Top 10 National Parks in Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka is a country which has an abundance of wildlife. Elephants, leopards, deer, whales and birds make the place a big home for the wild. The numerous national parks in Sri Lanka, ensure that the flora and fauna are protected and preserved in their natural environment. These places shield them from the rapid environmental changes that the country is undergoing due to development. Want to Visit the Top 10 National Parks in Sri Lanka? Then. continue reading this blog.

If you are planning to visit Sri Lanka, and if you are a wildlife lover, drive to as many parks as you can. Untouched and undisturbed by human activities, these are the places worth visiting to come closer to nature.

Best Time to Visit National Parks in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a country which offers unique experiences all year round. Every season in this Island brings different opportunities for travelers to observe its diverse ecosystems and the fascinating behavior of its wildlife.

Also consider the time for taking the safari, if possible. Make sure you follow some common norms during a jeep safari at a national park. Do not make loud noises and disturb the animals and birds there. Give space to wildlife and don’t get too close to them. 

Safaris are hot and dusty, so wear durable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

Top 10 National Parks in Sri Lanka

Do you wish to encounter the wildlife in Sri Lanka? Below is the list of the top 10 national parks in Sri Lanka that are amazingly beautiful, the major hotspots to get a hint of a harmonious ‘man v/s wild’ experience.

1. Yala National Park

Yala National Park in Sri Lanka is among the best national parks for mammals in Asia. Bordering the Indian Ocean, located in the Southeast of the country this is a huge forest area with lagoons and grasslands. Visit this park with your family and witness the vibrant wildlife of Sri Lanka.

• Best known for Leopards – here are around 30 of them.
• Area covered: 378 sqr. miles
• Distance from Colombo: 6 hours drive
• Things to do: Go surfing at Arugam Bay

2 Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park is the largest park, located in the Northwest coast of Sri Lanka. What makes this park unique is the existence of “Willus” – natural lakes that have different degrees of salinity. The park was closed for 15 years, so that the wildlife had space and time to recover to its former abundance, and was reopened in 2003.

• Best known for Sloth bears and leopards
• Area covered: 1, 317 sqr km
• Distance from Colombo: 4 hours’ drive
• Things to do: Travers the ancient city of Anuradhapura, especially the 2,000 year old sacred Bodhi tree

3. Wasgamuwa National Park

Wasgamuwa National Park is located in the Matale and Polonnaruwa Districts of Sri Lanka. It is one of Sri Lanka those protected areas where you can witness large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. Apart from elephants, this national wildlife park in Sri Lanka has a number of other animal and bird species including, purple-faced langur, golden palm civet, mugger crocodile, and red-faced malkoha.

• Best known for Elephants – around 150 of them.
• Area covered: 39322 ha
• Distance from Colombo: 5 hours’ drive
• Things to do: Explore the Buddha packed caves of Dambulla

4. Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park with a huge biodiversity. The reserve has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Sinharaja is the country’s premier rainforest. The place is known for tall and rare trees in the world. Mixed-bird species are found here, including the red-faced malkoha, green-billed coucal and Sri Lankan Blue magpie.

• Best known for Bird – the unique mixed flocks
• Area covered: 88.64 Km
• Distance from Colombo: 5 hours drive
• Things to do: Chill on the beaches of Mirissa located towards the South

5. Minneriya & Kaudulla National Parks

Minneriya & Kaudulla National Parks are located just 30 minutes away from each other, in the North Central Province. During the months of September and October, it is a visual treat to watch huge herds of elephants gather on the bed of Minneriya Lake. The lake is later replaced by lush green grassland.

• Best known for Seasonal elephants and flocks of cormorants
• Distance from Colombo: 5.30 hours’ drive
• Things to do: Explore the ruined palaces and monasteries of Polonnaruwa

6. Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park is situated in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is characterized by montane grassland and cloud forest. Horton Plains is the highest plateau on the island. The forests have a rich flora and fauna. Interestingly, the dwarf lizard species here has evolved due to the cold weather conditions that they give birth to live young instead of laying eggs.

• Best known for Bird species
• Area covered: 3,160 ha
• Distance from Colombo: 5 hours drive
• Things to do: Drive to the nearby hill station, Nuwara Eliya.

7. Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka is located on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces. The park was created to home the animals displaced during the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir. It’s the place to spot Asian Elephants in the wild. So, if you’re an elephant lover, you must visit this place!

• Best known for Elephants – there are around 500 of them.
• Area covered: 30, 821 hectares
• Distance from Colombo: 4 hours’ drive
• Things to do: Visit nearby tree plantations

8. Mannar Island

Mannar Island is part of the Mannar District in Sri Lanka. A causeway links it to the main island of Sri Lanka. The island has an area of about 50 square kilometres, mainly covered with vegetation and sand. This large nature reserve is a significant stop for the international migratory birds.

• Best known for Shorebirds and gulls like Heuglins Gull.
• Area covered: 50 km
• Distance from Colombo: 5 hours’ drive
• Things to do: Mannar is a great site for kite-surfing

9. Kumana National Park

Located on the Southeast coast of Sri Lanka, Kumana National Park is renowned for its avifauna (regional birds), especially the large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds. Black-necked stock, Eurasian spoonbill, pintail snipes, etc are some bird species that you can see here.

• Best known for Birds
• Area covered: 35, 664 hectares

10. Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is a national park with international importance as it is the wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala homes 197 species of birds, especially the greater flamingos that migrate in large flocks. There are also elephants and crocodiles found in small numbers. In 2005, Bundala was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

• Best known for Migratory birds
• Area covered: 3, 339 hectares
• Distance from Colombo: 5 hour drive

Conclusion

Now you know that the land of lions, Sri Lanka, is a massive habitat for many other wildlife species too. The climatic conditions that favors the biodiversity and the country’s efforts to preserve it has together made Sri Lanka, a nature’s paradise. Plan a trip and explore and unfold the wild side of Sri Lanka with your loved ones.

FAQs on Top 10 National Parks in Sri Lanka

Q1. What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka’s national parks for wildlife sightings?

A: With each season offering its own special highlight, Sri Lanka’s national parks our incredible any time of the year for wildlife sightings. The diversity across these parks will offer a wonderful experience for sure that anytime you visit,

Q2. How many National parks are there in Sri Lanka?

A: There are 26 national parks in Sri Lanka. Visitors can go there to see different animals, like elephants, leopards, and colorful birds. It’s like a big playground for nature, and everyone wants to make sure it stays wonderful for a long, long time.

Q3. Are there any entrance fees or permits required to enter Sri Lanka’s national parks?

A: Yes, if you want to visit national parks in Sri Lanka, you might need to pay a small entrance fee or get a permit. This is like a ticket that helps take care of the park and its animals. It’s a bit like paying to see a movie or visit a fun place. The money from these fees helps keep the national parks clean and safe for both the animals and the people who come to see them.