Wildlife & National Parks

When it comes to land, sea and air, Sri Lanka boasts one the most diverse and extensive ecosystems in the world.

Luckily for visitors there are ample opportunities to view the wildlife, whether it is in one of the 26 National Parks of Sri Lanka, trekking through the unspoilt landscape many species call home, or dolphin and whale watching off the splendid coastline.

Popular mammals for the wildlife enthusiasts in Sri Lanka’s National Parks to spot include leopards (especially in Yala National Park which has a high population density of this amazing predator), sloth bears and the Asian elephant which is an endangered species.

Many of the National Parks in Sri Lanka are also home to an amazing array of flora and birds. Wilpattu National Park, close to the historic city of Anuradhapura, is one of the best places on the island for bird spotting being renowned for its great population of domestic and migratory water birds.

The waters around Sri Lanka are teeming with life, including the largest creature to have ever lived – the blue whale. One of the best beaches in Sri Lanka to go dolphin and whale watching is Mirissa. During the whale watching season (November to April) the blue whale, sperm whale, fin whale and the occasional killer whale are regularly spotted. A variety of dolphin can also be seen, including the Bottlenose, Spinner and Striped dolphin.