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Wild & Safari

Majestic elephants, sloth bear, sleek leopards and much more on land with a kaleidoscopic array that is the underwater world.

Discover Sri Lanka’s Extraordinary Wildlife

Looking for a destination where you can see elephants, whales, leopards, and exotic birds—all in one trip? Welcome to Sri Lanka, a wildlife enthusiast’s dream.

Despite its compact size, Sri Lanka is home to an astonishing range of wildlife. It’s the only place on Earth where you can witness both the largest land mammal—the Asian Elephant—and the largest marine mammal—the Blue Whale—in a single journey.

THE ‘BIG FIVE’ OF SRI LANKA

Often referred to as Sri Lanka’s Big Five, the island’s signature wildlife includes:

Asian Elephants
Blue Whales
Sri Lankan Leopards
Sloth Bears
Sperm Whales

This unique mix of land and marine species sets Sri Lanka apart as a truly diverse nature destination.

FOR WILDLIFE LOVERS, FAMILIES & FIRST-TIME SAFARI GUESTS

Whether you’re planning a family safari holiday, a honeymoon with a difference, or are a seasoned nature photographer, Sri Lanka’s national parks offer a wildlife experience for everyone.

Expect to encounter:

Elusive leopards lounging on granite boulders
Playful elephant herds crossing open plains
Shaggy sloth bears foraging in the brush
Ancient crocodiles basking on riverbanks
Colourful flamingos, pelicans, and storm petrels gracing wetlands
Over 430 bird species, including 34 endemics, making the island a paradise for birdwatcher

YEAR-ROUND SAFARI OPPORTUNITIES

What is the best time to see wildlife in Sri Lanka?
Thanks to diverse ecosystems and multiple climate zones, you can enjoy wildlife experiences year-round. From dry-zone plains and rainforests to coastal lagoons, each region offers something different in every season.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

ELEPHANTS AT MINNERIYA

Encountering the elephant gathering at Minneriya Lake is like no other experience.

By the end of the dry season most water sources have long disappeared. However, the lake at Minneriya retains water and attracts elephants from near and far. More than 300 of these gentle giants can congregate here every year and it is the largest Asian Elephant gathering known to exist on the planet. To see so many together with their babies, playing, eating, swimming is nothing short of breath-taking.

WHALE WATCHING

Look above the water line for the many species of whales from humpbacks to sperm whales including the largest animal on earth, the Blue Whale.

Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world for whale and dolphin watching on South and North-West coasts. Super pods of whales and scores of dolphins cut through the brilliant blue sea, leaping and frolicking and even allowing some lucky onlookers to swim alongside with them.

SAFARI IN YALA’S NATIONAL PARK

Sri Lanka has the highest density of leopards in the world. A safari into Yala’s National Park – Sri Lanka’s second largest park will reward its visitor with a chance to spy the iconic leopard.

Experienced trackers will advise that the early hours are the best times to see the many wonders that the park has to offer. Setting off into Yala as the sun rises is an epic experience and gives the best chance of spotting the elusive leopard and the impressive array of wildlife that inhabits this arid zone. The sights and sounds of the park will leave you awestruck and wanting to return again and again.

Sloth Bear During Palu

Both Yala & Wilpattu National Parks are good places to see the Sloth Bear, especially during Palu fruit season in June and July.

The Sloth Bear has an elongated snout with no front teeth. Its mouth is effectively a vacuum cleaner and means that the bear can suck in termites very easily then using its powerful claws to ravage the termite homes. ⠀

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National parks trail

Home to numerous national parks and sanctuaries, Sri Lanka is one of the smallest but most biologically diverse countries in Asia.

Sri Lanka is one of the smallest but most biologically diverse countries in the world. It is a hotspot that is home to an astonishing 21 National parks with 52 Sanctuaries. The National parks are the best place to see the disproportionately high diversity and island’s rich wildlife.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

UDA WALAWE NATIONAL PARK

Not dissimilar to the savannahs of Africa, Uda Walawe National Park rivals the African reserves for elephant sightings.

Centred around a reservoir on Walawe River, this stunning park is set against the dark hills of Horton Plains and provides glimpses of an astonishing array of wildlife. Outside the park is the Elephant Transit home where injured or orphaned elephants are rehabilitated and released back into the wild. From a viewing platform, enjoy watching these youngsters trumpet and stomp eagerly for food.

GAL OYA NATIONAL PARK

Further off the beaten track, Gal Oya is one of the best preserved and largely undiscovered National park.

Rich in biodiversity and aquatic life, it is the only place where you can take a boat safari and revel in the sights of elephants foraging and swimming magnificently. This wonderful spectacle will stay with you long after you return home.

Gal Oya is one of the best preserved and largely undiscovered national parks

HORTON PLAINS

With a windswept plateau at an awe-inspiring elevation of 2,500m, Hortons Plains is a world apart from the rest of Sri Lanka.

A 9 kilometre trek will reward its visitor with a dramatic 1,000m cliff plunge and the magnificent waterfalls at World’s End. Spy along the trek herds of Sambar Deer, beautiful lizards and many endemic bird species that promises a truly magical experience.

Wilpattu

Camouflage working its magic in Wilpattu National Park.

Wilpattu is a haven for wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, sloth bears and deer to name but a few, This is thanks to a series of interlinked lakes called ‘willus’ from which the park takes its name ‘Willu-Pattu’ meaning land of lakes. The park is one of Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest protected areas covering 1317 square kilometres.

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People & food

People & Food

The people of Sri Lanka are as beautiful as the country itself.

Sri Lankan’s are renowned for their immediate warmth and welcome. Expect to be touched by the genuine hospitality. Sri Lanka is quickly gaining serious food credentials and has become a haven for food lovers. Its diverse curries and divine classics are simply outstanding. Indulge in the island’s signature dishes such Sri Lankan crab curry or a roadside stop for the little pots of buffalo curd with natural treacle from the Kithul tree.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

PEACEFUL RELIGIONS

The country is one of few countries in the world where you will find a Buddhist temple, alongside a Christian church, a Hindu temple and a Muslim Mosque.

The Sri Lankans are deeply respectful of each others religions. It is heart-warming to see the different religions living peacefully alongside each other.

Food Mapping

Take a culinary journey across the island to taste the rich ethnic specialities.

Sri Lanka’s cuisine is blessed with a diverse array of influences that very much reflects the geographical and rich ethnic differences of the island. Find crab curries on the central west coast, pittu and dosai in the Tamil north, fried rice and sambols in the ancient kingdoms, egg hoppers in the hill country and clay pot fish curries in the south.

Sri Lanka Bespoke designs culinary experiences that can form part of your holiday or just simply be your holiday. The gastronomic journey will take you across the regions and give you an incredible insight into the daily parade of curries and aromatic chutneys and tangy sambals.

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Festivals

Sri Lanka’s ancient civilisations bestows the island with a myriad of colourful festivals.

Hardly a month goes by without a unique celebration rooted in the island’s long traditions attributed to its multi-ethnic population and diverse collection of recognised religions.

Many of the holidays are celebrated over many days. Expect hugely colourful celebrations, drummers, dancers and feasts and mesmerising traditions. It is a wonderful opportunity to soak up Sri Lanka’s deep cultural traditions along with vibrant costumes and decorations, wonderful cuisine and captivating processions.

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