Best Places to See Leopards in Sri Lanka

a Sri Lankan Leopard on a Tree in Yala National Park

Are you looking for the for the best places to see leopards in Sri Lanka? If yes, here is the guide you must read until the end.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean with rich and amazing wildlife. There, you can see many national parks on this tiny island with abundant wild animals. One of the coolest animals here is the Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), a solitary hunter with a spotted coat. Seeing a leopard in the wild is something you’ll never forget, and Sri Lanka has several national parks where these big cats roam free.

This guide will tell you the best places to see leopards in Sri Lanka, perfect for tourists who want to catch a glimpse of these amazing creatures.

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1) Yala National Park: The Top Spot to See Leopards in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park is the king when it comes to finding best places to see leopards in Sri Lanka. It is also the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka, and it is located in the southern province of the island. Nicknamed “the land of the leopard,” Yala has the most leopards of any place on Earth! The park has different landscapes, from dry scrubland to green forests, giving leopards a great place to live. Experts say there are 60–70 leopards in Yala, so you have a good chance of seeing one. You can go on jeep safaris with experienced guides who know the park’s five sections. Block 1 is especially famous for leopard sightings. Yala is also full of other wildlife, like elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and many kinds of birds.

Best time for leopard safaris in Yala: May to September, during the dry season. The fewer plants there are, the easier it is to spot these shy cats.

Read more about: Safari to Yala National Park

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2) Wilpattu National Park: Leopards of the Land of Lakes

Wilpattu National Park, on Sri Lanka’s northwest coast, is another amazing place to see leopards in Sri Lanka. It is the largest national park in Sri Lanka. Unlike Yala’s many landscapes, Wilpattu has big, open plains with lots of lakes (Wilpattu means “land of the lakes” in Sinhala). These lakes and seasonal wetlands make a perfect hunting ground for leopards. Leopards aren’t quite as common here as in Yala, but Wilpattu offers a different kind of safari experience. Wilpattu has the most leopards per square kilometer in Sri Lanka, so any sighting is special. You can also see elephants, sloth bears, and cool birds like pelicans and flamingos here.

Best time for leopard safaris in Wilpattu: May to September, during the dry season.

Read more: Safari to Wilpattu National Park

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3) Secret Leopard Spots: Beyond the Usual Parks

Sri Lanka has more parks than just Yala and Wilpattu where you can see leopards, although they might be harder to find. Here are two hidden gems to try:

  • Horton Plains National Park: Up in the mountains in central Sri Lanka, Horton Plains National Park is famous for its breathtaking views, like World’s End, a cliff with an amazing view. Most people wouldn’t think of leopards here, but this park gives them a quiet place to live at higher altitudes. With a good guide on a jeep safari or hike, you might just spot a leopard in the lush green mountains.

  • Kaudulla National Park: This park in north-central Sri Lanka is a paradise for wildlife lovers. The grasslands and scattered lakes here create a perfect home for leopards. While sightings aren’t as frequent as in Yala or Wilpattu, Kaudulla offers a peaceful and less crowded safari experience. You might also see elephants, wild boars, and many kinds of birds here.

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Tips for the Best Leopard Safari

  • Timing is everything: The dry season in Sri Lanka, from May to September, is the best time to see leopards. There are fewer plants then, making it easier to spot these shy cats.
  • Go with a guide: An experienced guide is your best friend on a safari. They know the park’s layout and how animals behave, which greatly increases your chances of seeing a leopard.
  • Respect the wild: Remember, you’re a visitor in the leopard’s home. Stay at a safe distance, don’t make loud noises, and only use flash photography with permission.

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See a Sri Lankan Leopard: An Unforgettable Adventure

Seeing a Sri Lankan leopard in its natural habitat is a memory that will last a lifetime. Whether you see a majestic male leopard checking its territory or a mother leopard caring for her cubs, the sight is sure to amaze you. So pack your bags, pick your favorite national park, and get ready for a thrilling leopard safari in Sri Lanka!

If you need to plan a safari to see Sri Lankan leopards, then contact Mahaweli Tours and Holidays. As a leading tour agency on the island, we are here to fulfill your requirements.

call/whatsapp: +94777 111553 or email: info@mahaweli.lk

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(Cover image Credit: Dinupa De Silva)

Kandy to Ella Train Tickets Booking with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays

Kandy to Ella Train Tickets

You can easily book Kandy to Ella train tickets with us. We are Mahaweli Tours & Holidays, a leading tour agency in Sri Lanka. For booking and other details, call +94777 11153 or info@mahaweli.lk.

In this post, we have brought you all the essential information about the Kandy to Ella train journey and how to book the tickets. So, we request that you read this guide if you are planning to take this journey ahead.

An Introduction to the Kandy to Ella train journey

The Kandy to Ella train ride is considered one of the best train rides in the world. This train ride actually started in Colombo and ended up in Badulla. But the Kandy to Ella portion is considered the most popular and scenic. So, a large number of locals and international tourists express their high demand for this amazing train ride. This journey takes approximately seven hours to reach its final destination. Anyhow, this is a must-do thing for a tourist who loves sightseeing in Sri Lanka.

The History of the Up-Country Railway

The Sri Lankan railway started in the mid-19th century. During that period, the country was ruled by the British government. They started the Colombo to Badulla railway to transport coffee and tea from the up-country. Those crops were only planted in the hilly areas of the country and there was no better transport option to send them to Colombo without a train.

In the early days, this railway was used mainly for transporting goods. People were gradually able to use it as a better transport option after the 1960’s. Therefore, the train ride became popular. Nowadays, the Kandy-to-Ella train ride is mostly fully crowded and busiest at the weekends.

Colombo - Badulla Train Time Table

Every day, six trains start their journey from Badulla and finish off in Colombo. Again, six trains started from Colombo fort and finished up at the Badulla railway station. But Mahaweli Tours and Holidays only books tickets for four trains. Two trains start their journey from Badulla and the other two start from the Colombo Fort. Therefore, you should definitely note this before reserving Kandy to Ella train tickets with us.

Here is the Kandy to Ella Train Time Table.

Kandy to Ella Train Time Table

We book tickets for trains 1016 and 1006, and those trains start their journey from the Badulla Railway Station.

The No. 1016 train starts around 5.45am and reaches Ella around 7am. It reaches Nanu Oya around 9.15 and comes to Kandy around 1.15pm. It finished its journey after reaching Colombo at around 4 pm. The No. 1006 train begins its ride at around 8.30 am from Badulla. Then it gets to Ella around 9.45 a.m. and Nanuoya around 11.55 a.m. It then reaches Kandy around 3.55am and finally reaches Colombo around 7pm.

Again, we book tickets for trains 1005 and 1015, and those trains start their journey from the Colombo Fort.

The No 1005 train starts at 5.50am from the Colombo Fort Railway station. It reached Kandy around 8.45am. Then it reaches Nanu Oya around 12.40pm and finally reaches Ella around 3pm. The No 1015 train departs from the Colombo Fort at around 8.30 a.m.It reached Kandy around 11 a.m. Then it reaches Nanu Oya around 2.40pm and finally reaches Ella around 4.45pm.

We suggest that those four trains are the ideal ones to pick and enjoy the best journey. Anyhow, it doesn’t matter whether you are looking for Ella to Kandy or Kandy to Ella train tickets, we can reserve them for you.

Highlights of the Kandy to Ella Train Ride

Kandy to Nawalapitiya

Starting from Kandy, the train will first come to the Sarasavi Uyana railway station in Peradeniya. Until there, your train comes through Kandy city. Then the speed of the train will get much higher. You will pass many roads, towns, and bridges until the train comes to the Gampola Railway Station. From here, the urban environment is getting hidden, and you will see villages and the rural environment from here. Actually, from now on, you are going to be able to see the actual beauty of the upcountry railway. From here, you can observe beautiful mountains and tea plantations. Your train will cross the river Mahaweli a few times. Your train will come to the Nawalapitiya railway station after Gampola.

Nawalapitiya to Nanu Oya.

The train will come to the Galboda Railway Station after Nawalapitiya. Before arriving there, the train will pass through a few tunnels. From now on, you will be going through less populated areas, and suddenly you will enter a dense forest area with high forest cover. The elevation is now rising, and you will feel that the environment is also getting cooler. Then your train will come to the Watawala area. It is the area that receives the highest rainfall in Sri Lanka. Therefore, don’t wonder if you suddenly encounter rain in the Watawala area. After Rozella, the train will enter an area with large tea estates. It seems very scenic due to the well-maintained tea bushes. Until you reach the Nanu Oya, you can observe the beauty of those tea estates. In the Talawakale area, you can see two waterfalls called Saint-Clair waterfall and Devon Falls. Those two waterfalls are very attractive and nice to watch, and they add value to the trip.

Nanu Oya to Ella

Nanu Oya is another beautiful railway station where you should drop out if you go to Nuwara Eliya City. It’s not far to Nuwara Eliya from there. The elevation is still getting higher and you will now enter an area with a lot of forest and a lot of grassland. The Ambewela area is very popular for milk production in the country. Then you will enter the Pattipola Railway Station, which is considered the highest railway station in the country. The elevation of that point is 1881m above sea level. You will now feel much cooler than in other parts of the ride. After the Pattipola, you will come to the Idalgashinna by passing Ohiya Railway Station. You will pass many forest covered bridges before Idalgashinna. It feels like you are adventurous. Eljin Ella Waterfall is another beautiful waterfall that you can observe in these areas. The Nanu Oya to Idalgshinna part is comprised of a lot of forest and grassland. It is also another sparsely populated area.

Idalhashinna is another beautiful railway station with lovely surroundings. After that, you will enter the Haputale Railway Station. You can mostly see the mist in the Haputale area. Your train will cross pine tree forests in the Diyathalawa area. Then you will come to the Bandarawela railway station, and it’s not far to end your journey. After around 7 hours of the train journey, you will arrive at the final destination of Ella.

The main railway stations between Kandy and Ella

  • Sarasavi Uyana Railway Station (Peradeniya)
  • Gampola Railway Station.
  • Nawalapitiya Railway Station.
  • The Galboda Railway Station
  • Watawala Railway Station.
  • Hatton Railway Station
  • Talawakale Railway Station
  • Nanu Oya Railway Station
  • Ambewela Railway Station
  • Pattipola Railway Station.
  • Ohiya Railway Station
  • Idalgashinna Railway Station
  • Haputale Railway Station.
  • Bandarwela Railway Station

Places to Visit in Ella and the surrounding areas

  • Little Adam’s Peak
  • Nine Arch Bridge,
  • Ella Rock
  • Diyaluma Falls
  • Ravana Falls
  • Liptons Seat

Things to Consider Before Reserving Kandy to Ella Train Tickets

  • The train ride normally takes around 7 hours. But most of the time, it is delayed more than the expected time. Don’t worry if it takes about 9 hours. You should know that it can happen.
  • Kandy to Ella train tickets are selling fast. It is really difficult to book a ticket on the same travel day. Therefore, it is better to make the reservation online or pick a tour agency like us to book a ticket for you.
  • Normally, first class tickets are considered the best option to enjoy a train ride. But in the Kandy to Ella train ride, this happens on the opposite side. Second class or third class is the best option for enjoying the ride. You can open your windows and smell the fresh air. If you choose a first-class ticket, then you will miss this opportunity.
  • It is better if you can bring water and essential foods. But you can buy the essentials from the local vendors.
  • You can do the same train ride from Colombo. But it is tough and you will have to wait on the train for at least 10 hours. Therefore, choosing the Kandy to Ella part is the better option.
  • Try to pick a train that starts early. That will give you a 100% worthwhile experience for your journey. If the dark is covering your journey, then you will miss a lot of enjoyment.
  • Most of them will believe the right-hand side is the best option until you reach the Nanu Oya. From there, the left-hand side gives you better pictures until you reach Ella City.
  • Be careful when putting your hands, legs, and head out the windows or doors. Always think about your safety first.

 

Kandy to Ella Train Ticket Booking with Mahaweli Tours and Holidays.

As we mentioned earlier, you can easily book your Kandy to Ella train tickets with us by contacting our team with the above-mentioned mobile number. If it is troublesome to use it further, then we suggest you fill out the form and just send it to us. We will contact you in a very short period of time and help you with ticket reservations.

    Final Words

    A Kandy to Ella Train Ride is a must-do thing in Sri Lanka. So, we strongly believe this guide will give you all the essential details about this scenic train ride. If it is so, don’t forget to share this article among your friends who are waiting to take this journey or looking for Kandy to Ella Train Tickets.

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    Best Time to Visit Ella-Sri Lanka

    Best Time To Visit Ella

    In this post, we are going to bring you the information to choose the best time to visit Ella, Sri Lanka. Before we move into the topic, let us give you some brief information about Ella.

     

    About Ella

    Ella is a small town in the Uva province of Sri Lanka. It is situated 216km (kilometers) away from Colombo. The distance between Kandy and Ella is 136km. You can either visit this beautiful city by train or by any kind of vehicle. Ella is a mountainous city with an elevation of 1041m.

    Ella City Tour

    The Kandy to Ella train trip is considered one of the best railway journeys in the world. It takes around seven hours and crosses greenish tea plantations, mountains, rivers, forests, and bridges. The view is absolutely amazing and you will never forget that memory. Ella is a tourist-based city where you can do many activities. You can do hiking, trekking, adventure activities, and waterfall watching in Ella. There are so many accommodation and other facilities available for visitors too.

    Places to visit in the Ella area:

     

    Climate of the Ella;

    Climate is an important factor that you should consider before going on any kind of trip or tour. If you are thinking about the best time to visit Ella, the given climate information will be important.

    The average annual rainfall of the Ella area is around 1750mm. The July to November time period is considered the rainy period for the area, while October is the wettest month. March is considered the driest month. But you can expect fewer rainy days in the January and February months.

    The average annual temperature of Ella is between 18 and 22 Celsius. January is the coldest month, while April is the warmest. Anyhow, Ella is a place where you can always expect a friendly temperature. The wind speed is much higher in the June, July, and August months. As well as that, March is the month with the highest sunshine hours.

     

    What is the best time to visit Ella?

    After considering the above climate information, we can suggest that January to March is the best time to visit Ella. However, climate is not a big issue when selecting the best time. But you can visit Ella throughout the year.

    If you have already decided on your best time to visit Ella, then you can plan your Ella City Tour with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays. Call 077 711 1553 or email info@mahaweli.lk for more information.

     

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    (Please visit our Mahaweli Pinterest Page for more pictures about Ella City)