Our Destination

The Yala National Park (also known as Ruhunu National Park) is placed over on an ancient civilization that dates back to the 5th century B.C. Here, in this sunburnt wilderness, the drama of survival plays out beneath vast skies and thorny scrub.

Recognised as one of Sri Lanka’s 70 Important Bird Areas, Yala draws birders and wildlife lovers alike. Over 215 species take to its skies and shores, including migrant waders that arrive with the changing winds. This is also leopard country. Yala is believed to have one of the highest densities of leopard in the world, and these elusive cats remain the park’s most sought after residents.

In the heart of Sri Lanka’s south west, lies the legendary Sinharaja rain forest, the last remaining largest contiguous lowland rain forest in Sri Lanka. The reserve's name translates to Lion Kingdom. Spanning over 11,187 Hectares, it was identified as one of the floristically richest areas in South Asia with some species not even discovered yet. Sinharaja is home to 350 species of flora of which 52% is endemic, 120 species of bird of which 26 species are endemic and a variety of fauna.

Due to its immense biological value, entire area was declared as National Heritage Wilderness Area in 1988, and subsequently, UNESCO recognised Sinharaja as the first natural world heritage site in Sri Lanka.

Designated a national park in 2002, Kaudulla lies in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, spanning over 6,600 hectares. The park is most famous for seasonal elephant gatherings, which shift between Minneriya and Kaudulla depending on water levels. From late September to October, herds of elephants gather at the Kaudulla Tank in search of food and water, offering some of the best wildlife viewing in the region.

The park is also rich in birdlife, with over 160 species recorded. Visitors may spot Spot billed Pelicans, Lesser Adjutants, Asian Spoonbills, Grey headed Fish Eagles and Painted Storks feeding in the shallows or roosting in trees along the water’s edge.

In the southern dry zone of Sri Lanka, Udawalawe National Park stands as one of Asia’s best places to observe wild elephants in their natural range. Spanning over 31,000 hectares, the park wraps around the Uda Walawe reservoir, its sparse vegetation offering clear views of the wildlife that moves through it.

Here, elephants roam freely across grasslands and riverbanks, often visible even at midday. From May to September, during the dry season, herds gather by the water in scenes both powerful and serene. The park is also alive with bird calls, its skies and trees busy with a vibrant diversity of species.

This is the island’s first wetland to be named a Ramsar site, and a recognised UNESCO biosphere reserve, where life thrives between water and sky.

A haven for birds, Bundala welcomes 197 species, with 58 arriving from distant shores. Of these, 100 are water birds and nearly half migrate with the seasons, turning the park into a living aviary during the northern winter. This is one of the finest places in Sri Lanka to observe migrant and resident water birds. Along the way, you may catch sight of the Black Headed Ibis, Painted Stork, Black Tailed Godwit and flocks of terns. Between bird calls and rippling reeds, look closer and you will find mammals, amphibians, butterflies and reptiles, all drawn to Bundala’s quiet abundance.

Designated a biosphere reserve in 1977, Hurulu Forest Reserve covers 10,000 hectares in Sri Lanka’s dry zone. It plays a vital role in the seasonal movements of elephants, who favour the area during the wet months for its tall, abundant grasses.

The reserve represents the dry evergreen forests of the region, with species such as satinwood, palu and ebony found across the landscape. Hurulu is part of a broader network of protected areas that includes Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve, Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, and the Mahaweli flood plains. This connectivity allows elephants to move freely between habitats in search of food and water.

Wilpattu, meaning 'land of lakes', is named after its distinctive ‘villus’, natural, shallow, sand rimmed wetlands scattered throughout the park. These water bodies shape both the landscape and the life it supports.

As one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest national parks, declared in 1938, Wilpattu spans a vast stretch of dry deciduous forest, scrub jungle and open grassland. Its diverse habitats support a wide range of wildlife, from tiny ants to elephants. The villus, which fill with rain and dry with the seasons, attract animals throughout the year, making Wilpattu an excellent place for sightings.

The park is home to leopards, sloth bears, elephants, deer and a variety of bird species. Ancient trees such as Palu, Weera, Tammanna and Kaluwara stand tall across the terrain. Narrow tracks weave through forest and plain, offering visitors a chance to quietly explore the park’s wilderness, rich in both biodiversity and history.

Once known as Yala East, Kumana National Park took its current name in 2006. Located in the far South East of Sri Lanka, the park spans over 18,000 hectares and is best known for the Kumana Villu, a swampy mangrove wetland that serves as a vital nesting and roosting site for birds.

Kumana Bird Sanctuary, declared in 1938, lies within the park and remains one of the most important bird breeding grounds in the country. Over 250 bird species have been recorded here, including rare sightings such as the black necked stork. From August to April, thousands of migratory birds arrive, drawn by the park’s brackish lagoons and open mudflats that offer excellent feeding grounds.

Beyond birdlife, Kumana supports a wide range of species. Sea turtles come ashore to nest on the undisturbed coastline, while elephants, wild buffalo and deer graze in the grasslands. The presence of plentiful prey makes Kumana one of the best places in the region to observe leopards in the wild.

Originally known as Mahaeliya, Horton Plains was renamed in the mid-19th century in honour of British Governor Sir Robert Horton. Today, this breathtaking national park stretches across an undulating plateau over 2,000 metres above sea level, making it one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic and ecologically significant landscapes. A unique blend of open grasslands and mist-covered montane cloud forests, the park is home to rare and endemic species adapted to its cool highland climate. The dramatic peaks of Kirigalpotta and Totupolakanda, Sri Lanka’s second and third highest mountains, rise majestically above the horizon, adding to the park’s remarkable beauty.

The iconic World’s End cliff, with its sheer 880-metre drop, offers one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Sri Lanka when the skies are clear. Visitors can explore scenic trails leading to Baker’s Falls and other natural wonders while experiencing the rich biodiversity of the region. Known as one of the best places to spot sambar deer, Horton Plains offers a magical atmosphere as mist frequently blankets the landscape, especially between April and September, creating an unforgettable highland escape.

Located in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, Minneriya National Park is a spectacular wilderness destination renowned for its rich biodiversity, scenic landscapes, and one of the island’s most remarkable wildlife experiences. Centred around the ancient Minneriya Tank, built by King Mahasen in the 3rd century AD, the park’s forests, grasslands, and wetlands provide a vital habitat for a variety of wildlife, including elephants, deer, endemic birds, and numerous species of flora and fauna.

The park is best known for “The Gathering”, one of the world’s largest seasonal gatherings of Asian elephants, where hundreds of elephants come together around the Minneriya Tank during the dry season between July and October. Beyond this extraordinary spectacle, visitors can enjoy thrilling safaris through diverse landscapes, spotting wildlife against the backdrop of ancient reservoirs and lush greenery. With its unique combination of nature, history, and unforgettable encounters, Minneriya National Park offers an authentic glimpse into Sri Lanka’s wild heart.