Yala for leopards (Feb-July)

Block 1 has the highest density of leopards on Earth, but also the most jeeps. Go early-morning, mid-week, and ask for a tracker who knows Block 5.

Udawalawe for elephants (year-round)

Almost guaranteed wild elephant sightings, and far quieter than Yala. The Elephant Transit Home releases orphans back into the wild — visit that instead of Pinnawala.

Mirissa for blue whales (Nov-April)

The largest animal that has ever lived passes 8 km off the south coast. Choose a small, slow boat — the fast ones harass the whales.