Horton Plains National Park

The vegetation of the park is classified into two distinctive groups: (a) 19.8 sq km of wet grasslands and 1,160 hectares 11.5 sq km of subtropical evergreen forests. Horton Plains contains the most extensive area of cloud forest still existing in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan elephant disappeared from the region in the 1940s being hunted out of existence by the White Hunter. At present, the largest and the most commonly seen mammal is the sambar deer. The estimated population of sambar deer to be around 1500 to 2000. The Sri Lankan leopard, Smaller Cats such as Rusty and Jungle Cat are also frequent difficult sightings to be seen. The Hortain Plain leopard is the largest of the sub-species in the Country, sometimes weighing about 10-15kg more along with a furry coat bigger than its low country cousins thereby protecting it from the colder climate. 
Horton Plains contains 21 bird species which are endemic to Sri Lanka. From this 21, there are Four that are only seen in Hortain Plains - Sri Lanka blue magpie, dull-blue flycatcher, Sri Lanka white-eye, and Sri Lanka wood pigeon.

Park Open : Open Throughout the year

Best Season : April - September

Main Attraction : Birds

The fauna of the region includes 24 species of mammals, 87 species of birds, nine species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians

Shortest Route : Fly to Colombo & drive to Horton National park

Nearby :   

Province :  Southern Province

Area : 40 sq. km

Altitude:   0 - 10 m

Vegetation : Grassland & Montane forest

Major City: Colombo (196 km)

Airport : Colombo (196 km)

Railway Station : Ohiya (10 km)

Colombo : 196 km