Pigeon Island Marine National Park
A small protected reef off Nilaveli, with shallow coral gardens, reef fish, turtles and blacktip reef sharks, best from May to September.
Wilpattu National Park
The island’s largest national park, defined by natural forest lakes called villus that draw leopards and sloth bears, with fewer vehicles than the busier southern parks.
Minneriya National Park
Home to the Gathering, when hundreds of wild elephants come to the reservoir shore in the dry months, peaking from July to October.
Udawalawe National Park
Open grassland where herds of elephants are almost guaranteed, close to a transit home where orphaned calves are raised and released.
Yala National Park
Sri Lanka’s most famous national park, with one of the highest leopard densities in the world, plus elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles. Blocks 1 and 2 close for several weeks in the dry season (14 September to 15 October in 2026).