9 day safari

Prices from

£2950

Excluding international flights

Tour Highlights

  • Path less travelled visiting Wilpattu
  • Chance to see wild leopards, elephants and sloth bear
  • Incredible whale and dolphin whale watching tours
  • Tour can be tailored around your own requirements
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Wilpattu Leopard and the Dolphins of Kalpitiya

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Wilpattu Leopard and the Dolphins of Kalpitiya

Compared to the very popular Yala national park, Wilpattu will always be the ‘path less travelled’ and here it is more about the quality of your wildlife encounters, rather than the number. Accommodation near the park remains largely a choice of mobile tented camps on private land, but there is also now a slightly more traditionally built option (the Kulu bungalow is available as an upgrade). The real pay-off is the escape from the crowds and that more intimate connection with nature and wildlife. Kalpitiya became famous for Sperm Whale sightings, but between December and April it is also an incredible location for the resident spinner dolphins. You can have that perfect combination of a relaxed beach stay with marine wildlife tours that are not overly commerical and can often deliver amazing wildlife encounters.

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

Best time to visit -

JAN

Safari Style -

Bespoke Wildlife

DAY 1

PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM COLOMBO AIRPORT TO JETWING BEACH, NEGOMBO

On arrival at Colombo international airport you will be met and helped with any money exchange required, before taking a private car transfer north to the beautiful Jetwing Beach at Negombo, less than 30 minutes from the airport

Accommodation : Jetwing Beach Negombo

DAY 2

DRIVE FROM NEGOMBO TO WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast you will be transferred 4-5 hours to the ‘Big Game Camp’, located close to the entrance gate of Wilpattu National Park. You will arrive in time to settle into your accommodation and enjoy a delightful lunch. In the afternoon you will take your first vehicle safari inside the beautiful forests and coastal inlets which define Wilpattu National Park. Key species to look out for are Leopard, Sloth Bear and Asian elephant.

Accommodation : Big Game Camp

DAYS 3-5

THREE FULL DAYS OF MORNING AND AFTERNOON SAFARI IN WILPATTU

Three full days of vehicle safaris inside Wilpattu national park. The wildlife in this park has overcome tremendous adversity caused by the civil war to once again thrive in the beautiful forests of eastern Sri Lanka. Not only are there far less vehicles here than in Yala, it also allowed wildlife lovers to link up some incredible dolphin and whale watching tours in nearby Kalpitiya.

Accommodation : Big Game Camp

DAY 6

FINAL MORNING SAFARI THEN DRIVE SOUTH TO KALPITIYA

After a final morning jeep safari in Wilpattu national park, you will drive the scenic coastal road 2 hours south to Kalpitiya, where you will overnight at the stunningly located Bar Reef Resort. Rest of the day to relax, take a walk on the beach and enjoy a cooling sea breeze.

Accommodation : Bar Reef Resort

DAY 7

HALF-DAY DOLPHIN AND WHALE WATCHING BOAT SAFARI

After breakfast you will enjoy a dolphin spotting excursion by fishing boat (according to sea conditions), hundreds of dolphins may be seen in the same trip; species include Spinner, Rissos, Bottlenose and Indo-Pacific Humpback (‘pink’) dolphin. Though best-known as a dolphin hotspot, whales can also be encountered (seasonal) and these range from Orcas to Blue, Sperm and Minke. Afternoon free for your own activities.

Accommodation : Bar Reef Resort

DAY 8

FREE MORNING FOR ANOTHER WHALE WATCHING EXCURSION

We allow another free morning in Kalpitiya in case of weather disruption to your planned activity the previous day and then in the afternoon we drive you 2 hours south to Negombo, where you once again stay at the modern and stylish Jetwing Beach at Negombo

Accommodation : Jetwing Beach

DAY 9

FINAL TRANSFER TO COLOMBO AIRPORT FOR YOUR FLIGHT HOME

Pricing Info & Dates

Costs £2950 based on two people sharing and not including flights. Valid for multiple dates in 2024

Includes:

  • £100 donation to the Tiger Trails Foundation
  • A private vehicle and driver throughout
  • Private safaris in Wilpattu
  • All activities and transfers as shown

Excludes:

  • Cost of international flights (we can quote on request)
  • Costs associated with applicable visas
  • Lunch in Colombo and Kalpitiya
  • Gratuities for your main wildlife and boat guides

Tour Route Map

Animals in sri-lanka

Asian Elephant

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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