Bundala & Tissa Wetlands

Bird watching in Jaffna during the migrant season from September – March is a highlight for nature lovers. Migrant birds along with other waders in their thousands flock to the lagoons.

Mannar Island, one of the most lightly-visited areas of Sri Lanka, is one of the best spots in the island for spotting migratory birds, as well as other animal species.

Bundala National Park, which neighbours Yala, is one of the best places for birdwatching in Sri Lanka, and is also home to sloth bears, elephants and deer.

Chundikulam National Park is slowly regaining recognition as a birders’ paradise as the Jaffna peninsular gradually begins to attract travellers once again.

Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is a beautiful, mellow spot with just you and a boatman punting a boat around the lagoon.

The Talangama Wetlands, located in the Kotte surburbs of Colombo, are comprised of tanks, canals and paddy fields which offer excellent opportunities for birdwatching.

Moist, murky and mysterious, an experience of Sinharaja is like nothing else in Sri Lanka. Trek through this magnificent landscape, the last surviving stretch of virgin rainforest on the island.

Located near to Kalpitiya, Anawilundawa (meaning ‘seven wetlands’ in Tamil) refers to a cluster of freshwater tanks within the sanctuary. It is a very important wetland for many migratory birds.

Gal Oya is one of the most remote and stunning national parks in Sri Lanka. Inclusive of the largest reservoir in the island, take a boat safari at sunset as well as doing a morning game drive.

An undulating 2000m-high plateau covered in grassy plains interspersed with small patches of forest which is home to a rich array of wildlife. Trek to ‘World’s End’, the park’s most dramatic feature.

Trek through this forest area which lies just 35km from Galle. Accompanied by an experienced wildlife tracker, absorb the tranquil atmosphere whilst looking out for tropical birds and other animals.

The Kelani Valley Forest Reserve in Kitulgala offers breath-taking scenery. Sail down the river, or journey through the jungle-clad hills and tea and rubber plantations on foot or by mountain bike.

Of the seven species of marine turtles, five come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka and the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery which primary operates as a hatchery, is a great place to observe collected and rescued eggs hatch.

Kumana National Park is a birders’ paradise. Hidden away in the south-east of Sri Lanka, it was one known as East Yala, but it is best approached from the laid-back coastal settlement of Arugam Bay on Sri Lanka’s East Coast.

Positioned between Yala and Uda Walawe, Lunugamveherea National Park is home to 184 species of bird and a wide variety of other Sri Lankan animals.

Learn about the key role elephants play in Sri Lankan culture and issues which arise from this. Accompanied by an expert, walk with, bathe and feed the elephants that are looked after here.

Minneriya National Park is a small but popular wildlife park home to a wide range of Sri Lanka’s wildlife. It is also the site of the world-renowned wildlife event ‘The Elephant Gathering’.

Muthurajawela is situated just south of Negombo. It has a diverse eco-system that is teeming with life: mangroves and other types of flora host numerous types of birds, butterflies and pythons.

Five of the seven species of marine turtle come ashore at Rekawa to lay their eggs. Join the night watch to observe these fascinating creatures up close.

Quite apart from the incredible ruins of this medieval city, Polonnaruwa is home to a large monkey population who were famously featured in Disney’s engaging documentary film ‘Monkey Kingdom’.

Visit the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe National Park, a rehabilitation centre for orphaned elephant calves.

Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places to see elephants in Sri Lanka – up to 500 elephants, along with other wildlife, are found here.

Wasgamuwa National Park is comprised of dry evergreen forests, grasslands and wetlands, and is known for the elephants which frequent the Mahaweli River which runs along a boundary of the park.

This modern catamaran complete with professional crew sets out from Mirissa Harbour at 6:30am, beating the other boats in order to have the best dolphin and whale sightings.

Wilpattu National Park is arguably Sri Lanka’s most beautiful park. Its varying natural habitats – coastal belt, natural lakes, scrublands, open grasslands and dense forest – house numerous animals.

Yala National Park, situated in the south-east corner of the island, is home to the greatest variety of Sri Lanka’s wildlife including the island’s big game – elephants, leopards and sloth bears.