Best Wildlife Experiences in Sri Lanka with Kids

Golden beaches, jungle adventures and an abundance of weird and wonderful wildlife ensure that a Sri Lanka family holiday really hits the spot for nature lovers. Whether you want to go leopard spotting, elephant tracking or whale watching, this lush teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean is jam-packed with once-in-a-lifetime experiences that children will never forget.

'You can help feed the turtles and, if you time it right, watch hatchlings being released back into the ocean.'

Even with two monsoon seasons (north and south), a holiday to Sri Lanka with kids can be a year-round option. And even if you're limited to the school holidays, with 26 national parks spread across the country, whether you visit during Easter, summer or Christmas holidays you're guaranteed to have a wild time.

Here are some of the best places to have wildlife experiences in Sri Lanka with kids.

The Elephant Gathering in Minneriya National Park

In the flatlands of the North Central Province, the Minneriya National Park is one of the best places to see wildlife in Sri Lanka. Visit during the dry season between April and October and see hundreds of elephants flock to the Minneriya Reservoir for The Gathering, where herds congregate around watering holes along with pelicans, painted storks and herons.

Leopard Spotting in Yala National Park

One of the best places to see wildlife in Sri Lanka is Yala National Park in the Southern Province. For a higher chance of spotting the country’s elusive leopards, Yala is the place to go. It’s home to some of the highest densities of leopard in the world, and kids love the early-morning jeep safaris in search of them. You’re also likely to encounter many elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears and water buffalo.

See Sloths and Sea Turtles in Bundala National Park

Located 30km south of Yala, Bundala National Park is another good option for Sri Lanka wildlife tours. Home to leopard, elephant and sloth bears, this smaller park attracts fewer visitors than Yala, which means the animals are largely undisturbed by human presence. A big draw is Bundala's wetlands, which stretch for 20km along the coast between Kirinda and Hambantota, where you can see flamingo, crocodile and four of Sri Lanka’s five species of sea turtle – olive ridley, green, leatherback and loggerhead.

Meet Orphaned Elephants in Udawalawe National Park

On the border of the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, Udawalawe National Park is one of the more popular wildlife parks in Sri Lanka, especially among families. With its low forest and grassland, Udawalawe is often considered the place for the best Sri Lanka safari as it has between 600 and 700 wild elephants drawn by the park’s waterholes. On the western border of the park is the Elephant Transit Home, a sanctuary supported by the Born Free Foundation, which cares for orphaned elephant calves until they are independent enough to be released back into the wild.

Visit the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project

Some Sri Lanka wildlife tours also help protect marine life such as whales, dolphins and sea turtles. One of several turtle care centres dotted along the south coast, the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project is Sri Lanka's pioneering marine turtle conservation centre. Its main aim is to monitor turtle activity and conserve the local nesting sites. There are five species of turtle that nest along the south coast – green, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley – and you can help feed them and, if you time it right, watch hatchlings being released back into the ocean.

Go Whale Watching in Mirissa and Galle

It's not just jungles, forests and national parks where you see wildlife in Sri Lanka. The waters around the south coast, particularly Mirissa and Galle, are a haven for blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins. There are several operators in Mirissa committed to responsible whale watching. Always check the trip is accredited by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) to ensure it follows the strict guidelines for the safety and wellbeing of the whales.

Sri Lanka is considered the blue whale capital of the world, and the best time to see the largest mammal on the planet here is between late November and mid April, when they come closer to the shore to feed. Sperm whales and long-nosed spinner dolphins can also be spotted throughout the year.

See Sloths and Storks in Wilpattu National Park

With sloth bears in the forests, elephants wandering the plains and crocodiles in the lakes, one of the least-visited wildlife parks in Sri Lanka and also the largest is a must-visit. Wilpattu National Park in the North Central Province is home to plenty of water buffalo, elephants, sloth bears and sambar deer. If you're super lucky, you might spot one of the 50 leopards that call the park home, but you’re more likely to see some of Sri Lanka's glorious birdlife including the painted stork and the Ceylon parakeet.

By Tracey Davies

Find out more about Sri Lanka family holidays.