Wildlife

Leopards, elephants and whales

Private jeep safaris in the national parks, and whale watching off the south coast.

Sri Lanka has one of the highest leopard densities in the world, large elephant herds and blue whales offshore.

Where to go

Elephants at a waterhole in Yala
Leopards

Yala

Leopards, sloth bears and elephants. Some blocks close in September–October.

Sigiriya rock from the air
Elephants

Minneriya and Kaudulla

Hundreds of elephants gather at the reservoirs, peaking around August–September.

Mirissa bay on the south coast
Whales

Mirissa

Blue and sperm whales, November to April.

Plan a wildlife tour