Located in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a small island detached from the main continent. With two monsoons and a wide range of altitudes, Sri Lanka is blessed with biodiversity and weather conditions normally found across an entire continent. Therefore, it is one of the best countries to observe wildlife. Here are some of the country’s most famous national parks.
Yala National Park
Famous for its population of the majestic Sri Lankan Leopard, Yala is one of the country’s most cherished treasures. It is located in the southern parts of Sri Lanka, facing the coastline and is one of the best places to see mammals in Asia. You can also spot sloth bears during the Palu tree fruiting season.
Udawalawe National Park
If you’re looking to click some amazing pictures of Asian elephants, Udawalawe is the best place to be. The national park was created to protect the watershed from the Udawalawe Reservoir; it is now one of the most scenic parks on the island with an enormous elephant population. It is only a 2-hour drive from popular vacation destinations such as Villa 700 in Bentota.
Sinharaja Forest Deniyaya
The Sinharaja Rainforest in Deniyaya is most famous for the mixed flocks of birds. With a canopy that runs 45m high, there are trees here that cannot be found anywhere in the world. You can spot many flocks of mixed birds with around six endemic species. After your excursion, you can head down to a beach town nearby; things to do in Bentota are endless too.
Horton Plains National Park
The Horton Plains is the highest plateau on the island. The beautiful greenery is shrouded by clouds and mist, giving it a mysterious air similar to the moors in Wuthering Heights. These lands are occupied by animals that are much more adapted to cooler climates as temperatures can drop to freezing degrees at night.
