available in Best Time to Visit
offering Safaris
Reserves and Wildlife
Areas
Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture and bountiful national parks and reserves are a real draw for travellers from around the world. Each month brings a new festival, a celebration, and each city is an attraction in itself. Many of these festivals coincide with peak visiting times and can be combined with experiencing one of the fantastic national parks.
During the dry season, this safari paradise offers tourists an opportunity to see some of the most magnificent animals in their natural habitat. While planning your visit to Sri Lanka you will have to consider the rains, which can be quite unpredictable. Sri Lanka is considered a year-round destination because you can plan around the regional monsoon seasons and visit the region which has the most favourable weather.
Sri Lanka Monsoon Seasons
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, as well as two inter-monsoon seasons. The southwest monsoon season, from May to September, brings heavy rains to the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. Similarly, the northeast monsoon, from December to February, sees heavy rainfall in the northeastern regions of Sri Lanka.
During the first inter-monsoon season, which begins in March and lasts through April, there is a general decline in the rainfall all over the country while the southwestern regions receive varied rainfall. The exception is the southwestern slope, which experiences 700 mm rainfall. Other regions in Sri Lanka, experience a rainfall between 100-250 mm.
The southwest monsoon is followed by the second inter-monsoon, beginning in October and ending in November. There is heavy and widespread rain that can sometimes result in landslides and floods.
The unusual Sri Lankan climate makes it difficult to pinpoint the best time to visit the country, but December to mid-April is generally considered peak season for the best overall weather. The best time to visit Sri Lanka really depends on the region, city, and places in Sri Lanka that tourists are interested in visiting. We have prepared a table that gives the best time to visit the capital cities of each of the nine Sri Lankan provinces.
Best Time to Visit Sri Lankan National Parks
The following table presents the best time to visit some of the top-rated Sri Lankan national parks, game reserves and sanctuaries.
| Popular Sri Lankan National Parks | Best Month to Visit Sri Lankan National Parks |
|---|---|
| Bundala Bird Sanctuary | October To March |
| Horton Plains National Park | January to March |
| Minneriya National Park | January to September |
| Sinharaja National Park/ Forest Reserve | January to March. Also, in April, or August to October, under favourable conditions. |
| Udawalawe National Park Safari | Throughout the year, due to favourable climatic conditions. To watch Asian elephant herds and mating, the ideal time is from October to January. |
| Wilpattu National Park | May to September during the dry season. |
| Yala West National Park | June to September |
Best Time To Travel To Sri Lankan Provincial Cities
| Capital Cities | Best Time to Visit The Capital Cities | Sri Lanka Province |
|---|---|---|
| Jaffna | January to September | Northern Province |
| Anuradhapura | April to November | North Central Province |
| Kurunegala | Early January to February ending | North Western Province |
| Kandy | December to April | Central Province |
| Trincomalee | February to April | Eastern Province |
| Colombo | January to March, and November to December | Western Province |
| Ratnapura | January to March, and September | Sabaragamuwa Province |
| Badulla | February to March, and June to September | Uva Province |
| Galle | December to March. January, specifically, for the Galle Literary Festival. | Southern Province |
Sri Lanka Safaris
8-Day Sri Lanka Wildlife & Village Safari
- 8 Days
Make your way to Sri Lanka to experience some of the country's magnificent scenery and stunning wildlife...
-
Country:Sri Lanka,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:8 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Anamaduwa, end in Negombo
Wild World of Sri Lanka VI
- 11 Days
The most popular wildlife trip in Sri Lanka, this safari visits the very best parks and reserves for...
-
Country:Sri Lanka,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:11 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Colombo
Big Game Safari Camp Yala
- 3 Days
Big Game Safari Camp Yala is located in a small forest surrounded by a vast array of flora and fauna...
-
Country:Sri Lanka,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:3 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Kataragama Bodhiraja Temple, end in Kataragama Bodhiraja Temple
7 Days The Best of Sri Lankan Culture, Heritage, Wildlife & Beaches
- 7 Days
Experience the very best of Sri Lanka: for such a small country, the emerald isle has a lot to offer...
-
Country:Sri Lanka,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:7 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Colombo, end in Colombo or Negambo
Big Game Safari Camp Udawalawe
- 3 Days
Big Game Safari Camp Udawalawe is located on the eastern border of Udawalawe National Park, one of Sri...
-
Country:Sri Lanka,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:3 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in 12th Milepost, Agunukolapelessa
5 Days Discover Two Giant Mammals
- 5 Days
This Sri Lanka safari features two of nature’s most magnificent creatures: the elephant and the blue...
-
Country:Sri Lanka,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:5 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Colombo International Airport
Ultimate Photo Safari
- 8 Days
This Sri Lanka safari takes in the very best highlights of this beautiful country including whale watching...
-
Country:Sri Lanka,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:8 Days
Big Five Safari Sri Lanka
- 7 Days
Enjoy a private safari in Sri Lanka's most popular national parks, Udawalawe and Yala, as well as in...
-
Country:Sri Lanka,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:7 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Colombo
Wild Sri Lanka In A Nutshell
- 7 Days
This fully guided safari enables wildlife enthusiasts to visit many of Sri Lanka's popular national parks;...
-
Country:Sri Lanka,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:7 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Colombo
Big 5 of Sri Lanka
- 12 Days
This trip is a great way to explore the Sri Lankan wilderness. This “serendipity” country in South...
-
Country:Sri Lanka,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:12 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Colombo