Reptilian Paradise

The most untouched park of Sri Lanka of over 64,000 hectares, located in the Eastern sector of the Uva Province, this park is home to evergreen forests, savannas, grasslands, chena and water bodies. Gal Oya was established in 1954 as a catchment site of the Senanayake Samudra Reservoir then handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Department in 1965 and is one of the few areas that houses Sri Lankan indigenous communities.

Species: 32 mammals, 150 birds, 33 reptiles and 15 amphibians

5 hours 40 minutes from Colombo, 181 km

Camping & Safari Season: MAR - SEP

Elephant Corridor Connector

Between Menneriya National Park, Hurulu eco-park, Gal Oya eco-park and Wasgamuwa National Park in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province rests this 6,656-hectare sanctuary complete with dry evergreen forests, grasslands, wetlands and abandoned chena farms. Designated as a national park in 2002 and declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2004, Kaudulla is part of the Elephant corridor.

Species: 24 mammals, 160 birds, 25 reptiles, 26 fish, 25 reptiles, 9 amphibians and a variety of plants

4 hours 20 minutes from Colombo, 210.2 km

Camp & Safari Season: JUL - SEP

Largest Bird Sanctuary

Over 18,149 hectares of plains, lagoons, swamps, beaches, jungles, archeological rocky outcrops, and caves with inscriptions dating back to 1st and 2nd century BC resting within the Southwest coast is Kumana, previously known as East Yala. The land was declared a bird sanctuary in 1938, then a national park in 1969 and then renamed Kumana National Park in 2006. Today the park is known for its unique leopard sightings.

Species: 44 mammals , 255 birds, 46 reptiles, 21 freshwater fish, 18 amphibians and a variety of plants

8 hours 30 minutes from Colombo, 450 km

Camping & Safari Season: APR - SEP

The Great Protector

Declared a national park in 1983 this park was created to protect the catchment areas of five major reservoirs (Maduru Oya, Rathkinda, Ulhitiya, Nuwaragala, and Henanigala). Today this 58,850 hectares of evergreen forests, shrublands, and wetlands is known for large elephant gatherings, ancient ruins, dry-zone forests, the indigenous vedda community and plant biodiversity that supports a vast number of resident and migratory species.

Species:27 mammals, 196 birds, 25 reptiles, 9 amphibians, 26 fish, 33 butterfly and 442 plants

5 hours 40 minutes away from Colombo, 268 km

Camp & Safari Season: MAR - SEP

Elephant Gathering Hub

This diverse ecosystem of 8,889 hectares surrounds the Minneriya Tank in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province complete with low-canopy forests, scrubs, abandoned chenna lands, grasslands, rocky outcrops and wetlands. Minneriya was declared as a sanctuary for wildlife in 1938 and then as a national park in 1997 to protect the tank along with the wildlife that benefit from it. Today the park is a hub for one of Sri Lanka’s largest gathering of Elephants.

Species: 24 mammals, 160 birds, 25 reptiles, 9 amphibians, 26 fish, 75 butterfly species and a variety of plants

4 hours from Colombo, 188.5 km

Camp & Safari Season: JUL - OCT

Pachyderm Sanctuary

Bordering Sri Lanka’s Sabagamuwa and Uva provinces, covering over 30,820 hectares with marshes, the Walawe River, forests and grasslands that allow guests to set up camp in selected locations, including the lakeside. The park was created to shelter animals displaced by the Udawalawe Reservoir’s construction in 1972 and is now a crucial habitat for water birds and the Sri Lankan Elephants.

Species: 43 mammals, 184 birds, 21 fish, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 135 butterflies and 94 plant species

4 hours 30 minutes from Colombo, 165 km

Camp & Safari Season: MAY - SEP

Hunting Grounds To Wildlife Reserve

Originally a game sanctuary in 1907 and then declared a Strict Nature reserve in 1938 as a refuge for displaced wildlife during the Mahaweli Development project in 1984, Wasgamuwa is a 37,062-hectare reserve located in the Polonnaruwa District boasting tropical dry-mixed evergreen forests, grasslands, riverine forests and rivers. 

Species: 23 mammals, 143 birds, 17 reptiles, 17 fish, 15 amphibians and 150 plants

5 hours away from Colombo, 237 km

Camp & Safari Season: NOV - MAY

Abundant Water Body Ecosystem

Known as the ‘Land of lakes’ and declared a Ramsar site in 2013, Wilpattu is a 131,693-hectare wetland ecosystem located on the Northwest coast of Sri Lanka with comparatively denser forests, thorny scrubs, open plains, dunes, and over 106 lakes. The park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1905, then a national park in 1938 and is renowned as one of the largest and oldest Sri Lankan national parks.

Species: 41 mammals, 149 birds, 56 reptiles, 17 amphibians, 29 fish, 86 butterflies and 623 plants

4 hours 30 minutes from Colombo, 205 km

Camp & Safari Season: MAY - SEP, Early OCT

Leopard & Wildlife Diversity

A protected nature reserve of over 130,000 hectares in Sri Lanka’s Southeast area, complete with light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks and lagoons divided into 5 blocks, with 2 publicly accessible blocks. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and was elevated to a national park in 1938.

Species: 44 mammals, 215 birds, 46 reptiles, 21 amphibians, 21 fish and 300 plants

5 hours from Colombo, 305 km

Camp & Safari Season: MAY- AUG