A luxury Sri Lanka safari in Yala, Gal Oya and Wilpattu National Parks
For wildlife and nature lovers, few locations can match Sri Lanka. Despite its small size, the island has a richly diverse ecosystem due to its varied topography and climate. It’s one of the most biodiverse destinations in the world, featuring cloud forests, dense wooded jungles, lagoons and wetlands. For over 2,000 years, Sri Lankan rulers have prioritised the preservation of the land and its wildlife. Today, the country boasts over 100 national parks and is renowned for its high standards of wildlife viewing, making this beautiful island an ideal location for a classic safari experience.
Discover Sri Lanka’s wildlife through the eyes of an expert
For a truly immersive experience of the island’s landscapes and wildlife, we can arrange for you to be accompanied by a leading expert, whether that’s a renowned wildlife conservationist or marine biologist. One of Sri Lanka’s finest wildlife experts will showcase the best of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and nature, providing insights and knowledge of the wildlife you’ll be privileged to witness.
One such expert is Ramani Jayewardene. With a distinguished career spanning over 20 years, Ramani has dedicated her life to wildlife research and conservation. She has worked for the National Aquatic Resources Agency, specialising in reef systems and with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, conducting cetacean surveys in the Bay of Bengal. Since 2012, Ramani has focused on wildlife and nature tourism, sharing her passion with like-minded individuals and increasing conservation awareness.
"Discovering this unique destination with an expert elevates your experience of Sri Lanka’s treasures into an unforgettable safari adventure."
Best National Parks for a classic safari in Sri Lanka
Your safari will feature one or a combination of Sri Lanka’s finest parks including Wilpattu, Yala and Gal Oya National Parks, and will be entirely curated around your personal preferences. Before you depart, we’ll discuss every detail about the wildlife experience you’re looking for, recommending an expert and an itinerary that maximises every moment of your time in Sri Lanka.
Wilpattu National Park:
Wilpattu National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most spectacular nature reserves. Teeming with leopards, sloth bears, Asian elephants and a variety of smaller mammals as well as rich birdlife, Wilpattu remains blissfully unspoiled. Covering a vast area of 130,000 hectares, the so-called ‘land of lakes’ is uniquely defined by over one hundred sand-rimmed natural lakes known as ‘Villus’ within the forest, which attract wildlife. The safaris are thrilling, with dense forest cover overhead and vividly contrasting topography given that a large part of the forest used to be under the ocean centuries ago.
Stay at the luxury Leopard Trails Tented Camp which borders the park and offers an elegant retreat and quintessential safari experience. Waking before sunrise, explore the park in the cooler morning and glimpse nocturnal wildlife before it becomes light. Taking drives through the dense forest terrain in a private jeep with your dedicated wildlife guide adds greater depth to the experience as you seek out the wildlife you are most interested in.
Gal Oya National Park:
Located on the southeast of the island, the hidden gem of Gal Oya National Park features remote savannahs and untouched evergreen forests within 25,000 hectares of tropical landscapes. It is also home to Senanayake Samudraya Lake, the island’s largest reservoir, and the only location from which guests can take a boat safari. It’s a regular occurrence to find elephants swimming between the islands here! Wildlife lovers can also spot an abundance of species, as the park is home to 32 mammals, over 150 bird species and several reptiles and amphibians including mugger crocodile and star tortoise.
Far quieter in comparison to Wilpattu and Yala, spend days on safari drives searching for toque macaques, endemic Sri Lankan leopards and sloth bears. Evenings can be spent enjoying the serene solitude of the ancient forest surroundings at Gal Oya Lodge. This peaceful, eco-friendly wilderness resort is spread across 20 acres of private jungle and features spacious wooden bungalows alongside an onsite research station. Excursions include walks with the Vedda people (the last indigenous tribe of the island), hilltop hikes and jeep safaris, all of which can be tailored to your personal preferences.
Yala National Park
Big cat enthusiasts will find few places offering the wildlife viewing of the country’s most popular park. Situated on the southeast coast, Yala National Park is renowned for its remarkable population of leopard but also features over 200 species of bird and over 40 species of reptiles and mammals. Spanning a protected area of almost 130,000 hectares combining a nature reserve with a park, other wildlife residents to look out for include elephants, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, peacocks and crocodiles.
Stay at Kulu Camp, which is ideally situated to explore Yala in the remote wilderness. Designed to leave a minimal footprint on the natural surroundings, the camp features comfortable and spacious custom-made tents. Take jeep safaris with your private expert who can highlight some of the park’s incredible wildlife and endemic flora and fauna.
Wherever you wish to discover Sri Lanka’s epic wildlife and distinctive landscapes, the company of a distinguished expert will only add to the richness of your experience during this exceptional safari. This journey across the country’s greatest wildlife parks complements a wider Sri Lanka tour itinerary exploring the island’s fascinating historic culture, meeting with local people and visiting the world-renowned tea country.
