The Best National Parks in Sri Lanka for a Safari

National Parks in Sri Lanka

There are over 20 national parks in Sri Lanka, featuring diverse landscapes that range from open plains and beautiful lakes to bushland, grasslands, and even beaches. Where you go on safari totally depends 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. For us, it was to see as many animals as possible!

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. However, the dry seasons are an excellent time to visit national parks in Sri Lanka, as the animals emerge from their cover to search for water. 

Morning or Afternoon Safari in Sri Lanka?

It’s also important to factor in the time of day you go on safari. Our guides told us that this is best done in the morning or evening, as during the midday sun, like us, the animals will take shelter. Plus, visiting in the early morning or evening means you have the opportunity to witness 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 the park), which is actually the highest leopard density in the world. However, despite this, it’s not guaranteed to see a leopard, as they are very elusive animals. Nevertheless, 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 numerous other wildlife species, including herds of beautiful elephants and the unique sloth bear. 

Downsides: Due to Yala’s popularity, it can become very crowded. The park is doing its best to preserve its natural environment and wildlife, so only a few areas of the park 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 and 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 (including 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. We loved this experience! It was incredible as it 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, and one of our favorite spots in Sri Lanka. Although it is less popular, it is still a fantastic place to see animals due to its smaller size and open views. It is particularly good for spotting 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, considered one of the best birdwatching sites in the 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 the vehicles. The other plus of Udawalawe is that the park is mainly open grassland (meaning there aren’t many trees or bushes). Because of this, it is much easier to spot the animals and take in the beautiful views across the plains of Sri Lanka. 

Downsides: It’s difficult to see leopards (there are about half the number of leopards that Yala has), and outside of the excellent bird and elephant watching, the other Udawalawe animals are more challenging to spot. Although you’ll likely see water buffalo, crocs, and macaques.

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 a 1.5-hour drive from Dikwella, a beautiful coastal town in southern Sri Lanka. Stay at Verse Collective: a trendy collaborative space, popular with digital nomads.

Minneriya

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

Downsides: Apart from elephants and birdlife, visitors are unlikely to encounter the diverse wildlife found in other national parks in Sri Lanka.

Minneriya Summary

• Location: North/Central Sri Lanka. Best to visit from Sigiriya.
• Season: July to October (dry season). Visit in August/September to see the great elephant gathering.
• Animals: Best for elephants. However, it is also possible to see two unique species of monkeys, the Purple-faced Langur and the 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 minutes from Sigiriya. Because of this, it’s best to combine a visit to the park with a visit to Lion’s Rock.

Kaudulla

Although Minneriya 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. I really liked it because of that; it was such a 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 here for a Kaudulla safari.
• Where to stay: There are some incredible 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! According to us, 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!

What to Bring on Your Safari

Even though you’ll be in a jeep, there are a few things we recommend you bring to make your safari adventure even better. Here is what we brought on ours:

• Non-bright, loose-fitting clothing that is comfortable. Bring layers in case the weather changes.
• Comfortable shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. There’s a chance you might get out of the vehicle during your safari.
• A hat or cap to protect you from the sun.
• A non-toxic bug spray.
• Sunscreen. Opt for a reef-safe option; a great way to travel more environmentally conscious.
• Binoculars. Sometimes you get close to the animals, sometimes they’re much further away. You can check with your tour if they provide binoculars to spot animals in the distance.
• Camera + zoom lens. We use the Sony 70-200mm GM2 f2.8 lens for our detailed shots, perfect for capturing wildlife.

Sri Lanka Visa

In order to visit Sri Lanka, don’t forget you need to purchase an electronic visa online (ETA) before traveling. This country is one of our favorites we’ve visited, and the process to get a visa is relatively simple. It can be booked ahead of time online, or picked up on arrival (though we suggest the first option for the most relaxed experience).