Best 11 National Parks in Sri Lanka
Though mother Sri Lanka is a small island, it has all the necessary attractions in its womb. Anyone who travels from north to south or west to east of Sri Lanka can experience the quick variations in the climate. We have to say that it is God’s Gift.
It is a great way of thinking and feeling away from typical beaches, hills, hotels, and other attractions. Wildlife is a must to experience in our lives. Because we are going to explore nature. Being wild is a wonderful feeling.
But the wild is our friend when it comes to Sri Lankan National Parks. These places welcome us with pure love.
There are no human imprints other than Elephants, Leopard, Birds, Reptiles, and Mammals. Anyone who visits Sri Lankan National Parks will experience busy and crowded parks. But there are some parks which are so calm and quiet.
Here are our best picks of Sri Lanka’s best National Parks for our nature lovers.
Uda Walawe National Park – 100% Chance of Spotting Elephants
Uda Walawe National Park in Sri Lanka’s sixth-largest. This park is located in Sri Lanka’s southern region. Elephants can be seen in this park by everyone who goes. Because this park is home to more than 700 elephants.
In most circumstances, a herd of elephants can have up to 100 individuals. The best times to visit UdaWalawe National Park are early in the morning and late in the evening. Leopards are difficult to spot in this park. Big cats, on the other hand, can be found at UdaWalawe.
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Kumana National Park – Less Crowded National Park
When you are planning for a less crowded wildlife experience, Kumana will be the best choice. There is a 200-hectare mangrove called “Kumana Villu”.
Kumana National Park is home to a variety of threatened wetland species, including three turtle species: the Green Turtle, the Loggerhead Turtle, and the Olive Ridley Turtle.
The internationally fragile Mugger Crocodile is one of the other threatened reptile species. Mugger Crocodiles, Indian Flap-shelled Turtles, and Indian Black Turtles are the most commonly seen reptiles in Kumana National Park.
Rocky meditation caves and stupas with ancient inscriptions and statues. Also, you can admire the massive reclining nine-meter Buddha from the 9th century.
Elephants are the main attraction at Kumana National Park. This park is not lacking in surprising bird lovers. You can spot more than 100 bird species at the park.
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Wasgamuwa National Park – Wild with unpredictable nature elements
You can enter Wasgamuwa National Park at Handungamuwa in the Polonnaruwa district. Elephants, leopards, bears, mammals, and wild boars are residing at this park. And also you can find buffaloes, sambar, and spotted deers.
This park is extremely quiet. This is a great chance to speak with the wild. There is a volunteer program at this park, where you can help wildlife conservation.
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Bundala National Park – Best for Aquatic Life
Bundala is all about aquatic spots. Flamingos, crocodiles, and turtles are the best attractions at this park. You will definitely keep your fingers on your face once you encounter thousands of flamingos in one place.
When it comes to elephants at Bundala it’s in small numbers ranging from 25 to 60 based on seasons.
Turtles are the most incredible thing at Bundala. From October to January, Sri Lanka’s five marine turtle species will lay eggs on the coastal area of Bundala. From April to June is the best time to go on a night safari to Bundala to watch the hatchlings struggling back to sea.
Yala National Park – For Leopard lovers
Yala is the famous National Park in Sri Lanka. Yala Safari is one of the most uttered words among tourists. This place holds a special place for big mammal sightings in the Asian region. There is no doubt that Yala does not fail to attract tourists towards its wonderful sighting.
Spotting Sri Lankan leopards is one of the toughest parts to be done. But it will go easier when you get a well-experienced safari rider.
At Yala, there are six blocks to be explored. If you can spend the whole day on safari you can experience the wild beauty with wild silence. But many tourists don’t try that. They return back after seeing the first block.
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Lahugala Kitulana National Park – Best for Bird Watching
This park is the smallest national park in Sri Lanka. Which is an important habitat for Sri Lankan elephants and birds. Satinwood, rosewood, and paly trees are the popular trees found at this park. Among these, you can enjoy watching the elephants and buffaloes having a peaceful bath in the water.
Neelagiri Stupa from the 2nd century is another value-added to this park. Also, you can find a 2000-year-old temple complex called Magul Maha Vihara. When you are in the east part of Sri Lanka, don’t forget to visit Lahugala Kitulana National Park.
Horton Plains National Park – Freeze yourself for a moment
You will not only be amazed by the glory of Hortain Plains, but also by the magical beauty of the route that leads to the destination. This place is elevated around 2000m above sea level. You can also find the world’s end at this National Park.
Bakers Falls will astonish you with its combination of dark rock and fresh cool water. This place will blow the mind of hiking lovers. You can walk in this park as much as you want.
The Horton Plains, its landscapes, forests, and the nearby Peak Wilderness make up Sri Lanka’s most important catchment basin for nearly all major rivers.
The plains are particularly notable for their scenic beauty and conservation value, as they hold the majority of the country’s wet and montane zones’ habitats and rare flora and animals.
Horton Plains has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can find different types of ecosystems like Montane evergreen forests, grasslands, marshlands, and aquatic ecosystems.
Maduru Oya National Park – Historic Park
You can explore this park in the Eastern and Uva provinces. This park is the least visited area. You can find a reservoir full of fish in it. Due to this most of the water birds are attracted to this reservoir.
Maduru Oya was once a hunting site for the Veddahs. They are Sri Lanka’s endangered indigenous people.
The Veddah village of Henanigala, on the park’s western side, features a stupa dating from the Anuradhapura Kingdom, set in the shade of a beautiful rock. The remains of a 1400-year-old dam can be seen at the northern end of the park’s massive wewa which is a man-made one.
Gal Oya National Park – For Boat Riders
You would have experienced many Jeep Safaris at the National Parks. But In Gal Oya, you can enjoy Boat Safaris. This boat will lead you towards “Bird Island”.
During the period of March to July, the elephant herds of Gal Oya National Park will swim from one island to another island. This will be the best time to visit this place. Not only elephants you can also encounter crocodiles, turtles, and swimming elephants.
Another wonderful thing to be done is being guided to the forest by the local Veddah community. Gal Oya National Park will admire you for being wary of humans but not with leopard encounters.
Angammedilla National Park – For Camping Lovers
The dense forest of the Angammedilla National Park allows you for overnight camping. In this forest, you can find the large Parakrama Samudra (reservoir) which is an 800-year-old one.
When you feel you want to combine both history and wilderness, Angammedilla National Park will be the best choice for it.
Minneriya National Park – Asia’s finest Wildlife Experience
Elephant migration is an incredible event at Minneriya National Park. You can experience Asia’s best wildlife at Minneriya. This National Park is the best place to witness the world’s largest and most recurring Asian elephant gathering.
With that, you can spot leopards, sloth bears, and endemic monkey species at this park. There are nearly more than 170 species of birds encountered at Minneriya. Also, this park is popular for red-lipped lizards.
Because the park is located in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, it is simple to combine culture and wildlife into one great itinerary.
If you want to visit above national parks in Sri Lanka in a private vehicle, contact Sri Lanka driver guide to hire a Sri Lanka driver.
Editorial Staff is at Sri Lanka Driver Guides are Sri Lanka travel experts.
