Sri Lanka Wildlife Tour

Tour Overview
The tropical island country of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) lies in the Indian ocean, about 1,421 km (883 mi) southwest of mainland India. It is a place of postcard quality beaches, rich cultural heritage, flavourful cuisine, emerald green tea plantations, ancient Buddhist temples, a rich and accessible wildlife assemblage, friendly smiling people, stunning countryside train rides and excellent value.

Sri Lanka boasts 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered around the country and many colourful religious festivals are hosted throughout the year.

Sri Lanka, despite its small size is one of 25 biodiversity hotspots on the planet,and has the highest biodiversity density in all of Asia, as well as an incredibly high endemism percentage. The island boasts 123 mammal species (21 endemic), 179 reptile species (109 endemic), 122 species of amphibians (112 endemic) and 3,210 flowering plant species (916 endemics). The country has diverse and favourable climatic conditions and natural habitats, such as forests, scrublands, grasslands, wetlands, seas and agricultural lands. A true naturalists’ paradise!

This exciting 13-Day Wildlife Expedition gives you the chance to search for the elusive Leopard, Asian Elephant and Blue Whale, all found in the biodiverse country of Sri Lanka.
Get more detail about what to expect: Go to full itinerary

Tour info:
Tour starts and ends in Colombo
Duration: 13 days/12 nights
Type of accommodation: Mid-range hotels
Private small group, customized tours can be booked on request
Next Group departure date: 29 November 2022

MAIN ATTRACTIONS:
• Colonial hill town of Nuwara Eliya-
Home to Hakgala Botanical Gardens and Queen Victoria Park, two botanical wonders
• Horton Plains National Park-
Open grassy woodland plains and evergreen subtropical cloud forest and the magnificent “World’s End”
• Udawalawe National Park-
Home to over 250 Asian Elephants and provides an important habitat for water birds
• Wilpattu National Park-
Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater called “Willus” (Natural lakes)
• Yala National Park-
A variety of ecosystems including moist monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi deciduous forests, thorn forests, grasslands, marshes, marine wetlands, and sandy beaches.
• Sigiriya-
UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Mirissa-
One of the best places in the world to see the iconic Blue Whale
• A variety of ecosystems including moist monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi deciduous forests, thorn forests, grasslands, marshes, marine wetlands, and sandy beaches.

Top Mammals:
• Asian Elephant (Sri Lanka subspecies)
• Asian Buffalo
• Leopard (Sri Lanka subspecies)
• Blue Whale
• Jungle Cat
• Toque Macaque
• Fishing Cat
• Sloth Bear
• Sambar
• White-spotted Chevrotain
• Red Slender Loris

Top Birds:
• Sri Lanka Frogmouth
• Sri Lanka Spurfowl
• Sri Lanka Junglefowl
• Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon
• Sri Lanka Green Pigeon
• Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
• Sri Lanka Bay Owl
• Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill
• Sri Lanka Blue Magpie
• Sri Lanka Bush Warbler

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day 1	Arrival in Sri Lanka & Anuradapura
Day 2	Wilpattu National Park
Day 3	Anaradapura & Sigiriya
Day 4	Sigiriya
Day 5	Sigiriya & Nuwara Eliya
Day 6	Nuwara Eliya
Day 7	Nuwara Eliya & Udawalawe
Day 8	Udawalawe & Tissamaharama
Day 9	Yala National Park
Day 10	Tissamaharama & Koggala
Day 11	Mirissa
Day 12	Koggala & Mirissa & Katunayake
Day 13	Departure