Sri Lanka Nature and Wildlife

“Ayubowan!” Welcome to the start of your Sri Lanka wildlife tour! Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, your personal driver will be waiting to greet you. You will head straight to Sigiriya, a beautiful three-hour drive into central Sri Lanka, passing beautiful landscapes, ricefields and thick, green grasslands. Upon arrival at your hotel in Sigiriya, take some time to relax and freshen up after your long day of travel and enjoy the hotel facilities. If you’re not too tired, why not venture out into the surrounding area and explore the countryside and villages?

After yesterday’s long journey, enjoy a free morning to relax and slip into holiday-mode. After breakfast, why not go for a swim in the hotel’s swimming pool, treat yourself with an Ayurvedic massage or rent a bicycle to explore the surroundings? In the afternoon set out for the first Jeep safari of your Sri Lanka Wildlife tour in Minneriya National Park. Not far from Sigiriya, this is a wonderful half-day trip where you can try to spot elephants and the eminent Sri Lankan sloth bear.  After sunset you return to your hotel for dinner.

After breakfast you set off on a refreshing hike. Walk through the Pidurangala Rock Temple and climb to the top of Pidurangala Rock. Once there, take a deep breath and enjoy the fantastic view on the legendary Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. This is a great way to see another side of the famous Lion’s Rock, away from the crowds. After a well-deserved break admiring the panorama, you walk down and meet your driver who will take you to the Knuckles Mountain Range. This journey south can be broken up by stopping in Dambulla and visiting the Cave Temple, a masterpiece of art and architecture that beautifully displays Sri Lanka’s history and culture.

Today you have the day at leisure to spend however you like. You can relax at the hotel, go for a birdwatching walk on the property, learn more about Ceylon tea or simply take some time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes surrounding you. If you’re in the mood for a proper hike you can explore the Knuckles Range with a guide. You can decide whether you’d like to go on a half-day or full-day trek; depending on the difficulty you’re looking for, the local guide will decide on the best path for you.

After breakfast at the hotel you can go for another walk in the property and get a last glimpse of the wonderful Knuckles Mountain Range, before meeting your driver and taking the road towards Gal Oya National Park. On the way you can make a stop in Kandy to visit the local market, take a stroll around the lake, explore the Udawattakele Forest Reserve or join the locals during one of the ceremonies at the sacred Temple of the Tooth. In the late afternoon you reach your hotel, just in time to enjoy the sunset. For dinner, taste some delicious locally grown produce.

Today you explore Gal Oya National Park on a speedboat, a very unique way to experience this wonderful area of the island, and a highlight of your Sri Lanka wildlife tour. From the boat you can observe monkeys, buffalos and if you’re lucky you might see elephants swimming across Senanayake Reservoir from one island to the other. After the unforgettable cruise you go back to your lodge and enjoy a free afternoon to relax.

After a delicious homemade breakfast, meet your driver and head south towards Yala National Park. On the way you can stop at Kataragama. This is a unique religious site where locals from four main religions come to pray. Explore the site and share a beautiful experience with the Sri Lankan people. After a short drive from Kataragama you arrive at your hotel where you can go for a relaxing swim before dinner.

Early in the morning you can go for a safari in one of the national parks of the area. Of course, there is the Yala National Park, famous for its large density of leopards, but also the Lunugamvehera National Park. In this off-the-beaten-track national park you can observe the same animals as in Yala, only with less crowds. Bundalla National Park is another great option for a jeep safari in the area. Located on the south coast, it is the perfect place for those who love birds and beautiful landscapes. After a morning discovering the Sri Lankan fauna and flora you go back to the hotel and enjoy a free afternoon.

After breakfast you can visit the nearby town of Tissamaharama. Take a stroll around the artificial lake or visit one of the various temples and pagodas. For bird-lovers, don’t miss the chance to explore Wirawila Sanctuary, home to more than 400 species of birds including flamingos, herons and pelicans. After lunch, you start driving towards Udawalawe where you will spend the night in a comfortable tent to live the safari experience to its fullest!

After breakfast you meet your driver and hit the road. You stop in Galle, a beautiful coastal town where you can enjoy the sea breeze and the colonial history. First captured by the Portuguese in 1587, it was later taken over by the Dutch in 1640 who continued to reinforce the earlier fortifications. Venture through the old town and explore the famous Galle Fort before visiting the Japanese Peace Pagoda, the Galle Lighthouse and the Dutch Reformed Church to admire the architecture. Then you drive towards Bentota, a lovely seaside town on the west coast.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel before setting out to make the most of this beachside town. Sitting on an estuary where the river meets the ocean, Bentota is one of the oldest seaside resorts in Sri Lanka. You can spend the day relaxing on the beach, sipping a cocktail by the pool or enjoying a spa treatment at the hotel. If you don’t feel like spending a full day at the beach, we can organize a tour for you with a local guide who will tell you more about cinnamon cultivation in Sri Lanka.

Today, you can either enjoy a free day at the hotel enjoying the facilities and the grounds or you can set off on a series of excursions in the nearby area. You can visit the Turtle Research Project in Kosgoda to learn more about the various species of turtles in Sri Lanka and the conservation efforts to protect them. Near Bentota, you can discover the Brief Garden and the Lunuganga Estate, both designed by Bevis Bawa, a famous Sri Lankan architect. To end this day of visits, you can go to the majestic Kande Viharaya Buddhist Temple, with its impressive sitting Buddha statue.

Depending on the schedule of your departure flight, you may have time to go for a swim or a walk on the beach after breakfast or even spend a couple hours exploring Colombo, the economic capital of Sri Lanka. Your driver will then transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home. As your trip to Sri Lanka comes to an end, take the time to look back on your favorite moments and places. We bid you farewell at the airport and look forward to organizing your next holiday to Asia, exploring new places and creating new memories.