Visiting Sri Lanka in August

The Yala monsoon is beginning to ease in the south and west this month, with a brief boost of sunshine, so it’s possible to explore the whole country once again this month. It’s still officially low season in August, with the best weather in the north and east of Sri Lanka though.

For guaranteed sunbathing, head to Trincomalee and Pasikudah on the east coast, although the weather is improving in the north-west too, so the beaches from Negombo northwards are one alternative. It’s cooler and less humid in Colombo as well this month, with the rains lessening here.

The ‘Gathering’ of elephants at Minneriya National Park continues in August, with hundreds of Asian elephants (and some babies) heading to the Minneriya tank to find water during the dry season.Wilpattu National Park is hot and dry as well, while the conditions make it a good month for spotting leopard at Yala National Park. It’s also one of the key months to explore the rainforest at Sinharaja National Park.

The winds have started to drop around the Cultural Triangle, although the ancient cities remain hot and dry.

Festivals: See the Esala Perahera in Kandy, with thousands of dancers and drummers taking part in a giant procession to celebrate the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. The 10-day festival usually begins in July, but with events and festivities continuing in August. Kandy is one of the best places to experience it, with the relic kept in the Temple of the Tooth here, but you will find smaller events across the country too.

In Jaffna, the Nallur Festival usually takes place in August (sometimes beginning in July or ending in September). Lasting for 25 days, it’s a more peaceful occasion than some more celebratory festivals, with pilgrims travelling across the country to the Kandaswamy Temple.

Best for: Elephants at Minneriya, east coast beaches, Colombo, wildlife spotting at Wilpattu and Yala national parks