From spotting leopards on treetops to spotting herds of wild elephants quenching their thirst around lakes to enjoying an assortment of flora and fauna amid stunning landscapes of wilderness, Sri Lanka is enriched with an abundance of national parks and wildlife. Guaranteeing you a wild time on the island, safaris in Sri Lanka will take you through diverse landscapes of wetlands, grasslands, thick forests, and even sandy beaches, where you will find yourself enjoying the sights of majestic mammals such as leopards, wild elephants, sloth bears and many more in their natural habitats. All the while capturing the frequent sightings of crocodiles sunbathing, water buffaloes drowning themselves in mud, and Red-dot deers binge eating on grasslands.
With its very own “Big Five”; Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Blue Whales, and Sperm Whales, Sri Lanka is home to about 7,500 wild elephants, 1,000 leopards, 219 resident species of birds, and 34 endemic birds such as Whistling Thrush, Junglefowl, Red-faced Malkoha, and many more.
Speaking of rare species, endangered Red Slender Lorises have found a safe haven in forest patches of Sri Lanka. And, among such rare sightings, you will also commonly spot Sri Lankan primates such as purple-faced leaf monkeys, Toque Macaques, and Grey languors living their best life, especially in Pollonnaruwa.
With 29.9% of the land being forested and recognized as one of the global bio-diverse hot spots, Sri Lanka has 22 conserved national parks on the island. Among which, Yala, Udawalawe, Minneriya, Wilpattu, Kumana, and Wasgamuwa national parks are the go-to for a fulfilling safari experience.
You can begin the safari as early as 6 am to test your luck with “the early bird catches the worm” in spotting wildlife, or enter into the national park as late as 3 pm to spot the wild while enjoying a jungle sunset towards the latter part of the day. Either way, you can be sure to have a memorable adventure, as such wilderness tours are carefully curated to ensure you not only enjoy the big thrills of spotting mammals but also enjoy the jungle tracks of beautiful landscapes with astonishing views to behold.
Wanna go wild in Sri Lanka? Then check out the below options to learn what’s more in store for you.
