Sri Lanka is a nation that treasures its natural resources and that is exactly why the island has 16 protected wildlife reserves around the country. These parks are scattered across different regions of the island and each of these parks is composed of unique ecosystems. From wetlands, dense forests, shrublands to montane grasslands, there is an endless array of peculiar landscapes around these parks. Each of them serves as habitat for a multitude of mammals, endemic and migratory avifauna, insects, amphibians and a variety of flora. The parks are maintained and conserved by the government and are under the protection of strict legislation.
National parks such as Wilpattu and Yala are the largest out of the 16 and even the smallest of them supports a myriad of unique wildlife and they are also home to a variety of appeals. The Horton Plains, for example, is located at a high altitude and due to its unique location the reserve houses a variety of flora and fauna that cannot be seen elsewhere in the world. Reserves such as Kumana receive a staggering amount of migratory birds annually and it’s ecosystems offer the ideal refuge for birds that travel over millions of miles in search of food and nourishment. The park also caters to these birds as a temporary habitat for breeding.
Sri Lanka receives occasional rains across the island from monsoonal winds and the annual rainfall varies between 850mm in the driest parts to 5000mm and sometimes above in the wettest parts of the nation. The island’s tropical location significantly contributes towards the fact that the nation is teeming with wildlife. Apart from landlocked wildlife reserves the country is also home to marshes close to the coast and marine national parks. With Trotter Escapes, travellers get exclusive access to most of these reserves and we will offer them exclusive perks along with the tours. Come join us and craft you next wildlife adventure!
