The South East corner of Sri Lanka is a special region that is immersed in nature and wildlife. This area is home to several protected sanctuaries and National Parks that provide thriving eco systems for many species of fauna and flora. Yala National Park is the largest sanctuary in this region and can be accessed travelling along the South coast or from the Eastern Hills. The Eastern section of Yala is known as Kumana National Park, which is accessed via the East coast. Yala’s extensive jungle cover is home to herds of wild elephants, the endangered leopard subspecies, Panthera Pardus Kotiya, which is only found in Sri Lanka; mugger crocodiles, sambar, deer, monkeys and so much more. Pelicans, Spoon Bills, Painted Stork, Ibis and more can be spotted by the waterbodies in Kumana and Yala. The number of exotic bird species swells from November to April when the migrant birds arrive in Sri Lanka to escape the cold winter months.

Travelling north from Yala is the magnificent Gal Oya National Park, a vast untouched wilderness with a central lake where herds of elephant swim across to the small islands in the center of the lake to reach fresh flora. Gal Oya National Park can be reached via the south and the east coast.