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Highlights
Sinharaja rainforest
Leopards of Yala
Famous Kandy, a cultural interlude
Wilpattu Safaris
Introduction
A classic tour taking in the highlights of Sri Lanka's wildlife. From whale watching from Mirissa to the rainforests of Sinharaja. Yala National Park, renowned for leopard sightings preceeds an ascent to the cooler climes of Horton Plains before visiting Kandy and travelling to Wilpattu, one of the best national parks in Sri Lanka.
Outline Itinerary
1. Depart UK.
2. Arrive Colombo and travel to Sinharaja.
3. A full day exploration of Sinharaja.
4. A further full day of exploration in the area.
5. To Mirissa. Early evening river boat trip in search of saltwater crocs.
6. Morning whale watching. Afternoon at leisure.
7. To Yala. Afternoon game drive.
8. Morning and afternoon game drives in Yala.
9. Morning and afternoon game drives in Yala.
10. To Nuwara Eliya in the highlands. Possible short visit to Horton Plains.
11. A full day exploration of Horton Plains National Park.
12. To Kandy. Optional cultural sightseeing, bird watching. Night walk in search of flying squirrels.
13. To Wilpattu. Afternoon game drive.
14. Full day game drive in Wilpattu. Night drive in the buffer zone.
15. Full day game drive. Night drive in the buffer zone.
16. To Negombo.
17. Depart Sri Lanka.
Cost
Please contact us for pricing as it is dependent on when you travel.
Departure Dates
November to April. Any day to your requirements.
Description
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.
This is just an example of possibilities available for holidays to the island. Price is dependant on season, style of accommodation and length of stay. Please contact us for further details or to create your tailor made your holiday.
