Top 10 Camping Spots in Sri Lanka – Camping is one of the best ways to spend time outdoors, absorbing the beauty and amazement of nature. Sri Lanka comes to the top of the list of the best camping places in the world. Sri Lanka is an island with a land blessed with various locations from high mountain ranges and vast plains to beaches and lagoons, from wildlife safari sites to dense rainforests. The number of places which are the favorites of many campers is just irresistible. You can choose from rainforest adventure camping, trekking camping, safari camping, lake and river-side camping to camping close to the Vaddha (the indigenous people) village.

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It’s not just a camping experience. You will get to experience the nature of the island, and there are so many places to see and enjoy including nature tracking trails, rocks, and mountains, nature sceneries, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, forests, and wildlife. In this blog, we will get to know about the Top 10 Camping Spots in Sri Lanka.

Top 10 Camping Spots in Sri Lanka

1) Camping in Yala National Park

If you want to get the most authentic jungle experience of the big game of Sri Lanka, including the Sri Lankan elephant, Leopard, black bear and aquatic birds, lying under a million stars, sitting in the cozy warmth of a roaring log fire, camping in the wilderness, Yala National Park is the ideal place for it.

Yala National Park holds the title for being the second biggest national park on the island, and it is also the most visited national park by both local and international tourists. It consists of 5 blocks and only 2 of them are open to the public. It spreads over a land of 979 Square kilometres (378 Sq MI). Located in the southeast region of the Island, embracing the Indian Ocean, Yala National Park covers both the southern and Uva Provinces. It is about 300 kilometres far from Colombo.

There are a number of well-experienced tour guides and agencies waiting to welcome your visit to offer you an unforgettable camping adventure in the Yala National Park providing the opportunity to witness the real habitats of wild animals in its closest possible views. When planning your camping adventure in Yala National Park, It is best to be mindful of the rainy season. The best time to visit the Yala National Park is from June to September.

2) Udawalawe National Park Camping

Udawalawe National Park is the third most visited park in Sri Lanka, and it is located in the border of Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces. It covers a land of 30,821 hectares (119.00 sq mi). It is 165 kilometres (103 mi) far from Colombo. The park was initially created as a sanctuary for the wild animals who lost their homes due to the construction of the Udawalawe reservoir on the Walawe River and as a protection for the catchment of the reservoir. You can visit Udawalawe National Park throughout the year.

It is most known for being a safe home for many water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It has a huge elephant population of about 600-700. So catching a glimpse of elephants is so usual in this park. There is also a transit home for orphaned elephants, where they take care of orphaned or injured elephants and release them back to their natural surroundings. The typical habitat is open grasslands. The average climate annually is 27-28°c and has an annual rainfall of 1500 millimetres.

3) Wilpattu National Park Camping

Wilpattu National Park is the biggest and oldest national park in Sri Lanka. It is located in Puttalam district towards the North West coast lowland dry zone of the country. It is approximately 180 kilometres north of Colombo. The park spreads through a land of 1317 Square kilometres (131,693 hectares). When considering the climate in Wilpattu, an annual temperature ranges from 27°c to 30°c and the estimated yearly rainfall is 900 millimetres. The best time to visit the park is from February to October although it can be visited throughout the year.

It is most known for its extensive collection of endangered wild animals like the Sri Lankan leopard, the Sri Lankan elephant and the sloth bear. Especially the sloth bear is one of the rarest species in the world in which the number of animals left is only around 1000. The other important fact about this park is it consists of many natural lakes.

4) Belihuloya River Camping

Belihuloya is a village in the Ratnapura district which is in the Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka. It is a scenic hillside location where the climate is transitional because it links the hill and low country as well as the dry and wet zones. It is roughly 160 kilometres far from Colombo to the southeast. The area has an annual temperature of about 28. 3°c and the mean annual rainfall of 1875 to 2500 millimetres.

It is a perfect location for nature lovers since it consists of moist semi-evergreen forests, montane temperature forests, tropical savanna forests and dry grasslands making it one of the richest biodiversity spots. The other speciality of Belihuloya is the natural rock pool which is a perfect bathing spot with unpolluted crystal clear water which is created by the intersection of two streams namely Belihul Oya and Galagama Oya. Other than that you can go canoeing in the calm and still waters of Samanalawewa Reservoir and go trekking and exploring through the perimeter of the reservoir.

5) Knuckles Mountain Range Camping

This is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Sri Lanka. The Knuckles Mountain Range is located in the Matale and Kandy districts of Sri Lanka in the north-central highlands. The mountain range got its name ‘Knuckles’ because the five mountains look like the back of a clenched fist when viewed from certain angles. It is also known as the Dumbara mountain range. This area is one of the best and loveliest nature attractions in Sri Lanka.

What you will get to see around your campsite here at Knuckles are lush green and thick forests, acres of tea plantations, streams, waterfalls, grasslands, rugged mountain peaks and biodiversity that is unbelievably unique. Above 34% of Sri Lanka’s endemic trees, shrubs and herbs are only found in this area while 20% of them are endemic to Sri Lanka. It is also home to many animals like wild boar, spotted deer, giant squirrel, barking deer, purple-faced leaf monkey, mongoose and porcupine. Crestless lizard, pigmy lizard, kangaroo lizard and leaf nose lizard are endemic only to the Knuckles range. It is also home to more than 200 bird species, 15 of them endemic to Sri Lanka. Moreover, around 31 species of mammals and 20 species of amphibians are reported in the area. All these will definitely make the camping trip more interesting.

The climate here is unpredictable. The temperature varies between 5.5°c to 35°c. The average annual rainfall ranges between 3000 to 5000 millilitres. The best time to visit the Knuckles Mountain Range is between March and October.

6) Vaddha Village Camping

The indigenous people in Sri Lanka or the Vaddhas are considered to be like the Aborigines. They are also known as the people of the forest. This is the oldest and rarest culture and civilization in the county. Neolithic ancestors suggest that their ancestors inhabited Sri Lanka as far back as 1000 BC and since then, they have roamed between the plains of the North Central region and the central mountains of the country in their history. However, they are now mainly confined to Dambana, a remote jungle village located in the hill country of Sri Lanka.

They have a unique culture that is deeply rooted in them from their ancestors. Although these people are a little bit modernized today, they have not changed their hunting and other activities which inherited from their forefathers. These people still practice habits like hunting and fishing in the tradition way and exchanging them and bees’ honey with local people for their needs like clothes and blades. Meeting this hospitable people is a great opportunity to have a glimpse of the living rich history of the country.

7) Camping in Kitulgala Forest Reserve

Rainforest camping in the Kitulgala forest reserve is definitely for adventure lovers. This is the ideal place for white water rafting, trekking, nature trails, bird watching, cycling, river expeditions, swimming in waterfalls and confidence jumps. You will be able to wake up to the chirping of birds and the sound of waterfalls in your campsites.

Kitulgala forest reserve is located about 95 kilometres away from Colombo in the Sabaragamuwa province in Sri Lanka. This is the wettest zone in the county. The Kelani River flows through Kitulgala attracting so many people to the place. January to March is the best season for white water rafting since it’s the dry period. The most suitable places for white water rafting can be found about 5 kilometers upstream from the Kitulgala village. In addition to that, Kitulgala also gives you the opportunity to experience more adventures like adventure water sports, canoeing, white water and flat water kayaking and many more.

8) Camping in Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is located in the North-Central province of Sri Lanka, between Polonnaruwa and Habarana. This is a wildlife sanctuary where you can go for safari camping. This park is located near the old Minneriya tank and is about 182 kilometres away from Colombo. Minneriya is one of the 70 important bird areas (IBAs) of Sri Lanka.

This is in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, and the temperature varies from 20°c to 34°c. The best time to visit the Minneriya park is from May to September.

You can get closer views of large herds of elephants, toque macaques, crocodiles, sambar deer, and many more wild animals. If you are lucky enough, you will have the rare chance of spotting leopards and sloth bears too. It is home to 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, nine species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish and 75 species of butterflies. The habitats you will get to see are forests, scrublands, grasslands, rocky outcrops, wetlands, and abandoned farmlands. You can witness all of this by camping in the Minneriya National Park.

9) Camping in Meemure

Meemure is a remote village located in the Knuckles Mountain Range. That is in between the border of the Kandy and Matale districts. It is around 50 kilometres away from Kandy and 195 kilometres far from Colombo. The only way to get there is from the Hunnasgiriya Mountain, of the Knuckles Mountain Range.

Only about 125 families live in this village, and that is around 400 individuals. This is a unique village since the residents here have a lifestyle of their own without depending on the outside world. They rely so much on the waterfalls and evergreen forests of the Knuckles. They survive on them. They mainly cultivate paddy, pepper, and spices to earn their living. There are a few who sell toddy and treacle made of jaggery palms. Their homes are made of clay and spear grass which are traditional sri lankan houses that are very eco-friendly. The most outstanding thing is their boundary walls are built out of quartz. There is only one tiny boutique for the whole village where they buy essentials like salt, sugar, and clothes. Even the road to reach there is a small trail where only tuk-tuks, jeeps and small trucks can pass. Mobile or data connection is minimal. It’s nearly isolated from the outside world.

The other speciality in the Meemure village is its splendid biodiversity with a land of 700 acres. The Heen River flows through the southern border of the village. Meemure is very close to the heavenly Ravana Ella Falls.

10) Camping in Horton Plains

Horton Plains National Park is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka. You could say it is the coldest and windiest area on the island.

It is located at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level in the central highlands of the country and covers an area of 3,169 hectares of land. The average annual temperature is recorded to be 14°C to 16°C but the temperature drops to about 5°C with strong gale force winds during the daytime in the dry season. The yearly rainfall is recorded as 5000 millimetres.

It has become a very famous tourist attraction because of the stunning views, rare creatures, and the coldest climate. Moreover, most importantly, the escarpment called the World’s End which is 900 meters high, and the breathtaking Bakers Falls in the Horton Plains. Bakers fall is formed by Belihuloya which is a branch of the Walawe River. World’s End is located on the southern border of Horton Plains. Three main rivers of Sri Lanka namely Mahaweli, Kelani and Walawe spring from the Horton Plains.

Tips for Camping in Sri Lanka

Before you embark on your camping trip in Sri Lanka, here are some tips and guidelines to keep in mind:

Check the weather forecast and plan your trip accordingly.
Choose a camping site that is safe, secure, and well-maintained.
Carry a first-aid kit, insect repellent, and sunscreen.
Pack light but essential items such as a tent, sleeping bag, cooking utensils, and warm clothing.
Respect the local culture and customs, and avoid causing any harm to the environment or wildlife.
Follow the safety precautions and guidelines provided by the camping site or the tour operator.

Conclusion

Camping in Sri Lanka is a unique and rewarding experience that allows you to discover the natural wonders of the country, connect with its rich culture and heritage, and enjoy the benefits of outdoor activities. Whether you are a seasoned camper or a first-time adventurer, there is a camping place in Sri Lanka that will meet your expectations. So, pack your bags, grab your gear, and explore the camping paradise of Sri Lanka.