Top 10 Loris Spots in Sri Lanka – Slender Lorises are without doubt one of the most bizarre animals you will likely encounter in Sri Lanka. While they certainly look unusual these small creatures are surprisingly cute and fluffy due to their size. Seeing these somewhat anxious-looking nocturnal primates for yourself is something that you have to do if you are visiting the country and interested in wildlife! Sri Lanka, a biodiversity hotspot, is home to various species of wildlife, including the elusive and enchanting loris.

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The loris, a nocturnal primate, is most active at night, making its sighting a thrilling experience for wildlife enthusiasts. In this blog, we present a list of the top 10 loris spots in Sri Lanka to view these fascinating creatures.

What is a Loris?

Lorises are a group of large-eyed nocturnal primates belonging to the subfamily “Lorinae”. And if that isn’t enough, they are also one of the few venomous mammals that exist on our planet!

There are 11 living species of loris, split into 3 main groups: the slender lorises, slow lorises and pygmy slow lorises. Lorises are only found in Asia, specifically in India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

All lorises are strictly nocturnal and arboreal, meaning that they are active during the night and live in trees. They generally sleep during the day and only come out at night from their tree-hollow or leaf-made nests. They are extremely slow moving and will slowly scour the trees in the hunt for insects and other small creatures, though some species also eat fruit and plant material.

Top 10 Loris Spots in Sri Lanka

Popham’s Arboretum: A Haven for the Grey Slender Loris

Popham’s Arboretum is a beautiful botanical garden full of hundreds of species of trees, around 25 mammal species and over 80 species of birds. It is located in Dambulla in central Sri Lanka, which is a place on most people’s Sri Lanka travel itineraries. Because of this, and being just a 10-minute drive from the Dambulla Bus Stand, or a 30-minute drive from Sigiriya, we highly recommend it for any wildlife enthusiasts visiting Sri Lanka.

The only way you can see the grey slender lorises at Popham’s Arboretum is by doing one of the guided night safaris. This is due to the difficulty of navigating through the confusing and dark wilderness trail during the night, so you must be accompanied by an experienced guide.

The safaris usually run between 7pm and 10pm, so it is probably best to try to arrive just before 7pm. Once you arrive at the gate and tell the staff that you would like to do the slender loris night safari, you will be assigned a guide for your tour.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a world UNESCO Heritage site along with being a biodiversity spot. The forest reserve is famous for red slender loris and carries out a night tour to watch lorises in their natural habitat. Just walking along the twisting footpaths that go over wooden bridges built over small streams and the endless soothing greenery, accompanied by bird sounds and the smell of the good earth all around, totally immersed in the beauty of nature, is an experience that is just out of this world.

Yala National Park

Yala National Park is located in the Southeast region of Sri Lanka, about 300 kilometers from Colombo. The first of the rarely seen animals of Yala national park is the Red slender Loris. Red Slender Loris is characterized by its enormous eyes and long thin limbs. Its scientific name is Loris tardigradus and it is a nocturnal animal that comes under primates found only in Sri Lanka.

Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. This plateau at an altitude of around 2,100m is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. A subspecies of red slender loris, the Horton Plains slender loris is found only in highlands of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the world’s most endangered primates.

Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, and is home to slender lorises. The national park is haven for red slender loris with reddish brown fur, thin hands and legs, and a diet of insects, fruits, berries, leaves, and plant parts. They are sociable and often seen in small groups. The park can be explored by a jeep safari during the day and an experienced driver can help you guide on the best spots of watching loris.

Knuckles Mountain Range

The knuckles Mountain Range is situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, in the districts of Kandy and Matale. The mountain Range is a biodiversity hotspot and World Heritage site. It’s a home to variety of flora and fauna, including the Horton Plains slender loris. The knuckles Mountain Range is known for its five peaks, which resembles the knuckles of a clenched fist.

Wasgamuwa National Park

Wasgamuwa National Park is situated in the districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa, 225kms away from Colombo. The park is best assessed with a jeep safari along with a tour guide. You may be able to see slender loris in Wasgamuwa National Park. It is also an important cultural heritage area, with ancient ruins including the Buduruwayaya ruins and the Chulangani Chaitya.

Kitulgala Rainforest

Embark on a unique wildlife experience in Kitulgala by observing the elusive Loris. Explore the jungle under the moonlight, witnessing these captivating creatures in their natural habitat, a rare and unforgettable encounter. The forest reserve is home to many endemic species of flora and fauna, including the Red Slender Loris, as well as scenic waterfalls like Makulu Ella and Lenakiri Ella.

Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary

The Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary is one of six RAMSAR Wetlands in Sri Lanka, which are wetlands of international importance. The sanctuary’s unique ecological setting, which includes the coast, mangroves, and freshwater tanks, makes it a favorable breeding and nesting ground for many species. You will be able to see slender loris in the Wetland Sanctuary of Anawilundawa. This is a great location especially for those travelling towards Wilpattuwa National Park as this can be a detour along the way for all nature enthusiasts, especially bird lovers.

Loris Watching from Sigiriya

Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. You can see lorises in Sigirya, Sri Lanka by taking a night hike or Loris Watching tour. Explore the jungle at night with a naturalist guide who can help you spot lorises in their natural habitat. Some say the success rate for seeing lorises is over 90%.

Wrapping Up!

If you are interested in wildlife or just find lorises extremely cute and adorable, then look no further. The above top 10 spots are the best for loris watching in Sri Lanka. These are popular locations on the majority of people’s travel itineraries, so if you are visiting Sri Lanka, make sure you add them to your itinerary.

FAQs on Top 10 Loris Spots in Sri Lanka

Q1. How easy is it to spot the loris in Sri Lanka?

A: Just as with any wildlife tour, a lot depends on timing, location, guides and a lot of luck. In terms of the timing, it is always best to try evening or night tours as this is when the loris is active. In terms of location, the areas mentioned are great locations to start. While you can try your luck with local guides (many of whom are experienced locals), you can even check with your hotels in these areas to see if they offer their own guided tours as well. If you are quiet, respectful of the environment and pick the right combination of these factors, luck should be on your side!

Q2. Where can I see slender loris in Sri Lanka?

A: Popham’s Arboretum is a beautiful botanical garden full of hundreds of species of trees, around 25 mammal species and over 80 species of birds. It is located in Dambulla in central Sri Lanka, which is a place on most people’s Sri Lanka travel itineraries.

Q3. What is a Grey slender Loris in Sri Lanka?

A: The grey slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus) is a species of primate in the family Loridae. It is native to India and Sri Lanka and inhabits subtropical and tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Q4. What is special about slender loris?

A: These lorises climb extremely slowly and cautiously along branches to avoid attracting the attention of predators or alerting their insect prey. Lorises approach their prey silently suddenly grabbing it with one or both hands. The slender loris gets its name from having thin arms and legs.