Detailed Wildlife Itinerary
Day 1
Day 01 - Airport – Colombo (Approx. 40 kms / 1h30)
SCHEDULE
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Arrival to Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to Colombo.
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Check in to a hotel in Colombo.
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Leisure time and relaxing, or 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.
Day 2
Day 02 - Colombo – Kudawa / Deniyaya (Approx. 140-220 kms / 3h30-4h30)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Transfer to Kudawa / Deniyaya, located by the Sinharaja rainforest.
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Check in to a hotel.
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Short village trail in the evening.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Kudawa / Deniyaya (HB).
After breakfast, you will head to Sinharaja rainforest, designated as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. The forest reserve has an exceptional importance in terms of its biodiversity and fragility. Birding in Sinharaja is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka! Steeped in deep mystery, this evergreen rainforest was named after a Lion (Sinha) King (Raja). The legend has it that the origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest.
Day 3
Day 03 - Sinharaja – Udawalawe (Approx. 90 kms / 3 hrs)
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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Half day safari at Udawalawe National Park (from 2:30 to 6:00pm)
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Check in to the Big Game safari campsite in Udawalawe
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Dinner and overnight stay at the Big Game campsite (HB).
Udawalawe National Park is located on the boundary of Sri Lanka's wet and dry zones, which provides diversity in both flora and fauna. The area, with its fascinating history and culture, offers an array of historical sites and natural wonders, guaranteed to satisfy even the most seasoned traveler. With approximately 400 elephants residing within the park's boundaries, it is not unusual to see big herds gathering to feed and bath at the waterholes in Udawalawe.
In addition to this main attraction, Udawalawe is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard. 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 (Approx. 130 kms / 3 hrs)
SCHEDULE
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Early departure (at 5:00am) from Udawalawe with packed breakfast.
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Bird watching safari in Bundala National Park.
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Check in to the Big Game safari campsite in Yala.
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Lunch at the campsite.
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Birding excursion by the ancient irrigation tank of Tissa wewa.
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Dinner and overnight stay at Big Game campsite (FB).
Bundala National Park is a fantastic wetland sanctuary that shelters thousands of colourful birds ranging from little bee-eaters to grotesque open-billed storks. In total, this wildlife wonderland covering 62-sq-km area, is home to 150 species of birds with many imigrating species arriving between August and April. It’s also a winter home to the greater flamingo, and it is possible to see over 1500 flamingos at once! In Bundala, you can observe the both species of crocodiles that inhabit the island. The estuarine crocodile, that is the largest reptile alive today, lives in the lagoons areas and the estuary of River Kirindi Oya, while the mugger crocodile dwells in the small freshwater lakes and in the upper regions of Kirindi Oya.
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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Return to the campsite.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the Big Game campsite in Yala.
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 bird life is also fantastic, and numerous species such as rosy starlings, paradise flycatchers, crested hawk eagles, blue-Tailed bee-eaters and common loras inhabit this natural wilderness.
Day 6
Day 06 - Yala – Galle (Approx. 200 kms / 5h30)
SCHEDULE
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After breakfast proceed to Galle.
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Short birding excursion in Lake Koggala (approx. 1 hour).
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Check in to a hotel in Galle.
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Overnight stay at the hotel in Galle
Galle was once the chief port of Sri Lanka. The Galle fort is a vast garrison, spanning 90 acres, which was originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. Their influences are evident in the eclectic architecture all around, including the famous Dutch Reformist Church. When the British took over the fort, they too added their own influences. Entering the gates of the fort you will experience a much slower pace of life compared to the frenetic movements outside the Garrison’s walls. Galle Fort is one of Sri Lanka’s 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
”We don’t want to miss to say a big thank you to you for our journey in Sri Lanka! We had a fantastic time on the Island, all was planned perfectly and the itinerary met our expectations exactly. Great job! And thanks again to Roshan! We are very grateful for his very kind guidance, ideas and problem solving skills during the trip. It’s a wonderful country and we hope to come back in future.”
Inga & Kay from Germany
