- 1Colombo to Negombo
Your Sri Lanka wildlife tour starts as you arrive at Colombo. Be received by our representative and transfer to Tamarind Tree, Negombo. After checking in, you can rest and prepare yourself for the exciting adventure that lies ahead!
Meals: DinnerAccommodation: Tamarind Tree, Negombo - 2Negombo to Kithulgala
Today, after breakfast, set out for Kithulgala Resthouse at Kithulgala, where you spend the night.
In the afternoon, cross the Kelani River in a dugout canoe to reach the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve. It is a lowland tropical rainforest that is rich in endemic fauna and flora. The Reserve is a great place for spotting lowland endemics such as the Sri Lanka myna, green-billed coucal, spot-winged thrush, Sri Lanka blue magpie, Sri Lanka spurfowl, brown-capped babbler, and red-faced malkoha. After exploring the area, go back across the river and return to your resthouse.
Meals: Breakfast and DinnerAccommodation: Kithulgala Resthouse - 3Kithulgala to Sinharaja Forest Reserve
After breakfast, depart for Martin's Simple Lodge, Sinharaja, located about four hours away by road. Stay here for the next two nights. In the afternoon, trek in the lovely Sinharaja Rainforest. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for lowland endemics, mixed species bird flocks, and sub-continental species.
According to a study of the mixed species bird flocks, an average of 42 individual birds gather in flocks, which makes them the world's largest mixed species bird flocks! Birdwatching highlights include the red-faced malkoha, Sri Lanka blue magpie, white-faced starling, and scaly thrush. You can also spot many species of butterflies.
Meals: Breakfast and DinnerAccommodation: Martin’s Simple Lodge - 4Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Spend the full day birdwatching in Sinharaja Rainforest, looking for lowland endemics and mixed species bird flocks.
Meals: Breakfast and DinnerAccommodation: Martin’s Simple Lodge - 5Sinharaja Forest Reserve to Galle
After breakfast, depart for Galle, where you will be staying for two nights.
Galle, the capital of Sri Lanka's Southern Province, is an important city at the southernmost tip of the country. The city was occupied by the Portuguese in 1505. It was later ruled by the Dutch and the British. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Europeans in south and southeast Asia. It showcases a blend of European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. Galle was a prime seaport even as long ago as 1400 B.C.
After lunch will visit the magnificent Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort was first built by the Portuguese and when the Dutch conquered the area, it was modified during the 17th century. Admire its many Bastions including the Sun, Moon, Star, and Zwart Bastions.
Meals: Breakfast and DinnerAccommodation: Lighthouse Hotel & Spa - 6Galle
Spend the whole day in Kanneliya Forest Reserve. It is an excellent place for logged secondary forest and virgin forest land.
Meals: Breakfast and DinnerAccommodation: Lighthouse Hotel & Spa - 7Galle to Yala National Park
After breakfast, depart for Yala National Park (approx. 6 hour drive), where you will stay for the next three nights. En-route, visit the Kottawa Arboretum, a lowland tropical rainforest that is known for its rich biodiversity.
Meals: Breakfast and DinnerAccommodation: Yala Village - 8,9Yala National Park
Over the next two days, go on morning and afternoon game safaris in Yala National Park. Yala, located in the southeast region, is the second largest park in Sri Lanka. It is famous for its population of Sri Lankan elephants and aquatic birds. Mammals that are commonly seen here include the leopard and the sloth bear. Block 1 area of Yala has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. This Park offers you one of the best chances in Asia to see and photograph magnificent leopards, so keep your camera handy!
Other large animals that you may see include the mugger crocodile, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, wild buffalo, jackal, grey langur, and mongoose. Yala is also a great place for bird watching. About 300 species of birds have been recorded here. These include the Malabar pied hornbill, painted stork, lesser adjutant, and black-necked stork.
Meals: Breakfast and DinnerAccommodation: Yala Village - 10Yala National Park to Embilipitiya
After breakfast, depart for Centauria Inn, Embilipitiya (approx. 3 hour drive). In the afternoon, go for a game drive in Udawalawe National Park, one of the best places in the world for observing Asian elephants in the wild. The Park is also famous for its waterbirds.
Meals: Breakfast and DinnerAccommodation: Centauria Inn - 11Embilipitiya to Colombo
After breakfast, drive for about four hours to reach Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. In the evening, visit Talangama Wetlands and walk along Talangama Lake - a paradise for birds. Some of the birds that may be commonly seen here include black and yellow bitterns. The area is also known for the endemic purple-face leaf monkey.
Meals: Breakfast and DinnerAccommodation: Galle Face Hotel, Colombo - 12Colombo
This is the last day of the tour. You will be driven to the airport in time for your flight home.
Please Note: Accommodation providers are subject to change without notice. The accommodations listed in this dossier are our preferred suppliers, but sometimes due to availability issues, we are unable to make use of the properties listed in this dossier. If we cannot use an accommodation provider as listed we will substitute another property of similar standards.
Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Airport transfers
- Game drives /activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- Ground transportation with an English speaking driver/guide
- Meet & greet services at the Airports
- Sightseeing or activities or safaris as mentioned in the itinerary
- Taxes
- All items of personal nature
- Any increase in taxes, fuel cost and emergency rescue costs
- Domestic airfare or Train fare
- Gratuities and Tips
- International airfare
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Optional activities (if any) and personal expenses
- Visas, Vaccination and Insurance
For Advanced level tours, we recommend previous experience of the activity involved. These are our most challenging and advanced expeditions. They include long walks, cycling, trekking, hiking or rafting in variable weather conditions for more than ten hours a day. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. Ascents and descents are over 1000m at altitudes up to 6000m and the climate can be rigorous and challenging. Excellent physical condition and previous mountain trekking experience or appropriate preparation is essential.
