Sri Lanka wildlife tours | The Adventure Travel Site

Safaris at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Looking to spot wildlife away from restricting and often artificial zoo environments? Then plan a safari to Yala National Park in Sri Lanka and look forward to an unforgettable adventure!

Getting to the Park

The main entrance is in Palatupana which is around 305 km from the commercial capital, Colombo. While you will need a 4WD vehicle, the park does offer jeeps and guides too. When it comes to planning a Yala safari in Sri Lanka, wildlife tours are amongst the options worth considering since your transport and accommodation are taken care of.

Majestic Leopards

One of Yala’s main allures is the fact that it is home to the highest leopard density on the planet! Be it on special wildlife drives or photographic leopard safaris from tour specialists like Nature Odyssey, there are many adventures to see these majestic predators. Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times for such safaris.

Animal Highlights

Of course, as you travel around Yala be on the look-out to spot other wildlife too; you may see a sloth bear ambling along the road, elephants socialising in a herd, spotted deer leaping through the foliage, water buffaloes basking in the sun or mugger crocodiles in search of a meal!

Amazing Avifauna

Birdwatching enthusiasts have much to look forward to since Yala is home to endemic and migratory species. Having a guide or bird guidebook will help to identify these many varieties; they include the grey heron, great stone plover, painted stork, serpent eagle, Sri Lankan Junglefowl and the Sri Lanka grey hornbill.

Reasons Why You Should Visit Sri Lanka

The tiny island nation is perfect with a tropical climate, incredible cuisines, sandy beaches and dramatic mountains. Here’s why you should be making a visit to the island sooner and not later.

Image by: eter van der Sluijs via wikimedia commons

1. Tropical Climate

The climate is warm and mild and balmy all year round and can get comfortably cold in the highlands. No matter where you are in Sri Lanka at whatever time, you will be comfortable.

2. Delicious Food

Sri Lankan cuisine is a delicious blend of spices and sweets that makes it a favourite among tourists. The distinct cuisine will be tasty no matter where you eat it; out at a street stand or in a luxurious hotel.

3. Rare Animals

The reason Sri Lanka wildlife tours are so sought after is due to the number of animals that you find on the island can’t be found elsewhere in the world. A prime example is the Sri Lankan leopard. Book a tour with a provider like Nature Odyssey.

4. Gorgeous Beaches

Sri Lanka has long been famous for pristine beaches. No matter where you are you will come across beautiful golden and white sands.

5. Whales & Dolphins

Most of Sri Lanka’s coastlines are prime sighting locations for blue whales, dolphins and other marine life.

Most Thrilling Wildlife Safaris in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to a variety of flora and fauna and thus the nation places considerable emphasis on protecting its fragile and pristine natural ecosystems. One of the best ways to explore its natural beauty is by joining Wildlife Safaris. Read on to know about few of them.

Safari in Srilanka | Amila Tennakoon | Flickr

Yala Wildlife Safari

Composed of light forest, brackish lagoons, and grassy regions, Yala is one of Sri Lanka’s most sought-after nature reserves. The national park is home to a plethora of mammals including the elusive Sri Lankan leopard that is endemic to the country. You could witness these magnificent creatures up close and personal by signing up for a safari here.

Wilpattu national park safari

This park is located in the northwestern regions of the island and it is home to a large population of Sri Lankan elephants. Visitors could also see a variety of antelopes, deer and rare animals such as the Sri Lankan sloth bear during their safari tour.

Ocean Safaris

Since the country is located in the middle of a whale and dolphin migration route, there are a lot of whale and dolphin watching charters around the country. Seeing these magnificent creatures up close and personal in their natural habitat is something that is worth spending money on and it is not that expensive either.

Other safari tour experiences

There are a lot more safari experiences that you can partake during your time in Sri Lanka; there are rainforest, marshland and river safaris. You can select between these experience by choosing a travel operator for your Sri Lanka Wildlife Tours the likes of Cinnamon Nature Trails who bring in these experiences as packages which also includes your accommodation as well as your meals.

Elephants in Sri Lanka

The most loved mammal in Sri Lanka is the elephant, with an elephant population of around 2500 to 3000. There are several places around the country to see elephants, listed below are a few of these sanctuaries.

Yala

Located in the south-eastern corner of the island, Yala is found 309 kilometres south of Colombo. The northern part of Yala borders the Lahugala Elephant sanctuary.

Minneriya

Located 182 kilometres from Colombo, Minneriya National Park is situated in the north central plains. This is the largest known meeting place of Asian elephants in the world. Most Sri Lanka wildlife tours, the likes of Nature Odyssey, include Minneriya national park because it’s a great opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts to spot elephants in their homes.

Wasgamuwa

225 kilometres from Colombo is where you’ll find the Wasgamuwa National Park, which can be conveniently reached from several tourist attractions. Spanning over 36,900 hectares, the best time to witness the large herds of elephants is during the months of November to May.

Udawalawe

The sixth largest animal sanctuary, Udawalawe National Park is located 180 kilometres from Colombo. You can spot elephants here throughout the year as they often roam in herds of up to 100.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Most Thrilling Wildlife Safaris in Sri Lanka

Despite its small size, Sri Lanka boasts of stunning environs which change from misty mountains, rustic coasts to dense jungles. Within these the most exotic wildlife creatures exist!

Image by Anton Croos, Sri Lanka Elephants, CC BY-SA 4.0

Yala National Park

For those who want to spot a leopard, there will be no better place than this! Don’t get excited as you get closer to view a leopard on a tree or stalking its next prey! Sloth bears, elephants, and many other creatures can be experienced up close. If you wish to go on a thrilling safari in Yala, consider planning your trip with one of the local travel agents such as Holidays by Design to spend an amazing day in the wild.

Minneriya National Park

A park that is always covered in most popular Sri Lanka wildlife tours, Minneriya is best known for its large population of migratory elephants. The park is also home to diverse species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even fish. The surroundings too are quite beautiful with dense shrubberies and vast grassy plains.

Wilpattu National Park

Situated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, the Wilpattu National Park has gained extra popularity for its topographical feature called ‘Villu’. You can always trust the park to spot herds of spotted deer, lazy crocodiles and beautiful peacocks in full plumage and a jungle fowl on a scout for food.

Bundala National Park

This park is well-known as a wildlife hotspot for aquatic bird life! The most impressive aspect of the park is its terrain made up of sand dunes, scrub jungle, salt pans, lagoons and long stretches of coastline.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

The Paradise of Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Both trodden and untrodden paths of jungles in Sri Lanka hold an abundance of adventure and intrigue. Despite its small size, the country boasts a wide variety of wildlife. Do read on!

Yala National Park

If you want to spot a Sri Lankan leopard, there will be no better place than the Yala National Park! Don’t get excited as you get closer to view a leopard on a tree or stalking its next prey! Sloth bears, elephants, and many other creatures can be experienced up close. This dry zone park is just one of the rustic wildlife reserves Cinnamon Nature Trails and other leading tour operators in Sri Lanka cover.

Sinharaja Forest

Staying true to its name, the Sinharaja Forest which means the ‘Lion Kingdom’ is an important biodiversity hotspot in the country. In 1988, this forest became a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional geological features. It is home to more than 50% of endemic species including mammals, butterflies as well as many kinds of insects and reptiles.

Minneriya National Park

Bundala National Park

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+