Sri Lanka Wildlife Sanctuaries

WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
Animals to be seen in Sri Lanka's national parks include elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, deer and monkeys, wild buffalo, wild boar, porcupine, civet cat, jackal, mongoose, loris, squirrels, reptiles and amphibians, with each park having its own specialities. Golden Days will be happy to advise on individual itineraries for those with a special interest in wildlife who want to see more of these protected sanctuary areas.


YALA NATIONAL PARK Located in the island's south-eastern quarter some 200 miles from Colombo (and easily reached from Nuwara Eliya), Yala extends over nearly 500 square miles, with the added bonus of a scenic 12-mile ocean frontage. Yala's plains and rocky outcrops are covered with vegetation ranging from open parkland to dense jungle, which can be explored by jeep, and are home to many of the island's 400 bird species, elephant, buffalo, leopard and marsh crocodile. Its northern boundary also borders the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary. Simple but convenient accommodation is offered by the nearby Oasis Hotel.

BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK A relatively new park, situated on the coast south-west of Yala and about 170 miles from Colombo, Bundala is the habitat of all species of waterbirds to be found in Sri Lanka, as well as a variety of migrant species, including flamingos.

GAL OYA NATIONAL PARK At Inginiyagala, some 200 miles east of the capital, and renowned for its elephant population.

UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK About 100 miles south-east of Colombo, and over 70,000 acres in extent, comprising grasslands and thorn scrubs, with many valuable species of trees to be found. Large herds of elephant and such deer species as spotted deer, sambhur, barking deer and langur, wild boar, water buffalo and jackal, as well as much bird life, can be seen here.

WASGAMUWA NATIONAL PARK Lying within the Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts, bounded by the Mahaweli and Amban rivers, this remote park is dominated by tropical intermediate dry mixed evergreen forest with many of its own local species.

HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK Within the Nuwara Eliya district and the only National Park located in the Hill Country, this boats some superb panoramic scenery, with the famous 'World's End' a major attraction. Endemic loris and purple monkey are among the important animal species, as well as sambhur and endemic avifauna.

PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE Though not a park, of course, this important elephant breeding centre (located some 55 miles from Colombo and easily visited from beach hotels) is home to over 60 elephants which can be seen feeding and bathing in the river.