Sri Lanka has great diversity of wildlife and birdlife ranging from elephants and leopards to egg-laying turtles and a huge variety of birds. Sri Lanka is home to over 227 species of birds, over 90 species of mammals and many hundred species of reptiles and amphibians. Most of these species in Sri Lanka have adapted to forest conditions and are therefore at risk from the destruction of their natural habitat. South Asia has four times as many species of birds than in Europe. The animals to be seen in Sri Lanka’s national parks include elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambhur deer, monkeys, wild buffalo, wild boar (pig), porcupine, ant-eater, civet cat, jackal, mongoose, loris, several varieties of lizards, squirrels, reptiles and amphibians. Each park however has its own specialties.
There are many sanctuaries and National Parks at the present day that you can visit in Sri Lanka. Yala is the largest national park. The National Parks of Sri Lanka are managed by the Department of Wild Life and Conservation. National Parks are bit different from Wild Life sanctuaries which allow free movements.
There is no need to book entry in advance and a guide in advance but you need to obtain permission. Usually a guide is provided by the park. But it is always best to plan ahead whether you want to go for a half day or full day safari. During the safari you are not supposed to get out from the vehicle under any circumstances. 4WD Jeeps can often be hired from most of the hotels and safari operators.
National Parks and sanctuaries in Sri Lanka
- Yala National Park
- Udawalawe National Park
- Wasgomuwa National Park
- Maduraoya National Park
- Weerawila national park
- Horton Plains National Park
- Bundala National Park
- Willpattu National Park
- Kumana National Park
- Minneriya National Park
- Giritale National Park
- Habarana National Park
- Lahugala National Park
- Galoya National Park
- Randenigala Santuary
