Can I do a guided walking safari anywhere in Sri Lanka?

Yes, you can do guided walking safaris in Sri Lanka, mostly in Gal Oya National Park and also in the buffer zones of Wasgamuwa National Park.

Unlike Yala or Minneriya, which strictly require guests to stay inside safari jeeps for safety, Gal Oya has specialised walking safaris run by indigenous Veddah guides or wildlife rangers. On these excursions, the emphasis is more on following footprints, focused birdwatching, and learning about medicinal jungle plants, not on approaching large predators. Also, Horton Plains National Park is explored only on foot, even though it works like a hiking trail system rather than a classic tracking safari.