{"id":8873,"date":"2020-06-19T18:16:44","date_gmt":"2020-06-19T17:16:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/?p=8873"},"modified":"2020-06-19T18:16:46","modified_gmt":"2020-06-19T17:16:46","slug":"sri-lankas-top-wildlife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/sri-lanka\/sri-lankas-top-wildlife\/","title":{"rendered":"Sri Lanka\u2019s Top Wildlife"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Sri Lanka may be small but it\u2019s wildlife is mighty! Boasting\none of the highest rates of biodiversity in the world, the country is home to\n91 species of mammals, including some of the largest populations of leopard and\nthe Asiatic elephants in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s our pick of the best wildlife hot spots in the \u2018Teardrop\nIsle\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yala National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nestled on Sri Lanka’s south-east coast, Yala National Park boasts\na diversity of wildlife to rival any African safari experience. A national park\nsince 1938, Yala is home to one of the planet\u2019s densest leopard populations,\ngiving you one of the best chances of seeing these beautiful big cats anywhere\nin the world. As well as these fabulous felines, you’ll also be in with a\nchance of spotting elephants, sloth bears, sambars, golden jackals, spotted\ndeer, wild pigs, peacocks and crocodiles to name just a few! For the twitchers\namongst you, the diverse habitats ranging from woodland and scrub to marine ecosystems\nare a haven for birdlife, with over 220 different species calling the park home.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Uda Walawe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If it’s elephants you’re after then you\u2019ve come to the right\nplace in Uda Walawe National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Established for over 50 years now, the national park is\nrenowned as one of the best places in Sri Lanka, if not the world, to see\nAsiatic elephants. You are almost guaranteed to see them during your time here.\nThe huge Walawe Reservoir, in the heart of the park, is a favourite hangout for\nthe 400 or so elephants that live here, especially during the drier months. Park\nup on the edge of the water and you\u2019ll be treated to the delightful spectacle\nof family groups visiting to drink, bathe and play in the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not all about the pachyderms though \u2013 you\u2019ll also spot water\nbuffalo, monitor lizards, sambar deer and monkeys and the park also blesses\nbird watchers. The raptors are a particular highlight here including the\nintriguingly named changeable hawk eagle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our highlights of Sri Lanka tours also visits the Elephant\nTransit Home in the park, a small centre that cares for orphaned elephant\ncalves until they are independent enough to be released back into the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Wilpattu National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Located on the north west coast Wilpattu National Park is\nSri Lanka’s largest and also least well known national park. A dry zone jungle,\nthe landscape is dotted with scores of freshwater lakes that thousands of resident\nand migratory water-birds, quite literally flock to. Whistling teal, spoonbill,\nwhite ibis, egrets, and many species of gulls, terns, owls and eagles all can\nbe spotted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On land the dense swathes of woodland host crocodiles,\nelephants, sloth bears, spotted deer and water buffalo. You may even catch a\nglimpse of the elusive leopard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Sinharaja Forest Reserve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Located on the lusher south-west coast Sinharaja is the remnant\nof primary tropical rainforest on the island. Home to and incredible breadth of\nbio-diversity and a huge number of endemic species. The whole reserve is a\nUNESCO World Heritage. You\u2019ll find 95 percent of the Sri Lanka\u2019s endemic bird\nspecies here including the colourfully monikered green-billed coucal, red-faced\nmalkoha and the Sri Lankan blue magpie. The rolling lush tropical landscape also\nboasts over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as\nwell as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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