Sri Lanka is one of the few Asian countries known for safaris. Go on safari in Sri Lanka and admire leopards, elephants, bears, crocodiles, water buffalo and many more animals in real life. We have been on safari in Sri Lanka almost 10 times now and have listed for you the 7 most enjoyable safari parks in Sri Lanka.
Content of this blog:
1. Safari in Sri Lanka: Wilpattu
For us, Wilpattu National Park is definitely number one for a safari in Sri Lanka. You used to have the best chance of seeing leopards in Yala, but since 2023 this has shifted to Wilpattu, where you now have more than a 50% chance of spotting leopards. To see these majestic, graceful animals in real life is so incredibly special.
In addition, Wilpattu is home to the sloth bear, which you encounter in the wild in very few places. It is fantastic to spot this rare bear in real life. Besides leopards and bears, you can spot various species of monkeys, crocodiles, water buffalo, deer and unusual birds in Wilpattu.
Sineth is a guide in Wilpattu. He gives you – regardless of whether or not you see leopards – an unforgettable day. He is incredibly humorous and knows a lot about the animals, Wilpattu safari park and Sri Lanka itself. You can WhatsApp him at +94 78396 6538. In Wilpattu he has no internet so he only sends a message back in the evening. You do have to contact him early: because he is such a fun guide, many people recommend him and he is quickly fully booked!
2. Minneriya / Kaudulla / Hurulu Eco Park
Want to see lots of elephants on a safari in Sri Lanka? These 3 parks near Sigiriya are famous for elephant safaris. In the right season (June to October) you can see hundreds of elephants here at the same time, how special! When we were in Sri Lanka the elephants were in Minneriya at that time. But they could also be in Kaudalla or Hurulu Eco Park when you are there.
The elephants roam freely between the 3 parks, so we can’t tell you in advance which of the 3 parks you should visit. When you book an elephant safari in Sigiriya, the rangers go out the night before or early in the morning to check where the elephants are. Then they will send you and the jeep to the right park. In our extensive article on the elephant safari in Sigiriya we tell you where you can book it, what the price is and if it is ethical.
3. Kumana National Park unknown safari park in Sri Lanka
Kumana National Park is a fairly undiscovered safari park just off Arugam Bay – in eastern Sri Lanka. We have visited this park and are so excited about it. Because few tourists know about the park, it is super quiet in the park and therefore you have a great chance to spot animals. You encounter animals here every so often. Unlike Yala, where we sometimes saw nothing for half an hour, this was different in Kumana. However, this can vary from day to day as nature does its own thing.
We ourselves sat near a leopard for 20 minutes in Kumana, this was so incredibly special! So we definitely recommend – if you haven’t seen leopards in Yala or Wilpattu – to try it in Kumana. In addition, of course, you will also find many elephants, deer, buffalo and crocodiles in Kumana. For us, Kumana National Park was one of the best places for a safari in Sri Lanka. Book your safari in Kumana National Park here and spot the leopards!
4. Yala National Park the most famous safari park in Sri Lanka
When you think of a safari in Sri Lanka, you quickly come to this park. In fact, Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s largest and most famous safari park. For years, Yala had the largest population of leopards, which made all visitors eager to do a safari in Yala. Since 2023, this has changed. Currently, Wilpattu is where leopards are most often spotted. The probability there is more than 50%.
Yala is another incredibly large safari park in Sri Lanka. It is divided into 5 blocks, only 2 or 3 of which are open to the public. This also allows the animals to retreat to places where they are not bothered by jeeps.
Because Yala National Park has (been) the most popular safari park in Sri Lanka for many years, an awful lot of visitors also come here daily for a safari in Sri Lanka. This can come at the expense of your own experience, and animal welfare. By now, I (NoĆ«lle) have visited Yala National Park 3 times in 11 years. I noticed that the last time – in 2025 – it was actually a lot quieter than in 2014 and 2018. Despite the fact that there were many more tourists in 2025 in Sri Lanka. By contrast, Wilpattu and Minneriya were incredibly crowded.
5. Udawalawe National Park
To the west of Yala National Park you will find Udawalawe National Park. Udawalawe is known as the quiet, smaller and less impressive brother of Yala. In Udawalawe, the chances of spotting a leopard are very small (almost impossible). You will find mostly elephants, crocodiles and many different species of birds. Book the best safari in Udawalawe National Park here.
6. Bundala National Park for a bird safari
Bundala is the safari park in Sri Lanka that almost no one has heard of. It is located between Yala and Udawalawe, on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Bundala National Park is especially the perfect place if you are a bird watcher. You will find almost 200 different species of birds here, which you can admire up close.
7. Kingdom Ecolodge
Okay, the Kingdom Ecolodge is not officially a safari park, but you are going on a safari here. That counts too, right? The Kingdom Ecolodge is located in the Sri Lankan countryside, in the middle of nature. Besides kayaking on the river, collecting your own vegetables and a cooking course, you will also go on two safaris here. You go – with jeeps and on foot – in search of wild elephants. How cool is that! Read our extensive article on the Kingdom Ecolodge for more information, where to book and what to expect.
This were our top 7 most enjoyable safari parks in Sri Lanka. Do you have tips for another National Park not listed here? Feel free to let us know. Also read our other Sri Lanka articles for all the tips. There are almost 40 articles online by now, so I’m sure you can get plenty of tips from these!
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