Sri Lanka Wildlife Tour
Our Local Tour is delighted to offer this 9-day Sri Lanka Wildlife Tour. As a private tour we can tailor this to meet your exact needs.
The tour includes safari drives in the Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest national park and home to rich with leopard, elephant and sloth bear. In Kumana National Park bird reserve, you will witness this spectacular ornithologically rich mangrove swamp. Undisturbed coastal beach is frequently visited by nesting sea turtles and the vast grasslands around the lagoons become a feeding ground for large herbivores such as elephants, wild buffalo and deer. Due to the abundance of pray in Kumana, it is also a good location to observe leopards.
Day 1 – Welcome to Sri Lanka
You will be arriving in Sri Lanka at the Bandaranayke International Airport where you will be met by your English-speaking chauffeur guide at the arrival lobby and he will take you to your hotel in Negombo. The drive from the airport to the Goldi Sands Hotel takes approximately twenty minutes.
Overnight stay at Goldi Sands Hotel in Standard room with Breakfast
Day 2 - Wilpattu National Park
Have breakfast before you take a morning transfer to Wilpattu via Hunuwila. The drive from Negombo to Wilpattu will take about four hours, and on arrival there will be a safari drive in Wilpattu National Park. This is Sri Lanka’s largest national park and it was closed for nearly twenty-five years before it reopened in 2010. It is a unique park which is named after its main feature, a scattering of ‘willus’. These are small lakes, some of which, though inland, contain salt water. It is home to leopards, sloth beards, elephants and many other mammals and reptiles as well as a plethora of resident and migratory birds. We will take the hour drive from Wilpattu to Anuradhapura and check-in at our hotel for the evening.
Overnight stay at The Lakeside at Nuwarawewa in Standard room with Breakfast
Day 3 - Anuradhapura
This morning we will take time to explore the Anuradhapura USECO site. Anuradhapura is the ancient city that marks the golden period of Sri Lankan history, being the first capital of Sri Lanka, reigning for over fifteen hundred years. With the pinnacles of the stupas rising tall above the trees, this city is packed with monuments from temple, stupas, tanks and monasteries. This evening we return to Wilpattu National Park for another safari drive to experience the park at this time of day.
Overnight stay at The Lakeside at Nuwarawewa in Standard room with Breakfast
Day 4 – Malwathu Oya River and Kalawewa National Park
The Malwathu Oya River is our destinations this morning for a boat safari to watch the birds and crocodiles. Malwathu Oya is the second largest river in Sri Lanka and is 164km long. Having enjoyed the boat ride, you will visit the Aukana Buddha statue this afternoon. The drive to Aukana takes about an hour and is worth the time to view this remarkable rock carving of a standing Buddha.
The Aukana Buddha statue is the tallest statue of the ancient Buddha in the country and is just over forty-six feet high. This evening you will visit the Kalawewa National Park and experience a safari drive. At just over sixty square kilometres, Kalawewa is home to many elephants and a wide variety of birds.
Overnight stay at The Lakeside at Nuwarawewa in Standard room with Breakfast
Day 5 - Sigiriya Rock Fortress
No holiday to Sri Lanka is complete without a visit to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Said locally to be the 8th wonder of the world, Sigiriya is famous for the palace ruins on top of a massive 200m high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano. Those with a head for heights may want to climb to the top for extraordinary views. The drive from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya takes about an hour and a half. From Sigiriya we will continue the drive for another three hours until we reach Mahiyanganaya for your overnight stay.
Overnight stay at Mapakada Village in a deluxe room with Dinner & Breakfast
Day 6 - Kumana National Park
This morning the drive to Arugambay will take about three hours and we will then check-in to the hotel. There is time to relax before we take an evening safari in the Kumana National Park. Kumana is well known as eco-tourism attraction and bird sanctuary. Located in the Eastern part of Yala National park, it holds its own as a bird sanctuary at the same time being home to some of the larger mammals found in Yala west park, such as elephants and leopards.
Overnight stay at Blue Wave Hotel in a deluxe room with Breakfast
Day 7 – Kumana Evening Safari
Today the morning is at leisure at your hotel. There are many optional activities that you can arrange through the hotel or your guide. In the evening there will be another safari drive in the Kumana National Park.
Overnight stay at Blue Wave Hotel in a deluxe room with Breakfast
Day 8 - Negombo
A busy day as we drive to Negombo. The drive will take about seven hours but there will be plenty of stops and comfort breaks enroute. We arrive at the hotel and you will be able to relax in one of its two big swimming pools or maybe go for a walk and stretch your legs along the huge stretch of beach on the doorstep.
Overnight stay at Goldi Sands Hotel in Standard room with Breakfast
Day 9 – Time to leave Sri Lanka
You will be transferred to the airport depending on the time of your international flight. We hope you had a memorable wildlife holiday in Sri Lanka.
Get in touch with Our Local Tour to book The Best of Sri Lanka Tour
Departure Dates
Private Tour - Scheduled to your requirements between June to October*
Price - from £1455 per person (based two people sharing per room)
Single Supplement - £285
Included in The Best of Sri Lanka Tour
Not Included in The Best of Sri Lanka Tour
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to the COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry.
Visa and Passport Information
Passport validity
If you are visiting Sri Lanka, your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive.
Visas
All visitors are advised to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. Visitors can apply for an ETA on the ETA website. On arrival visa facilities are available, however applying for an ETA before travel is advised for ease of travel and to prevent delays on arrival. All visitors need to comply with the guidelines imposed for tourists by the Government of Sri Lanka. Tourist visas are normally valid for 30 days. If you overstay your visa you could be fined or detained by the police.
Health Care
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 011 2691111 and ask for an ambulance or dial 1990. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment. Emergency medical treatment isn’t easily available outside main cities, and you may have to be brought to Colombo for treatment. Fuel shortages may delay your ability to access emergency services. Medical facilities are not always of a standard expected in the UK, particularly outside Colombo. Treatment in private hospitals can be expensive and the options for repatriation to the UK or neighbouring countries in an emergency are limited and very expensive. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Diseases
All regions of Sri Lanka experience outbreaks of the mosquito-borne dengue fever. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
What to bring on your Best of Sri Lanka Tour
Clothing
Lightweight clothing which can be layered is adviseable and a warmer jumper for cooler evenings. A light rain coat is suggested. There is a laundry available in most hotels.
Footwear
Lightweight comfortable shoes/trainers and sandals. Waterproof footware is recommended.
Luggage while on your tour
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. Remember, you are expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suit case.
Equipment
We recommend a sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, insect repellent and a waterbottle. A solar charger for your phone and other electronics is a good idea.
Currency
The Sri Lanka Rupee is the unit of currency used in Sri Lanka, symbolized by Rs., or SLRs to distinguish it from other Rupees. The Rupee is sub-divided into 100 cents. You can’t exchange Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes in Sri Lanka. Travellers’ cheques aren’t normally accepted. Most major banks will allow Visa and Mastercard cash withdrawals. There are ATMs in major towns and cities but not all of them accept international cards.
It’s relatively easy to send funds to Sri Lanka. However, money can’t be transferred out of the country without an exchange control permit issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Use of electronic devices
For Sri Lanka there are two associated plug types, types D and G. Plug type D is the plug which has three round pins in a triangular patternand plug type G is the plug which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Sri Lanka operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Shortages
There are shortages of basic necessities, including medicines, some food and fuel, and there may be long queues at shops and pharmacies. Hospitals and other medical services including ambulance services may be affected by shortages, including fuel shortages. If you have a health condition, you should speak to your health care provider before travelling to Sri Lanka. Make sure you have adequate supplies of any medicines you need with you. Major shortages of fuel (diesel and petrol) are affecting transport and businesses. Fuel rationing is in place. There is now a QR code system in place for fuel purchases, however at times there have been long queues at fuel stations (sometimes over 24 hours). Travellers should ensure transport plans are in place ahead of any journeys and have contingency plans. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has announced an emergency assistance service to provide fuel for tourist service providers.
There are ongoing daily power cuts due to electricity rationing. This could impact services including at shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels. You should check before travelling to a business, hotel or restaurant in case they are affected by shortages or power cuts. Have a torch to hand at night and know how you would leave your accommodation in the dark in case of emergency.
Swimming
Many beaches in Sri Lanka have dangerous surf or rip tides at certain times of the year. Always take local advice before entering the sea. A number of foreign nationals drown every year.
Time Zone
Time zone in Sri Lanka (GMT+5:30)
Internet Availability
Wi-fi is common in hotels, hostels, restaurants and cafes across the touristed areas of Sri Lanka. Travellers can also purchase a tourist SIM card for the duration of their Sri Lanka tour if they wish to stay connected or check with your normal provider regarding roaming charges.
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