Wildlife
Sri Lanka Wildlife: Where to See Leopards, Elephants and Whales
A compact island with remarkable wildlife. Here is where to go, and when, to see Sri Lanka's most iconic animals.
· 7 min read
Few places combine leopards, wild elephants and blue whales within a few hours' drive. With good timing, you can see all three on one trip.
Leopards: Yala and Wilpattu
Yala National Park in the south-east is famous for its leopards. February to July is generally best, and the park usually closes for part of September and October. Wilpattu, in the north-west, is quieter and wilder.
Elephants: Minneriya, Kaudulla and Udawalawe
Udawalawe has elephants year-round. Around July to October, large herds gather on the grasslands of Minneriya and Kaudulla as other water sources dry up, one of Asia's great wildlife spectacles.
Whales: Mirissa and Trincomalee
From November to April, boats from Mirissa head out in search of blue whales and sperm whales. On the east coast, Trincomalee offers whale watching in roughly the opposite season.
Choose operators who respect viewing distances and limit boat numbers. Responsible wildlife tourism protects these animals for the future.
