Yala National Park
The next best alternative to a safari in Africa is a safari in Yala – so enormous it extends over both the Southern and Uva provinces. The National Park boasts a good population of the vulnerable Sri Lankan leopard species, 215 varieties of birds, deer, buffaloes, elephants, wild pigs, and crocodiles. Take a ride through the thin, rugged trails that lead to a desolate beach and rest up the night in a luxury treehouse, safe within the wilderness!
Safari Camping
A five-star safari and camping experience, the best in southeast Asia, awaits at Yala. Camp in an air-conditioned, capacious living space with an ensuite bathroom hidden away in the thick, dense forest — Which not just gives you all the privacy you need on earth but also the complete experience of having nature at your own doorstep. With a world-class culinary experience at your disposal, don’t be surprised if you’re treated like kings of the jungle.
Kataragama Temple
In this holy place dedicated to Lord Kataragama, also known as Sri Skanda Kumara in Hinduism, the temple is one of the country’s significant icons that show different religions coexisting in harmony, visible with its interior details and architecture. With a history dating back to the 6th century B.C., the temple is home to countless supernatural stories from its visitors and is now a popular annual pilgrimage site to locals gathering in large numbers.
Bundala National Park
A mix of ecosystems such as scrublands, marshes, lagoons, waterways, and dunes combine to form the country’s most important birding destination — Bundala National Park. Watch as over 200 species of bird’s flap around this last stretch of the southern land, right before they make their journey across the Southern ocean. The park is also home to animal species such as elephants, monkeys, mongooses, giant squirrels, crocs, leopards, sloth bears and deer. Quite the wildlife adventure!
