Sri Lanka is probably the only country in the world where you can watch the world’s largest mammal on land – the elephant – in the wild, and in a few hours be out in the sea watching the world’s largest sea mammal – the blue whale. It is also the land where specialist groups come to observe birds, butterflies, dragonflies and frogs!

Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and long history of protecting it makes nature and wildlife part of every visitors’ experience to our island. Sanctuaries for wildlife and nature reserves have been part of Sri Lanka since ancient times. Today Sri Lanka has over 25 National Parks which belong to our wildlife and human visitors are privileged to enter. The Sri Lankan leopard, the bear, the water buffalo, and of course the Sri Lankan elephant are the big mammals that ensure you stay inside the jeep when visiting the National Parks.

Sri Lanka has the highest concentration of wild elephants outside Africa, and the spectacular gathering of the world’s largest Asian elephants on the grassy lake beds of Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks. The world’s highest spotting of the beautiful leopard is in our Wilpattu and Yala National Parks. Sinharaja, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its amazing biodiversity, the blooming scrublands on sand dunes of the coast, the mist laden Dumbara Range with its jungles crossing