National Parks

Sri Lanka is lucky enough to boasts its own big five – blue whale, sperm whale, leopard, elephant and sloth bear. See the largest mammal on land and in sea within just a few hours of each other. For a slice of safari adventure en route to the sunny south coast, take a 4x4 through Jungle Book-esque Udawalawe National Park, centred around a huge reservoir with herds of Asian elephants.

Further north, a stone’s throw from Sigiriya, explore the forest and wetlands of Minneriya National Park, home to elephants, flocks of bird life, macaques, sambar deer, buffalo, crocodiles and the occasionally-spotted leopard.

On the south-east coast, the ever popular Yala National Park is best visited from January to August. Stretching across 1,200sq km, the park provides a wonderful opportunity to see crocodiles, Asian elephant, jackals, over 400 bird species and, if luck is on your side, the elusive leopard.