Wildlife Parks and Nature Reserves of Sri Lanka

Yala National Park / Ruhuna National Park

The second largest of Sri Lanka's national parks, Yala is located 309 km southeast of Colombo. Spanning an area of 1259 sq km its terrain varies from flat plains and rocky areas. The vegetation too is diverse from shrubs and thickets to dense jungle. An abundance of water in the form of rivers, Lagoons, waterholes enable the animals to stay at the park and not migrate to other areas. The park is divided into Yala west (Ruhuna) and Yala east.

Yala west is famed for its leopard population numbering 35 and considered to be one of best places in the world to observe and photograph leopard. In addition to the leopards, the park is also home to a large number of elephants who can be seen bathing and cooling off at the park's numerous lakes. Other animals you might expect to see are the sloth bear, barking deer, spotted deer, wild boar, yala crocodiles (marsh and estuarine) , peacock, mongoose jackal, and Sambur.

It is possible to do day trips inside the park but on average at least two days are required to visit all areas of the park and catch a glimpse of the elusive leopard.

There has also been recorded over 100 species of birds at Yala. These include the Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Stone Curlew, Greater Thick-knee, Black-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha, Green Bee-eater, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Blue-faced Malkoha, Green Bee-eater Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Brahminya Myna and Rose-colored Starling.

Adjoining Yala is the Kumana Mangrove Swamp which is home to a large variety of water birds some resident and some migratory.

Yala East National Park can be entered at Okanda, 25 km down the coast track south of Arugam Bay via the small town of Panama. Going to Yala East was not always possible as it was officially closed during the war. However it is now open and can be accessed from Panama.

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Uda Walawe National Park

Uda Walawe National Park lies within the Moneragala and the Ratnapura Districts and can be accessed from the Ratnapura - Ella road. Approx 170km from Colombo and covering an area of 30,821 hectares this park lies in the Dry Zone. The parks vegetation is mostly grassland and many valuable trees primarily teak. The park is home to a large number of elephants and other animals one might find here are the spotted deer, water buffaloes, Sambur, wild boars, Crocodiles, Grey Langur to name a few.

Bird life includes Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Wooly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Shikrs, Sirkeer Malkoha, and Blue-faced Malkoha.

Day safaris are possible at Uda Walawe and there is a lovely place for a break by the river. In the middle of the park you would find the Uda Walawe Reservoir. As is the case at Yala this park too closes at 6.30pm giving the visitor a chance to catch a glimpse of nocturnal activity in the park.

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Wilpattu National Park

The largest of Sri Lanka's national parks Wilpattu was recently reopened after it was closed to the public in 1985 due to security concerns. Wilpattu is located approx 176 km north of Colombo along the Puttalam - Anuradhapura road.

Spanning 1908 sq km this reserve is mostly dense jungle which means it more exciting to track animals. The park is home to Leopard, Sloth Bear, Elephant, Deer and other small animals, but is famous for its leopard and sloth bear.

Since the park was closed for such a long time the pathways are only accessible by 4WD and camping inside the park is allowed with special permission.

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Gal Oya National Park

Covering approx 260 sq km, Gal Oya National Park is situated 314km from Colombo in the Inginiyagala District. Gal Oya Park is surrounded by the Senanayake Samudra largest tank in Sri Lanka.

Most animals in this park are migratory so the best time to visit the park is between the months of March and July. The park is reputed for its elephant population and in season one can witness herds as large as 150.

Gal Oya Park can be seen by Jeep Safari or by taking a boat trip around the lake; the latter option allows one to see wildlife up close without disturbing the animals.

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Wasgamuwa National Park

Bordered by the Amban and the Mahaweli Rivers on the western and eastern boundaries Wasgamuwa National Park Lies 200km away from Colombo within the Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts.

Vegetation is largely primary and secondary forests with intermittent scrub lands and grasslands. Animals that call Wasgamuwa home include elephants, wild buffaloes, spotted deer, leopards, sloth bears, water monitors and crocodiles.

There are also over 100 species of bird and several species of reptiles and amphibians including the endangered skink.

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Horton Plains National Park

The Horton Plains National Park is the only national park situated in the hill country and falls within the Nuwara Eliya district and is 200 km away from Colombo. It consists of grasslands interspersed with areas of forest and some unusual vegetation that grows only in high altitudes. From here rise Sri Lanka's second and third highest mountains.

The plains afford some excellent, silent walks. The most amazing feature is the 'Horton Plains is the 'World's End' or 'lovers leap' where the southern part of the plains comes to a sudden end and drops almost straight down for 700 m.

Dawn is the ideal time to view this site. The mountains are free of mist and the sun is just rising. The dense forests are home to deer, jackal, the shaggy bear-monkey and Sambur, a member of the cat family and the occasional leopard among these there are some endemic avifauna also found within this park.

The plains are also popular with bird watchers. Birds include Ceylon Jungle Fowl, Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Orange-billed Babbler, Ceylon Blue Magpie, Ceylon Hill Myna, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Pied Bush-Chat, Grey Tit and Ceylon Whistling Thrush.

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Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is the latest addition to national parks and is situated 260 km away from Colombo with 62 sq km in extent. Comprising of scrub jungle and bordering the sea, the park stretches along the coast east of Hambantota.

The beach is an important nesting site for turtles. Between October and January, four of Sri Lanka's five species of marine turtles come to lay their eggs. Wildlife living in the park includes Elephants, Spotted Deer, Grey Langur, Jackal, Water Monitor, Crocodiles, the Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green turtles.

Among all the 150 species of water birds resident here are the Flamingo, Brown-cappedBabbler, Ceylon Jungle Fowl, Cattle Egret, Median Egret, Large Egret, Open bill, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Black-winged Stilt, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, etc. Migrant birds include Asiatic Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lesser Sand, Large Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, Marsh Sandpiper, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, etc.

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Sinharaja Rain Forest

Sinharaja forest reserve is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rainforest in Sri Lanka. This forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares from east to west. The length of the forest is about 21km and width from North to South is about 3.7km.

It was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978,as representative of tropical humid evergreen forest Eco system in Sri Lanka and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of it’s International Network of Biosphere reserves.

It was declared a National wilderness area in 1988 and lately a world heritage site in 1989.It is situated in the southwest lowland wet zone of the country in the districts of Ratnapura, Galle and Matara. The average annual temperature of Sinharaja is 23.6 C.

Annual rainfall is more than 2500mm.The rain fall is well distributed during two monsoons, May to July and October to December.

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