9 of the best · Sri Lanka
Parks, Gardens and National Parks in Sri Lanka
Botanic gardens, forest reserves and the national parks run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Our 9 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Sri Lanka
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Sri Lanka.
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Orchids and giant trees
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
Sri Lanka’s great botanic garden, just outside Kandy, with an orchid house and avenues of palms.
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Early-morning walk
Horton Plains National Park and World’s End
A high plateau of grassland and cloud forest, with a walk to World’s End, a sheer drop of hundreds of metres, and Baker’s Falls.
The full list: Parks & Gardens, A–Z
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Gardens and city parks 5
Shade, lawns and botanic collections.
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Roses and ferns
Hakgala Botanical Garden
A hill botanic garden below Hakgala rock, south-east of Nuwara Eliya.
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Orchids and giant trees
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
Sri Lanka’s great botanic garden, just outside Kandy, with an orchid house and avenues of palms.
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Royal forest
Udawattakele Forest Reserve
The former royal forest on the hill behind the Temple of the Tooth, with walking paths and birdlife.
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Hill-station park
Victoria Park, Nuwara Eliya
The town park of Nuwara Eliya, with lawns, flower beds and birds.
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Colombo’s green heart
Viharamahadevi Park
Colombo’s largest park, in front of the white-domed Town Hall, with shady paths, a large Buddha statue and fountains.
National parks 4
Leopards, elephants and cloud forest.
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Early-morning walk
Horton Plains National Park and World’s End
A high plateau of grassland and cloud forest, with a walk to World’s End, a sheer drop of hundreds of metres, and Baker’s Falls.
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The elephant gathering
Minneriya National Park
A park around an ancient reservoir, famous for its dry-season gathering of elephants.
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Elephants all year
Udawalawe National Park & Elephant Transit Home
Open grasslands around a reservoir, with elephants year-round.
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National park tickets, opening hours and jeep rules are set by the Department of Wildlife Conservation; check before you go.
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