Situated 309 km south of Colombo, Yala is approximately 1,259 sq .Km in extent and is located in the south eastern corner of the island. Its northern boundaries border the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary and it has the added bonus of a scenic ocean frontage. The terrain is varied – flat plains alternating with rocky outcrops. The vegetation ranges from open parkland to dense jungle. Water

holes, small lakes, lagoons and streams provide water for the animals and birds. The speciality here is the large numbers of elephants.

Situated 170 km South east of Colombo, the Uda Walawe National Park is approximately 30,821 hectares in extent. This park – which lies within the Ratnapura and Monaragala Districts – acts as the catchment to the Uda Walawe Reservoir, and is located in the Dry Zone. It comprises grasslands, thorn scrubs, and many valuable species of trees.

Horton Plains National Park is the only national park situated in the hill country. It falls within the Nuwara Eliya district – 200 km away from Colombo. The panoramic beauty of the hill country is witnessed within the park. Endemic slender loris and endemic purple monkeys are among the animal species that can be see.

Bundala National Park is the latest addition to Sri Lanka's national parks and is situated 260 km from Colombo. All species of waterbirds resident in the country and migrant birds inhabit this park.

Situated at Inginiyagala, the Gal Oya National Park is 314 km from Colombo. It is most renowned for it's elephant population.

Situated approximately 200 km away from Colombo, the Wasgamuwa National Park lies within the Polonnaruwa and Matale Districts. It has the Mahaweli and Amban Rivers at its eastern and western borders. A tropical, evergreen forest predominates its environment.

The sanctuaries at Kumana, 312 km from Colombo, Wirawila 261 km, Bundala 259 km, and kalametiya 224 km, are all lagoon locations in Sri Lanka's extreme south eastern coast. The coastal sanctuaries are exotically picturesque with combinations of lagoon, swamp, river, jungle, lake and plain. Large flocks can be found here of both resident and migrant aquatic birds.