Minneriya National Park
A dry zone park known for the Gathering, when the dry season lowers the reservoir and draws hundreds of wild elephants from the surrounding forest, one of Asia’s largest wildlife spectacles.
Gal Oya National Park
A quiet wilderness park built around the Senanayake Samudraya reservoir, the only place in Sri Lanka where wild elephants are regularly seen swimming between forested islands, and home to an indigenous Vedda community.
Wilpattu National Park
Sri Lanka’s largest national park, defined by its villu, natural lakes scattered through dry forest, offering a considerably quieter safari experience than the busier southern parks.
Udawalawe National Park
Reliable open-grassland elephant sightings throughout the day, making it the more consistent choice for travellers who want certainty over probability.
Yala National Park
The park most travellers picture when they think of a Sri Lanka safari, holding the world’s highest recorded density of wild leopards per square kilometre, alongside elephants, sloth bears and rich coastal lagoon birdlife.