Kaudulla – and its near-neighbour, Minneriya National Park – provide a migratory corridor for 10 per cent of Sri Lanka’s elephant population. Kaudulla sits at the heart of the Golden Triangle, making it easy to tick off within a cultural itinerary. Sloths, deer, bear monkeys small cats, migratory birds and more – are all drawn here by the park’s large lake. For more elephant experiences, go on a wildlife adventure in Udawalawe, a two-hour drive south of the Nuwara Eliya and Ella tea-growing regions. Feel your heart melt at the Elephant Transit Centre, a 15-minute drive away, which tends to injured and orphaned elephants. Time your visit to coincide with feeding time for maximum aaahs.

Venture deep into Sri Lanka’s leopard country for this rugged park, home to the world’s highest density of spotted wild cats. Fellow residents include ponderous Asian elephants, native and migratory birds, crocodiles, reptiles and lush flora. The park sprawls across a staggering 378-square-mile tapestry of forest, grassland and lagoons in southeast Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. Two important pilgrim sites – Sithulpawwa and Magul Maha Vihara – are also situated within the park. Yala can be accessed from the city of Kataragama; it closes every year from September until mid October.

Sri Lanka’s Indian Ocean waters host a dizzying diversity of sea life. Admire some of the most majestic marine creatures of all – blue and sperm whales, and bottlenose, striped and spinner dolphins – on a boat safari. Mirissa, an hour south of Galle (or about two-and-a-half hours west of Yala) offers incredible whale-spotting between December and April. There are plenty of options when it comes to whale-watching vessels: pick from large boats (but be prepared to join a crowd), or brave the choppy waves in a smaller vessel with fewer fellow explorers.