The Yala National Park in Sri Lanka is also known as the Ruhunu National Park. This is the 2nd largest Park in Sri Lanka. The Yala National Park is also one of the most visited national parks in this country. It covers about 1297 sq.km of area and is divided into five blocks. Block one is the most visited area since it contains the highest density of Leopards. However other areas of Yala such as Yala East had been closed to visitors for some years and it will take time to research the Leopard numbers in these areas. Yala West consists of Scrub Jungle, Brackish lagoons and Stunning Rock Monoliths scattered throughout the park, its eastern edge is bounded by the South East coast.
Yala west or Ruhunu National Park is now well recognized for the Best Park in the World to observe and Photograph Leopards.
Yala National Park is situated at a distance of 290km from the city of Colombo. A variety of Flora and Fauna is found here. A number of historically and religiously important sites are situated in this area as well. There is also a substantial Elephant population along with Spotted Deer, Sambur, Wild Buffalo, Sloth Bear, Jackal, Mongoose, Pangolins, Crocodiles and many more animals. The Bird life comprises over 120 species and ranges from lesser flamingos to Paradise Flycatchers, Crested Hawk Eagles and Black Bitterns. Outside of the park are several other fascinating locations, including the ancient hermitage of Sithulpahuwa, Debarawewa wetland and palatupana saltpans. Marine Turtles can also be spotted alone the coast line. Dry Monsoon, Semi Deciduous, Moist Monsoon Trees and Thorn Trees and Patches of grass lands are quite prominently seen in the Yala National Park.
Kumana is most famous Bird Sanctuary in Sri Lanka. The Kumana National park covers an area of about 18,149 hectares of land. It is located in the south east part of Sri Lanka. This bird sanctuary is an attraction for hordes of bird watchers.
There is a swamp lake of about 200 hectare known as Kumana Villu in the Park. During the months of May and June numerous species of birds nest around the swampy area.
Very rare bird species such as Black Necked Storks, Great Thick Knee, Eurasian Spoonbill etc. and different varieties of animals like Wild Boar, Elephant, European Otter, Golden Jackal andFishing Cat are found in Kumana. The Indian Black Turtle, Flap Shelled Turtle, Mugger Crocodile can also be seen here. Kumbuk Trees and Karan Fern Trees grow in abundance in this region.
This National Park is a popular Eco Tourism destination in Sri Lanka. It is situated about 180km away from Colombo city. This Park is considered to be the largest National Park in this Country and it occupies about 425sq.km of area. On the west, the National Park is bordered by the Indian Ocean.
A number of animal species are found here. There are about 31 species of Mammals, reptiles such as the Common Cobra, Mugger Crocodile, Rat snake etc and Many Species of Birds like Whistling Teal, Spoonbill,Large White Egret, Pin Tail, Purple Heron etc. those are found here. The Star Tortoise, Soft Shelled Turtles and Pond Turtles are also found in abundance in this National Park.
The Vilpaththu National Park consists mainly of Slat Grass, Low Scrub and Monsoon Forests. This National park is spotted with innumerable lakes.
Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the 8890 hectares of Minneriya National park is an ideal Eco Tourism location in Sri Lanka. The park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to Sri Lanka’s famous wildlife such as Sambur Deer, Leopards and Elephants.
However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank. During the dry season, this tank is an incredible place to observe the Elephants who come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks of Birds that come to catch fish in the shallow water.
Udawalawa lies south of the Central hills of the island, and it surrounds the man-made reservoir of Udawalawa, which is part of the park. It is a mixture of abandoned teak plantation, scrub jungle and grassland and is a major Eco Tourism destination in Sri Lanka. The 30,821 hectares dry zone game park has an annual rainfall of 1524mm.
Udawalawa is one of the best parks to view Wild Elephants. An estimated 500 Elephants live in herds to up to 100. During a visit, it is not unusual to see a whole herds of adults and young Elephants feeding or bathing and playing in the water! In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many Water Buffalo, Monitor Lizards, Sambur Deer, Monkeys and the occasional Leopard, as well as being an exciting location for Bird enthusiasts. It is a popular tourist destination and the 3rd most visited park in the country.
This park located between the districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa and bordered by the ‘Mahaweli’ and ‘Amban’ rivers. It spans an impressive 36,948 hectares. Home to a huge variety of Flora and Fauna, 23 species of Mammals– including Elephants and bears, 143 Bird, 8 Amphibian, 17 Fresh Water Fish, 17 Reptile, 50 Butterfly and 150 Plant species, this park is truly Paradise for nature lovers.
The park is situated 225km away from Colombo and is the only National Park found in the Central Province.
Located about 15km East of Hambantota, The Bundala National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s foremost destinations for Bird Watchers, and it is protected an important area of coastal wetland famous for its abundant aquatic Bird life. The park is also home to significant populations of Elephants, Marsh, Estuarine Crocodiles, Turtles, Leopards and also Giant Squirrels and Flamingoes.
The Gal Oya National Park is located 314 km away from Colombo in the Iginiyagala district. The Park covers an area of 25,900 hectare surrounded by Senanayaka Samudra. The Park is treated as one of the Major Tourism destinations of the area.
The park is rich with Flora and Fauna. About 45%of the Park is covered with the forest where about 33% is covered with Savanna. About 32 species of Mammals and 150 species of Birds make this park their home. Among them Elephants, Wild Bear, Leopard, Water Buffalo, Sloth Bear are quite common.
This park is popular for Elephant watching and Leopards watching and Photographing.
This Park is Sri Lanks’s newest National Park, Wildlife reserve and Eco Tourism attraction in Sri Lanka. Situated around the ancient Kaudulla tank, the national park provides a 6656 hectare Elephant corridor and its only 6km from the main Habarana-Trincomalee road.
With fantastic opportunities to see many Elephants at close range, the park has become a popular destination for Wildlife Safaris that also take in Leopards, Sambur Deer and the occasional Sloth Bear. As an additional novelty, you can go for catamarans rides on the tank as well.
