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Other National Parks Sri Lanka is full of forests, and it is natural that as one of the pioneers of conservation the country contains more national parks, or nature reserves, than you have time to visit. In addition to Giritale-Minneriya National Park and Wasgamuwa National Park – the two parks near Deer Park Hotel – here are a few others that you might be interested in. Deer Park Hotel will be pleased to organise guest excusions to any of the following attractions: Bundala National Park One of the latest additions, this national park is home to over 150 species of birds. Catch elephant herds of up to 60, civets, jackals, gray langurs and squirrels, as well as – in January – endangered turtles such as the Leatherback, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and Green Sea Turtle that shore up to nest. Gal Oya National Park Situated in the west, the Gal Oya National Park is surrounded by Senanayake Samudra, the largest tank in the country. Take about and stalk close to the drinking elephants, which you can see in numbers of up to 150 at a time. Also great for bird watching. Kaudulla National Park Not too far from Deer Park Hotel, the Kaudulla National Park allows you to get close to the animals. Watch cats fish, and see if you can spot the endangered Rusty Spotted Cat. Migrating elephants pass through the park between August and December. Uda Walawe National Park Likened to an African game reserve, the Uda Walawe National Park is probably one of the most impressive nature parks in the country. About 106 miles southeast of Colombo, the park houses an estimated 500 elephants, of which you can see up to 100 at a time. The Uda Walawe Reservoir in the middle of the park serves the animals. Catch the Spotted Deer, Sambar, Water Buffalo, Mongoose, Bandicoot, Toque Monkey and Grey Langur in addition to foxes, crocodiles, wild boars, leopards and 30 varieties of snakes. If you dare - that is. Yala (Ruhunu) National Park The biggest national park, whose Block 1 – one of the five areas open to public – has one of the world’s densest leopard populations. There are only 35 leopards residing here, but it’s probably the best place in the world to catch one, in the wild, on film. To see the entire park could take you at least three days, though there is a one-day jeep-trip available. The types of life you’ll encounter here are too numerous to list: better to see them for yourself. Horton Plains National Park The only national park within the hill country, Horton Plains National Park – in which Sri Lanka’s second-tallest mountain stands - boasts some unusual highland vegetation. See if you can spot the Shaggy Bear-monkey, Sambhur, as you take a leisurely stroll to World's End. Bird watchers will be delighted to find the Orange-billed Babbler, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Hill Munia, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Pied Bush-Chat, Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush and Grey Tit. |
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