Globally recognised as one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants in their natural habitat, the park’s open grasslands, scrubland, and riverine forests centred around the Udawalawe Reservoir create an ideal environment for a thriving elephant population, often numbering in the hundreds. Beyond its elephantine residents, the park’s relatively open terrain provides excellent opportunities to spot water buffalo, wild boar, various species of deer, formidable crocodiles, and a spectacular array of birdlife, ranging from raptors to colourful kingfishers.
Step into the wild heart of Sri Lanka, the country’s most iconic and exhilarating wildlife sanctuary, famed for having one of the world’s highest densities of leopards, in its diverse landscapes of arid scrub, dense forest, rocky outcrops and coastal lagoons that set the stage for thrilling safaris and unforgettable encounters with these elusive big cats in their natural habitat, alongside elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and a dazzling variety of birdlife.
a lesser-known off-the-beaten-path wilderness sanctuary that offers raw beauty, rich biodiversity, and peaceful solitude in a thriving landscape of riverine forests, wetlands, and open plains that is home to large herds of elephants, sloth bears, sambar deer, and over 140 species of birds
Witness one of nature’s most spectacular dramas unfold around the park’s ancient reservoir, when hundreds of elephants migrate to Minneriya from distant forests in search of water in an incredible natural phenomenon known as the “Gathering” – in a breathtaking spectacle often cited as one of the largest gatherings of Asian elephants in the world.
a hidden jewel for wildlife enthusiasts and bird lovers alike, the mangrove-fringed wetlands and tranquil lagoons of the Kumana National Park attract hundreds of migratory and resident species — from painted storks and spoonbills to the elusive black-necked stork – beyond its birdlife, the park is also home to elephants, leopards, jackals, and crocodiles, thriving within a mosaic of scrub jungle and serene waterways.
Vast, mysterious, steeped in legend and famous for its distinctive “villus” — natural sand-rimmed lakes that attract wildlife year-round, Wilpattu National Park is Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest protected wilderness, where nature unfolds at its own quiet pace for a secluded and immersive safari experience to spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and an array of rare bird species.
