When to go
January – April, October and November
Price
From £3,299 pp (including flights)
Flight time
11hrs 20mins
Introduction
Due to the wide range of altitudes that are present in Sri Lanka, the region has a diverse climate that attracts all kinds of wildlife. From whales splashing around in the southern coast, to elephant herds gathering in the rivers, the biodiversity on display in Sri Lanka is simply tremendous. And, when you make your way down here, you will have the chance to see it all, with the assistance of experienced tour guides and friendly locals who will be there to make your stay memorable.
At a Glance
Duration
11 days & 10 nights
Guide price
Group: £3,299pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Colombo – Galle Fort – Sinharaja Rainforest – Udawalawe – Elephant Transit Home – Tissamaharama – Yala National Park – Dickwella – Colombo
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
1 out of 7 - Leisurely
Age Range
16+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
Insight Resort | Rainforest Eco Lodge (or Sinharaja Forest Lodge) | Centauria Wild | Kithala Resort | Dickwella Resort & Spa
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Minimum 4 people with a maximum of 16
Start/Finish
Colombo – Colombo
Extensions
Maldives (Add as many extra nights as you wish) Enquire for prices
Highlights
Watch Whales on a Private Boat
From the comfort of a privately chartered boat, head out into the open waters and watch whales thrive in their natural habitat. Blue whales typically frequent the water between November and April, and you may also encounter Sperm whales, Brydes whales, and Bottlenose dolphins.
Four Game Drives in Udawalawe and Yala National Parks
Game drives are the perfect way to discover the wildlife in Sri Lanka. In both Udawalawe and Yala, you will go on 2 separate game drives in each location, each one lasting about 3 hours and accompanied by an experienced tour guide.
Visit the Sinharaja Rainforest and Dickwella Beach
The Sinharaja Rainforest is one of the last undisturbed rainforests in Sri Lanka, which means there is a plethora of active wildlife in the area, including 160 bird species, various inspect species, and around 15 leopards. Meanwhile, Dickwella Beach is an incredible location, with sparkling waters, white sandy terrain, and some of the most picturesque views that you will find in Sri Lanka.
Recommended Hotels
Insight Resort | Rainforest Eco Lodge (or Sinharaja Forest Lodge) | Centauria Wild | Kithala Resort | Dickwella Resort & Spa
Sample Itinerary
Sri Lanka Wilderness
With a strong culture heritage, diverse landscapes, and an even more diverse range of wildlife, Sri Lanka has a lot to offer for those with a love of nature, animals, and learning about different cultures. On this 11-day sample itinerary, you will learn about what makes Sri Lanka special, how the locals live and thrive while maintaining time-honored traditions, and the unique wildlife that are present both in the wild and in several national parks.
Day 1: London
Depart London
(N)
Day 2: Colombo
Arrive in Colombo Airport and then participate in a group welcome meeting. Then travel to your hotel via a 3-hour car trip along the ‘deep south’ coastline.
Spend 2 nights at Insight Resort or similar.
(D)
Day 3: Colombo | Galle Fort
In the early morning, depart for the harbor and participate in a whale watching excursion. Travel across the Indian Ocean in search of Blue whales as well as Sperm whales, Brydes whales, and Bottlenose dolphins. Return to the harbour and your hotel in the afternoon, and then go on a guided tour of the Galle Fort, a fortification founded in the 16th century that reached the height of its development in the 18th century.
(B, D)
Day 4: Sinharaja Rainforest
Transfer to the Sinharaja Rainforest in the morning. The region has a number of endemic species, with around 160 bird species, 15 leopards, and a wide array of insects, reptiles, and amphibians. Upon arrival, take a guided tour walk of Sinharaja and its many inhabitants.
Spend 2 nights at the Rainforest Eco Lodge or Sinharaja Forest Edge or similar.
(B, D)
Day 5: Sinharaja Rainforest
Enjoy another day of exploring the Sinharaja Rainforest. The region is famous for its strong concentration of diverse wildlife, for which 43 percent of all animal species in Sri Lanka has been recorded here. Go on a guided tour with a nature and wildlife specialist.
(B, D)
Day 6: Udawalawe National Park
In the morning, leave the Sinharaja Rainforest and proceed to Udawalawe National Park. The park has around 600 animals, which includes the largest concentration of elephant herds in Sri Lanka. Thanks to the low presence of vegetation in the area, wildlife watching is relatively easy and there are plenty of viewing spots available.
Spend 2 nights at the Centauria Wild or similar.
(B, D)
Day 7: Udawalawe National Park | Elephant Transit Home
Go on a 4WD game drive around Udawalawe in the morning. The drive lasts approximately 3 hours and is accompanied by a nature expert. Then visit the Elephant Transit Home, which is run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and provides a safe environment for rescued elephants. You’ll be able to watch a live feeding session, where park rangers feed bottled milk to young elephants.
(B, D)
Day 8: Tissamaharama | Yala National Park
Enjoy breakfast and then depart for Tissamaharama and Yala National Park. The drive to Yala will take about 3 hours. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and then go on a 4WD game drive at around 3pm. The park covers about 97,881 hectares across 5 blocks, where each block represents a different landscape and style of vegetation. This diversity allows for the presence of a wide range of wildlife, including sloth bears, spotted deer, elephants, and wild boars, to name a few. There are also more than 215 bird species. The game drive will last for about 3 to 4 hours.
Stay overnight at the Kithala Resort or similar.
(B, D)
Day 9: Yala National Park | Dickwella
Go for another game drive in the early morning, when the wildlife is most active, in Yala. Then return to your hotel for lunch, followed by another game drive in the afternoon.
From there, leave Yala National Park and go on a 3-hour drive to Dickwella beach. The beach is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, clean beaches, and incredible views. It is also where you will spend the last 2 nights of your trip, relaxing in a beautiful tropical beach resort.
Spend 2 nights at Dickwella Resort & Spa or similar.
(B, D)
Day 10: Dickwella
Enjoy free leisure at the Dickwella Resort & Spa. Swim in the sea, walk along the beach, or have a dip in the pool. If there is enough interest, we can also arrange an optional whale watching excursion in the morning. If you missed out on seeing whales the first time, or if you just want to relive the experience once more, then this is the perfect way to send off your Sri Lanka adventure.
(B, D)
Day 11: Colombo
Check out of your hotel in the morning and head back to Colombo airport. Depart for London.
(B)
