Yala National Park: Yala is the most famous national park in Sri Lanka and is renowned for its leopard population. The park is celebrated for its rich and diverse wildlife. Yala is home to a variety of animals, including Sri Lankan leopards (a significant attraction), Asian elephants, sloth bears, sambar deer, spotted deer, crocodiles, and numerous species of birds. Birdwatchers find Yala a paradise with over 200 species of birds, including resident and migratory birds.
Udawalawe National Park: Udawalawe is renowned for its population of Asian elephants. The park is home to a large number of these magnificent creatures, and it's one of the best places in Sri Lanka to observe and photograph them in their natural habitat. In addition to elephants, you can also spot other wildlife species like sambar deer, water buffalo, wild boar, crocodiles, various species of birds (including numerous waterfowl), and even the occasional leopard.
Bundala National Park: Bundala is recognized as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, primarily due to its significance as a habitat for water birds and shorebirds. It is a vital wintering ground and stopover point for many migratory bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, storks, and sandpipers. Apart from its avian diversity, Bundala National Park is also home to other wildlife, such as elephants, crocodiles, sambar deer, and various reptiles and amphibians.
Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary: Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is primarily known for its significance as a habitat for both resident and migratory bird species. It is considered one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in Sri Lanka and has been designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International. The sanctuary is home to a variety of water birds, shorebirds, and waders. Some of the notable bird species you can find here include painted storks, black-crowned night herons, and various types of egrets and kingfishers.
