Wildlife and Safari in Sri Lanka

For its size, Sri Lanka is one of the most rewarding wildlife destinations anywhere. You can watch leopards in the morning and blue whales in the afternoon, and the parks are close enough together to string several into one trip.

The national parks

• Yala (southeast) has one of the highest leopard densities in the world, along with elephants, crocodiles and huge birdlife. It's the most popular park, so it's also the busiest — go early.
• Udawalawe is the reliable choice for elephants, with large herds seen on almost every drive.
• Wilpattu, in the northwest, is the island's largest park — leopards, natural lakes (villus), and far fewer jeeps than Yala.
• Minneriya and Kaudulla host "The Gathering" — hundreds of wild elephants converging on the receding reservoir, usually around August and September. It's one of the great wildlife spectacles in Asia.
• Sinharaja, a UNESCO rainforest reserve, is for birders and biodiversity — dozens of endemic species found nowhere else.

Whales and the coast

Offshore, Sri Lanka is one of the best places on earth to see blue whales:

• Mirissa (south) — November to April.
• Trincomalee (east) — May to September.

Doing it well

• Go at first light. Animals are most active early, and you'll beat the midday heat and the crowds.
• Choose a reputable operator with a knowledgeable naturalist — it's the difference between a good drive and a great one.
• Give animals space. The pressure of too many jeeps crowding a single leopard is a real problem at the busy parks; a good guide keeps a respectful distance.