 4 hours via the Southern Expressway.
2. Udawalawe National Park Safari
Located on the boundary between the wet and dry zones within the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in the south, Udawalawe National Park has a wild elephant population of over 400. So, an ‘elephant safari’ is guaranteed, as is sighting water buffalo and peacock. Other wildlife to look out for are ruddy mongoose, grey langurs, monkeys, crocodiles, civets, along with a flurry of 184 resident and migratory bird species, and 135 butterfly species. Records show that 43 mammal species, 33 reptile species, and 12 amphibian species reside within the 30,800-plus hectares of the park, which mostly comprises plains.
Udawalawe National Park safari tours usually start at Udawalawe town, which is about 10 km from the park entrance. Half-day safaris are ideal to get a feel of the park and its inhabitants. A full-day safari might interest wildlife photographers and enthusiasts. It is best visited during the dry season (December-March, June-July), and can be reached in under 4 hours from Colombo via the Southern Expressway.
3. Wilpattu National Park Safari
With over 131,000 hectares in the north-west, Wilpattu Natural Park is Sri Lanka’s largest, consisting of dry zone forests, thorny scrub, sand dunes, open plains, and over 100 Villu wetlands (natural lakes). Among other mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, there is a high likelihood of spotting the Sri Lankan elephant, Sri Lankan leopard, sloth bear, mugger crocodile and lesser adjutant.
Being adjacent to the historical Anuradhapura city, the park also houses ancient remains including Buddhist stupas and monasteries, rock inscriptions, and tanks, dating back to pre-historic times. The park is accessible from Hunuwilagama (Anuradhapura), which is just under 5 hours from Colombo by road, or from Eluwankulama (Puttalam), which is approximately a 4-hour drive from Colombo. The dry season (April-November) is the ideal time to visit.
4. Minneriya National Park Safari
Situated in the north-central dry zone of the island, this park is home to the Minneriya Tank, and has canopy forests, scrublands, grasslands, wetlands, and abandoned chena lands. A significant elephant population inhabits the park, as do several endemic species including the purple-faced langur, toque macaque, sambar deer, axis deer, sloth bear, and leopard. There are 24 inhabitant mammal species recorded, along with nine amphibian and 25 reptile species, and a multitude of birds and butterflies.
Park visits are recommended in the dry season (June-September). There are half- and full-day guided safari tours available in the morning or afternoon. A chat with your guide should enable you to pick what works best for you, depending on your interests. The ancient city of Sigiriya is about 25 minutes away by car, and Minneriya town can be reached by road from Colombo in roughly 4.5 hours.
5. Bundala National Park Safari
Another national park in the south – small in size at just over 3,300 hectares, but large in significance to migratory water birds. The wetland, with several marshes and lagoons, harbours 197 bird species, including large flocks of migratory greater flamingo, ibis, and painted storks. Although there are numerous species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and butterflies as at other parks, birds are the main attraction.
Along with safari tours, Bundala National Park also allows visitors to enjoy long spells of bird-watching, and offers guided nature walks and designated camping sites. While May-September is the dry season here, the best time to observe migratory birds is between September-March. Bundala can be reached by car from Colombo in under 4 hours via the Southern Expressway.
Best Way to Embark on Your Sri Lanka Wildlife Tour
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast or a nature buff, a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka is a must-do. We’ve even narrowed down the choices for you!
Considering the distance that needs to be covered to get to all of these national parks, the best option would be to travel by car. You can travel in comfort and to a flexible itinerary that works best around your plans and family/group requirements.
Kings Rent-a-Car offers a reliable fleet of vehicles from saloon cars to SUVs and 4WDs. Our rates are competitive, and our service consistently earns five-star ratings. While you could self-drive, we highly recommend our chauffeur service that would guarantee increased safety, better route efficiency and local expertise as you travel around the country. Add-on options of child/infant car seats, jumper cables, first aid kits and GPS-enabled tablets are available.
Visit Kings Rent-a-Car online for available options and rates, or WhatsApp us on +94 77 773 9492 for information and inquiries.