Detailed Wildlife Photography Tour
Day 1
Day 01 - Airport – Bolgoda (70 Kms / Approx. 1h30)
SCHEDULE
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Meet and greet at the Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to Bolgoda.
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Spend a relaxing afternoon after the long journey.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel (HB).
Situated only 20 km from Colombo City, Bolgoda Lake is Sri Lanka’s largest and most beautiful freshwater lake, full of mangroves giving rise to rich aquatic fauna and flora. This area is also popular location for traditional lake fishing and water sports. In addition to angling, a common fishing method is the use of traditional kind of traps that look like fences installed in the water.
Day 2
Day 02 - Bolgoda – Deniyaya (165 Kms / Approx. 3h)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Transfer to Deniyaya.
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Check in to a hotel by the borders of the Sinharaja Nature Reserve.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel (HB).
Sinharaja rainforest has been designated as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and also a Biodiversity Hotspot by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). All these titles are highlighting the importance of the forest reserve in terms of its exceptional biodiversity as well as its fragility. Birding in Sinharaja is particularly interesting since it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka!
Day 3
Day 03 - Sinharaja – Udawalawe (70 Kms / Approx. 2h)
SCHEDULE
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Early breakfast at the hotel.
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Nature trail in the Sinharaja Rainforest.
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Transfer to Udawalawe.
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Check in to the Big Game safari camp.
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Lunch at the campsite.
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Evening safari (from 2:30 to 6:30 pm) at Udawalawe National Park.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the Big Game (FB).
Located on the boundary of Sri Lanka's wet and dry zones, Udawalawe National Park, is one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants. With approximately 400 elephants residing within the area of 31,000 hectares, it is not unusual to see big herds gathering to feed and bath by the waterholes. In addition to this main attraction, Udawalawe is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer and monkeys. The bird enthusiasts shall be in their own winged paradise with not only the variety, but the quantity of bird species in the park.
Day 4
Day 04 - Udawalawe – Bundala – Yala (125 Kms / Approx. 3h)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the the campsite
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Transfer to Bundala.
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Birding safari at Bundala National Park.
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Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel near Yala National Park (HB).
Bundala National Park, with 6216 hectares of lagoons, scrub jungles, saltpans and marshes, is the most important wetland sanctuary in Southern Sri Lanka, and famous for its impressive biodiversity and prolific birdlife. It is here that the migratory birds are wintering - resting and feeding by the picturesque lagoons and intertidal mudflats.
In addition to abundant birdlife, the wetlands are inhabited by 32 mammal species (out of which 5 are classified as threatened). The park is home to a small population of elephants too. Roaming the open wetlands and secluded beaches, they are easy to spot. In Bundala, you'll have a good chance of spotting leopards, spotted deers, sambars, crocodiles, wild boar, mongooses, monitor lizards and monkeys too. Also, both marsh and estuarine crocodiles are found in Bundala, and four out of Sri Lanka's five species of sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in its coastal areas.
Day 5
Day 05 - Yala
SCHEDULE
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Full day safari at Yala National Park with packed breakfast and lunch.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel (HB).
Yala National Park, situated in the southeast region of the country, covers almost 1000 square kilometers and is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, along with Wilpattu, it is one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka. Leopards are the stars here, but the park is also home to the large herds of elephants as well as to the spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, wild buffaloes, sloth bear, jackal and mongoose. The birdlife is fantastic too. Over 215 species of birds have been recorded in Yala, with six being endemic to Sri Lanka.
Your best chance to see a leopard is generally early in the morning. Especially, the young males are very confident, and often they are seen walking on the tracks.
Day 6
Day 06 - Yala – Colombo (270 Kms / Approx. 4h30)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Transfer to Colombo and check in to a hotel.
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Colombo City tour in the afternoon.
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Overnight stay at the hotel in Colombo (BB).
A melting pot of cultures and commerce, Colombo is a lively city with the most fascinating history. Ancient Arab sailors frequented these ports to trade with the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonists that occupied the city. Today, Colombo has something from everyone! Visit impressive cultural sights, Buddhist Temples and Hindu Kovils scattered throughout the city and experience the diversity of religion, ethnicity and customs of the people. Drive through the city's commercial centre known as the “Fort”, where grand colonial era buildings stand alongside modern hotels and office structures. Explore the vibrant markets and bazaars in Pettah. Discover the Museums and Art Centres with their fine collections of antiques, arts and crafts of Sri Lanka. Or indulge in shopping and tasting Sri Lankan delicacies.
