Sri Lanka Wildlife

Well-known for night tours to observe sea turtles nesting on the beach.

Offers boat safaris to see crocodiles, monitor lizards, and monkeys in mangrove forests.

Virgin rainforest with many rare species only found here & a number of foot tracks for hiking. A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring primary tropical rainforest, ideal for endemic species spotting.

Offers unique night hikes to see the rare and elusive Grey Slender Loris.

Jungle park with a vast reservoir & elephant herd, popular for camping, boat rides & jeep safaris. Unique for "boat safaris" where elephants can sometimes be seen swimming between islands.

Amidst the well-populated suburbs of Attidiya, just outside Colombo, lies this marshy land sanctuary. Bordering the famous Bellanwila Buddhist Temple, the sanctuary has rich and diverse birdlife. Well known for its migratory and endemic waterbirds, it is also a great place to watch butterflies.

Quick Facts: 372 hectares — forested wetlands including mangrove and freshwater marshes. Discovered: 166 bird species, 71 butterfly species, 44 fish species. Also includes several species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.

Peaceful natural area with walking paths through the wetlands & abundant bird life.

This sanctuary comes under the Department of Wildlife Conservation. It is 1,397 hectares in extent and primarily a complex of large tanks and adjoining forest. The largest of the tanks holds a large breeding colony of Herons and other water birds, mainly during April–June. The dominant species include the Openbill, Great Cormorant, and White Ibis. A stroll on the bund of this tank will allow one to get close to the breeding colony.

This is the catchment area for the Victoria, Randenigala and Rantambe reservoirs built under the accelerated Mahaweli Development Scheme. At 42,087 hectares, the forested hills, valleys, large reservoirs and rivers make this area suitable for many species of forest birds and raptors.

This very scenic forest reserve with its high cliffs and ridges is approximately 21,000 hectares in extent. A good place to see raptors as well as forest birds. The road from "Loolwatta" passing "Corbett's Gap" to the ancient village of "Meemure" is highly recommended.

Declared a sanctuary in 1940 and 22,379 hectares in extent. In 2010 declared as a World Heritage Wilderness Area. This is a very important area for the conservation of endemic flora and fauna. All footpaths to Adam's Peak pass through this forest — many bird species can be seen during and off season across different altitudes from wet evergreen forest to montane cloud forest.

449 hectares in extent and protected as a forest reserve. Within the forest is a Buddhist meditation centre, so silence and decent behaviour are of paramount importance. Popular with Colombo birders due to its proximity to the city.

512 hectares in extent. In this forest too is a Buddhist temple (Aranya). During early morning, a walk on the road leading through the reserve can be very rewarding. There is a footpath leading to an open glade — birdwatching inside the forest hermitage area requires permission from the caretakers.

This area consists of a large tank, marshes, ponds, well-wooded lands and a series of paddy fields. Many migrant waders and some forest birds can be seen here, particularly during the beginning and end of the migrant season. It is a popular site among birders due to its proximity to Colombo.

A very large expanse of water, most of which dries up during the non-rainy season. The tank and part of the adjacent forest are 4,330 hectares in extent, protected as a sanctuary under the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The Jaffna Peninsula with its numerous water bodies has always been a haven for migrant waterfowl. Kayts, Manalkadu at Point Pedro, the Avranghal Plains, and the Kaithardy Bridge are some of the more important localities.