Are you curious about the top Sri Lanka national parks to visit during your vacation? This post is for those who want to know the answer to that question. So In this post, we are taking you to reveal many unknown facts about the best national parks in Sri Lanka. In this article, we will tell you about the national parks’ specializations, the best time to visit them, the entrance fee, and the activities available. We hope this information will assist you in planning your vacation and ensuring a wonderful experience in Sri Lanka.
Top 7 national parks in Sri Lanka to visit
Wilpattu National Park:
Wilpattu is the largest and oldest national park in Sri Lanka and is located in the northwest province within a 1-hour distance from Anuradhapura city. The specialty of Wilpattu is that many ecosystems such as dry monsoon forests, thickets, mangroves, reefs, wetlands, grasslands, and sandbars can be seen in one place. This park is one of the best places to see leopards and sloth bears in Sri Lanka and besides them, elephants, crocodiles, sambar deer, and various bird species can be seen.
- Best time to visit: March to October
- Major wildlife: leopards, elephants, bears, Samber deer, deer, and bird species
- Vegetation types: Dry mixed evergreen forests, mangrove forests
- Activities: Wildlife Safari, Bird Watching
- Entrance fees: 100 rupees for domestic tourists, 15 dollars for foreign tourists
Minneriya National Park
Minneriya National Park is located near the famous Sigiriya in the Central Province and is known as the best park in Asia to watch hundreds of Asian elephants from one place. During the dry season, hundreds of elephants assemble at the Minneriya Reservoir, and it is known as the “Elephant Gathering.” Tourists may witness this spectacle firsthand by going on a jeep safari. Aside from elephants, Minneriya is home to leopards, bears, deer, and a variety of bird species.
- Best time to visit: June to September
- Major wildlife: elephants, leopards, bears, deer, bird species
- Vegetation types: Dry deciduous forests, grasslands
- Activities: Wildlife Safari, Bird Watching
- Entrance fees: 100 rupees for domestic tourists, 15 dollars for foreign tourists
Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains National Park is located close to Nuwara Eliya in the Central Highlands and is known as a mountain plain forest with a cool climate and beautiful landscape. The place called “World’s End” is the main attraction of the park and besides that, Chimney Falls, and Baker’s Falls have also attracted the attention of tourists.
The park is one of the best national parks in Sri Lanka to see Sambar deer, leopards as well as the purple-faced leaf monkey which is endemic to the country. And also the park is home to many endemic species of plants and animals. Horton Plains is also famous for being one of the few national parks in the world where tourists are allowed to explore by walking.
- Best time to visit: All year round
- Major wildlife: butterflies, Samber deer, Leopards and bird species
- Vegetation types: mountain forests, grasslands
- Activities: Hiking, walking, bird watching
- Entrance fees: 100 rupees for domestic tourists, 15 dollars for foreign tourists
Yala National Park
Yala is the second largest Sri Lanka national park and is located on the southeast coast near the towns of Tissamaharama and Kataragama. Yala has earned a reputation as one of the most popular national parks in Asia and one of the best places in the world to see leopards. Apart from leopards, tourists are allowed to see elephants, bears, deer, crocodiles, and various bird species during the adventurous jeep safari through the rugged terrain of the park.
Best time to visit: March to October
Major wildlife: Leopards, elephants, bears, deer, crocodiles, bird species
Vegetation types: Dry mixed evergreen forests, mangrove forests
Activities: Wildlife Safari, Photography
Entrance fees: 100 rupees for domestic tourists, 15 dollars for foreign tourists
Udawalawa National Park
Udawalawa National Park is located in Sabaragamuwa province within one and a half hours from Ella town. Udawalawa is famous for elephant conservation. A large number of elephants live here and there is also an orphanage dedicated to the conservation of elephants. Udawalawa Udanaya is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for elephant safari and apart from this, leopards, crocodiles, deer, and various species of birds can also be seen here. This is a popular stopover for tourists and the third most tourist-visited park on the island.
Best time to visit: All year round
Major wildlife: elephants, leopards, bears, deer, bird species
Vegetation: grasslands, dry mixed evergreen forests
Activities: Wildlife Safari, Elephant Watching
Entrance fees: 100 rupees for domestic tourists, 15 dollars for foreign tourists
Kumana National Park
Kumana National Park is located in the Eastern Province and is also known as the eastern part of Yala. It is only an hour away from the tourist beach of Arugambay and is the most popular bird sanctuary in Sri Lanka. Tourists can see leopards, bears, and elephants, as well as various migratory birds, by going on a jeep safari in Kumana Park.
Best time to visit: April to September
Major wildlife: elephants, leopards, bears, deer, bird species
Vegetation types: Dry deciduous forests, grasslands
Activities: Wildlife Safari, Bird Watching
Entrance fees: 100 rupees for local tourists, 15 dollars for foreign tourists
Gal Oya National Park
Galoya National Park is located in the Eastern Province and is home to Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir named Senanayaka Reservoir. Senanayake Reservoir has earned the reputation as the best place in the world to see swimming elephants. The Wildlife Department organizes boat tours in the reservoir, which allows tourists to see elephants swimming on the islands in the reservoir during the dry season.
Moreover, Tourists can reserve evening boat tours to see large herds of elephants on the lake grounds. Also, by going on a jeep safari in the park, you can see elephants, leopards, bears, deer, and many different species of birds. Gal Oya National Park is highly recommended for a relaxed jeep safari experience without the hustle and bustle.
Best time to visit: March to October
Major wildlife: elephants, leopards, bears, deer, bird species
Vegetation types: Dry mixed evergreen forests, mangrove forests
Activities: Wildlife Safaris, Boat Rides
Entrance fees: 100 rupees for domestic tourists, 15 dollars for foreign tourists
These seven Sri Lanka national parks are some of the best places to fascinate wildlife lovers. Some of them are not so popular that you have never heard of them, but they offer an unforgettable experience to tourists with beautiful landscapes with high biodiversity. We hope this article has helped you to have a meaningful trip by removing your curiosity to choose the best national parks in Sri Lanka during your trip.