Highlights of Sri Lankan Wildlife
Leopards, elephants, bears, and whales
10 Days
Tour Description
An extraordinary private wildlife holiday offering accommodations situated close to nature and all the "must see" wildlife highlights in Sri Lanka. Scheduled safaris and walks will be conducted with the finest naturalists in the country.
Your wildlife holiday will begin in Wilpattu, a less-frequented haven for nature enthusiasts. Enjoy walks with experienced naturalists and learn about the various species that inhabit the park with full-day safaris.
Transit in Sri Lanka's hill capital of Kandy en route to Udawalawe and have the chance to experience some of the cultural highlights on offer.
It's on to Udawalawe next where you will spend two days embarking on exciting safaris and educational night walks with resident naturalists. Udawalawe guarantees sightings of elephants on every game drive and is great for observing and studying these great beasts. You will even be able to check out the Elephant Transit Home which rehabilitates injured and sick elephants and has become an integral cog in the conservation mission.
Then it's on to Yala which is simply the best place in the world to see leopards with a density of one leopard per square kilometer. Go on full-day tours in this fantastic park and explore its inner-workings to learn more about the exotic animals that call it home.
All this while staying at peaceful accommodations as well as Big Game Tented Campsites located on the borders of the parks, where you can enjoy the best tented camp experience that Sri Lanka has on offer.
Lastly, visit Mirissa where you will go whale watching in waters renowned for pods of Blue and Sperm Whales. Explore the historical heritage site, the Galle Fort, and unwind under the sun before your journey back home.
Itinerary
Day 01 - Airport to Wilpattu
Once you arrive at the airport in Katunayake, your personal chauffeur will escort you to Wilpattu, the perfect place to start your wildlife adventure. The Wilpattu National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s less-frequented parks but is nonetheless highly rewarding with the wide variety of wildlife seen here. Enjoy a short walk in the wilderness close to the campsite while an optional Safari can be organised - depending on the time of your arrival. Dinner and an overnight stay will be organised at the Big Game Tented Camp, keeping you in the lap of luxury while at the same time, close to nature.
Day 02- Wilpattu
A comprehensive Full-day Safari at the Wilpattu National Park with packed breakfast and lunch awaits you on Day 2. Known as Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest National Wildlife Parks, Wilpattu will give you the chance of experiencing some of the country’s most renowned wildlife highlights including the majestic Sri Lanka Leopard, Sloth Bears and a host of endemic bird species. After dinner, you can take a night walk with our resident naturalist 
in expectation of encountering the Park’s nocturnal animals, like the Ring-tailed Civet Cat, Gray Slender Lorises, owls and chameleons.
Day 03 - Wilpattu to Kandy
At the earliest light of day, it will be time to wake up and take breakfast at the campsite. You will be transferred to Kandy. (Approx. 5 hours travelling distance). The city of Kandy is one of much history and culture. In the evening you will visit The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is the most sacred site for Buddhists the world over, as this is where the most important object in the Buddhist world, a tooth fragment recovered from the funeral pyre of the Buddha, is located. The relic itself is kept in a golden casket amidst heavy security in the Inner Chamber of the temple. The temple complex is adorned with paintings and sculptures depicting the life of the Buddha and a museum documenting its history.
Day 04 - Kandy to Udawalawe
You will get an early start on Day 4 with a transfer to Udawalawe where you will first visit the Elephant Transit Home, a project that has proven vital in the conservation of elephants, some of which are orphaned or separated from their herds. Later on in the day, you can anticipate enjoying an Evening Safari at the Udawalawe National Park before dinner and then an overnight stay at the Big Game Tented Camp in Udawalawe.
Day 05 - Udawalawe to Yala
Enjoy an Early Morning Safari at the Udawalawe National Park. This Park spans approximately 31,000 hectares and is located in the southern dry zone of Sri Lanka. It is the only place in the world where an elephant sighting can be guaranteed on every single safari drive. You will also encounter several species of birds and animals, resident in the Park. After the safari you will be transferred to Yala and Your overnight stay will be at the Big Game Camp Yala.
Day 06 - Yala
Your first full day in Yala will be spent thoroughly exploring the Yala National Park with a Full-Day Safari inclusive of packed lunches. While the Sri Lankan Leopard is the star of the Park, it also boasts a stunning array of other creatures, from: Sloth Bears, Golden Palm Civet cats, the Wild Water Buffalo to Hornbills, Black-capped Bulbuls and peacocks. After your adventure in the wild, you will once again be able to rest and relax in your cosy tented camp with a campsite dinner, before an optional night walk with your guide.
Day 07 - Yala to Mirissa
After breakfast you will be transferred from Yala to Mirissa. After check in to the Mirissa Hotel, you can stay relax rest of the day on the beach after having back to back safaris. Mirissa is located along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Relax on the golden sandy beaches of this vacationer’s paradise and rejuvenate yourself. You can spend the day basking under the sun, explore the area and learn about the local culture or even stay at your hotel and enjoy the facilities available to you. You will be staying overnight at a beautiful and serene hotel, located close to the famous Mirissa Beach.
Day 08 & 09 - Mirissa
Another early start awaits you in Mirissa, with an exciting whale watching tour scheduled in the early hours of the morning (season from November to March). These coastlines are known as some of the best locations globally, to spot pods of Blue Whales and Sperm Whales. You will be taken to the Mirissa harbour by 6.15 a.m. where you will set off to catch a glimpse of the whales on their migratory path from the Horn of Africa to the Bay of Bengal. Later on in the afternoon, you will visit the Galle Dutch Fort which was built by the Portuguese and later fortified heavily by the Dutch in the 17th century. Fort is considered a historical and archaeological heritage monument, surrounded by interesting boutiques to venture into. For dinner, you will head back to your overnight stay hotel.
Day 10 - Mirissa to Airport
Choose to do as you wish, on your last day on the tour. Lounging on the beaches of Mirissa maybe the ideal way to do it: reflecting on the numerous memories you have acquired throughout this exciting tour of Sri Lanka. You will be taken to the Bandaranaike International Airport, well ahead of time, to catch your flight back home.
- END OF PROGRAMME –
Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions
OUR RATES INCLUDE
- Accommodation in the fully serviced mobile tents / hotels mentioned as per the above itinerary on a DOUBLE sharing basis
- Every day breakfast
- Transportation throughout the tour in an A/C Vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur guide/national guide.
- Jeep safaris at national parks as mentioned in the programme including,Air transfer from Colombo Airport to Mattala Airport
- Entrance fees to national parks
- 4WD Jeep
- Trekker Fee
- Snacks and water during the safari
- Current prevailing Government taxes and service charges
OUR RATES DO NOT INCLUDE
- Meals not mentioned in the programme
- Any extra beverages or food/snacks consumed
- Whale watching boat safari (during summer season – from May to October)
- Optional activity costs
- Any personal effects not mentioned here
- Tips for the staff
IMPORTANT FACTORS
- Personal effects for windy, rainy, warm weather conditions should be considered
- Insect repellents, sun protection creams etc, are highly recommended
- Suitable casual clothing and footwear for outdoor activities
PAYMENT POLICY
- Full payment with the confirmation
CANCELLATION POLICY
- 90 Days or more - US $ 200 Administrative Fee
- ·60 to 89 Days - 15% of the tour cost will be charged
- ·30 to 59 Days - 25% of the tour cost will be charged
- 14 to 29 Days - 50% of the tour cost will be charged
- 08 to 13 Days - 75% of the tour cost will be charged
- Less than 7 Days -No refund shall be given
