6 Best Places to Spot Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, thanks to its incredible biodiversity and a huge range of exemplary national parks. And, as there are two distinct monsoon seasons which affect the east and west sides of the country at different times of the year, Sri Lanka is a fantastic wildlife destination year-round. There is always somewhere where it’s dry, so animals will be easy to find around waterholes.

From mass gatherings of elephants at Minneriya, elusive leopards at Yala and whales off the coast at Mirissa, here are 6 of the best places to see wildlife in Sri Lanka.

Admire elephants at Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe is often cited as Sri Lanka’s best national park. With a landscape of low forest and grassland, animals are easy to spot, making it a fantastic place to see wildlife. This is especially true of elephants, as 600 to 700 individuals live inside the park boundaries, and are often seen in herds of up to 100.

And while witnessing large herds of elephants is perhaps the main appeal of Udawalawe, you’re also likely to see a variety of other animals, such as sambar deer, buffalo, crocodiles, parrots, eagles and peafowl. Leopards also reside in the national park, although you’d be very lucky to spot one.

Search for leopards at Yala National Park

Yala National Park is, without doubt, the most famous and most popular of Sri Lanka’s wildlife reserves, thanks to the high number of resident leopards and close proximity to the beaches in the south. It’s home to the world’s highest concentration of leopards — it’s estimated that 100 – 125 individuals reside in Yala, although sightings of this elusive cat are not guaranteed.

Within Yala’s huge expanse of open parkland, dense jungle, flooded lagoons and coastal sand dunes, expect to see sambar and spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles, langur monkeys, jackals and sloth bears. You’ll also see a wide range of birds, including bee-eaters, peafowl and painted storks.

Go birdwatching at Bundala National Park

Situated on the southern coastline of Sri Lanka, Bundala National Park is an extraordinary piece of wildland, comprising shallow lagoons, scrub jungle, salt pans, sand dunes and wetlands. This varied habitat allows for a rich diversity of birdlife — in fact, Bundala is well-known for its incredible spectacles of migratory birds.

The pink greater flamingo is one of the park’s most famous visitors, and huge flocks migrate to Bundala from Northern India. Other birds that can be seen here include the bee-eater, pelican, ibis, painted stork, spoonbill and peafowl. You’re also likely to spot creatures such as grey langur monkeys, crocodiles and wild boars on a visit to this beautiful national park.

Witness the elephant “gathering” at Minneriya National Park

Minneriya may be one of the smallest national parks in Sri Lanka at just over 300 square miles, but it’s still one of the country’s most famous reserves. The landscape is made up of grasslands, thick scrub, dry tropical forests and wetlands, providing habitat to sambar deer, purple-faced langur, macaque monkeys, sloth bears and a small number of leopards.

But what really makes Minneriya one of the best wildlife spots in Sri Lanka is “The Gathering.” During the dry season, over 300 elephants congregate at the park’s man-made reservoir to drink water and graze on the fresh green shoots that spring during this time. This spectacle is the largest meeting of Asian elephants in the world.

Go whale watching off the coast at Mirissa

Mirissa is a small but popular beach town on Sri Lanka’s south coast. It’s a beautiful destination in its own right but is also the number one place to go whale watching in the country. Peak whale watching season is from November to April, as the ocean is calm and whales migrate during this time. You’re likely to see blue, bride, sperm or killer whales, as well as a variety of dolphins.

Please be mindful when choosing a whale-watching tour in Mirissa. Many operators are known for being irresponsible, such as overcrowding or chasing whales. Do your research and choose an operator that is known for being ethical and that puts the welfare of marine animals first. Whale Watching Club is one of the most well-known, responsible operators.

Go hiking in Horton Plains National Park

Up in Sri Lanka’s cool central highlands, Horton Plains is a strikingly beautiful highland plateau made up of cloud forest and lush montane grassland. It’s an excellent place to go hiking, thanks to both the epic scenery and the large variety of wildlife-spotting opportunities. You’re likely to see lots of grazing sambar deer, who live in large herds on the plains.

While elephants disappeared from this region back in the 1940s, the Horton Plains are home to animals such as giant squirrels, wild boars, rusty-spotted cats, purple-faced langurs, rhino-horned lizards and the rarely seen black-lipped green lizard. Birdwatchers will also be rewarded, as hawk-eagles, fan-tailed warblers, Ceylon white-eyed arrenga and more can be seen here.

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