WILDLIFE
Wildlife Encounters: Sri Lanka's Incredible National Parks
For a small island, Sri Lanka packs an astonishing amount of wildlife into a remarkable diversity of habitats — from the arid scrublands of the south to the montane cloud forests of the Knuckles Range, from the mangrove lagoons of the east coast to the deep-water marine canyons off the southern tip.
Yala: The Leopard Kingdom
No wildlife experience in Sri Lanka matches the drama of a Yala National Park safari at dawn. The park’s Block 1 — a compact 140-square-kilometre section — supports the world’s highest density of wild leopards: an estimated 35 individuals. These cats are unusually habituated to safari vehicles, meaning sightings are often extended, intimate, and of a quality impossible in most African reserves.
Minneriya: The Gathering
Between August and October each year, the ancient Minneriya Tank becomes the setting for one of nature’s great spectacles — ‘The Gathering’, in which up to 300 wild Asian elephants converge on the shores of the receding reservoir. One of the largest gatherings of wild Asian elephants in the world.
Udawalawe: The Elephant Sanctuary
For guaranteed, close-range elephant encounters, Udawalawe National Park is exceptional. Herds of fifty or more elephants are regularly encountered at close range. Chital deer, water buffalo, crocodiles, jackals, and a remarkable diversity of birds complete an outstanding wildlife experience.