Sri Lanka Safari Tour

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Kotugoda

Day 1 - Arrival in Kotugoda

You arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport before meeting your guide for a short transfer to the Wallawwa Hotel in the quiet town of Kotugoda. Negombo welcomes you with open arms, its glittering, turquoise coast becoming the perfect introduction to your Sri Lanka holiday.

Wallawwa Hotel epitomises luxury and is nestled into Kotugoda's lush tropical gardens, offering comfort as you settle into your Sri Lanka luxury holiday. Spend the evening soaking up the bliss of this secluded spot, sipping on zesty, homemade cocktails before a restful sleep. 

Days 2-3: Sinharaja

Day 2 – Travel to Sinharaja

Begin the day with a nourishing buffet breakfast, before proceeding on a comfy transfer to Sinharaja, a sweeping region of primary tropical rainforest. You are welcomed into a land completely encompassed by emerald foliage, where nature seems to roll on in harmony.

Check into the Rainforest Ecolodge, an immersive Sri Lanka hotel in the heart of Sinharaja: your gateway to the region’s hidden beauties. Enjoy the lodge’s effortless luxury, indulging in delicious food and wine and admiring the details of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Day 3 – Sunrise Trek in Sinharaja

Today begins with an early rise as you prepare for a sunrise trek amidst the deep green of Sinharaja Forest, the last virgin rainforest left in Sri Lanka.

The trail passes a myriad of rare endemic flora and fauna, noticing the natural chorus that resonates from the forest. You are making a good start on your Sri Lanka safari checklist, as Sinharaja Forest is home to more than 60% of Sri Lanka’s epidemic plant species.

Following a day of stunning scenery, trickling waterfalls and winding paths, you retire to the ecolodge for a revitalising meal and a cosy evening in your chalet.

Day 4: Udawalawe National Park

Day 4 – Jeep Safari in Udawalawe National Park

Following a tasty breakfast, you set sail on a transfer to Udawalawa, a quaint town situated in the southern part of the Ratnapura District. Udawalawa is renowned for its beautiful national park, where over 250 elephants roam.

It’s time to embark on the first safari of your Sri Lanka wildlife tour, along the iconic trails of Udawalawe National Park. You are guaranteed sightings of wild elephants, as you notice the health and happiness of these majestic giants. You are also likely to see water buffalo, wild boar, spotted deer, mongoose, crocodiles and a tapestry of other wildlife communities.

Following an afternoon packed with awe-inspiring animal encounters, relax in the lush and immersive spaces of Grand Udawalawa.

Days 5-6: Gal Oya

Day 5 – Travel to Gal Oya

Savour the boundless beauty of Udawalawe before heading to Gal Oya National Park.

A gentle morning transfer brings you toward the untouched natural beauty of Senanayake Samudraya, Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir. The reservoir is encased by a spectrum of green, where vegetation thrives, and a tumbling mountain-scape rises beyond.

You check in at Gal Oya Lodge for a tranquil evening, revelling in the postcard-perfect panoramas which surround the Sri Lanka safari lodge. Settle into your stylish bungalow, perhaps indulging in a cooling glass of wine on your wraparound veranda.

Day 6 – Boat Safari in Gal Oya

This morning offers a safari adventure like no other: a thrilling boat safari in Gal Oya National Park! The park is one of Sri Lanka’s hidden gems, bringing you sightings of crocodiles as they bask in the beating sun and a colourful tapestry of endemic birdlife.

Following this awe-inspiring immersion in Gal Oya’s aquatic habitats, you enjoy a picturesque walk along the tree-lined paths of the park. A local village welcomes you for a glimpse of local Sri Lankan culture, elevating your Sri Lanka holiday with an authentic cultural journey.

Days 7-8: Yala National Park

Day 7 – Travel to Yala National Park

A delicious breakfast at Gal Oya Lodge energises you for your journey to Yala, an iconic Sri Lanka national park which hosts a population of wild cats. Before you leave, enjoy a morning jeep safari at Gal Oya National Park, waving goodbye to the deer, water buffalo, toque monkeys and wild boar which roam its luscious grounds.

Check into the beautiful Chena Huts, a secluded eco-hotel snuggled into the jungles of Yala. You enjoy the rest of the day in bliss, exploring the hotel’s restful, ocean-side grounds and revelling in its safe sense of solitude.

Day 8 – Jeep Safari in Yala National Park

Following a tasty breakfast at your luxury eco-hotel, a full day of mind-blowing wildlife encounters awaits you in Yala National Park. The park is a must-visit during any Sri Lanka itinerary, due to the sheer number of leopards which roam its grassy flats.

Embark on both a morning and evening jeep safari in the park, spotting leopards, wild elephants, bears, buffalos, crocodiles and many species of birds. Capture some fame-worthy photographs as you trail through Yala’s parkland, jungle and bountiful watering holes.

Days 9-12: Ahangama & Galle

Day 9 – Bundala National Park and Journey to Ahangama

After you have enjoyed a restful night at Chena Huts, your morning begins with a delicious breakfast and a scenic transfer to Ahangama.

On your way to this pristine, ocean-side town, you stop for a jeep safari at Bundala National Park, further brimming your Sri Lanka safari tour with magnificent animal sightings. Marvel at the multitude of migratory water birds as they loiter around Bundala’s waterways and lagoons.

You arrive at the quiet beach town of Ahangama, an idyllic final stop on your luxury Sri Lanka holiday, and check into the Waligama Bay Marriot. Gaze out at Ahangama’s dazzling scenery, as the turquoise ocean stretches endlessly from your panoramic window. Enjoy an indulgent night in the hotel, tasting fresh seafood in its Sri Lankan restaurant.

Day 10 – Whale Watching in Ahangama

Ahangama’s abundant marine life awaits you on today’s wildlife adventure as you set off from Dondra Head on a magical whale-watching experience. This brilliant marine journey makes the perfect finale for your Sri Lanka wildlife tour.

As you venture further out into the diamond blue, you encounter Sri Lanka’s population of blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales. You watch as they give you the performance of a lifetime. As your naturalist guide teaches you about these marvellous animals, you feel you have formed a life-long bond with them.

Day 11 – Galle City Tour

A relaxed morning prepares you for a short transfer to Galle, a scenic colonial city which lies westward along the coast. Today’s insightful city tour brings you through Galle’s cultural hotspots, the highlight being its infamous Galle Fort.

Journey through time as you listen to tales of 16^th-century Sri Lanka, encountering architecture which symbolises the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Experience the modern-day buzz of Galle, marvelling at its contrast with neat historic buildings like the Dutch Reformed Church, or the Galle Lighthouse.

Return to your hotel in Ahangama and savour every last moment of your final day in Sri Lanka.

Day 12 – Departure from Ahangama

Your remarkable Sri Lanka safari tour has come to a bittersweet close, and it’s time to head to Colombo Airport for a subdued journey home. You click through your newly-filled camera, a treasure trove which reminds you of your inspiring tour of Sri Lanka’s beautiful landscapes.

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