Located on the northwest coast, Wilpattu National Park is Sri Lanka's largest and probably least discovered national park. Receiving status in 1905 followed by national park status in 1938, Wilpattu is a hub for animal and plant life!

This dry zone jungle is dotted with many villus or natural lakes, making it a great place to see resident and migratory water-birds. Species such as the pin tail, spoonbill, whistling teal and garganey can be found here and you'll often find the endemic Sri Lanka jungle fowl scurrying about! 

Wilpattu National Park's swathes of dense dry woodland support an array of other wildlife including crocodiles, elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer and water buffalo as well as Sri Lanka's barking deer and elusive leopard.

Visit from March to early September, when the water tables are lower and the animals come out to drink at the exposed lakes.

Why not stay in the unique Leopard Trails Wilpattu nestled amid scrub forest bordering the national park? This tented camp allows guests to experience the wilderness in rustic comfort. Expert guides are on hand to lead game drives into the national park, nature walks around the camp or to give an introduction to stargazing. In the evenings gather for drinks around the campfire before dining on fine cuisine by candlelight, accompanied by a selection of excellent wines all included in the price. Tents are compact and simply furnished with a private open air shower the Leopard Trails Suite is larger with an upgraded décor and an indoor shower.

A wonderful way to get in amongst it all and experience first hand what this unique national park has to offer!

We offer a range of tailormade holiday packages that include a visit to Wilpattu National Park, including our adventurous Sri Lanka's Undiscovered North tour, which combines a visit to the national park with time in Jaffna, the Cultural Triangle (and its nearby national parks), as well the beach destination of Trincolomee.

If it's elephants you're looking for then Udawalawe National Park is not to be missed! 

Established in 1972, the national park is renowned as one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see elephants. Encompassed within the park is the Walawe Reservoir, a favourite hangout for the almost 400 elephants that live here. You'll find herds arriving to drink, bathe and play in the water so it's an ideal place to snap some pictures! The park is also home to many water buffalo, monitor lizards, sambar deer and monkeys. The park is an exciting location for bird enthusiasts, playing home to the interestingly named raptors such as the changeable hawk eagle, serpent eagle and grey-headed fish eagle. 

The park can be visited year-round.

Be sure to visit the Elephant Transit Home, a small facility which cares for orphaned elephant calves until they are independent enough to be released back into the wild. You’ll watch the feeding from a distance as the elephants follow the keeper into the compound and eagerly await their turn to receive their milk.

Or stay for longer at Kalu’s Hideaway. Nestled in 5 acres of gardens bordering a reservoir, Kalu’s Hideaway is a rustic retreat 15 minutes drive from Udawalawe National Park. There is a lovely outdoor pool set within the gardens, a charming bar and a restaurant serving buffet style and à la carte meals

Check out our Classic Sri Lanka with Udawalawe & Bentota itinerary for more inspiration for planning your holiday here.

Situated on Sri Lanka's southeast coast, Yala National is Sri Lanka’s most visited reserve and can certainly get busy at peak times.

However, this is for good reason since it offers an abundance of wildlife and boasts one of the world’s densest populations of leopard, giving visitors possibility of spotting one of these elusive cats in the wild. Also look out for elephants, sloth bears, sambars, golden jackals, spotted deer, wild pigs, peacocks and crocodiles to name a few! If that still isn't enough, the combination of scrub and woodland areas along with freshwater and marine pockets ensures a high diversity of birds with over 220 different species.

The best time to visit the park is in the drier season between February and July, when water levels are low, drawing the animals out into the open. In June and July, during the fruiting of the palu trees, sloth bears can also be spotted more frequently!

Please Note: The main Block 1 of Yala National Park may close Sep - Oct; if it does you will visit Block 5 where leopard sightings are rare. Train services between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya are currently suspended due to track damage with an expected reopening of early 2027. The alternative journey by road is equally scenic.

For an extra special stay, try the luxurious Uga Chena Huts. Nestled amid sand dunes and tropical jungle at the ocean’s edge, this distinctive property boasts 14 luxurious cabins and truly has the wow factor. Designed to harmonise with the natural environment, there is a pretty pool set amongst the jungle, a small spa and a restaurant with an outdoor terrace. Game drives are led by expert rangers.

Check out our Classic Sri Lanka with Yala and Galle package, which includes a visit to this popular park, for more inspiration for planning your holiday here.

A remote oasis of natural beauty, Gal Oya National Park allows visitors to embark on boat safaris, nature drives through the forest and scenic walks. Here, visitors can keep a look out for elephants, a variety of birdlife and many mammal species including sloth bears, langurs, toque macaques, water buffalo and deer.

Nestled within pristine nature, this national park is known for being one of the quietest in Sri Lanka, set against a beautiful backdrop of low lying mountains. 

Visiting the park between March and July offers the best chance of seeing the park's range of spectacular wildlife and to enjoy the boat safari experience. This period is the park's dry season, making it a more likely time to spot animals congregating around water holes and coming up to the shorelines of the river.

For those keen to see the park's colourful birdlife, January - May is the best time to visit as the park attracts migratory birds. The best months for elephant spotting are between June and December, which is when you may be lucky enough to spot large herds roaming!

For a charming and rustic stay in Gal Oya National Park, try the tranquil Gal Oya Lodge. 

Spread across 20 acres of private forest and constructed from natural materials, this simple lodge is the ideal place to get back to nature. The property has a restaurant, bar and pool, all beautifully set against a backdrop of the scenic surrounding mountains. Each of the rustic rooms has floor to ceiling doors which open onto a private veranda.

Check out our Hidden Sri Lanka package, which includes a visit to Gal Oya National Park, for a suggested itinerary to venture off the beaten track and deep into the lush natural beauty of Sri Lanka.