Sri Lanka is a paradise for nature lovers. In addition to wildlife such as elephants, leopards, and bears,  as well as birds, butterflies, and bats, Sri Lanka features stunning botanical gardens. The Sinharaja virgin rainforest has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

If you love wildlife, Sri Lanka offers plenty of options. Take a safari or nature trek to see elephants, leopard, deer, and sambhur roaming freely in sanctuaries such as Yala, Minneriya, Bundala, and Wasgamuwa.

Or visit a bird sanctuary. Sri Lanka is home to many endemic bird species as well as a haven for migratory birds that flock to the island during the northern hemisphere’s winter. There are bird sanctuaries in Wirawila, Kumana, Wilpattu, and Kalametiya as well as the Attidiya-Bellanwila Bird Sanctuary on the outskirts of Colombo. At Sepala Wewa, bird watchers stay in a typical native village and enjoy Sri Lankan village life firsthand as well as the thrill of sighting native and migratory birds.

Samanala Kanda (Butterfly Mountain) at Adams Peak is home to rare species belonging to the family Dipterocarpace that have not been found elsewhere at such a high altitude.

Sri Lanka offers bat lovers a special treat. The historic Vavulpane caves, which lie in a secluded area of the Ratnapura district, is home to approximately 25 species of bats.

And those who revel in the beauty of exotic flora should visit Sri Lanka’s botanical gardens such as the Peradeniya Gardens and Hakgala Gardens.