Sri Lanka is home to a variety of species which include elephants, leopards and majestic peacocks. Camp on safaris and let the adventure begin.
Wilpattu National Park
No wildlife excursion can be truly experienced unless you go on safari and Wilpattu National Park is no stranger to expeditions thus far and you can be sure that leopards will almost always make a grand entrance here. Jungle fowl scurrying along, peacocks on parade, a herd of spotted deer here and there, glimpses of barking deer… Crocodiles sunbathing, flycatchers catching flies and other insects, star tortoises and breathtakingly large monitor lizards, that keep you wondering what on earth they’ve been feeding on to get so big; elephants, make up only a few of the residents of Wilpattu. Located in the Northwest coast of the island, Wilpattu National Park is a wonder in its dry zone habitat for animal and plant life. The Park is easily accessible from Anuradhapura if travelling through the north central regions or from Puttalam on the western coast. February and October and considered the best months to visit.
Puttalam
Yala National Park
Wild yet powerfully majestic, Yala National Park is leopard country and is believed to have the highest concentration of these apex predators on earth. If the thrill of a safari through the rugged, unmerciful bush sounds elephant enough, then here’s the call of the wild with its truest dose of candour. Moving on to the other love of the wilderness, the Asian elephant – a presence of sheer valour –amongst species of indigenous and migratory birds, ingeniously solitary reptiles, the crocodiles of course steal the show, and endemic plant life, are only a sneak peek into what’s in store. Alongside pockets of thick shrub there are expanses of barren terrain, and just beyond beckons the rush of the Indian Ocean. Yala National Park teems with as much fauna as there is flora, set within a land extent of over 370 square miles. With two separate main entrance gates, Katagamuwa and Palatupana, the Park is easily accessible from 6am to 6pm from the city of Kataragama. The Park is closed from September to mid October every year.
Tissamaharama
Kumana National Park
Kumana is well known for its wildlife and more so for its migratory and indigenous bird population. Sightings of changeable hawk eagles, painted and rare black necked storks, egrets, godwits, ibis and many more are possible by the many lagoons, and reflected in eyes of curious, wandering jackals. While on safari, watch out for the elephants, spotted, and sambhur deer. They too are quite active around watering holes like the Kumana Villu swamp, and in pockets of lush foliage. Kumana is situated in the eastern district of Ampara and is 12km south of Arugam Bay. There is a turn off just before the town of Panama, which leads to the National Park.
Hambantota
Bundala National Park
Home to scrub jungle, wetlands, lagoons, salt pans, sand dunes and a long stretch of coast, Bundala National Park’s terrain is blessed with many faces of landscape in unison with unlimited yet protected fauna. Known for its incredible spectacles of migratory birds, the Park is a great friend to bird enthusiasts from the world over. While glimpses of elephants are not as common as the crocodiles (estuarine as well as saltwater), much anticipated are sightings of deer, langurs, the tusky (not to mention a tad touchy) wild boar, and even the spotted fishing cat. Although Bundala National Park is a fairly small area of sanctuary, nearly 30 square miles, its diversity of species is rich and therefore can be a quick safari trip if you want to make the most of the island’s wilderness in a short space of time. Bundala is accessible via many coastal cities: Hambantota, Galle, Matara and also through routes from southwestern regions: Ratnapura, Pelmadulla and Embilipitiya. Opportunities to visit the Park span throughout the year, with December being the month for bird watching expeditions.
Hambantota
Minneriya National Park
With just over 30 square miles, Minneriya National Park is a thrill-packed alternative to the more vast expanses of other wildlife sanctuaries. Made of grasslands, thick scrub, and the wildlife that roam their particular territory, the Park is fed by its giant reservoir which is also its life-blood, especially in the dry months of June through September, which are the best times to visit. A diversity of animals roams within the vicinity of the reservoir, as food and water grow scarce elsewhere in the Park. A must see spectacle is ‘The Gathering’ where countless herds of elephants congregate near the Minneriya reservoir. This is believed to be the highest number of elephants in one place, which is why it is a sight that is not to be missed. The Gathering is also known as the sixth greatest wildlife spectacle in the world and takes place between July and October. Also deer, toque monkeys, and even the occasional leopard, are part of the sightings at Minneriya National Park. Migratory and indigenous birds are usually seen making good use of the environment.
Polonnaruwa
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