Starting from:

1750 USD

per Adult

Sri Lanka nature and wildlife tour

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Trip crafted by:
Devindi
Travel Expert
Sri Lanka flagSri Lanka

Turn curiosity into a handcrafted adventure with our Sri Lanka nature and wildlife tour, one of our most immersive Sri Lanka trips for travellers seeking authentic, tailor-made experiences. Follow misty jungle trails with expert guides, encounter rare birds and elephants at sunrise, share moments of village hospitality, and uncover secluded waterfalls and wild beaches chosen around your interests.

Tell us how you like to travel, and we will shape each day to match your pace and passions. Begin planning a Sri Lanka journey designed entirely around you.

Sri Lanka nature and wildlife tour highlights

  • Wildlife safaris in Yala and Wilpattu: Track leopards, elephants and rich birdlife on guided safaris, and avoid crowds to maximise sightings.
  • Birdwatching and wetland exploration: Discover endemic birds and migratory species in tranquil lagoons with a local ornithologist.
  • Tea Country trails and cultural encounters: Walk misty tea terraces, meet plantation families and enjoy a private tasting.
  • Coastal, wetland and rainforest diversity: From mangroves to rainforests and coral-rich coasts, explore diverse ecosystems with guides.
  • Tailor-made conservation and community experiences: Participate in community-led projects and conservation activities to deepen your connection with Sri Lanka’s people and natural heritage.
DayLocationActivityOvernight
1Kalpitiya

• Airport arrival and transfer

• Leisure by the pool

• Optional kitesurfing experience

Kalpitiya
2Wilpattu

• Guided jungle safari in Wilpattu National Park

• Birdlife and wildlife viewing

• Visit Kalli Villu historic site

Kalpitiya
3Anuradhapura → Habarana

• Bicycle tour of Anuradhapura ruins

• Visit Basawakkulama reservoir

• Scenic transfer to Habarana

Habarana
4Polonnaruwa and Minneriya

• Explore Polonnaruwa ancient capital

• Safari in Minneriya National Park

Habarana
5Sigiriya

• Guided climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress

• Frescoes and summit palace ruins

Habarana
6Kandy

• City tour of Kandy

• Visit Temple of the Tooth

Kandy
7Peradeniya → Ella

• Royal Botanical Gardens visit

• Scenic tea country drive

• Cable car ride to hotel

Ella
8Ella

• Jungle walk to Waraka Waterfall

• Natural pool swim

Ella
9Udawalawe → Tissamaharama

• Visit Elephant Transit Home

• Conservation experience

Tissamaharama
10Yala and South Coast

• Optional Yala safari

• Stilt fishing cultural experience

Tissamaharama
11Sinharaja• Guided rainforest biodiversity trekSinharaja / South Coast
12Mirissa

• Leisure beach time

• Optional whale watching cruise

Mirissa
13Departure• Airport transfer

Places you'll visit

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Day01

Arrival in Kalpitiya

Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to Kalpitiya. After checking in, unwind by the pool and ease into the rhythm of the coast.

For those seeking an energetic start to their Sri Lanka travel experience, optional kitesurfing in Kalpitiya offers an exhilarating introduction to the island’s wind and waves.

palm-trees-exotic-blue-sky-palm-3540107
Day02

Wilpattu jungle safari

After breakfast, travel to Wilpattu National Park near Anuradhapura for a guided jungle safari. Explore its distinctive dry zone forest and natural lakes, watching for resident and migratory water birds as well as elusive mammals during personalised wildlife viewing.

Along the way, discover ancient legends at Kalli Villu, where Queen Kuweni is believed to have lived and where Prince Saliya once made his home more than 2,000 years ago. Return to your hotel for a relaxed afternoon at leisure.

elephant-asian-elephant
Day03

Anuradhapura to Habarana

Today, journey towards Habarana with a stop to explore the sacred ruins of Anuradhapura. Experience the ancient city on a tailor-made bicycle tour, riding past soaring stupas, monastic complexes, and centuries-old stone carvings alongside a knowledgeable local guide.

Trace Anuradhapura’s story from its founding by Anuradha to King Pandukabhaya’s carefully planned capital, visit the ancient reservoir of Basawakkulama, and discover how sophisticated water engineering sustained one of South Asia’s great early civilizations.

sri-lanka-anuradhapura-temple
Day04

Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park

After breakfast, explore the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa, one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka and the island’s capital from the 11th to 13th centuries. Wander through its carefully planned archaeological complex and admire the vast Parakrama Samudra, a testament to remarkable ancient engineering.

In the afternoon, head out on safari in Minneriya National Park, renowned for its seasonal elephant gatherings as well as leopards and sloth bears. Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening and local dining.

Royal Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Day05

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Start early with a guided ascent of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the UNESCO-listed “Fortress in the Sky.” Discover the vivid frescoes of the celestial maidens, preserved for more than 1,600 years, explore the royal palace ruins at the summit, and take in panoramic views that make every step worthwhile.

Along the way, your knowledgeable guide brings the site to life, weaving together its dramatic history with insights into the surrounding jungle, birdlife, and distinctive plant species.

lion-rock-sigiriya-culture
Day06

Kandy city tour and the Temple of the Tooth

Begin your day with a tailor-made exploration of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s hill capital. Drive through lively streets to a scenic viewpoint for sweeping panoramas, pass Kandy Lake, the Old Prison, and the historic Queen’s Hotel, and browse authentic handcrafted pieces at Laksala.

Visit Sri Dalada Maligawa, the revered Temple of the Tooth, where traditional drummers heighten the sacred atmosphere. Learn about the significance of this treasured relic and Kandy’s enduring cultural heritage as the rituals unfold around you.

Kandy
Day07

Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden and Ella

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before continuing your Sri Lanka itinerary with a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, a historic landscape dating back to 1371.

Wander among orchids, spice trees, medicinal herbs, towering palms, and rare plant species while learning about the garden’s colonial and wartime past from your guide.

Later, drive through rolling tea plantations towards Ella, pausing at scenic viewpoints for photographs. Conclude the day with a cable car ride to your hotel, taking in sweeping hill country views as you arrive.

nature-sri-lanka-peradeniya
Day08

Waterfall trek to Waraka Waterfall

Enjoy breakfast with sweeping views over Sri Lanka’s unspoilt landscapes before setting out for the day’s adventure. From Ella Jungle Resort, take a twenty-minute walk through lush forest to reach the secluded Waraka Waterfall, a hidden gem of your Sri Lanka trip.

At the summit, a crystal clear natural pool invites a refreshing swim and memorable photographs. Return to the hotel to unwind and soak in the peaceful jungle surroundings.

sri-lanka-waterfall-laxapana-nature
Day09

Elephant Transit Home Udawalawa and Tissamaharama

Enjoy breakfast with a hot cup of tea before traveling towards Tissamaharama, pausing en route at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe. Located just a few kilometres from the national park, this respected rehabilitation centre cares for orphaned elephants before releasing them back into the wild.

Observe feeding time from a designated viewing area and learn from local caretakers about conservation efforts and the challenges of protecting Sri Lanka’s elephants. After this meaningful visit, continue to Tissamaharama and check into your hotel.

sri-lanka-tangalle-asia-south-asia
Day10

Day at leisure or Yala National Park safari

Begin the day with a relaxed seaside breakfast, then choose between time at leisure or an early safari in Yala National Park. Venture through dry thorn scrub and open glades in search of elephants and, with luck, the elusive leopard.

Later, along the southern coast, witness the tradition of stilt fishing. Watch fishermen poised above the waves on slender poles, hear their stories, and gain insight into this distinctive and enduring coastal practice.

sri-lanka-tangalle-asia-south-asia
Day11

Sinharaja Rainforest biodiversity

Enjoy a relaxed morning on your Sri Lanka trip, or opt for a guided jungle trek in the Sinharaja Rainforest. Walk beneath towering trees and tangled vines through dense greenery alive with endemic flora and fauna.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site and Man and Biosphere Reserve is home to rare amphibians, vibrant birds, and fluttering butterflies, best discovered alongside an expert local naturalist who brings the forest’s delicate ecosystem to life.

monkey-tree-branches-primate
Day12

Whale watching tour

Enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel with time to unwind on Mirissa’s golden beach, shaping the day entirely around your pace.

For those seeking adventure, an optional early morning whale watching cruise sets out from Mirissa in search of blue whales and playful dolphins, with the chance of spotting turtles and even flying fish in these rich coastal waters.

whale-tail-ocean-water-wildlife
Day13

Departure

Enjoy an early breakfast before checking out and transferring to the airport for your scheduled departure. Your tailor-made Sri Lanka trip concludes today, enriched by unforgettable flora and fauna experiences across the island.

Should you wish to extend your stay or require airport assistance, our team is on hand to ensure a seamless farewell and help you carry the memories of this authentic journey home.

Plane view