Wildlife in the Cultural Triangle

Wildlife in the Cultural Triangle is mainly limited to the various national parks in the area. Quieter than the parks in the south, Minneriya is a fantastic option for those wanting to see some of Sri Lanka’s big game – as well as being home to Leopards, Sloth Bear, monkeys, deer and crocodiles, a very large population of elephants also lives here. In the dry season (June – September) when the water holes begin to dry out, increasing numbers of animals can be seen congregating around Minneriya Tank, including herds of up to 300 elephants, a wildlife phenomenon known as The Elephant Gathering. Other parks include Kaudulla, quieter than Minneriya, and Wasgamuwa, a remote national park which boasts 143 species of bird.

As well as exploring the national parks in the Cultural Triangle, Red Dot offers a couple of other wildlife experiences in the region. Visit the medieval city of Polonnaruwa and, as well as discovering the fascinating history behind these ruins, meet the monkey population that lives here, who were recently documented for the Disney film ‘Monkey Kingdom’. Trek through the jungle in search of Kaludiya Pokuna, a 1,200-year-old Buddhist monastery that is a wondrously peaceful spot for birdwatching.