Sri Lanka Wildlife Tour

Sri Lanka Wildlife Tour Overview

Sri Lanka is home to an extraordinary range of wildlife. Several national parks, some of them which are recognised as Heritage Sites of the world boast of elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, monkeys and a colourful collection of migratory and endemic birds.

Join us in the comprehensive wildlife holiday with a choice of unique accommodations. Go on safaris and night walks to spot the exotic animals at Wilpattu Wildlife Park, grab a chance to see the Asian elephant at Udawalawe National Park, and there will be many opportunities to see the Sri Lankan leopard at Yala National Park.

End your holiday with a whale watching tour to see Blue and Sperm Whales and Mirissa and perhaps extend your holiday on the golden beaches of Sri Lanka.

Day 1: Arrival Colombo and travel to Negombo

You will be met at the airport on arrival by your guide cum driver who will be with you for your entire holiday. Transfer to your hotel in Negombo for overnight.

Distance and journey time: 8 km, approx 20 mins

Day 2: Negombo to Wilpattu National Park

Transfer from Negombo to Wilpattu National Park for an afternoon safari.

This is the land haunted by big cats of the island paradise. Recording a vast number of Sri Lankan Leopards, Wilpattu National Park has been named due to 'Willus' (Natural Lakes) studded throughout the park. Apart from big cats & precious flora, the park is well known for a healthy population of elephant, sloth bear, spotted deer, mongoose, and water buffalo.

After dinner, proceed on a night walk with the resident naturalist where you will have a chance to see the park's nocturnal animals such as Ring-tailed Civet Cats, Rusty-spotted Cats, Gray Slender Lorises, owls, and chameleons.

Overnight near the Park.

Distance and journey time: 170 km, 4 hrs

Day 3: Wilpattu National Park

Another full day safari awaits you.

Day 4: Sigiriya Rock Fortress

In the morning transfer to Sigiriya.

Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the 5th-century rock citadel of King Kasyapa and World Heritage Site. Step through the gigantic 'Lion Paws' overlooking the symmetrical royal gardens below. Surrounded by ramparts & moats, the Lion Rock, resembling the mythological 'City of Gods' is coated by frescoes that relate to Gupta style paintings found in Ajanta caves of India.

Overnight in Sigiriya.

Distance and journey time: 128 km, approx 3.30 hrs

Day 5: Polonnaruwa

In the morning transfer from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa. Visit ruins of Polonnaruwa including temples & Hindu Kovils. Rising with the decline of Anuradhapura, the city of Polonnaruwa is the medieval capital of King Parakramabahu I. Walk across its scattered walls of the World Heritage Site, blessed by stupas, resting Buddha statues, irrigation canals and fantastically carved Hindu sculptures. Sit by the side of Galviharaya and observe the absolute beauty gushing out of every bend of its huge Buddhist statues.

The ruins are also home to the toque monkey, northern purple-faced leaf monkey, and the gray langur.

In the evening, you may join a bird watching excursion on an island in the Parakrama Samudra.

Overnight in Sigiriya.

Distance and journey time: 58 km, 1.30 hrs each way.

Day 6: Wasgamuwa National Park

Leave for the Land of the Bears, which is the translation of the name Wasgamuwa, a National Park home to one of the largest populations of sloth bears in the country, the majestic Asian elephants, and the unique Sri Lankan Leopards.

The Wasgamuwa National park situated on the northern border of the Knuckles mountain range is rich in flora and fauna of Sri Lanka's intermediate zone. A safari here will give you the chance to spot the abundant wildlife which consists of over 20 mammal species, 143 species of birds, 17 reptiles, 50 butterflies, and 150 plant species.

Overnight in Sigiriya.

Distance and journey time: 96 km, 2.30 hrs each way

Day 7: Travel to Kandy via Matale

See the sunrise over the beautiful Knuckles Range.

In the morning transfer to Kandy, the World Heritage Site and last royal capital of Sri Lankan kings. Experience an ancient Kandyan legacy engraved around its crown jewel, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. A stroll across this small lakeside town will feature the Kandy City Centre, bazaar, an arts & crafts centre, as well as a gem museum & lapidary.

In the evening step to the beat of traditional music & drumming amplified by a cultural show at the Temple of the Tooth.

Overnight in Kandy.

Distance and journey time: 110 km, approx 3 hrs

Day 8: Travel to Udawalawe National Park

Drive to Udawalawe.

Visit the Elephant Transit Home established to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves for ultimate release back into the wild.

Overnight in Udawalawe national Park.

Distance and journey time: 203 km, approx 6 hrs

Day 9: Udawalawe National Park

Enjoy a morning and afternoon safari at the Udawalawe National park.

Be ready to witness trumpets across the border as you approach elephant country around the corner! Marked by relatively large herds of elephants, the national park proves to be one of the best places one could observe them in their natural habitat. Hop into a safari jeep and head into the park, to observe the herd of giants, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, water buffalo, and jackal.

Overnight in Udawalawe National Park.

Day 10: Drive to Yala National Park

Transfer from Udawalawe to Tissamaharama. Depending on the time, you may join an afternoon safari at Yala National Park.

Distance and journey time: 85 km, 2.30 hrs.

Day 11: Yala National Park and Bundala National Park

Safari at Yala National Park.

Spreading into a vast 1259 km. Yala is the heartland of wildlife in Sri Lanka. There are herds of elephant, sloth bear, spotted deer, jackal, extensively populated birdlife as well as the highest density of leopards in the world.

Afternoon safari at Bundala National Park.

With its lagoons, reservoirs, and salt pans, Bundala National Park offers an oasis for all kinds of birds extending from bee-eaters to greater flamingos, the latter recording over 2000 in number at a time.

Overnight at Yala National Park.

Day 12: Tissamaharama to Deniyaya

Transfer from Yala National Park to Deniyaya, a town located on the edge of the Sinharaja Jungle.

Overnight in Deniyaya.

Distance and journey time: 144 km, approx 5 hrs

Day 13: Sinharaja Biosphere

Transfer from Deniyaya to Sinharaja.

With an average annual rainfall between 3000 to 6000 mm, the Sinharaja Biosphere proves to be one of the finest examples of tropical rainforests in the world. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site & biosphere reserve, Sinharaja treasures an absolute variation of both flora & fauna with most of them being endemic. Walk in through either entrance - Kudawa Pitadeniya or Morning Side - for a refreshing treat covering fauna varieties extending from spotted deer, hog deer, golden palm civet, stripe necked mongoose as well as butterflies & reptiles.

In the evening, engage in bird watching and a night time safari where the Slender loris, Golden palm civet and the lesser flying squirrel may be sighted.

Overnight in Deniyaya.

Day 14: Deniyaya to Galle

Depart for Galle, where you may wish to extend your holiday on some of Sri Lanka's glorious beaches.

Distance and journey time: 84 km, 2 hrs