Wildlife

Safaris in Yala, Udawalawe and Minneriya

Which Sri Lanka safari park to choose: Yala for leopards, Udawalawe for elephants, Minneriya for the elephant gathering. Seasons, tips and ethics.

Best time: Varies by park

Photo: desertnaturalist / CC BY 4.0

Sri Lanka has some of the best wildlife viewing in Asia. Yala is famous for leopards, Udawalawe for year-round elephants and Minneriya for the seasonal gathering of hundreds of elephants.

TODO: write full guide. Cover: what it is, best time, how to plan it, costs (TODO: verify any numbers), local tips, ethics where relevant, and links to related cities.

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Where to stay for this

Elephants at a waterhole in Yala National Park — Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0

Deep south

Yala & Tissamaharama

Leopards, elephants and the base for Yala safaris.

1 to 2 nights · Best February to June

Sigiriya rock seen across green countryside — Photo: C.J.Hatton / CC BY-SA 4.0

Cultural Triangle

Sigiriya & Dambulla

Lion Rock, painted caves and elephants in the Cultural Triangle.

2 to 3 nights · Best January to September