From large elephant gatherings to parks that have the highest concentration of leopards in the world to the easiest place in the world to see the blue whale, the largest animal to have ever lived on the planet, Sri Lanka is a surprisingly wildlife paradise. Despite being small in size, Sri Lanka’s wildlife is as varied as the island itself.

Sri Lanka is known as a biodiversity hot spot and has been identified by Conservation International as one of 34 world biodiversity hotspots. Today, 13% of Sri Lanka has conserved as national parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and jungle corridors therefore it is easy to get a taste of Sri Lankan wildlife which offer the easiest way to see animals in their natural habitat. Following are some of the wildlife safari parks, wetlands and sanctuaries in Sri Lanka.

1. ·         Yala National Park

2. ·         Udawalawe National Park

3. ·         Minneriya National Park

4. ·         Wilpattu National Park

5. ·         Horton Plains National Park

6. ·         Bundala National Park

7. ·         Gal Oya National Park

8. ·         Kumana National Park

9. ·         Lunugamvehera National Park

10. ·         Wasgamuwa National Park

11. ·         Hikkaduwa Marine National Park

12. ·         Sinharaja Forest Reserve

13. ·         Kanneliya Rainforest

14. ·         Kitulgala-Kelani Forest Reserve

15. ·         Anawilundawa Wetlands

16. ·         Muthurajawela Wetlands

17. ·         Rekawa Turtle Watch

18. ·         Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

19. ·         The Monkey Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

20. ·         Uda Walawe Elephant Transit Home

21. ·         Millenium Elephant Foundation

22. ·         Whale Watching in Mirissa

23. ·           Mannar Island

24. ·           Knuckles Wilderness

In the above mention sites, you could find most popular creatures such as elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambar, spotted deer, hog, mouse- and barking-deer, wild boar, porcupine, ant-eater, civet cat, loris, giant squirrel, and monkeys like the macaque, purple-faced leaf monkey, and grey langur.

Some of the amazing animals you can see in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is famous for the number of wild elephants that gather in groups in the national parks. The country has the largest concentration of elephants. There are safaris to watch elephants in national parks or you can visit elephants in orphanages (Udawalawe Ath Athuru Sevana and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage). Minneriya National Park is famous for big elephant gatherings. Udawalawe National Park is also famous for the large concentration of Asian elephants found there. Udawalawe is home to over 400 of these gentle giants and it is almost guaranteed to see them whilst on safari.

Spotting a leopard on safari is not an easy task. You should be lucky enough to spot a leopard in a safari and sometimes you have to wait for hours without moving to get the chance to experience this rare occasion. The popular Yala National Park is believed to have the world’s highest concentration of leopards. The island is well known for Sri Lankan leopards and you can see leopards in many national parks in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan sambar deer is relatively larger than deer found in other countries. You could see these deer in herds inside national parks, especially Horton Plains where you can see the sambar deer wandering around. The spotted deer are the most common deer found in Sri Lanka and the herds are quite large and populated. You can find spotted deer in all of the national parks in Sri Lanka.

Blue whale, the largest animal on the planet, nowhere in the world are they more reliably spotted than in Sri Lanka. You can spot blue whales off Sri Lanka’s northeast coast near Trincomalee or in the southern waters by Mirissa. The types of whales that can be seen in these waters are blue whales, humpback whales and orcas. You have to go early in the morning to the sea if you want to spot whales. In Sri Lankan waters, you could also see dolphins. Another beautiful creature you could see in Sri Lanka is Sea turtles. In the southern coast, there are sea turtle hatchery and conservation areas for the protection of these delicate animals. Rekawa Turtle Watch and Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery are famous for turtle conservation in Sri Lanka.

Apart from these animals there are many other animals and birds in Sri Lanka which could be able to be seen in Sri Lankan national parks, reserves, wetlands and sanctuaries. Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia for seeing wildlife. If you are an Animal lover, this is the best country to get an unforgettable wildlife experience in a short time period.