National Parks – Canwil Tours

The following are national parks in Sri Lanka administered by the Department of Wildlife Conservation

If you’re into the ridiculous rush of watching a sleepy leopard stare you down while it licks its paw, or soaking in pristine rivers weaving through jungles, or gorgeous fiery sunsets, your visit (or residence) in Sri Lanka is incomplete without a park visit. You’ve got plenty of choice too – Sri Lanka has 26 protected National Parks, which is amazing for such a tiny island, and makes it one of the world’s top 5 most biodiverse countries.

Bundala Sri Lanka

Bundala National Park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala harbors 197 species of birds, the highlight being the greater flamingo, which migrate in large flocks

Things to do

Bird Watching

Horton Plains

Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. World’s End, a vertiginous rock escarpment high above the plains, is an epic feature of Horton, with amazing vistas of tea plantation and villages in the valley below, and terrific views south towards the coast.

Things to do

Knuckles Mountains

The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, in the Districts of Matale and Kandy. The range takes its name from a series of recumbent folds and peaks in the west of the massif which resemble the knuckles of clenched fist when viewed from certain locations in the Kandy District.

Things to do

Kumana

Kumana National Park in Sri Lanka is renowned for its avifauna, particularly its large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds. The park is 391 kilometres southeast of Colombo on Sri Lanka’s southeastern coast

Things to do

Bird Watching

Minneriya Sri Lanka

Minneriya National Park is located 182 km away from Colombo in the North Central Plains of Sri Lanka. The major city closest to Minneriya National Park is Polonnaruwa.

The renovated vast ancient Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir that irrigates the considerable area of the district of Polonnaruwa is the focal point of the Minneriya National Park.

Things to do

Jeep Safari

Peak Wilderness

“Sri Pada” Peak Wilderness sanctuary is a tropical rain forest that spreads over a land of 224 square kilometers around the Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) mountain. A huge forest area that belonged to the Peak Wilderness was cut down and cleared during the British colonial rule in Sri Lanka (1815-1948) to gain land for the massive tea estates which are still functioning in Nuwara Eliya district. The remaining portion of the Peak Wilderness was declared a wildlife sanctuary on October 25, 1940.

Things to do

SINHARAJA FOREST

One of the UNESCO world heritage sites, Sinharaja stands to present the most exotic of tropical country paradise you have ever witnesses. Still unexplored to the depth, this beautiful rain forest will remind you about the beauty of Mother Nature and how small and insignificant we are in this world. Home to many native species, the wild life, the streams and the beautiful small water falls will mesmerize you with its own grandeur. With Attraction Leisure, you get a close up with this beautiful wild and exotic forest and make u a tree lover with its wonderful plants and wines. The lush greenery will be the best of Sri Lanka for you.

Things to do

UDAWALAWE

Framed by soaring highlands on its northern boundary, the Uda Walawe National Park is one of the world’s best places to see wild elephants. Largely comprised of grasslands and bush forest, it’s also one of the best national parks in Sri Lanka for game spotting.

Things to do

Jeep Safari

WASGAMUWA

Wasgamuwa National Park is a natural park in Sri Lanka situated in the Matale and Polonnaruwa Districts . It was declared to protect and to make a refuge for the displaced wild animals during the Mahaweli Development Project in 1984 and is one of the four National Parks designated under the Project.

Things to do

Jeep Safari

WILPATTU

A famous destination for safari tours in Sri Lanka. The famous Wilapattu is one of the “rainforest and savannah mixes of a “park where you get to see the lazy crocodiles and fighting wild pigs. Home to many native animals, this exotic place is a sure winner with any traveller who appreciates wild life in its highest form. The homeland to many native birds, Wilapattu is especially remarkable for its wide array of birds and species.

Things to do

YALA

Monkeys jumping over and about through the trees, peacocks showing off their stolen prettiest frocks and elephants idling to and fro while curious leopards slide like shadows through the Yala National Park, you are expected to keep your eyes wide open as it takes you through a journey in the Jungle Book. The dry woodland and open patches of grasslands is big wilder corner of Sri Lanka.