Experience the Magic of Nature on Wildlife Tours

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel, close to the airport in Negombo.

This morning depart by road, with your driver-guide taking you north through beautiful rural scenery to our first wildlife destination – Wilpattu National Park. Closed for years during Sri Lanka’s upheavals from late last century, the park is now starting to regain its former reputation as a biodiversity hotspot. This is not a place for viewing of herds and vast numbers, but a habitat where patience rewards. We look for Leopard, Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear and smaller species including otter, crocodile, deer and various turtles and reptiles. The park is rich in birdlife, and its picturesque wetlands are home to sea eagle, pelican, migratory and endemic ducks, and many others. Our stay here is in a classic wildlife camp, with spacious and comfortable en suite tents set in a jungle clearing which itself is rich in bird and other wildlife.

Rise early for another safari into Wilpattu. Afterwards, we continue into rural central Sri Lanka and the nearby historic site of Anuradhapura. Visit the ancient capital and see the giant white dome of the Ruwanweliseya stupa, one of the world’s tallest ancient monuments and dating back to over a century BC, as well as  the Sri Maha Bodhi, the magnificent banyan tree grown from a cutting of the original tree in north India under which the Buddha reached nirvana. Continue on to your hotel at nearby Sigiriya, for an evening at leisure.

This morning you will visit Sri Lanka’s most celebrated attraction, the incredible rock palace of Sigirya. First constructed by King Kashyapa in the 5th century, it was later deserted then used as a monastery. From the lush tropical gardens alive with birds and monkeys, climb about 45 minutes up cliff face steps to the summit, where the vast jungle and village views are as spectacular as the ancient constructions themselves. In the afternoon, drive to the nearby Minneriya National Park. Famous for the huge congregations of Asian Elephant which occur here at certain times of the year, we look for these remarkable giants as well as any other wildlife present in the parks grasslands, lakes and forests.

This morning depart your hotel and stop at Dambulla to visit the incredible Rock Temple galleries. The hillside caves here provide a spectacular gallery of religious art, with statues, sculptures and frescoes dating over several centuries filling each cave. Continue on to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second city, situated across a series of hills still well forested in parts. Tour the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic and the adjoining lake, which is home to a rich variety of waterfowl and some large monitors who forage the lake shores and waters.

This morning depart Kandy, exploring the lush subtropical Peradeniya Botanic Gardens as you depart.  Continue along scenic hill country roads, through tea estates and small communities, to the tea industry centre of Nuwara Eliya. Still retaining many of its colonial era buildings and a distinct highland feel, the remainder of the day is free to explore the town. You may wish to wander through Victoria Park, well known to birdwatchers for its rich presence of rare species including the Pied Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher.

Set off early this morning for the high forests and heaths of Hortons Plains National Park. Take a beautiful, easy walk of a few hours to the spectacular lookout at World’s End, where the high cliffs drop thousands of feet into tropical valleys below. Keep an eye out for Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Sambar Deer and even otter in the streams running close to the path, as well as many of Sri Lanka’s endemic highland bird species. Relax in the evening back at your hotel in town.

This morning drive down from the highlands to the eastern lowlands, to a special lcation – Gal Oya. Our charming lodge here is surrounded by forest and farmlands, and rich in birdlife. Nearby we visit Gal Oya National Park for an afternoon cruise. On the park’s reservoir, the local elephants have learnt to swim from shore to the islands in search of seasonal foods – this is one of the few reliable sites to see elephant swimming, if fortunate shines.

This morning take a jeep ride in Gal Oya, where we try our luck with some of the wildlife away from the reservoir. After breakfast back at the lodge, we depart on the 3 hour drive to Yala National Park. On arrival, check in to your lodge and enjoy an evening at leisure.

• Today we explore the scrub jungles, dry forest and lagoons of Yala. Yala, Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife reserve, is particularly famous for its Leopard population, one of the highest in terms of population density in Asia – with Leopard being regularly spotted on safari here. However there is much more to enjoy than just the magnificent spotted cat – Asian Elephant and Water Buffalo, herds of Sambar and Spotted Deer, sunbathing Mugger Crocodiles, Wild Boar, mongoose, jackal, and a vast array of water birds and raptors, amongst many others. Even Sloth Bear is possible though hard to sight here.
• You will have both a morning and an afternoon safari, with the hot midday period spent relaxing back at your lodge.

This morning is free until your departure transfer to Colombo Airport, about 3.5 hours away, for your onward journey.