Wild Kingdom Expeditions
Cultural Sites in Sri Lanka. These are the official cultural world heritage sites:
Wildlife Sites in Sri Lanka
North / North Central
Wilpattu National Park
Sri Lanka’s largest national park famous for leopards, sloth bears, and natural lakes. A quiet, untouched wilderness with scenic villus.
Horowpathana National Park
Sri Lanka’s elephant relocation center. A safe habitat for rescued elephants to live freely.
Somawathiya National Park
A vast floodplain with elephants and birdlife. Rich in wetlands and river ecosystems.
Marble Beach Sanctuary
A protected coastal area with crystal-clear waters. Great for spotting marine animals and tropical fish.
East
Kumana National Park
A top bird sanctuary with thousands of migratory birds. Also home to elephants, leopards, and lagoons.
Gal Oya National Park
Famous for boat safaris on Senanayake Samudraya. Elephants are often seen swimming between islands.
Pigeon Island National Park
A vibrant coral reef park ideal for snorkeling. Home to reef sharks, turtles, and colorful marine life.
Central / Hill Country
Knuckles Forest Reserve
A UNESCO-listed mountain ecosystem with endemic species. Misty forests perfect for trekking and nature lovers.
Horton Plains National Park
Known for World’s End cliff and scenic grasslands. Home to sambur deer, birds, and unique flora.
Victoria-Randenigala Sanctuary
A large sanctuary around the reservoir. Good for spotting elephants, birds, and forest wildlife.
South / South East
Yala National Park
World-famous for having the highest leopard density. Packed with elephants, sloth bears, crocs, and diverse wildlife.
Bundala National Park
A Ramsar wetland and top birding site. Flamingos and migratory birds visit during peak season.
Lunugamvehera National Park
A buffer zone between Yala and Udawalawe. Rich in elephants and forest animals.
Udawalawe National Park
Best place to see wild elephants up close. Also home to baby elephants at the transit home.
Sinharaja Rainforest (UNESCO)
Sri Lanka’s last primary rainforest. A hotspot for endemic birds, reptiles, and rare plants.
Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
A coastal wetland with lagoons and mangroves. Ideal for birdwatching and photography.
West / South West
Muthurajawela Wetlands
A marsh ecosystem explored by boat. Home to crocodiles, birds, and river wildlife.
Bolawatta Elephant Orphanage
A small care center for rescued elephants. Provides protection and rehabilitation.
Attidiya Bird Sanctuary (Colombo)
A convenient urban wetland. Good for spotting local and migratory birds.
Other Key Wildlife Locations
Wasgamuwa National Park
Known for large elephant herds and occasional bear sightings. A peaceful and less crowded park.
Maduru Oya National Park
Rich in elephants, reservoirs, and ancient ruins. Part of the Mahaweli ecosystem.
Kaudulla National Park
Famous for the annual “elephant gathering.” A top spot for large elephant herds.
Minneriya National Park
Home to Asia’s biggest elephant gathering. Ideal for safaris from June–September.
Hurulu Eco Park
A savannah-style landscape with elephants and deer. Popular alternative to Minneriya/Kaudulla.
Chundikulam National Park
A northern coastal sanctuary with rare birds. Features lagoons, dunes, and marine species.
Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park
A unique chain of islands and shallow seas. Rich in marine life, dolphins, and seabirds.
Most Popular Wildlife Parks for Tourists
Yala
Yala
Udawalawe
Udawalawe
Wilpattu
Wilpattu
Horton Plains
Horton Plains
Kumana
Kumana
Sinharaja Rainforest
Sinharaja Rainforest