Wildlife
   

They are best seen in the Uda Walawe National Park (five hours from Colombo) at dawn, when large herds amble out into the open grassy plains and teak plantations for fodder. At water holes inside the Park watch the jumbos as they frolic in the cool evenings alongside crocodiles and occasional deer.

Yala National Park, the largest wildlife reserve open to visitors is seven hours from Colombo at the southeastern corner of the country. The park is best for its variety of species. Leopard, many types of deer, peacock, buffalo, sambhur, wild boar and fox are frequently seen in the park.

The Sri Lankan elephant, a sub-species of the Asian pachyderm, roams throughout the country except in the high mountains and the populous western coastal belt.
 Close by is the Bundala National Park, world famous for its large concentration of migratory birds who flock to its lagoon wetlands during the winter months. Groups of resident flamingo are also seen in Bundala.

Wasgomuwa National Park and Minneriya National Park are in the central/ north central regions of the country. At Minneriya, the newest park, herds of over 200 animals can be seen at a time by the large man-made irrigation tank.

Campsites are also available inside the parks, often by rivers or lakes. Visitors are expected to bring their own camping gear. Yala, Uda Walawe, Bundala, Wasgomuwa and Minneriya have private jeep services operating into the parks.