What to Expect on Your Sri Lanka Safari
For a country so small you may miss it on a globe, Sri Lanka is astonishingly diverse. From lush rainforests, mist covered mountains to pristine beaches, there is enough in store for you to consider Sri Lanka Safari as a holiday destination the next time you are planning a vacation.
Ringed by the Indian Ocean, one of the best bits about this tropical island is that you could never pinpoint its best feature.
But, over the past few years, a clear contender has been slowly emerging; Sri Lanka’s wildlife and park safaris.
Before you argue that Sri Lanka does not boast Africa’s Big Five. I can safely tell you that Sri Lanka’s own Big Four – elephants, leopards, blue whales, and sloth bears. Offer an equally, if not more, exciting experience. Couple that with a diverse array of landscapes and Sri Lanka has all you need for an unforgettable vacation.
Not convinced? Keep reading as we dive into what you can expect on a Sri Lanka safari and why it deserves a spot on your bucket list!
Which Sri Lankan National Park
If you thought this was easy, you could not be more wrong. Sri Lanka has over twenty two national parks and three marine parks, each with its own ecosystem and unique highlights. Generally though, Yala National Park has long been considered the best national park in Sri Lanka. With Minneriya National Park just behind.
Yala National Park
Located in Sri Lanka’s dreamy southern region. Yala National Park is the most visited park in the country and for good reason. Covering an area of approximately 1000km2 the park is incredibly diverse. The dusty savannah-esque bush hides reptiles and leopards. While water buffaloes bask lazily in muddy waterholes. If you peep into a pond, you will likely find a crocodile beadily staring back at you. Head on further into the park to green forests where monkeys chatter incessantly. Leaping from branch to branch in a smooth and hypnotizing manner. While elephants casually lumber past your vehicle. An avid birdwatcher? With 215 bird species including storks and peacocks, you will be occupied the entire time.
Yes, it is as magical as it sounds! If you have little ones, rest assured, a safari in Yala will have them dumbstruck through the ride.
The park also borders the Indian Ocean. The unpolluted beaches are a beautiful sight and are often frequented by turtles looking to nest. With five out of the seven sea turtle species been sighted on these beaches.
All this, however, pales in comparison to Sri Lanka’s apex predator, the leopard.
Yala National Park’s Block 1, the only area open to the public, holds the record for the highest density of leopards (in the world) per square kilometre.
P.S. If leopards are high on your must-see list, the best time to visit Sri Lanka would be between January and July.
These guys are pretty elusive though and being nocturnal creatures. So your best bet to see them would be at dusk or early dawn. But, when they do decide to step out, it is truly one of the most beautiful sights you will see. Now habituated to the presence of humans and jeeps, they confidently walk just meters away from vehicles. Often crossing the gravel path as they disappear into the bush.
Keep your camera at hand at all times, because you will never know when a photographic opportunity will come by.
Other than leopards, 32 other mammal species have been recorded at the nature reserve. This includes threatened species like the sloth bear, sambar deer, spotted deer, and the golden jackal. The nearby Lunugamvehera National Park also connects Yala with the country’s largest national park, Udawalawe National Park. Home to a sizeable population of elephants.
P.S: The best period to see elephants would be between May and August.
Minneriya National Park
If you are hellbent on seeing Sri Lanka’s famed tuskers, make a beeline to Minneriya National Park. Located in the historic North Central Province, the park is 30 minutes away from the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. It was once the thriving capital of a kingdom. In the Old City you will find archaeological treasures offering a peek into a bygone era.
Anyway, back to the topic, Minneriya National Park is dominated by a massive manmade lake at the centre. The 90km2 park is predominantly forest and bush that is home to buffaloes, toque macaques, sambar deer, crocodiles, and leopards, although the latter is rarely seen at this park so don’t get your hopes up.
The highlight of Minneriya National Park is the annual Elephant Gathering. Taking place during the dry season (April – October) The world famous Minneriya Elephant Gathering takes place at the receding banks of the Minneriya Lake. As the water dries up, it leaves behind lush and fertile grass that attract herds of elephants. Up to 400 elephants make the journey to the banks, in a massive gathering where they socialize, bathe and feast. While calves’ frolic in the water and stumble between bodies and trunks. – Resulting in a sight like something out of Jungle Book.
The significance of the moment is greater when you realize this is no simple migration. Instead, these animals are here to socialize and even find mates. The unique phenomenon has been listed on the list of Top 10 Wildlife Spectacles by Lonely Planet. Making it a must see if you are in the country.
Minneriya has 24 mammal species such as porcupines, pangolins, deer, sloth bears, and three species of mongoose. On the side of amphibians, you will find endangered species like the Common Tree Frog and the Slender Wood Frog. As well as 25 reptiles that call the park home including the Mugger Crocodile.
Do bring a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at the 170 odd bird species in the park. – Highlights include the Rufus Woodpecker, Woodsand Piper and the Lesser Adjutant.
