Asian leopards are among the most elusive and rewarding cats to encounter in the wild. Sleek, powerful, and highly adaptable, they are found across India and Sri Lanka in habitats ranging from dense forests and grasslands to rocky hills and scrubland. Watching one of these solitary hunters slink silently through the bush or lounging in the branches of a tree is a highlight of any Asian wildlife safari.
Asian leopards share many similarities with their African cousins, from their golden coats patterned with distinctive rosettes to their stealthy hunting style. Males are typically around 30% larger than females, and both are expert climbers, often dragging their prey into the trees for safety. Unlike in Africa, the absence of competing predators such as lions and hyenas makes leopards in Asia more visible during daylight hours, offering safari-goers a rare and unforgettable experience.
Leopards can be seen year-round in India and Sri Lanka, but the dry seasons offer the most reliable sightings. In Sri Lanka, February to July is considered the prime period, when wildlife gathers around waterholes and Yala National Park delivers some of the best leopard encounters anywhere in the world. In India, the cooler months between November and April provide excellent opportunities, with dawn and dusk game drives often revealing leopards on the move.
In Sri Lanka, Yala National Park is thought to have the highest leopard density in the world, making it one of the best places to spot these cats in the wild. Elsewhere in the country, Wilpattu National Park also offers strong leopard populations in a quieter, less-visited setting, with dense forest and natural lakes creating a unique backdrop for sightings. Both parks provide excellent opportunities for photography, with leopards often seen basking on rocky outcrops or moving through open scrub in the early morning light.
In India, Kabini and Nagarhole are renowned for their thriving leopard populations, where sightings are frequent along riverbanks and forest tracks. Further north, Jawai’s dramatic granite hills create one of the most unusual leopard landscapes on Earth, where big cats live in close proximity to rural communities, a rare story of coexistence between people and predators. Together, these destinations offer some of the most reliable and memorable leopard encounters in Asia.
An adventurous safari exploring Sri Lanka's best wildlife havens. Seek out leopards, elephants, sloth bears, diverse bird species and more with visits to Wilpattu, Yala, Gal Oya and Udawalawe National Parks and the Sinharaja Rainforest, while also experiencing some of the islands cultural sights.
Feel like Mowgli in ‘Jungle Book’, as you explore the meadows and forests of India’s national parks full of sloth bears, snakes, wolves, monkeys, & deer.
