There are many spectacular national parks and reserves in Sri Lanka and their foundation is the oldest local tradition. Even in the II century BC. e. one of the representatives of the royal dynasty imposed a ban on hunting and the destruction of forests in specially protected areas.
The ruler himself did not know that by doing this he created the first national park on the island.
Here is the list of best national parks in Sri Lanka and nature reserves to visit in your next trip to this country. Check our map created for first timers to better navigate in which part of the country the reserve is located.
1. Yala National Park
Yala Nature Reserve in Sri Lanka is the frist one on the list of the most popular national parks in Sri Lanka, it occupies the essential part of the territory of southeast coast.
Yala National Park is divided into two parts – East and West. However, tourists can only visit the Western Region. As for the Eastern part, the entrance is available only for scientists and require special permission.
Tourists come to Yala Park to meet numerous wildlife species: Green billed coucal, sloth bear, you can even capture the scene of baby elephants playing in mud.
Leopards in Yala Park are the real “stars” of national park and known for their calm response to camera lenses – they seem just to ignore them. If these big and graceful cats are your target, you can also visit Wilpattu national park, which is close to ancient city of Anuradhapura.
- Address: භම්ඛන්තොට, Sri Lanka
- Working hours: 6am – 6pm
- Ticket price: tickets should be bought at the gate separately, they are not included in safari tour price.
- Official website: https://www.yalasrilanka.lk/
- On the map: link.
- How to explore: only by safari jeeps, no walking is allowed
2. Udawalawe
Udawalawe National Park is among the sixth largest best national parks in Sri Lanka. This is a savanna-type park, with dry monsoon forest that can be found here and there.
This large nature reserve is natural environment for the following wildlife: Sri Lankan elephants, Sambar deer, mongooses, fishing cats, crocodiles, butterflies and other species.
Now Udawalawe National Park is considered the best place to watch Asian elephants. Several endemic trees grow in Udawalawe Park.
The road to the national park is quite difficult. If you go by bus from Galle or Weligama you will not be able to return on the same day. It is recommended to visit Udawalawe National Park on behalf of group tour.
- Address: Udawalawa 70190, Sri Lanka
- Working hours: 6am – 6pm
- Official website: https://www.udawalawesafarifun.com/
- On the map: link.
- How to explore: jeep safari
3. Minneriya national park
This Sri Lanka’s reserve is located in the North Central Province of the island, in close proximity to Mount Sigiriya. Its area is 9 thousand hectares. It is famous for seasonal elephant gathering, as well as tropical and migratory birds.
Every year, in September and October, you can become a witness of very important annual event, elephant gathering in huge herds and travel as a single one using elephant corridor towards Minneriya lake.
Other representatives of the fauna also live on the territory of Minneriya: these are spotted deer, eagles, iguanas and others. In Minneriya National Park you can see a rare species of Purple faced langur, which is also endemic to the island.
The reserve can be reached from Khabarana – it is located 9 km from the city.
- Address: 2RMF+4QF, A11, Rambawilla 50150
- Working hours: 6am – 6.30pm
- Ticket price: 37 USD/ person.
- Official website: https://minneriyasafari.com/about/
- On the map: link.
- How to explore: jeep safari
4. Sinharaja Forest Reserve
This is small reserve, also known as “Rain Forest”. Sinharaja is a real biological rarity. Sinharaja is the island’s virgin rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by mountains, with springs and fast rivers this national park has become a heaven for many endemic species, like Sri Lankan blue magpie.
This dense forest is considered one of the oldest in the world. Researchers believe that Sinharaja is the remnant of a forest that grew in the distant prehistoric times on the Gondwana continent. You can meet the following inhabitants there: armadillos, rare butterflies, giant squirrels, purple-faced monkeys.
You can get to the reserve from Colombo or Galle.
- Address: Deniyaya, Sri Lanka
- Working hours: 24 hours
- Ticket price: Adult 664 LKR.
- Official website: https://www.sinharajaforestreserve.com/
- On the map: link.
- How to explore: accompanied by the guide
Other national parks in Sri Lanka that can be visited are Bundala (its also known as biosphere reserve), Wilpattu national park, Kanneliya Rain Forest and others.
The ticket price in most national parks in Sri Lanka varies from 25 and 12.5 dollars for adults and children, respectively. The rental of a six-seat jeep is paid additionally, which is also $25.
Travelers should remember that it is possible to visit national parks by joining group tours. Solo trips are very dangerous. First of all, because of the wild animals and snakes living in the park. In addition, it is easy to get lost in the jungle reserves.
5. Bundala National Park
This national park, located in the south of the country, is a place of living for many exotic birds that come here for winter. Landscape in Bundala Park is quite diverse, consisting of sand dunes, grasslands, forests and lagoons – nature has created ideal conditions for birds and animals.
As you may guess, if you would like to see wildlife in all its beauty, plan your visit to Bundala national park accordingly. The season starts from September and lasts till March.
This park is inhabited not only by birds, but also mammals and reptiles. This is also one of few places where you can see the endangered Star Tortoise.
- Address: Weligatta, Bundala 82004
- Working hours: 6am – 6pm
- Ticket price: Adult – 10 USD, Child – 8 USD
- Official website: https://bundalanationalpark.org/visit-bundala/tickets-pricing
- On the map: link.
- How to explore: it’s recommended to book jeep safari
6. Kumana National Park
Of the 400 bird species that live in the island, 255 can be found in this national park. Most of them come here for nesting and breeding. Therefore, the best time to visit Kumana national park is from April to June.
Kumana national park located in the south east of the country and is not as popular as Yala park, but it is less crowded, so you can really enjoy your time there. In addition to the huge variety of wading birds that will delight any ornithologist, you can meet mammals and reptiles there: crocodile, turtle, elephant and others.
- Address: HMF9+5PJ, Okanda
- Working hours: 6am – 6pm
- Ticket price: 38 USD/ person (includes entrance fee and safari tour)
- Official website: https://www.kumananationalpark.com/
- On the map: link
- How to explore: safari jeep only
7. Gal Oya Park
If you would like to visit a national park in Sri Lanka where you can enjoy the real wilderness, Gal Oya national park is the best place to go. This park can be discovered by tourists either by boat or jeep safari.
Each park has recommendations related to the best season for visiting, for Gal Oya national park it’s a period from March to July. You can witness large herds of swimming elephants moving from one island to another. But if your primary goal is birdwatching, then the best time for visiting a national park is period from December till April.
- Address: 6FHC+CP4, Henebadda
- Working hours: 6am – 6pm
- Official website: https://www.galoyanationalpark.com/
- On the map: link.
- How to explore: boat safari, jeep safari, picnic, hiking
8. Pigeon Island
If you’re visiting Trincomalee, don’t miss a chance to visit Pigeon Island – one of the national parks in Sri Lanka. Blue Rock Pigeon is an endangered bird that lives there and actually gave the name to the island.
Pigeon island, located in the Indian ocean, became a national park in 2003, till that time it had a sanctuary status. It’s a great place for birdwatching, as well as snorkeling.
Plan your trip to Pigeon island when its dry season (May-September), and avoid the period from October to March when monsoon makes it dangerous for any types of boats to go there.
- Address: P55Q+2GQ, Irrakkakandi, Sri Lanka
- Working hours: 8am – 5pm
- Ticket price: 10 USD/person
- On the map: link.
- How to explore: snorkeling, boats ride
9. Wasgamuwa Sri Lanka National Park
If you’re in Kandy, spend about one hour and a half to go to one of Sri Lanka’s national parks – Wasgamuwa. The status of national park was received in 1984, with the main goal to preserve the island’s wildlife biodiversity.
The park is the natural habitat for 143 bird species, 23 species of mammals, an enormous number of amphibians, butterflies and fish. Deer, leopards, sloth bears, buffaloes and elephants are only a small part of the inhabitants of this place.
If you would like to witness large herds of elephants in Wasgamuwa, visit it from November till May. The rest 6 months of the year elephants gather and migrate to the territories of other parks (Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks).
- Address: QW3C+78R, Nuwaragala, Sri Lanka
- Working hours: 6am – 6pm
- Ticket price: 49 USD/person
- On the map: link.
- How to explore: jeep safari
10. Kaudulla National park
This is one of the national parks in Sri Lanka where you can see the big herds of Asian elephants. Park operates the whole year round, but the best season to visit is from August till December.
Except of Sri Lankan elephants, during safari you can meet several species of turtles, deers, sloth bears and wild boars. If you’re a super lucky person, then probably you can even see leopards. If you would like to enjoy birdwatching, you can take a paddle-boat.
- Address: Galoya Road, Galoya, Sri Lanka
- Working hours: 6am – 6pm
- Ticket price: depends on season, min price is 3000 LRK/person
- On the map: link.
- How to explore: jeep safari
11. Horton Plains National Park
For beautiful panoramic views, plan a visit to Horton Plains National Park. It is located in the Sri Lanka central highlands. Scenic trails of cloud forest, fresh and cool air at the top of the hills, wildlife diversity – all mentioned will impress nature lovers.
Another famous tourist spot in Horton Plains national park is Baker’s falls. Check viewing point known as World’s end with cool panoramic views on surrounding areas.
There are chances to meet Sri Lankan leopard, but they are very low. Even if you don’t manage to see this graceful animal, Horton Plains has an abundant wildlife.
- Address: No 23/A Dayagama east rd, Dayagama
- Working hours: 6am – 6pm
- Ticket price: 15 USD/person
- On the map: link.
- How to explore: hiking, walking
Sri Lanka National Parks Map
Just click on one of the map tags to learn more about the place.
Sri Lanka National Parks Video
National Parks and Sanctuaries FAQ
You can choose one of 26 national parks to discover in the island.
The most popular park is Yala, but if you’re looking for less crowded place to enjoy safari, its better to choose Udawalawe.
Even though Yala is the most popular and really crowded national park in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu is the biggest and oldest one, which is known for the biggest leopard population.
Both of this parks are worth visiting, but Yala is considered the most popular. This means that there are always crowds of tourists and jeeps.
At the same time, during your safari in Yala you can meet many different wild animals, if you’re super lucky then you can even meet leopards. On the other hand, it’s better to visit Udawalawe if your main target is elephants.
Wilpattu national park firstly gained its status as animal sanctuary even in 1905, but only in 1938 in February it became a national park.
It’s highly recommended to choose cloths of neutral/close to natural colors: beige, green, khaki. Try to avoid bright colors.
If your main goal is to meet Sri Lankan leopards, the best choice will be Yala national park.
Kumana bird sanctuary occupies the territory of 35.000 hectares.
