The Grand Sri Lankan Wildlife Trilogy

Welcome to Sri Lanka! As soon as you step off the plane, our friendly group leader will greet you at the airport and arrange your direct transfer straight to your coastal hotel in Kalpitiya.

This morning, board a small local boat for a thrilling three-hour deep-sea safari. Kalpitiya is famous for massive pods of spinner dolphins that frequently ride the boat's bow wave just minutes from shore. Keep watch for magnificent sperm whales passing through the deep offshore waters.

Return to land for a free afternoon to explore Kalpitiya’s Dutch colonial fort and St. Peter’s Church. Alternatively, choose an optional, relaxing boat ride across the scenic lagoon or canoe down the peaceful river.

Embark on a second morning boat safari to spot massive dolphin super-pods and coastal terns. Afterward, take a scenic drive inland to Wilpattu National Park, enjoying a completely free afternoon to relax. Tonight, opt for an exciting after-dinner night drive along the park borders.

This late-night excursion offers a unique chance to encounter rare nocturnal creatures like stalking jungle cats, foraging small Indian civets, and elusive grey slender lorises.

We dive into the wild today with an immersive, full-day safari through Wilpattu National Park, carrying packed breakfasts and lunches to maximize our flexibility deep within the wilderness. As one of Sri Lanka's oldest and largest protected reserves, Wilpattu features a rich tapestry of diverse habitats perfect for wildlife tracking.

Throughout the day, we will traverse these varied landscapes searching for the island's top predators and mammals, including elusive leopards, sloth bears, golden jackals, and ruddy mongooses, alongside wild boar, Indian muntjac, and herds of spotted and sambar deer.

Our morning and evening safaris offer fantastic opportunities to spot majestic elephants, chital deer, black-naped hares, and marsh mugger crocodiles, alongside two distinct species of turtles. Birdwatching enthusiasts will be equally thrilled by the park's incredible avian diversity, with high chances of encountering regional highlights like the blue-faced malkoha, rufous-winged bush lark, and thick-billed flower-pecker.

As we scan the canopy and wetlands, we will also look out for the vibrant purple sunbird, small minivet, white-rumped shama, and the impressive brown fish owl.

Today features a scenic, long-distance drive to Udawalawe, broken up by an intriguing stop en route in Ratnapura.

This bustling town serves as the historic heart of Sri Lanka’s world-renowned gem mining district, offering a fascinating glimpse into the island's traditional gemstone trade before we continue our journey.

Head into Udawalawe National Park this morning for a thrilling wildlife jeep safari. The sanctuary is world-renowned for its massive elephant population, where gathering herds of 50 to 60 are a common sight.

Keep watch for thriving populations of sambar, chital, and wild boar, alongside impressive raptors like crested serpent eagles and black-shouldered kites. After the safari, we continue our journey to Tissamaharama.

Embark on a rewarding, full-day jeep safari through Lunugamvehera National Park, a lesser-visited sector of the famous Yala ecosystem. This legendary reserve boasts one of the highest and most visible leopard concentrations on earth, and staying out all day maximizes your chances of spotting them alongside elusive sloth bears.

Enjoy a picnic breakfast and lunch on the trail, with a relaxing midday break by the river during the peak heat, before tracking wildlife into the afternoon and returning to the hotel by early evening.

Enjoy an early morning jeep safari in Lunugamvehera National Park for a final chance to track leopards and diverse wildlife.

In the afternoon, take a scenic drive to Koggala, stopping en route at the unique Weherahena Temple. Here, explores an underground cave network decorated with 200 vibrant, comic-book-style murals depicting Buddha’s life, and marvel at the massive 25-metre-high Buddha statue.

Weather permitting, we head out on an exciting morning boat excursion to track diverse cetacean species through nutrient-rich marine feeding grounds. While blue whales are now a rare sight here, the fertile waters host resident Bryde’s whales and offer great opportunities to encounter passing fin and sperm whales.

In the afternoon, we head inland to visit a lush tea plantation, enjoying a guided tour of the estate that reveals the entire production process from bush to cup.

We head out onto the open ocean for a second morning boat safari, giving us another fantastic opportunity to track magnificent whales and elusive cetacean species.

After returning to land, the afternoon shifts to culture and conservation as we explore the historic, cobblestone streets of Galle Fort before visiting a local turtle sanctuary to learn about marine preservation efforts.

Begin your journey back to Colombo, stopping for a scenic boat ride along the Nilwala River near Matara. This vital waterway is a wildlife sanctuary, offering prime viewing of massive saltwater crocodiles, water monitor lizards, and roosting Indian flying foxes.

Look to the skies to spot incredible birdlife, including white-bellied sea eagles, grey-headed fish eagles, stork-billed kingfishers, and purple herons.

You will be transferred directly to Colombo airport, arriving with plenty of time to check in comfortably for your daytime flight back home.