Sri Lanka is an island that defies convention. According to classic island biogeographic theory, small islands don't have large mammals. Well, unfortunately for theory, Sri Lanka is an exception, as the largest terrestrial mammal in Asia-the Asian elephant-is found on the island. What is more, Sri Lanka is beyond doubt the best place in Asia to see the Asian elephant. Visit Uda Walawe national Park, to the south of the central mountain massif, and you are guaranteed to see elephants.

In September and October, 'The Gathering', an annual concentration of elephants, takes place on the shores of Minneriya Lake in Minneriya National Park. Small family groups of elephants arrive and coalesce into small herds, which in turn congregate into larger herds of fifty to one hundred elephants. On occasion it is possible to see over three hundred elephants on the plains. 'The Gathering' is surely one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet.

The Sambar, Mouse and Hog Deer are all found, and, along with wild boar, make up a good part of the leopards diet. Sloth Bears are the hardest to see of the large mammals, but Porcupine and Grey Mangu monkeys are much more common. Other species include the Bear and Purple leaf monkeys. Then there is the Big Spotted One. The leopard is elusive all over the world and almost impossible to see in most of Asia. In Sri Lanka, the leopard is the Top Cat and reigns supreme. Unchallenged here by the lion or tiger, it can be seen at times having a siesta on the road under the shade of a tree. Recent research suggests that Yala may have one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. For wildlife enthusiasts, seeing a leopard is one of the highlights of a visit to the island.

A two-week birding itinerary can yield a trip list of around 235 species and almost all of the endemics. For birders in search of the endemics, the best time to visit is between November and April, when the rich rainforests of the southwest are at their driest. For a general birder who is not obsessed with bagging the endemics, Sri Lanka is a year-round destination. An itinerary can be structured to avoid where the current monsoon is blowing. For wildlife photographers in search of leopards, even the rainy months in Yala can be rewarding. Sri Lanka has been described as a birding jewel in Asia. Not without good reason.

Humpback, Sperm, Minke, Melon-headed and even Blue whales are amongst the Cetaceans found off-shore, as well as Orca and Spinner, Spotted, Frasers, Rissos and even Indo-pacific Humpback dolphins. The protected Dugong can still be spotted.

There are approximately 250 species of butterfly found in Sri Lanka, of which 20 are endemic. 55% of Sri Lanka 180 species of reptile are endemic, and it is now thought that Sri Lanka has the highest population density of Amphibians in the world, including the huge Kabaragoya, a water monitor that often grows over 2m. long

Sri Lankan Expedition operates Safari Camps in major National Parks in Sri Lanka to offer the maximum wildlife safari opportunities for viewing the country's diverse wildlife of the 86 species of mammal, pride of place goes to the magnificent Elephant – the second largest terrestrial mammal surviving today. These fascinating animals can be seen with relative ease in most of the parks, in large herds of extended families as well as lone males. Sri Lanka is also famous for the beautiful solitary Leopard, best sighted at dawn or dusk when these adaptable predators come down from the shade of the trees to hunt.

Other predatory animals which can be found in Sri Lanka include the sloth bear, golden jackal and mongooses. Primates such as common Langurs and a wide variety of Monkeys (such as the endemic macaque, purple faced leaf monkey and shaggy bear monkey) demonstrate their remarkable agility by swinging from branch to branch, often in huge troops. Our 4WD jeep safaris take place in the early morning and late afternoon/evening - the optimum times for wildlife observations. All vehicles are checked before each safari in line with National Tour Operator safety standards.

N.B. Vehicles are prohibited inside the HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK where we can offer wildlife observations on foot instead..

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