
28/05/2025
Sri Lanka is home to a diverse array of national parks, each offering unique opportunities to experience the island's rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and cultural heritage. Here’s an overview of some of the most notable national parks
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🐆 Yala National Park
Location: Southeastern Sri Lanka
Highlights: Home to one of the world's densest leopard populations, along with elephants, crocodiles, and nearly 200 bird species.
Activities: Safari tours, dune hikes, bush walks, and visits to local villages and ancient Buddhist temples.
Sustainability: Hilton Yala Resort promotes eco-friendly practices, including recycling wastewater and repurposing soap.
🐘 Udawalawe National Park
Location: Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces
Established: 1972
Area: 308.21 km²
Highlights: A sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir, and an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants.
🦁 Wilpattu National Park
Location: Northwestern Sri Lanka
Established: 1958
Area: 1,317 km²
Highlights: Renowned for its leopard population, with a density comparable to Yala National Park.
🌾 Horton Plains National Park
Location: Central Highlands
Established: 1988
Area: 31 km²
Highlights: Features montane grassland and cloud forest, with attractions like World's End and Baker's Falls.
🐦 Kumana National Park
Location: Southeastern Sri Lanka
Established: 1970
Area: 35,664 ha
Highlights: Renowned for its avifauna, particularly migratory waterfowl and wading birds.
🐠 Pigeon Island National Park
Location: Eastern Province
Established: 2003
Area: 471.4 ha
Highlights: One of the three marine national parks of Sri Lanka, containing some of the best remaining coral reefs.
🌊 Hikkaduwa National Park
Location: Southern Province
Established: 2002
Area: 101.6 ha
Highlights: Features a fringing coral reef with high biodiversity, popular for scuba diving.
🐘 Minneriya National Park
Location: North-Central Province
Highlights: Famous for the "Gathering," where hundreds of elephants congregate around the Minneriya Tank during the dry season.
🌿 Kaudulla National Park
Location: North-Central Province
Established: 2002
Highlights: Serves as a catchment area and provides a 6,656 ha jungle corridor for migrating elephants.