The diverse flora and fauna as well as the abundance of protected national parks make Sri Lanka one of the best safari destinations in the world.
Many of the species living here, 16% of the fauna and 23% of the flora to be precise, are endemic, i.e. they are unique to Sri Lanka.
With its own "Big Five", consisting of the Asian elephant, the Sri Lankan leopard, the sloth bear, the blue whale and the sperm whale, and over 400 bird species, this small country in the Indian Ocean is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
As Sri Lanka is influenced by two different monsoons, each of which only affects one part of the island, and the national parks are scattered throughout the country, safaris are generally possible all year round. Due to the small size of the country, it is even theoretically possible to combine a safari on land with a whale watching tour in just one day. In the early morning hours (most parks open at 6 a.m.) or in the late afternoon from 4 p.m., the chances of spotting wild animals are usually best, as they seek shelter from the sun in the meantime and stay in the shady thicket.
Yala National Park
Yala National Park on the south-east coast is the second largest and most visited national park in Sri Lanka. The chances of spotting one of the highly endangered Sri Lanka leopards are highest here.
With an estimated 30-40 of the 600 or so animals still living in the wild, the density of leopards here is one of the highest in the world.
Sloth bears are also frequently spotted in Yala National Park. A special feature of the park is that, in addition to vast grasslands and primeval forest, it also includes a long coastal strip that is home to various species of turtle.
To visit the park, you will need a safari guide with a jeep. You can book this on site at the entrance to the park or in advance online at https://www.yalasrilanka.lk/yala-safari-ride.html.
The park entrance fee is 15 USD per person (8 USD for children), plus the cost of a jeep incl. safari guide (half day 40 USD / full day 75 USD; one jeep can take up to 6 people), as well as service costs of 8 USD per jeep and 15% VAT on the total amount.
The best time of year to visit Yala National Park is during the dry season from March to October
You can find a detailed report on Yala National Park here:
Everything you need to know for your safari in Yala
Our opinion on Yala National Park
Unfortunately, Yala has developed very negatively, which is why we do not recommend a visit. Due to its fame, the park is overcrowded with jeeps that literally chase bears and leopards across the park. The jeeps also approach the herds of elephants with young animals far too closely, which can quickly lead to the jeeps being attacked. In our eyes, animal welfare looks different. Please do not visit Yala. There are nicer, more relaxed parks for a safari.
We can recommend Udawalawe National Park, for example.
Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka
With around 400 animals living there, Udawalawe National Park in the central south of the island is supposedly the best place in Asia to see elephants in the wild. The park's impressive landscape is characterized by flat plains and swampy areas surrounded by a series of mountains.
There are currently fewer jeeps in Udawalawe National Park than in Yala National Park. Safaris are possible either by jeep or by boat, each with an experienced safari guide. Prices for a safari with two people start at USD 40 for half a day (morning or evening) and USD 55 for a full day including jeep and guide, with a discount for additional people.
Horton Plains National Park
One of Sri Lanka's most impressive landscapes can be found in the Horton Plains National Park. The Horton Plains is a high plateau of over 3,000 hectares at an altitude of over 2,000 meters in the southern highlands of the island. Three of the country's main rivers have their source in the park and enable a diverse biodiversity, many of the animals living here are endemic. The most famous viewpoint in the national park is the so-called World's End, where the high plateau ends abruptly and a steep cliff leads over 800 meters down into the valley. Especially in the frequent fog, you can see a mystical white wall of mist here that really does look like the end of the world. If you want to enjoy the view without clouds, you should try to get to the park as early as possible between 6 and 9 am. Another attraction on Horton Plains is the 20-metre-high Baker's Falls. You can also climb the second highest mountain in Sri Lanka, the 2,395-metre-high Kirigalpotta, from here.
Horton Plains National Park is the only national park in Sri Lanka that can be explored on your own; local guides are optional.
Entrance to the park costs around USD 25.
The best time to visit the Horton Plains is from October to March; the months of May to July in particular are often very rainy.
Gal Oya National Park
Gal Oa National Park in eastern Sri Lanka is characterized by marshlands and lush tropical forests, as it is considered a catchment area for the nearby Senanayake Samudraya Reserve: all the water that cannot be stored in the Senanayake Samudraya reservoir, one of the largest lakes in the country, is absorbed by the surrounding nature and serves as a source of life for the lush green flora and a high density of animals in Gal Oya Park. Numerous water birds as well as elephants, buffaloes and leopards call the wild, wet landscape of Gal Oya their home.
The park was closed during the civil war and is currently still being rebuilt. It is therefore less developed for tourism than many other national parks in Sri Lanka. Safaris can take place here not only in jeeps, but also from boats on the reservoir.
Prices for boat safaris start at USD 30 per person plus taxes and fees (minimum 4 people), for a safari in a jeep at USD 45 per person plus taxes and fees.
The best time to visit Gal Oya is from March to July.
Safari in Minneriya National Park
Minneriya National Park is located not far from Sigiriya. This is home to several hundred elephants, which gather around the dried-up and grass-covered Minneriya Lake, especially between September and October - the highlight of the year in Minneriya Park and a unique experience for visitors. The best time of day to spot elephants here is late afternoon, as the animals like to hide in the jungle beforehand. Due to the varied landscape and ecosystems, Minneriya is also home to numerous other bird and mammal species such as water buffalo, monkeys, deer and peacocks.
Prices for a safari including park entrance fee, jeep and driver start at USD 65 per person; prices are reduced for several people per jeep.
Bundala National Park - Perfect for a bird safari
Bundala is a paradise for bird lovers in particular. Up to 200 different bird species live here, including peacocks, storks, pelicans, herons and large flocks of flamingos. In addition to birds, Bundala is also home to turtles, crocodiles and a considerable number of elephants. The park is located in the south of Sri Lanka and has a varied landscape with around 20 kilometers of coastline, dunes, jungle and wetlands.
A safari by jeep costs around USD 50 per person, including entrance fee and driver. The best time to visit Bundala National Park is from September to March.
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu translates as "the land of lakes" and the national park lives up to this name, as there are around 60 smaller and larger lakes here. At over 1,000 square kilometers, it is the largest national park in Sri Lanka. The landscape in the park on the west coast of the country is impressively wild and untouched. Due to the life-giving water, there is a high diversity of flora and fauna here: elephants, water buffalo, sloth bears and leopards all call Wilpattu their home.
During the civil war, the national park was closed for several years and was only reopened in 2010. As a result, the infrastructure for safaris has not yet been fully rebuilt, but the park is also less crowded than other parks.
Safari tours with a jeep are available for two people for just under USD 80 for half a day and for around USD 90 for a full day. The prices are reduced for more people. The best time to visit is between December and April.
Kumana National Park - Sri Lanka
The Kumana National Park in the south-east of Sri Lanka is a popular refuge for migratory birds, which come here every year to rest. More than 250 different bird species have already been spotted here. The lagoons, forests and swamps scattered throughout the park serve as suitable breeding grounds for the exhausted animals. However, they have to watch out for jackals and fishing cats, which are always on the lookout for prey. Bears and elephants can also be spotted in Kumana from time to time.
A half-day safari with jeep and driver in Kumana National Park costs around USD 70 per person, a full-day tour around USD 90 per person (with 2 people in the jeep). The prices per person are considerably lower for additional people.
Kaudulla National Park
With many exotic bird species living here, Kaudulla National Park is popular with bird lovers and elephant enthusiasts alike. The park is one of the best places to see the gray giants up close. Around the Kaudulla reservoir in particular, up to 200 elephants gather at times. During the rainy season, however, most of the park is under water, making elephant sightings very rare. Visits to Kaudulla are therefore only recommended between August and December.
Prices for half-day safaris with jeep and driver in Kaudulla Park start at USD 55 per person, for a full-day safari at USD 100 (for 2 people per jeep, prices are reduced for additional people).
Adam's Bridge Marine National Park
Adam's Bridge Marine National Park surrounds the Adam's Bridge archipelago between the northern tip of Sri Lanka and the south of India. This loose connection between the two countries is followed by many migratory birds on their way north or south. The marine park includes numerous reefs near the coast, sandbanks, beaches and scrubland, making it home to many wild animals, including dolphins, turtles and sea pigs.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve - The safari in the rainforest
The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a rainforest reserve and the last reserve with untouched rainforest in Sri Lanka. It has been a UNESCO nature reserve since the late 1980s. Unlike most national parks on the island, you don't explore Sinharaja by jeep, but on foot with a local guide. Many endemic animal species live here and the reserve is a popular destination for birdwatchers in particular due to the 150 species that live here. Numerous reptiles, including venomous snakes, and amphibians can be found in the rainforest. The large number of leeches is unpleasant but harmless. The area used to be a retreat for the Sri Lanka lion, which is now extinct. Leopards are rarely encountered in Sinharaja, while encounters with deer and wild boar are more common. The flora in the reserve is also impressive and typical of the rainforest, with trees up to 45 meters high, including plant species that are unique to Sri Lanka.
Entrance to the park costs 3-4 euros. There is also the cost of a guide, without whom a tour is not possible, which starts at 5 euros.
ATTENTION: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is officially a sanctuary for orphaned baby elephants found in the wild.
There are currently around 90 animals living there. In the meantime, however, other animals that have been found are brought to the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe National Park.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has changed from a sanctuary to a tourist attraction where chains and pokers are used and the elephants are not kept in a species-appropriate manner.
We would therefore advise against visiting Pinnawala at this point.
Hey, thanks for the helpful article! We are currently traveling in Sir Lank and would also like to visit the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. We were wondering if the prices you quote here are still up to date (when is your article from ;-)?
Thank you very much and best regards, Jakob and Louisa
Hi Jakob & Louisa, the entrance fee is currently (Nov 2023) 1,500 rupees (approx. 3.50 euros) + a service fee for the guide of approx. 2,500 rupees (approx. 7 euros) the costs for the guide are to be paid once for up to 10 people. However, the cost of the guide depends somewhat on the tour you take. Have fun!