Discover some of the best National Parks in Sri Lanka on this private tour focusing on bird watching and nature-based activities. Birding trails, jeep safaris and bush walks are all part of your search for the many endemic bird species of Sri Lanka. Select cultural highlights, unique and interesting accommodation and an appreciation of the diversity of Sri Lankan landscapes are all rich sub-plots to the birding focus.
Birders and wildlife enthusiasts wanting to discover the best of Sri Lanka's wildlife, national parks and unique natural environment
Welcome to Colombo. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your accommodation set in private coconut estate, a journey of around an hour from the airport. Unwind and spend the remainder of your day at leisure.
Wake up early this morning for bird watching around your estate. After breakfast you will travel to Habarana, into an area best known as the ‘Cultural Triangle’. Your journey will be around 3 hours. Your accommodation is set amidst nature giving you round the clock opportunity for birding. Later, your in-house naturalist will accompany you on a night walk.
Rise early this morning to go on a nature walk with your in- house naturalist. Spend the rest of the morning at leisure enjoying the facilities at your accommodation. This afternoon you will embark on a game drive into Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park. Both parks are famous for observing elephants in their natural habitat and encountering these giants at close range is an unforgettable experience. As the Elephant herds migrate between both parks, your driver- guide will check with the Department of Wildlife and suggest which park to visit depending on the movement of the elephants on the day.
Rise early this morning to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO Heritage site. This colossal Rock Fortress, also known as ‘Lion Rock’, is possibly Sri Lanka’s best-known attraction. After this excursion return to your accommodation, refresh and drive to Wasgamuwa National Park, a journey of around 2 hours. Wasgamuwa National Park is a less visited natural park in Sri Lanka situated in close proximity to the cultural triangle. It is one of the protected areas best known for birds and Sri Lankan Elephants. This is the home to around 8 endemic bird species including red faced malkoha, Sri Lankan spurfowl, lesser adjutant and frogmouth. The elephants in this park are large and have adapted to living by marshlands. They are often referred to as Villu Aliya by locals meaning water elephants and are unique from the rest of the Elephant population. Wasgamuwa National Park is great for photographic opportunities for its beautiful landscape and open spaces with less crowds. Your accommodation inside the national park includes all facilities and an experienced naturalist for all safaris. This afternoon you will embark on a jeep safari.
Rise early this morning to explore Wasgamuwa National Park on a jeep safari. Early mornings are great for birding in this quiet park. Return to the campsite and enjoy a leisurely lunch before embarking on an afternoon jeep safari.
This morning rise early to explore Wasgamuwa National Park on a jeep safari. Be at leisure on your return to the campsite before embarking on an afternoon safari to discover more of the park.
This morning after breakfast transfer to Elkaduwa, a journey of around 3 hours. Your accommodation is set on a 100 acre private plantation surrounded by nature including gushing waterfalls pristine forests and far reaching views of Knuckles mountain range. You will explore the surrounding areas for bird life on a nature walk this afternoon with the in-house naturalist.
This morning is a hike with the in-house naturalist. Surrounded by waterfalls, sprawling tea plantations and Knuckles mountain range, this hike is refreshing. As you climb up enjoy the beautiful cloud forests and watch colourfully clad women gently and efficiently plucking tea buds before returning to your accommodation to be greeted with freshly brewed Ceylon tea. Remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy facilities at your accommodation.
This morning drive to Kandy on a journey of around an hour. Kandy, the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings is also known as the hill capital. It belongs to the fabric of legends. While Sri Lanka was under Portuguese and Dutch rule, the Kings of Kandy remained defiant and independent. It was much later during the British rule that the city finally fell to the biggest Empire in the world. Today Kandy still retains touches of its colonial history in buildings along with its lovely centerpiece, the Kandy Lake. On arrival in the city you will visit the Temple of Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage listed Buddhist temple located in the royal palace complex before departing to your accommodation in the outskirts of the city.
This morning you will drive to Kandy railway station to board a train to Nanu Oya. This scenic train ride is through Sri Lanka’s hill country with its lush tea plantations mountains covered in mist and smiling people. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your accommodation in a little town on a mountain for your stay.
This morning visit Galway’s National Park. This Park is known for rare migrant and native bird species. Apart from the avifauna, the park has valuable floral species of both native and foreign origin making it quite diverse and unique. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour in the tea plantation/factory and learn about the age-old tea making process.
This morning visit Horton Plains National Park. This is an open plain and the biggest watershed in the country. This park is the home to a large number of endemic birds and mammals. A trek in this park will take just over 3 hours. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Depart to Yala this morning, a journey of 5 hours. Upon arrival you will check in to your tented accommodation along the border of the park. Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most visited wildlife reserve, best known for sightings of leopards. It is also the home for a wide range of other animals including birds, elephants and reptiles. This afternoon explore Yala National Park on a jeep safari with your in-house naturalist.
Today you will explore the park with two halfday safaris in the morning and afternoon with your in- house naturalist. In between is your leisure time with excellent birding in and around your accommodation.
Early this morning depart to Tangalle. En route visit Bundala National park. With a wonderful maze of waterways, lagoons and dunes, Bundala National Park is an internationally important wetland sanctuary that shelters some 150 species of birds, many journeying from Siberia and the Rann of Kutch in India during northern hemisphere winter. After the safari, drive further up the south coast to Tangalle on a journey of around two hours. Spend the remainder of your day at leisure at your accommodation by the sea designed by Sri Lanka’s best-known architect Geoffrey Bawa.
Embark on a birding tour this morning to Kalametiya bird sanctuary. Situated on the picturesque south eastern coast, in the district of Hambantota, Kalametiya, along with Rekawa and Ussangoda, forms a coastal belt of land of outstanding beauty littered with numerous bays, coves, lagoons, rocky outcrops and sandy beaches. Remainder of your day at leisure to enjoy the pristine beach and facilities at your accommodation.
Enjoy a full day of leisure at your beachfront accommodation.
Depart to Deniyaya this morning on a three-and-a-half-hour journey for your stay near Sri Lanka’s only remaining virgin rainforest, Sinharaja. This reserve is only 21 kms from east to west, and a maximum of 7 kms from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Remainder of your day at leisure at your accommodation located on the periphery of the rainforest.
Embark on a nature trail for bird watching with the in-house naturalist early this morning. Return to your accommodation for breakfast. Discover more wildlife on a unique nature trail this afternoon and join the in - house naturalist for a bush walk later tonight.
Depart to Galle this morning a journey of around 2 hours. Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage City and considered to be the best example of a fortified city in south and southeast Asia. One of the most remarkable things about Galle Fort is that it is a living monument - families that have lived here for generations continue to inhabit the fortified streets and here’s your chance to experience the same. Your boutique accommodation is a restored 18th century Dutch mansion inside Galle Fort.
Discover the many faces of Galle with your driver-guide this morning. He will help you to find a way to look beyond the touristy facade and discover the Fort’s true nature. Spend the remainder of your day exploring and enjoying Galle Forts quaint boutiques and restaurants.
Today drive to Colombo's International airport for your departure flight, a journey of 2 hours on the southern expressway.
"Thank you so much Chamin, Savanthi, Hashanthi for your wonderful advice and assistance to provide a wonderful itinerary and unforgettable holiday for us. Highly recommend to others." Craig & Helen - February 2020
Prices are indicative only & subject to change.
Additional inclusions may vary from private tour to private tour. A full list of inclusions and exclusions will be provided with each individual enquiry/quote.