15 day safari

Prices from

£4470

Excluding international flights

Tour Highlights

  • Visit two distinct sides of Yala and avoid the crowds
  • Visit Uda Walawe national park for Elephants and Raptors
  • Scenic journey through the unspoilt central Highlands
  • Your tour can be tailored to your requirements
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Two Sides of Yala with Uda Walawe and Central Highlands

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Two Sides of Yala with Uda Walawe and Central Highlands

Our first visit to Sri Lanka way back in 2002 included visit to Bundala, Uda Walawe and Yala national parks. While Yala is very much the jewel in the crown of Sri Lanka’s wildlife sanctuaries it is important to be transparent with visitors about excessive visitor numbers which have been caused by the building of a ferry/ cruise ship terminal just 1 hour away by road. Given we are writing this during the middle of the Corvid-19 pandemic, the future of the cruise industry is far from certain, but what is certain in that Wildlife Trails has its finger in the pulse of all wildlife sanctuaries in the country and has already designed this tour in such a way, as to avoid the busier areas of the park and provide our clients with the most natural and exciting wildlife safari experience possible. As well as including a short extension to Uda Walawe national park before arriving in Yala, we also take you right into the heart of the Central Highlands. Enjoy the clean mountain air, authentic bungalow accommodation and choose a walking tour which suits your abilities and interests. After your leopard safari in Yala and experiencing the beautiful eastern side of the park; with its mangrove forests and amazing bird life, you will drive west to Mirissa for your small boat whale watcing safaris looking for the largest animal in the world – Dondra Point is one of the best places to see the Blue Whale.

When to Go:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Best time to visit -

FEB

Safari Style -

Bespoke Wildlife

DAY 1

DRIVE FROM COLOMBO TO KANDY

On arrival at Colombo international airport (morning arrival assumed) you will be met and driven to Udispattuwa, near Kandy, (approximately 3-4 hours) taking some time to explore the citadel of Kandy and its lakeside before checking in at ‘Rangala House’. If you struggle with sleep on international flights, we can add in a hotel near the airport before this drive.

Accommodation : Rangala House

DAY 2

EXPLORE KANDY AND NEARBY KNUCKLES MOUNTAIN RANGE

Full day free to explore the surrounding Knuckles Range of mountains, or simply enjoy the views from the local tea plantation tracks. Overnight again at ‘Rangala House’

Accommodation : Rangala House

DAY 3

DRIVE FROM KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA

After a leisurely breakfast you will be driven onward via the hill resort of Nuwara Eliya (a journey of approximately 5 hours through beautiful mountain scenery), stopping as you wish, for example to visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens; started in the 1860’s to produce quinine from cinchona, but better known now for the rose gardens, oaks, cedars, fernery and montane orchids (plus the birdlife attracted to the flora). Overnight stay at the ‘Kelburne Mountain View Cottages’ near Haputale

Accommodation : Kelburne Mountain View Cottages

DAY 4

FULL DAY VISIT TO HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK

Start as early as possible for your visit to Horton Plains National Park, where you can take a walking tour to ‘Worlds End’ and ‘Bakers Falls’, look out for scarce endemic Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush. Other highlights include the endemic primate Bear Monkey, Rhino-horned Lizard, Dwarf Lizard and Black-lipped lizard

Accommodation : Kelburne Mountain View Cottages

DAY 5

SCENIC DRIVE FROM NUWARA ELIYA TO UDA WALAWE

Consider an early morning visit to the Tangamalai bird sanctuary which surrounds the Benedictine monastery of Adisham, the grounds are home to paradise flycatchers, Sri Lankan blue magpie, and golden orioles. Later you will be driven onward to ‘Kalu’s Hideaway’ near Uda Walawe (a journey of approximately 2-3 hours). Arrive in time for an afternoon jeep safari inside Uda Walawe National Park. In addition to elephant herds, raptors such as Crested Serpent Eagle and Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, as well as arid-country specialists the Malabar Pied Hornbill and Blue-faced Malkoha can be seen in this park.

Accommodation : Kalu’s Hideaway

DAY 6

MORNING SAFARI AT UDA WALAWE FOLLOWED BY AFTERNOON SAFARI AT YALA.

Early morning jeep safari inside Uda Walawe National park. Later you will be driven onward to the ‘Jetwing Yala’ (a journey of approximately 2 hours). On arrival you will enjoy a beautifully prepared lunch before heading out for your first private jeep safari in Yala national park.

Accommodation : Jetwing Yala

DAYS 7&8

TWO FULL DAYS OF PRIVATE JEEP SAFARIS AT YALA NATIONAL PARK

There are three essential ingredients to a world class Leopard safari in Yala national park. The location of your lodge or tented camp, the quality of your naturalist/guide and the decision to take a packed lunch into the park. The amount of visitors who spend wasted hours driving in and out of the park for lunch is incredible and although Leopards are the big draw, there is so much more to see in this world famous wildlife sanctuary. You are here on a wildlife safari after all, so let’s at least maximize your time in the park and avoid the crowds where possible.

Accommodation : Jetwing Yala

Leopard safari Yala national park male and female on rock

DAY 9

CHANGE LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATION AS WE GO TO EAST YALA

Early morning private jeep safari in Yala National Park. Later you will be transferred to your ‘Mahoora Explorer’ campsite near to the boundary of Yala East (Kumana National Park) for lunch followed by an afternoon safari in this beautiful and little explored area of Yala.

Accommodation : Mahoora Explorer

DAY 10

MORNING AND AFTERNOON PRIVATE SAFARI IN KUMANA (YALA EAST)

Morning and afternoon jeep safaris in Kumana National Park; also known as Yala East. One of the most significant features of the park is the ‘Kumana Villu’ – a 200 hectare natural swamp lake, fed by the ‘Kumbukkan Oya’ through a half mile long narrow channel. It is at this mangrove swamp that many water birds nest in May and June and keen bird watchers should very much consider the timing of their trip.

Accommodation : Mahoora Explorer

DAY 11

FINAL MORNING SAFARI AND PRIVATE TRANSFER TO TANGALLE

Final morning safari in . Immediately after your safari you will be driven to Tangalle on the southern coast (a journey of approximately 2-3 hours), consider a visit en route to nearby Bundala National Park looking for a wide variety of resident and migratory waders and shore birds, which include Red-necked Phalarope, Great Thick-knee and hundreds of Greater Flamingo. Check in to the ‘Palm Paradise Cabanas’ for your overnight accommodation.

Accommodation : Palm Paradise Cabanas

DAY 12

MORNING BLUE WHALE WATCHING TOUR FROM MIRISSA

An early start for your transfer to Mirissa Harbour for your morning whale watching excursion, travelling towards the deeper waters off Dondra Point – held to be one of the best locations Worldwide for the chance of seeing Blue and Sperm whales, also smaller whales and 3 dolphin species may be encountered. Rest of the day free for your own activities

Accommodation : Palm Paradise Cabanas

DAY 13

FULL DAY FREE FOR YOUR OWN ACTIVITIES IN TANGALLE

Tangalle is a beautiful, colourful seaside town, with lots of excellent local restuarants and markets to visit. You can easily spend a fun filled morning exploring locally and then relax at the beach, or by the pool, as the heat of the day builds.

Accommodation : Palm Paradise Cabanas

DAY 14

DRIVE THE BEAUTIFUL COASTAL ROAD TO GALLE

After a leisurely start you will be driven to Galle (a journey of approximately 2-3 hours). Check-in at ‘Deco on 44’. Rest of day free to explore Galle’s historic Dutch Fort and harbour, your driver is available for local running

Accommodation : Deco on 44

DAY 15

FINAL TRANSFER TO COLOMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to your amazing local driver and friend and take the plane home. We hope you had a truly special time in Sri Lanka and we look forward to hearing all about it.

Pricing Info & Dates

Costs £4470 based on two people sharing and not including flights. Valid for multiple dates in 2024

Includes:

  • £100 donation to the Tiger Trails Foundation
  • Modern AC car with your own private driver
  • All meals at Rangala, Uda Walawe, Yala and Kumana/ half-board at Haputale and Tangalle
  • Private jeep safaris throughout

Excludes:

  • Cost of international flights and travel insurance
  • Cost of applicable visa fees
  • Lunch and dinner in Galle
  • Gratuties for your driver and naturalists

Tour Route Map

Animals in sri-lanka

Asian Elephant

Snow Leopard

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What

Our Clients Say About Us

★★★★★
More stunning wildlife encounters

Recently returned from a trip to Sri Lanka & India. As always, our jointly planned adventures with Wildlife Trails produced another raft of good memories to enjoy. Whilst we have been to both ntries several times, all wildlife trips are uniquely unpredictable & different. It was our first time visiting Wilpatu NP in NW Sri Lanka and would recommend it. It is beautiful forest with plenty of lakes, so very picturesque. Great sightings of leopard, sloth bear, many prey animals & fabulous birds. We were also able to enjoy the company of our regular driver (who has become a good friend), thanks to the efforts of Wildlife Trails. In India we revisited Kanha NP & were rewarded with fantastic tiger sightings; the stuff of dreams. We never tire of these two amazing countries. It is always a pleasure to plan & fulfil our travel arrangements with Wildlife Trails. Satisfaction guaranteed for us through our shared wildlife interests, understanding of our preferences, incredible attention to detail & feeling like we are discussing it with friends rather that a travel company, making hopes become reality.

ByAvril and Brian
★★★★★
Great Wildlife holiday in a beautiful country

We did a wildlife and cultural tour of Sri Lanka. We visited Uda Walawe, Yala, Mirissa, buduruwagala, dickwella, Rekawa Turtle Sanctuary, Galle, Kottawa Rainforest and Negombo. The wildlife htings were awesome, we saw everything we were looking for (leopards, whales, elephants, turtles) and one big plus - a Sloth Bear! The Buddhist sites were also really interesting as was the Fort at Galle. The weather was great, the people were really friendly and the accomodation was very nice. We had a really good holiday and we were sorry to have to leave Sri Lanka! I have used Wildlife Trails many times, every holiday has been great and we have always been priveleged to find the Wildlife we have been looking for. I will continue to use Wildlife Trails as they work hard to make the itinerary the customer wants happen, at a good price and in the time you have available for the holiday.

ByTony