Sri Lanka is a wildlife lover’s paradise – with 22 national parks which are home to elusive leopards, sloth bear, large herds of elephants, toque macaque, grey langur and purple-faced leaf monkeys, the rare grey slender loris and over 490 species of birds, 26 of which are endemic. Topography varies from the dense jungles of Wilpattu to the open grasslands of Uda Walwe, the wetlands of Yala to the montane forest highlands of Horton Plians, Sri Lanka’s biodiversity is hugely rich and varied. This coupled with the relative ease of covering many parks in a short time make it a perfect destinations for those who really want to pack in as much wildlife and the natural world as possible.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • See leopards in the wild in Wilpattu National Park
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sigiriya and Dambulla in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
  • See one of the world’s largest gathering of elephants in Minneriya National Park
  • Learn all about Buddhist culture at Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth
  • Enjoy a visit to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
  • Visit Horton Plains National Park to see the World’s End
  • Take a jeep ride in Uda Walawe Nationak Park, with its waterholes and elephants
  • Visit the relatively unexplored Gal Oya NP, in Sri Lanka’s eastern region
  • Camp on the outskirts of Yala NP
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ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day 1, 2 & 3

Day 1: Negombo
On arrival into Colombo Airport you’ll be met and transferred to your beach front hotel in Negombo. Rest of day at leisure.

Day 2: Wilpattu
This morning check out of your hotel and travel north to Wilpattu National park. Check into your tented camp

Day 3: Wilpattu
Morning and late afternoon game drives.

Day 4, 5 & 6

Day 4: Cultural Triangle
After a final morning game drive, return to camp for breakfast then head to the Cultural Triangle for 2 nights. Rest of day at leisure.

Day 5: Cultural Triangle
Early morning travel to Sigiriya to climb the famous Lion’s Rock. Return to your hotel for breakfast.Late afternoon take a jeep safari into Minneriya National Park, home to large herds of wild elephants.

Day 6: Kandy
After breakfast travel by road to Kandy. En route stop to visit Dambulla Cave Temples. Check in at your hotel and evening visit the Temple of the Tooth to see the evening pooja.

Day 7, 8

Day 7: Nuwara Eliya
This morning visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens then continue by road to NuwaraEliya in Sri Lanka’s tea country.

Day 8: Nuwara Eliya
Avery early morning departure to visit Horton Plains by jeep and on foot – the walk to World’s End is a 3 hour round trip and because of the cloud cover it is advisable to start the walk by 6am. Horton Plains contains 21 endemic species of birds. Picnic breakfast at World’s end and return to Nuwara Eliya where rest of day at leisure.

Day 9 & 10

Day 9: Uda Walawe
This morning depart early travel to Uda Walawe National Park and check into your hotel. Late afternoon jeep safari to see the elephants

Day 10: Gal Oya
Morning set off for Gal Oya National park and check into your eco Lodge. Late afternoon boat safari on Sri Lanka’s largestl ake. With a little luck you’ll see elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edge.

Day 11, 12 & 13

Day 11: Gal Oya
Today you can choose from various activities available at the lodge including:

  • Birding walks
  • Jungle drive through the park
  •  Picnic in the park
  • Morning trek to the top of Monkey Hill
  • A discovery walk with the Chief Veddha who are the forest dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka

Day 12: Yala
After breakfast check out and travel to Yala National Park.Check in to your tented camp on arrival.

Day 13: Yala
Morning and afternoon game drives into the national park.

Day 14 & 15

Day 14: Negombo
After breakfast check out and transfer by road to Negombo for your final night stay.

Day 15: Travel home
Drive to Colombo Airport for your return flight