Discover Sri Lanka's Wildlife

Landing on a lush tropical island with a huge diversity of species, many endemic, this is a wildlife journey of excited expectation. We take you immediately into the protected rainforests of Sinharja. A mountainous landscape of exuberant growth that holds a number of special species of birds, 28 of the island's 34 endemics, and a wide array of reptiles and amphibians. This is a real hotspot of biodiversity for you to explore with your accompanying private naturalist guide, one of the best in Sri Lanka, aided by local guides.

The oceans here are also rich with life and the Continental Shelf drops steeply away a short distance out from Mirissa harbour, your next stop on this holiday. The deep waters here are home to Blue Whale, Bryde's Whale and Sperm Whale among a number of other cetacean species. It is an exciting place to whale watch! Inland you may discover roosting fruit bats and saltwater crocodiles on an evening river cruise.

Back on land you travel across the south coast to Yala National Park, famous for leopard encounters among the dry zone scrub. One area of the park is know for the highest concentration of leopards anywhere in the world. After several safaris here you head up to the highlands and tea estates of Nuwara Eliya. From lovely accommodation head out to explore Horton Plains, take a walk for fabulous views from World's End or spend more time looking for birds, amphibians and reptiles. Either way a rewarding way to spend a day among the grasslands. With luck you may even see leopards here too.

Kandy city is one of the cultural highlights of the island but for nature enthusiasts you might also enjoy a night time walk here in search of flying squirrels. This break in the journey allows you to possibly visit the cave temples of Dambulla the next day before journeying onwards to Wilpattu National Park.

Wilpattu is known as the 'land of the lakes' or villus as they are called locally. This is Sri Lanka's oldest and largest national park and an excellent location for observing leopards and sloth bear. Wild elephants are also present here and prey for the leopards include sambar, spotted deer and buffalo. In the buffer zone fishing cat, jungle cat and the extremely rare rusty spotted-cat, the world's smallest feline; can sometimes be seen after dark.

Return to Negombo for a final night before your morning departure flight.

January - April

Highlight species

	Leopard
	Sloth Bear
	Elephant
	Buffalo

Key species

Cost from £

Please contact us for a cost for when you wish to travel.

Our trips are almost always tailored to your requirements, we'll make small changes or alter the itinerary completely for you. For instance we get many requests to slow down the pace of a trip.

Departure Dates

Any day to your requirements.

Difficulty

Generally a non-strenuous holiday although you may walk on steep and uneven ground in Sinharaja Rainforest.

Flights

Direct flights on Sri Lankan Airlines, or via Middle Eastern and European hubs on other carriers with some regional departures possible.

Time

GMT +5.5 hours

The cultural sites of Sri Lanka, for instance Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla could easily be included within this holiday to Sri Lanka.

Other wildlife destinations such as Uda Walawe and Kumana National Parks should also be considered.

Head to one of the fabulous beaches for a few days at leisure at the end of the trip.