The Best National Parks in Sri Lanka for a Safari

National Parks in Sri Lanka

There are over 20 national parks in Sri Lanka, with various landscapes, from open plains, beautiful lakes, bushland, grasslands, and even beaches! Where you go on safari is totally dependant on your personal preference. For example, are you keen to spot the elusive leopard, or do you prefer to see herds of elephants? This will be a factor in deciding which national park to choose from. 

Best Time to go on Safari

There are two monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka: The northeast monsoon season which takes place from October to January and the southwest monsoon season which takes place from May to July. It’s best to avoid these times, as animals will take shelter and be harder to spot during the heavy rains. The dry seasons are an excellent time to visit national parks in Sri Lanka, as the animals come out of cover to search for water. 

Morning or afternoon Safari in Sri Lanka?

Factor in the time of day you go on safari. This is best done in the morning, or in the evening, as in the midday sun, the animals will also take shelter. Going in the morning or the evening also means you have the opportunity to see a beautiful sunrise/sunset over the magical landscapes of Sri Lanka.

Where to spot Sri Lankan wildlife?

Yala National Park in Sri Lanka

Yala is the most popular national park in Sri Lanka, and for good reason! It is famous for its high leopard population (40-50 within Yala), which is actually the highest leopard density in the world! Despite this, it’s not guaranteed to see a leopard, as they are very elusive. However, your chances of a leopard sighting are much higher at Yala than in any of the other parks in Sri Lanka. 

The lagoons, bushlands, and grasslands also make it a breeding ground for tonnes of other wildlife, including herds of beautiful elephants and the unique sloth bear! 

Downsides: Because of Yala’s popularity, it can be very crowded. The park is doing its very best to preserve nature and wildlife, so only a few parts of the area are open to the public. Please act responsibly and do your best to be a sustainable traveler at all times.

Yala Summary

• Location: On the southeast coast of Sri Lanka.
• Season: February to September (dry season). The best time to see leopards is between February to March. *Note: The park closes during the month of September.
• Animals: Best for seeing leopards. There are also 44 varieties of mammals and 215 species of birds.
• Price: $65 USD for a guided tour (entry to the park, jeep, and guide). For a private tour, you could pay upwards of $100 USD. The price is higher than in other parks in Sri Lanka because of the higher chance of seeing leopards. Book your tour to Yala in advance here.
• Where to stay:  Stay in a jungle chalet at Cinnamon Wild! This was an awesome experience that allowed us to get up close and personal with nature. You can even dine under the stars in the back of a jeep right next to crocodiles in the water.

Udawalawe

Udawalawe is Yala’s slightly lesser-known neighbor. Although it is less popular, it is still an amazing place to see animals because of its small size and open views. It is particularly good for seeing elephants as there are approximately 400-500 in the park, which is an incredibly high density in such a small area! It is also excellent for birdwatching too; thought to be one of the best birdwatching sites in the whole country!

For a personal encounter with elephants, Udawalawe is the best national park in Sri Lanka! This is because the elephants here are quite confident and can get very close to vehicles. The other plus of Udawalawe is that the park is mainly open grassland (not many trees or bushes). Because of this, it is much easier to spot the animals and see beautiful views across the plains of Sri Lanka. 

Downsides: It’s difficult to see leopards (there is about half the number of leopards that Yala has), and outside of the excellent bird and elephant watching, there aren’t many other animals to see. 

Udawalawe Summary

• Location: Just inland, to the west of Yala, surrounding the huge Udawalawe reservoir.
• Season: Feb to October (dry season). If you’re visiting to see migratory birds, then visit between October and April. October to January is the best time to see baby elephants during the rainy season.
• Animals: Best for elephants and bird watching.
• Price: From 35 USD for a shared jeep to 75 USD for a private tour. Book your private tour to Udawalawe here.
• Where to stay: The park is only 1.5 hour’s drive from Dikwella, a beautiful coastal town in the south of Sri Lanka. Stay at Verse Collective: a trendy collaborative space, popular with digital nomads.

Minerriya

Minnerriya is most famous for the spectacular ‘elephant gathering’. During September/October, the lake dries out, and the elephants gather together around the lake and feed on the grassland. Seeing hundreds of elephants all congregated together in one area is one of the most breathtaking experiences. The lake also attracts an amazing array of birdlife, so it’s excellent for bird lovers too.

Downsides: Apart from elephants and birdlife, visitors are unlikely to see the variety of wildlife you would see in other national parks in Sri Lanka.

Minerriya Summary

• Location: North/Central Sri Lanka. Best to visit from Sigiriya.
• Season: July to October (dry season). Visit in September/October to see the great elephant gathering.
• Animals: Best for elephants. However, it is also possible to see two unique species of monkey, the Purple Faced Langur, and Toque Macaque.
• Price: Varies. However, it’s usually around 40-60 USD for a private tour, including pick up, drop off, and entrance fee. See availability for a jeep safari here.
• Where to stay: The park is only 30 mins from Sigiriya. Because of this, it’s best to combine a visit to the park with a visit to Lion’s Rock.

Kaudulla

Although Minerriya is much more popular, Kaudulla sits right next door and has amazing wildlife too. Because the elephants move around between the areas, it is also possible to witness large herds of elephants here.

Because the park isn’t as big or as popular as some others, there are not too many jeeps around, which makes it a much more peaceful experience. It’s even been known, in rare cases, for tourists to spot a leopard!

Downsides: Not a huge variety of animals aside from elephants.

Kaudulla Summary

• Location:  Between Dambulla and Trincomalee. It’s possible to make a day trip from either place, but Dambulla is a bit closer.
• Season: July to October. The elephant gathering takes place during the months of September/October.
• Animals: Best for elephants (gathering). It’s also possible to see peacocks, bears, and crocodiles.
• Price: Approximately 40-60 USD per person for a private safari. See tickets and availability for a Kaudulla safari.
• Where to stay: Find the best hotels in Dambulla.

Wilpattu 

Wilpattu is the hidden gem of all the national parks in Sri Lanka, famous for sightings of the reclusive sloth bear. It was the first national park created in the country (along with Yala) in 1938 and is the largest national park in Sri Lanka. Although it is relatively unknown, the park is teeming with wildlife, with leopard sightings a close second behind Yala. 

It perhaps even exceeds Yala in terms of its incredible beauty and peaceful nature. You won’t see many other jeeps here, so it’s easy to feel as if you’re the only one in the park! It also has the best infrastructure, so if you want a more comfortable Jeep ride, then Wilpattu is definitely your best option.

Downsides: Not as many elephants as in some of the other national parks.

Wilpattu Summary

• Location: Northwest of Sri Lanka, close to Anuradhapura
• Season: Feb to October (dry season) or in the summer months May-July, when the sloth bears come out to find fruits on the trees.
• Animals: Best for sightings of the sloth bear.
• Price: 30-40 USD for a half-day,  80-100 USD for a full day. See tickets and availability for a private tour of Wilpattu.
• Where to stay: See all hotels in Anuradhapura. 

Which National Park in Sri Lanka is the Best?

Verdict: Wilpattu! The beauty of this park is absolutely breathtaking, made even more special by being relatively unknown and, therefore, peaceful. Because it’s so quiet, it is an excellent place to spot wildlife, and there is a high chance of seeing a multitude of wild animals. The price is reasonable considering all these factors, and with similar chances of seeing leopards as Yala, it is a great deal!

Things to Remember for Your Safari

• Non-bright clothing that is loose and comfortable. Bring layers in case the weather changes
• Shoes you don’t mind getting dirty because you might get out of the vehicle
• Hat
• Bug spray
• Suncream
• Binoculars
• Camera + zoom lens

Sri Lanka Visa

In order to visit Sri Lanka, you must purchase an electronic visa online (ETA) before traveling.