Safari in Sri Lanka with Kids- How to choose the BEST Family Safari

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We all know about African safari’s and while they sit on many people’s bucket list, the price tag usually makes it a bit out of reach for the majority of us. But, an alternative destination to get your animal fix is a Sri Lanka safari!

This budget friendly destination is home to no less than 26 National Parks making it the perfect activity to add your family’s safari trip for your Sri Lanka itinerary. With a safari option for all budgets, the kids, and you, will have a great time animal spotting.

There is something for every budget, and every animal lover. Sri Lanka even has its own Big Five animals to spot; Sloth Bear, leopard, elephant, sperm whale and blue whale. Including Asia’s greatest elephant migration.

No trip to Sri Lanka with kids is complete without a safari drive.

Our kids are pretty accustomed to a more interesting selection of animals after growing up in Borneo, but the safari comes high of their list of highlights.

Safari in Sri Lanka with Kids- How to choose

The first name that usually comes up when talking about a safari in Sri Lankan is Yala, but there are numerous national parks across the island, each offering unique wildlife experiences.

In central and northern areas, the parks close to Sigiriya like Wilpattu, Minneriya, Kaudulla, and Hurulu Eco Park are ideal.

In the south, Udawalawe and Yala National Parks provide a wider variety of wildlife, including elephants, crocodiles, and even leopards in Yala.

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Minneriya National Park: An Elephant Haven

One of the highlights of our Sri Lanka trip was the safari in Minneriya National Park. With a 5am wake up, (take something warm, it’s surprisingly chilly at that time) we set off in our private jeep, for a three-hour adventure through the park’s, on the hunt for wild elephants.

What was really enjoyable was the lack of other people, which meant when you found elephants, you didn’t share them with others, there was no mad rush of cars chasing down the animals and it felt like it offered as little disturbance as possible.

During the dry period there are a lot of elephants which gather in one place (the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world)

There were lots of other animals too, but the elephants are by far the highlight.

Getting to Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park, located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. Here’s a brief guide to getting there:

Reach Habarana:

• By Train:
  • The easiest and most scenic way is by train from Colombo Fort Station.
  • The train journey offers beautiful views of the Sri Lankan countryside.
• By Bus:
  • Several bus services operate from Colombo to Habarana.
• By Taxi or Private Vehicle:
  • This is the fastest option, especially if you’re traveling from Kandy or Dambulla.

Yala National Park: The search for Leopards

Yala is known for its leopards, making it one of the busiest parks in Sri Lanka. We visited over 10 years ago when young and kid free and it was insane.

Each car had a radio which as soon as word was given of a possible leopard sighting here was a mad dash to try and find it. We saw lots of other animals but not the leopard and honestly, it wasn’t surprising why. The Yala safari price is also much higher than some of the other parks.

Getting to Yala National Park

Yala National Park, located in the southeast of Sri Lanka, is renowned for its diverse wildlife, especially leopards. Here’s how to get there:

Reach Tissamaharama:

• By Train:
  • The closest railway station is Matara. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Tissamaharama.
• By Bus:
  • Several bus services operate from major cities like Colombo and Kandy to Tissamaharama.
• By Taxi or Private Vehicle:
  • This is the most convenient option, especially if you’re already in the southern part of Sri Lanka.

Kumana National Park: A Hidden Gem in the East

For a more authentic and less crowded safari experience, Kumana National Park in Eastern Sri Lanka is a must-visit. Its untouched beauty and rich biodiversity make it a unique destination for families seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Getting to Kumana National Park

Kumana National Park, located in the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka, is a lesser-known gem offering unique wildlife experiences.

Here’s how to get there:

Reach Pottuvil:

• By Train:
  • The closest railway station is Pottuvil.
• By Bus:
  • Several bus services operate from major cities like Colombo and Kandy to Pottuvil.
• By Taxi or Private Vehicle:
  • This is the most convenient option, especially if you’re already in the southern part of Sri Lanka.

Wilpattu National Park:

Another safari destination in Sri Lanka is Wilpattu National Park, located in the northwest. It’s known for its leopards, sloth bears, and beautiful lakes.

We saw a sloth bear on our trip, well, we saw its butt which definitely still counts as seeing one. Again, another quiet safari which made the experience much more enjoyable.

Wilpattu National Park, located in the northwestern part of Sri Lanka, is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including leopards and sloth bears. Here’s how to get there:

Reach Puttalam:

• By Train:
  • The closest railway station is Puttalam.
• By Bus:
  • Several bus services operate from major cities like Colombo and Kandy to Puttalam.
• By Taxi or Private Vehicle:
  • This is the most convenient option, especially if you’re already in the western part of Sri Lanka.

Bundala National Park:

A famous bird-watching spot over the wet-lands. It also has lots of crocodiles, civets and giant squirrels. Here’s how to get there:

Reach Tissamaharama:

• By Bus:
  • Several bus services operate from major cities like Colombo and Kandy to Tissamaharama.
• By Taxi or Private Vehicle:
  • This is the most convenient option, especially if you’re already in the southern part of Sri Lanka.

Safari Tips and Insights

• Morning Safaris: Morning safaris can be chilly, especially for children. Dress in layers for the chilly morning air, especially for kids.
• Pack Snacks: Standard instructions when doing anything with kids but take snacks, for hunger and for boredom. Be mindful of waste.

• Be mindful of the bumpy terrain, particularly for full-day safaris. Take motion sickness pills if you get a little queasy.
• Choose a respectful and knowledgeable guide to enhance your safari experience.
• It can be boring for the kids, especially when there is nothing to spot, our youngest took an audiobook to listen to in those quieter moments.
• Full-Day Safari Considerations: Keep in mind that a full-day safari can be exhausting, especially for younger kids. A half-day safari might be a better option.

Private or Group Safari in Sri Lanka

A group safari will help to keep costs down but we found having a private tour meant we could work things around the kids much easier.

Safari Timing

Early Morning Advantage: Most safaris will advise an early morning trip when animals are most active. You avoid the heat of the day too.

Safari in Sri Lanka with Kids- Entrance Fees

Check the current entrance fees for the national parks and inquire about any special rates for children. Children under five often enter for free

Check Here for the most up to date list

The fees listed before are for entry only- Without Tax / Levies / Vehicle entry permit / Local guide

Worldschooling opportunities

Obviously learning about the animals, they may see is great for building excitement but take advantage of the safari to educate your children about the importance of wildlife conservation and the role of national parks in preserving natural habitats.

We use this website to learn about different animals in the countries we visit. In Wilpattu, we saw the interaction with elephants and the trainline and the devastating consequences they can have.

It was a great opportunity to take about the interactions between animals and humans. There are endless opportunities for learning when travelling in Sri Lanka.

Choosing Safari Accommodation

There are a variety of options of places to stay for a safari on booking.com and Agoda.com.

The cheapest will generally be to stay in the nearest town and arrange your safari with kids from there but there is also the option to glamp near or on the outskirts of the national parks.

These resorts usually offer full board and additional activities. We liked the look of;

Safari in Sri Lanka with Kids- When to go

Sri Lanka is an all-year-round destination but that being said, certain places are best to visit at certain times. And whilst there is a ‘season’ sometimes the weather doesn’t quite get the memo and does its own thing so look to get local, on the ground weather details.

Check the weather updates before you go, try and keep your itinerary loosely planned, especially if travelling out of high season.

The best time for a safari in Sri Lanka with kids can vary depending on the location and the specific wildlife you want to see.

Here’s a general guideline for when to visit some of the most popular safari parks in the country:

1. Yala National Park:
   • Best time to visit: February to July
   • Yala is the most popular park and is known for its leopard population, and the dry season, which runs from February to July, is the best time to spot leopards and other wildlife as they head to water sources.
2. Wilpattu National Park:
   • Best time to visit: February to October
   • The best time to visit Wilpattu is during the dry season from February to October when the water levels are lower, and wildlife congregates near the remaining waterholes.
3. Minneriya National Park:
   • Best time to visit: July to September
   • The highlight of Minneriya is the “Gathering,” where hundreds of elephants gather around the Minneriya Tank. This happens from July to September, making it the best time to visit.
4. Udawalawe National Park:
   • Best time to visit: December to May
   • The dry season from December to May is the ideal time to visit Udawalawe to spot elephants and other wildlife as they come out to water sources.
5. Bundala National Park:
   • Best time to visit: September to March
   • Bundala is a great place for birdwatching and is best visited during the dry season from September to March when migrant birds are present.
6. Horton Plains National Park:
   • Best time to visit: December to March
   • The best time to visit Horton Plains is during the dry season from December to March when the weather is clear and cool for hiking.
7. Kumana National Park:
   • Best time to visit: April to July
   • If you’re interested in birdwatching, Kumana is best visited from April to July when many migratory birds arrive.

Where to go after your safari?

After your safari in Sri Lanka with kids , there’s still plenty to explore nearby. Once you’ve checked off the Big Five of Sri Lankan wildlife—leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and deer—make your way to the island’s pristine southern beaches.

Yala and Udawalawe are close to gorgeous coastal spots like Tangalle and Mirissa, where you can relax or even go whale watching between November and April.

If you’re up for more adventure, head to the cultural heart of Sri Lanka with a trip to Ella or Nuwara Eliya in the Hill Country, where you can explore tea plantations, take a scenic train journey, and trek to waterfalls.

For some history, the ancient city of Kataragama is just a short drive away, with plenty of culture, spirituality, and history.

Sri Lanka with kids

There are so many reasons we love Sri Lanka and the opportunity to see animals in the wild just added to it. It is one of our all time favourite destinations and the kids love Sri Lanka too.

Want to know more about our experience in Sri Lanka with kids? Read about our favourite surf spots here or discover the best Sri-Lankan food for kids.

Our favourite family travel planning tools

• Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site with the widest selection of budget accommodation. It’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability.
• Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss.
• Kiwi– We use Kiwi for our destination inspiration, and to help find those routes which are a little cheaper. It has a very flexible search option for finding flights.
• GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is the place to go for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing – A great travel insurance option that offers load of flexibility. 
• Genki – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). 
• ESim– We always set up an esim for arrival into a country to help navigate our way around.
• Discover Cars– Our go to for rentals, internationally. We always find the best deals here
• 12go– Our go to for booking buses, trains, coaches and boats
• TravelSpend– Helps us to keep track of our budget

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