Sanctuaries in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is considered as one of the best countries to visit.  Tourism in Sri Lanka is growing rapidly and it has become a popular island of attraction for travelers from foreign countries. Sri Lanka has many beautiful places to visit. The unique cultures, traditions, and environmental beauty play a huge role in attracting visitors.

When considering the environmental beauty, Sri Lanka wildlife and sanctuaries are there to provide you the opportunity to watch many animals closer. Although the country is small in size, there are a variety of habitats and wildlife there. There are sanctuaries in Sri Lanka where the visitors are allowed to have visiting and safari trips without any harm to the animals.

Here is the list of some of the most popular sanctuaries in Sri Lanka along with some places to accommodate to enhance your wildlife experience.

1. Yala National Park

The second-largest and most popular national park in Sri Lanka is Yala National Park. It is located in Southern Province and Uva Province in the southeast of the country. The park is roughly 300 kilometers (190 miles) from Colombo and has a total area of 979 square kilometers. Yala national park is made up of five blocks, two of which are currently accessible to the general public, as well as adjoining parks. Each of the blocks is given a unique name, such as Ruhuna National Park (block 1) and Kumana National Park, or “Yala East” for the nearby area. It is one of Sri Lanka’s first two national parks, along with Wilpattu.  This sanctuary is well known for the variety of wild animals in the park and mainly it is directly contributed to the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants leopards and aquatic birds.

Places that provide accommodation near Yala National Park

• Jetwing Yala
• Uga Chena Huts
• Yala Safari Camping
• Wild Coast Tented Lodge

2. Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in Sri Lanka.  It is situated in the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. The park is 131, 693 hectares in size and has an approximate range of 0 to 152 meters above sea level. This is home to many species of fauna and flora

The presence of “Willus” (Natural lakes), which are sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that naturally fill with rains, is what makes this park more unique.

Because of its presence of leopards, and sloth bears, Wilpattu is one of the top national parks in the world. Moreover, you can spot many other animal species including Asian Elephants, water buffalo, Sambar deer, crocodiles, jackals, spotted dear, and many more. As well, this place is like heaven for the people who like to watch birds.

Places that provide accommodation near Wilpattu National Park

• Wildhideaway Wilpattu
• Wilpattu Corridor Leisure
• Ceylon Resort
• Green Sapphire Holiday Resort Wilpaththu

3. Bundala National Park

Per the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Bundala National Park is the first wetland in Sri Lanka to be declared a Ramsar site. This is situated 250 kilometers south of Colombo in the Hambantota district and covers an area of 6216 hectares. It is well-known for its diverse biodiversity. It is popular among birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts due to its 197 different bird species and 32 distinct animal species. The park is an amazing combination of scrubs, lagoons, and sand dunes. This is best for watching a wide range of birds with their routines around the four lagoons. You can get the best experience in the time of September to March. The migratory period of the flamingos is between that period and you can have a nice experience in wildlife. Moreover, other species that can be seen in Bundala include a small herd of elephants, wild boar, sambar, spotted deer, and grey langur monkeys.

Places that provide accommodation near Bundala National Park

• The Oasis Ayurveda Beach Resort
• DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort
• Flameback Eco Lodge
• Saraii Village

4. Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is situated in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area receives 1,500–2,000 millimeters of rain on average per year and is located in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. During the dry season, a significant amount of Sri Lankan elephants are attracted to the grasslands around the reservoir’s edge. The Minneriya tank helps to sustain large herds of animals. The park is Home to toque macaques, crocodiles, elephants and sambar deer. The number of elephants present here ranges between 150 and 200 according to the estimations. Many tourists like to visit this Minneriya National park because of the elephants, especially in the dry season from May to September.

Places that provide accommodation near Minneriya National Park

• Sigiri Asna Nature Resort
• The Otunna Guest House Sigiriya
• Chena Huts Eco Resort
• Shady mango villa

5. Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is situated on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, in Sri Lanka. It has a total land size of 30,821 hectares. Before the area was designated as a national park, shifting cultivation was done there (chena farming). Once the national park was established, the farmers gradually removed from there. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants too. it is a well-known vacation destination for tourists and the third-most visited park in the country. The Sri Lankan elephant, which is very difficult to see in its open environment lives here and makes its habitats there. It is believed that there lives a herd of 250 elephants. Crocodiles, foxes, 30 different types of snakes, spotted and sambar deer, hundreds of buffalo, and a few leopards also exist in Udawalawe.

There are three campsites and four bungalows along the reservoir and the Walawe Ganga if you like to experience life in the wilds.

Places that provide accommodation near Udawalawe National Park

• Jungle Paradise
• Peacock Villa Resort
• Kuma Safari Lodge
• Buddika Safari & Resort

6. Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park, which was established in 1988, is one of the best locations in Sri Lanka for tours. It is in Ohiya, Sri Lanka. The ideal way to travel through the park is on foot because it has great climbing routes that span a distance of 9 kilometers, even though there is the option of taking a jeep ride.

It acts as a showcase for the country’s stunning landscape as well as its having a large scale of exclusive flora and fauna.  Rather than the environmental beauty, you can see macaques, wild pigs, and Sri Lankan Samba deer too. The destination of this hiking route is World’s End, which is located at an altitude of 2100-2300 meters.

You can have a stunning view of the world’s end along with a wide-open landscape. The best period to visit Horton plains is from November to March.

Places that provide accommodation near Horton Plains National Park

• Hill Safari – Tea Estate Villa
• Forest Cyniciam Homestay
• Icy Falls – Ohiya
• The Plains Green Bungalow

7. Sinharaja Rainforest

The Sinharaja Rainforest which is situated in Sri Lanka’s southwest lowland wet zone is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most important biodiversity icons in Sri Lanka. This is Sri Lanka’s last remaining tropical rainforest where 60% of the trees are endemic. More than half of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of animals, butterflies, reptiles, unusual amphibians, and insects can be found there. The endemic Green pit viper and hump-nosed viper are reptiles, and there are many different amphibians, including tree frogs. Leeches. The months of January to May and August to December are the ideal times to visit Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The southwest monsoon, which causes excessive rainfall in the reserve, should be avoided if you are interested to visit this rainforest. This is the best place to visit if you like to witness the environmental beauty and some endemic species.

Places that provide accommodation near Sinharaja Rainforest

• The Rainforest Village
• lavenro hotel & resort
• Sinharaja Forest Gate
• Evergreen Villa – Sinharaja

8. Kitulgala – Kelani Valley Forest Reserve

Kitulgala, also known as the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve, is a rainforest region that is impacted by both monsoons and is likely the wettest location in Sri Lanka. It was constructed to safeguard the drainage basin of the Kelani River. Kitulgala is home to a significant number of rare endemic species, including birds like the Ceylon Scimitar Babbler, Spot-winged Thrush, and Ceylon Grey Hornbill. The river is home to endemic fish and amphibians, and the Grizzled Indian Squirrel is one of the most popular mammals out there. Moreover, Kitulgala is now quite famous for white-water rafting and if you visit Kitulgala you can have a weekend of adventure that includes some delicious meals, a jungle hike, and camping in the wilderness. The best time to visit Kitulgala is between February to April. You and stay very close to nature and enjoy your freedom there.

Places that provide accommodation near Kitulgala – Kelani Valley Forest Reserve

• Forest Edge
• Paradise Garden Resort
• Palmstone Retreat
• Plantation Hotel

9. Kumana National Park

Kumana National Park is an unspoiled spot to observe the beauties of animals and bird life. The 18,149-hectare Kumana National Park, which is situated in Sri Lanka’s southeast, is a well-known tourist attraction destination and bird sanctuary where a wide variety of birds breed and roost. The eastern portion of Yala National Park is Kumana National Park. In May and June, numerous water birds build their nests in this mangrove wetland. Birds including pelicans, painted storks, spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets, and small cormorants are frequently seen there. Along with a variety of birds, Kumana National Park is also home to some of the wider Yala National Park’s mammals, like elephants and leopards. Mangrove trees, kumbuk trees, karan ferns, and the open marsh area make up the majority of the park’s flora. If you are interested in bird watching, Kumana National park is a must to visit.

Places that provide accommodation near Kumana National Park

• Lucky Bay
• The Spice Trail
• Shell Resort
• Shim Beach Resort

10. Gal Oya National Park

Gal Oya National Park, located in the southeast of Sri Lanka, is just west of Ampara. Gal Oya National Park holds the title of being the only national park in the country that offers boat safaris.  Senanayake Samudra, the largest reservoir in the country, which is regarded as the Gal Oya National Park’s defining characteristic, was constructed inside there. Alongside the Senanayake Samudra Lake, there are more than 25,000 hectares of open savannah and beautiful evergreen forest. While having a boat safari, you can watch elephants swim across the lake. Moreover, you can experience the natural beauty and leopards, water buffalo, wild boar, crocodiles, and other deer species too.

Places that provide accommodation near Gal Oya National Park

• Gal Oya Lodge
• The Symbol of Ella
• Eminence Ella
• Rathnapriya Safari Guest Galoy

Although Sri Lanka is so small in its geographical area, it has some of the most popular biodiversity spots in the world. That is the reason for being a country with a lot of tourist attractions. Above are some of the sanctuaries you can visit to spend some free time with your loved ones. Going on a safari, watching birds, and camping in the forest side will obviously be a great experience for you to have in your life and Sri Lanka is the best place to have it.