Visit to the Sri Lankan jungles is to enter a whole new world 

where nature has largely stayed still.

Despite its relatively small size, Sri Lanka possesses a high level of biodiversity due to its wide range of topographic and climatic variation. 13% of Sri Lanka conserved as national parks, reserves, sanctuaries and jungle corridors.

It has been identified by Conservation International as one of 34 world biodiversity hot spots. In addition, The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, the country’s last viable area of primary tropical rainforest has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What’s remarkable is the high proportion of endemic species.

Sri Lanka Buddhist monarch, King Dewanampiyatissa, established the world first wildlife sanctuary in Mihintale. today this tradition continues with 13% of Sri Lanka conserved as national park,reserves, sanctuary and jungle corridors. 

A safari in one of the 14 national parks offers the chance to see some of Sri Lanka’s 91 mammals (16 endemic) - elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, spotted deer, hog, mouse- and barking-deer, wild boar, porcupine, ant-eater, civet cat, loris, giant squirrel, and monkeys such as the macaque, purple-faced leaf monkey and grey langur.

The island is an ornithologist’s paradise, with over 233 resident species, (33 endemic) - but migratory species stretch the number to an astounding 482. There are 171 reptiles (101 endemic including two crocodile species). Thankfully, only five of the 83 snake species are lethal. In recent years there has been a surge in the discovery of amphibians, so that by the time you read this, the figure of 106 (90 endemic), will no doubt have risen.

To preserve displaced young elephants, an elephant orphanage has been set up by the Department of National Zoological Gardens at Pinnawela. With over 60 elephants in captivity, the Pinnawala elephant orphanage is reported the largest captive herd in the world.

Varieties of flowering acacias are well adapted to the arid conditions and flourish on the Jaffna Peninsula. Among the trees of the dry-land forests, are some valuable species such as satinwood, ebony, ironwood, mahogany and teak. In the wet zone, the dominant vegetation of the lowlands is a tropical evergreen forest, with tall trees, broad foliage, and a dense undergrowth of vines and creepers. Subtropical evergreen forests resembling those of temperate climates flourish in the higher altitudes. Forests at one time covered nearly the entire island, but by the late 20th century lands classified as forests and forest reserves covered around of the land. 

Waterfalls are unique creation of nature which enrich with its true beauty. Sri Lanka boasts approximately three hundred and fifty waterfalls. Visit to the Sri Lankan jungles is to enter a whole new world where nature has largely stayed still.