The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has designated Bundala National Park as the first Ramsar site in Sri Lanka. This thorny scrub forest, with its beaches, dunes, and lagoons, lies 250 kilometers south of Colombo in the Hambantota district. It is well known for its diverse biodiversity. It is a popular reserve for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts due to its 197 different bird species and 32 distinct animal species. Due to the immense numbers of Greater Flamingos that travel there from Siberia and the Rann of Kutch in India, Bundala National Park is regarded as a specialized bird-watching experience.
Up to 2000 Greater Flamingos have been tallied during a single migration season, which occurs between August and April. Other species that can be seen in Bundala's heat include a small herd of elephants, wild boar, sambar, spotted deer, and grey langur monkeys.
Horton Plains, Sri Lanka's highest plateau and one of the "amazing and forbidding places" of the country, is more than 2000 meters above sea level. The plains are far from easy to get to, but the walk is worth it. They lie 20 kilometers south of Nuwara Eliya in the central hill country. This breathtaking scenery is a sight for sore eyes with its wild meadows, pockets of deep forests, lakes, and waterfalls. The plains are home to a variety of animals, including wild boar, sambar deer, shaggy bear monkeys, and the rare toque macaque, which can occasionally be seen.
In addition, there are landmarks including Bakers Falls, Chimney Pool, and World's End in Horton Plains National Park. The Horton Plains plateau ends at World's End, which is said to have Sri Lanka's best vista due to its 880-meter steep drop downward.
The Gal Oya Valley project was Sri Lanka's first substantial irrigation project following independence. Senanayake Samudra, the largest reservoir in the nation, was constructed inside of it and is regarded as the Gal Oya National Park's most important feature. Gal Oya National Park holds the distinction of being the only national park in the nation that offers boat safaris as an additional activity. One of the most exciting parts of the boat safari is seeing elephants swim across the lake.
That is, if the stunning hill forests, leopards, water buffalo, wild boar, crocodiles, and several deer species that call the park home haven't already won you over. On the Senanayake Samudra, there are a lot of tiny islands that are home to a wide variety of bird species. 150 of the 430 bird species that have been recorded in Sri Lanka are thought to reside at Gal Oya.
The newest national park and wildlife reserve in Sri Lanka, Kaudulla National Park, was established in 2002 and is the country's newest eco-tourism attraction. On the Habarana to Trincomalee route, Kaudulla is about 6 kilometers from the Gal Oya Junction and is conveniently close to the Cultural Triangle. The park gets its name from being close to the famous Kaudalla Tank, built by the legendary King Mahasena
Jeep safaris are the most popular method of visiting the park, and the optimum months to do so are August to December when the area is home to about 250 elephants. The park has also built a 6656-hectare elephant corridor between Minneriya National Park and the Somawathie Chaitya. 24 animal species, 25 reptile species, and 160 species of birds live in the park's dry evergreen forests. Visitors to Kaudulla love to see the endangered rusty spotted cat, fishing cats, sloth bears, and leopards.
The Kumana National Park, which is in Sri Lanka's southeast and is next to the Yala National Park, is the country's top bird sanctuary because it is home to a wide variety of indigenous and migrating species. Kumana is a preferred destination for bird watchers and makes a great setting for camping and safaris. Kumana is home to 255 bird species, including rare migratory birds such as the Black-necked stork, Yellow-footed Green Pigeons, and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, as well as more common birds such as the Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Heron, and Wood Sandpiper. There are also a few elephants and mammals like the European otter and golden jackal.
Ancient 1st and 2nd-century cave inscriptions uncovered in the park's vicinity are also of significance. Every year, on their way to Kataragama for the famed Pada Yatra pilgrimage, Hindu and Buddhist worshippers cross Kumana on foot.
The Minneriya National Park's scrub woodlands can be found halfway between Habarana and Polonnaruwa. The park, formerly a haven for sambar deer, toque macaques, and leopards, is now a well-known tourist destination. This is because the largest gathering of elephants in the world occurs along the beaches of Minneriya's approximately 2000-year-old artificial lake. During the dry season, which runs from July to October, this breathtaking scene may be seen inside the confines of Minneriya National Park.
The fact that Lonely Planet named it the sixth-best wildlife spectacle in the world is not surprising given the over 300 elephants that converge there every evening. The drought-related dearth of waterholes led to "The Gathering," as it has come to be known. Elephants move to the Minneriya tank when they are unable to get their regular dose of water, making it a spectacle not to be missed.
The Wilpattu National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Sri Lanka, is situated on the west coast of the island and is largely made up of dense secondary forest mixed with minor clearings. Wilpattu, on the other hand, is more lush and picturesque, with a variety of plants found in different regions of the park than semi-arid Yala. The park is exceptional for having a large number of villus, or basin-like natural tanks, which offer water to flocks of birds and herds of other animals in the wild.
It's interesting to note that crocodiles live in these villas as well. However, Wilpattu reputation is largely due to the presence of leopards and bearspattu's reputation is largely due to the presence of leopards and bears. Leopards can frequently be seen unwinding or consuming water from one of the park's numerous villus. Since January to May is regarded as the best time to visit, Wilpattu's rustic character makes it even more exciting to explore.
Sri Lanka's most popular national park, Yala, is tucked away in the southeast of the island, 300 kilometers from the nation's capital, Colombo. The park is made up of five blocks, only two of which are accessible to the general public, and is regarded by the BBC as one of the top wildlife sites in Asia. Block 1 is commonly visited because of the great density of leopards there, but before 1938, it was a hunting reserve. It wasn't until then that it became a reserve for conservationists.
Elephants can often be seen strolling across roads or grazing in the scrub jungle near Yala. The magnificent peacock's mating dance is one of Yala's most breathtaking sights. When they are rewarded in this way by the peacock, most travelers consider it well worth the long journey. unquestionably the best wildlife safari ever.
The Udawalawe National Park, which is located south of the core hill region, was created in 1972 as a result of the displacement of the local wildlife brought on by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir. Udawalawe, the island's third-most visited park, is a crucial habitat for Sri Lankan elephants and aquatic birds. Udawalawe is thought to be one of the greatest spots on the island to see elephants because there are approximately 600 of them in the park.
Around 25 newborn elephants who were orphaned in the wild are housed and cared for in the fascinating Elephant Transit Home, which was established in 1995. Crocodiles, foxes, 30 different kinds of snakes, spotted and sambar deer, hundreds of buffalo, and a few leopards also live in Uda Walawe. If you're interested in living real life in the wild, there are three tent sites and four bungalows near the reservoir and the Walawe Ganga.
The name "Wasgamuwa" is derived from the words "Walas Gamuwa," with Walasa or Walaha indicating a sloth bear in Sinhalese and Gamuwa denoting timber. The park was given that name because it once housed a significant population of Sri Lankan sloth bears. Even though it's not always possible to see them, these endangered animals still live there today. The park is an exciting location to watch some unusual bird species since it borders the Mahawelia and Amban rivers and is almost surrounded by rivers. Wasgamuwa, for example, is home to the endangered Red-Faced Malkoha and Yellow-Fronted Barbet.
The park has great biodiversity, with more than 150 different types of flora. Its historical importance is also demonstrated by the presence of the Dathota, Malagamuwa, and Wilmitiya irrigation ponds' ruins, as well as the Kalinga Yoda Ela canal constructed by Parakramabahu I.
The Bridge on the River Kwai, which won the 1957 Academy Award for Best Picture and was shot on the Kelani River, is Kitulgala's most famous production. Kitulgala, also known as the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve, is a rainforest region that is impacted by both monsoons and is likely the wettest location in Sri Lanka. It was created to safeguard the drainage basin of the Kelani River. In terms of fauna, Kitulgala is home to a sizable number of elusive indigenous species, including birds like the Ceylon Scimitar Babbler, Spot-winged Thrush, and Ceylon Grey Hornbill.
The river is home to rare fish and amphibians, as well as the Grizzled Indian Squirrel and other mammals. However, in recent years, white-water rafting has come to be associated with the term "Kitulgala." When someone proposes going to Kitulgala, they typically envision a weekend of adventure that includes some delicious meals, a jungle hike, and camping in the great outdoors.
Located in Sri Lanka's southwest lowland wet zone, the Sinharaja Rainforest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a recognized Biosphere Reserve. Although it wasn't officially recognized as a forest reserve until 1875, the area has long-held mythological and historical significance for the Sri Lankan people. The only remaining tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka, called Sinharaja, which translates literally as "Lion and King," is home to 60% indigenous trees. More than half of Sri Lanka's endemic species of animals, butterflies, reptiles, unusual amphibians, and insects can be found there.
When exploring this biodiversity hotspot in Sinharaja, visitors are frequently astounded by the incredible variety of species they find there. Just a few of the unusual creatures and flora that may be found here include a spineless forest lizard, a Sri Lankan rose, and a bamboo orchid.
Pigeon Island, one of Sri Lanka's two marine national parks, is a popular tourist destination on the East Coast. Pigeon Island is named after the Blue Rock Pigeon, an endangered bird species that are unique to the island and is located barely 1 km from the well-known seaside town of Nilaveli. The islands were first designated as a bird sanctuary in 1963, and they were later designated as a national park in 2003.
Both the large and small Pigeon Islands are located in this region. The coral reefs that circle the huge Pigeon Island are approximately 200 feet long and 100 meters wide, making them among the best-remaining coral reefs in Sri Lanka.
Along with the 300 different coral reef fish that can be found there, sea turtles, juvenile and adult Black-tip reef sharks, and other marine life make it a unique underwater excursion
Mullativu, which saw fierce battles during the Sri Lankan civil war, is currently undergoing a makeover as a result of the district's northern region being designated as a wildlife sanctuary. Northern Mullativu has been designated a wildlife sanctuary, with more than 100,000 acres set aside specifically for elephants. The government claims that the sanctuary was created to address the growing conflict between wild elephants and people, which has arisen as a result of deforestation, which has devastated the elephants' natural habitat.
Due to this, elephants began to forage in places where there were villages, which resulted in many human and elephant fatalities. 15,000 elephants were wandering the wild a century ago, but the number is now between 3000 and 4000, prompting concern among animal experts. The intention is to preserve the remaining natural habitats of Sri Lanka by designating the northern jungles as a national park.
Newsletter Sign up
