Sri Lanka is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. This tiny tropical island harbours an incredible selection of flora and fauna and is home to some of the finest national parks of the subcontinent.
Starting in Kandy, where visits will be made to the Udawattekele Sanctuary and stunning Peradeniya Botanical Gardens then travel on to Gal Oya National Park – one of the finest reserves in the country. From here continue south and spend ample time in famous Yala National Park, Weerawila which is close to both Bundala and Udawalawe national parks and the little visited Sinharaja Forest Reserve before ending the journey in Galle to spot whale and dolphin.
Colombo – Makandura – Kandy – Gal Oya National Park – Yala National Park – Weerawila – Sinharaja Forest Reserve – Galle
Trip Highlights
- Gal Oya is a fine reserve and a special place to see Asian elephant in the wild
- Safari in Yala National Park where the leopard population is known the world over
- Sinharaja’s tropical rainforest is home to rare reptiles, insects and excellent birdwatching
- Udawattekele Sanctuary offers fine birdwatching with 150 different species recorded
- Marvel at the large resident and migratory bird populations in Bundala National Park
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the Sri Lankan Airlines flight to Colombo.
Day 2
Arrive Colombo / Colombo to Makandura – 35kms
Arrive in Colombo where you will be met by your driver-guide and driven north by car to Makandura and The Notary's House where you will stay overnight. This small six bedroom boutique hotel is surrounded by large gardens, has spacious bedrooms and an enticing outdoor swimming pool. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to relax after your flight.
The Notary’s House
Day 3
Makandura to Kandy – 100kms
This morning drive to Kandy. Capital of the highlands, Kandy is best known for the opulent Temple of Tooth and later visit the temple where Buddha’s tooth relic is housed. With its palaces, parks and gardens, Kandy is an attractive city. The centre of town is known for its early 19th century architecture and time is well worth spent exploring the colourful bazaar and interesting Kandy National Museum.
- Breakfast
Jetwing Kandy Gallery
Adigar’s Manor
Kings Pavilion Kandy
Day 4
Kandy
After breakfast visit the Udawattekele Sanctuary. This forest sanctuary was once the reserve of the kings of Kandy and today is home to several endemic species of flora and fauna and over 150 different species of birds. In the afternoon travel outside of Kandy to the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, a former royal pleasure garden but converted into its current form in 1821. With over 4,000 labelled species, Peradeniya is one of the finest botanical gardens in the subcontinent.
- Breakfast
Jetwing Kandy Gallery
Adigar’s Manor
Kings Pavilion Kandy
Day 5
Kandy to Gal Oya – 150kms
This morning leave Kandy and drive east to Gal Oya National Park. Sri Lanka’s forgotten national park, Gal Oya was established in 1954. Relatively untouched and little-visited, the reserve consists of lush evergreen forest and open savanna and surrounds Senanayake Samudraya Lake which is dotted with islands and the country’s largest inland body of water. Gal Oya is the only place in Sri Lanka where safaris can be conducted by boat and is one of the best places in the world to see the Asian elephant in its natural habitat.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Gal Oya Lodge
Day 6-7
Gal Oya
Over the next two days explore the reserve in the company of an expert naturalist. Gal Oya is home to elephant, leopard, wild boar, deer, jackal, sloth bear, water buffalo, marsh mugger crocodile and over 150 different species of bird. There is a large elephant population here and a highlight of the reserve is watching them swim from island to island across Senanayake Samudraya Lake. Safaris are by jeep, boat or on foot and it is also possible to visit one of the last remaining Vedda communities – the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Gal Oya Lodge
Day 8
Gal Oya to Yala National Park – 170kms
This morning leave Gal Oya and drive south to the famous Yala National Park. Established as a protected area in 1938, Yala is a large reserve with a mixture of habitats ranging from open parkland and dense jungle, to a myriad of flooded lagoons and high coastal sand dunes. This varied terrain supports a wide range of animal life and vegetation. Yala is also a base for visiting the ancient, and now abandoned, royal city of Tissamaharama.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Cinnamon Wild Resort
Uga Chena Huts
Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Day 9
Yala National Park
At Yala there is an impressive variety of flora and fauna and today explore the reserve with your naturalist on morning and evening jeep safaris. The park is known throughout Sri Lanka for its elephant population and, naturalists believe, it supports the highest concentration of leopards in the world although sightings of this elusive animal remain rare. Other animals here include sambar, spotted deer, wild boar, jackal, monkey, sloth bear and crocodile. Birdlife is also abundant with over 130 species recorded.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Cinnamon Wild Resort
Uga Chena Huts
Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Day 10
Yala National Park to Weerawila – 40kms
This morning leave Yala and drive to Weerawila which is located close to Bundala National Park. A riverine maze of shallow lagoons, twisting waterways, low sand dunes and dense scrub, coastal Bundala is a protected Ramsar Wetland and, although home to a number of mammals, reptiles and amphibians it is best known for its large resident and migratory bird populations with close to 200 different species recorded. Later visit Bundala in the company of a local naturalist.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Flameback Eco Lodge
Day 11
Weerawila – visit Udawalawe National Park
Today visit Udawalawe National Park. Mainly open parkland, the park is famous for its elephants which can be seen in herds of over one hundred. Udawalawe is also home to spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, water buffalo and jackal whilst the birding is excellent with nearly 200 species recorded. Time will also be spent at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home which houses injured elephants before releasing them back into the wild. Later return to Weerawila.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Flameback Eco Lodge
Day 12
Weerawila to Sinharaja – 140kms
This morning continue to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Sinharaja is the last viable area of primary tropical rainforest in the country and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Astonishingly over two-thirds of the reserve’s trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is also much endemic wildlife, especially birdlife where the reserve supports over 80% of the island’s bird species, as well as numerous butterflies, insects, reptiles and amphibians. Mammals, including the rarely seen leopard and more common purple-faced langur also call Sinharaja home. The vegetation here is dense and later enter the reserve and undertake a guided trek with an emphasis on bird-watching.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Rainforest Eco Lodge
The Rosewood Manor
Day 13
Sinharaja to Galle – 185kms
After breakfast leave Sinharaja and drive to the coastal city of Galle. Once the chief port of British Ceylon, today the city of Galle is divided into two parts – the modern, bustling centre and the historic, colonial fort. The charming old town was visited by Ibn Batuta during the 14th century and was subsequently controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British who finally captured the city in 1796.
- Breakfast
Fort Bazaar, Galle
Amangalla
Day 14
Galle to Colombo – 125kms
Spend the morning whale and dolphin watching by boat from Galle harbour where it is possible to see the great blue whale, the largest mammal on earth. Whales and dolphins are most frequently seen from November to early April. Later return to Colombo. A former Portuguese trading outpost, the city grew under both the Dutch and British to become the commercial hub of the country and today is home to numerous colonial remnants and colourful bazaars.
- Breakfast
Cinnamon Lakeside
Galle Face Hotel
Day 15
Colombo to UK
Today transfer back to Colombo Airport to catch the SriLankan Airlines flight non-stop to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Include a stay in Sri Lanka’s beautiful hill country. Located to the south of Kandy, this is a region of small towns, lush tea plantations and spectacular scenery. Visit Horton Plains National Park for excellent walking, birdwatching and incredible views.
Relax beside the warm seas of the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka’s palm-fringed east coast. The soft sands and gentle turquoise waters of Passikudah make this one of the island’s finest beaches, ideal for swimming and snorkelling colourful coral reefs.
Add a couple of days in coastal Bentota, located midway between Galle and Colombo. For those interested in architecture or gardens, Lunuganga, the country home of renowned Geoffrey Bawa and Brief Garden, designed by Geoffrey's brother Bevis, are close by.
Extend your stay in Galle by a day so that you can fully experience this delightful and historic town. Influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, atmospheric Galle Fort is a wonderful place to explore with cobbled streets, churches, markets, shops and restaurants.
Guide to Price
15 days from £3800 - £4560 per person
What's Included
- International flights
- Private car with English speaking driver-guide
- Wildlife viewing with local naturalist
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
from £3800 - £4560
Travel Information
Getting There
SriLankan Airlines is currently the only airline offering non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Colombo. Other leading airlines, including Emirates, Oman Airways and Qatar Airways, offer indirect flights from most airports in the UK with changes in Dubai, Muscat or Abu Dhabi.
Flying Times From UK
A direct flight from London Heathrow to Colombo should take around 11 hours. Indirect flights usually take around 14 hours.
Time Zone
Sri Lanka is +5½ hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
You will need a visa to enter the country. Tourist visas are valid for a stay of up to 30 days in Sri Lanka. The visa must be obtained in advance of arrival and applications need to be made online via the official Sri Lankan government Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) website - www.eta.gov.lk. To enter Sri Lanka, your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the day you arrive, and your passports must have at least two blank pages for visa stamps. Please note the Tourist Visa Fee is USD50.00 per person. The above visa information applies only to British citizens travelling on a UK passport.
Do’s & Don’ts
Always show respect by understanding and following local customs and traditions. Sri Lanka is a welcoming country with a rich culture, and it is important to understand the destination and its people before visiting.
When you are taking photographs, avoid snapping shots of the soldiers and police and always ask permission if you take pictures of people.
Be aware of the dangers posed by local wildlife. It is natural to be wary of predators, but many visitors do not realise that other large animals, such as the much loved elephant, are also dangerous to humans if they get scared and charge.
Holy areas welcome visitors, but make sure you observe religious customs. Remove your shoes and cover up respectfully. These are also good rules to follow if you are invited into somebody's home.
When eating, only the right hand should be used. Sri Lankan culture considers the left hand to be unclean.
Money
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Colombo Airport provides currency exchange facilities. Sri Lanka has a closed currency and therefore you will get a better rate by exchanging your money locally. Accessing your money is straightforward in Sri Lanka, with major cities and towns having plenty of ATMs available. If you are heading out to rural areas, you will want to have cash with you. Most vendors, transport providers and retailers will prefer cash to debit and credit cards.
Tipping
If a waiter or driver makes a special effort, feel free to tip. A driver/guide who offers a more personal service will expect you to tip, and hotels will include a service charge as standard (usually 10%). As with services in the UK, if a tip box is provided and you feel an extra fee is deserved, nobody will be offended if you leave a small tip. A guideline for tipping your driver/guide will be advised prior to travel.
Food & Drink
Sri Lanka is well known for its tea which is grown and exported internationally. The country, formerly known as Ceylon, is the world's fourth largest producer of tea and it has a reputation for creating some of the finest teas in the world. Tea drinking forms a big part of Sri Lankan culture. Visit local tea houses and cafes or pick up a cup from a street vendor while exploring the country. Sri Lanka is not as strictly vegetarian as India, and meat dishes are widely available. However, much of the local cuisine focuses on vegetables and spices, so vegetarians will be spoilt for choice. Fish is more commonly cooked than meat, with curries and stews forming a big part of the Sri Lankan diet.
Accommodation
Sri Lanka has plenty of accommodation options to suit every visitor so it is possible to experience a bygone era at an opulent and historic tea plantation, stay in a luxurious lodge in one of the country's finest wildlife parks or indulge on the finest seafood at a five-star beach resort. There is a vast range of accommodation available throughout the island from luxurious small hotels, contemporary properties and one-off boutique accommodation to atmospheric wildlife lodges and charming colonial tea planter’s bungalows. The majority of Sri Lanka’s beach resorts predominately hug the north-east and south-west coastlines with a plethora of different options including everything from larger modern hotels to small independent properties – some with only a handful of rooms. Although heritage hotels can be found throughout the country, the majority are located in and around Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and adjoining tea plantations and the historic fort at Galle.
Shopping
Colombo is the place to be if you want to pick up a bargain. Many of the high street clothes we get in the UK are made in Sri Lanka and can make it to retail there at very low prices. Sri Lankan cities are more focused on market style trading and you will find a vast array of ingredients on offer including high quality spices and herbs. Haggling over prices is strongly encouraged and shop keepers will expect it. However, most are far less persistent than in other countries, and will engage with the bartering process in good humour and fun. Feel free to offer what you feel something is worth and walk away if you feel pressured into a sale.
Suggested Reading
For a good introduction to visiting Sri Lanka, you cannot go wrong with the Footprint Rough Guide. Learn a little more about the country before you get there with some great novels and memoirs set in Sri Lanka, including ‘Running in the Family’ by Michael Ondaatje, ‘The Village in the Jungle’ by Leonard Woolf, ‘The Teardrop Island’ by Cherry Briggs, ‘Woolf in Ceylon’ by Christopher Ondaatje and ‘Mosquito’ by Roma Tearne.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Sri Lanka the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. If you are considering a trip to Sri Lanka, Pettitts Travel are specialists in bespoke Sri Lanka tours including Colombo holidays. We can create an itinerary around your requirements to include Sri Lanka's key experiences and sights.
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Our Reviews
What our clients say
We enjoyed every minute of it
NR - Sri Lanka and the Maldives - November 2024
We returned this morning from our trip having had a really superb holiday. We enjoyed every minute of it and I wanted to thank you for the efficient way in which you organised our fascinating itinerary and the selection of lovely hotels in Sri Lanka. Everything went like clockwork and we have returned relaxed and refreshed. I am very grateful and I shall be in touch when we plan our next adventure.
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