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Sri Lanka safari & wildlife holidays

Sri lanka two elephants

Did you know that Sri Lanka is one of the best wildlife destinations in Asia? Oh yes, it’s home to elephants, leopards, whales and exotic birds, just to name a few! If you’re planning on embracing your inner-Attenborough, Sri Lanka is just the place to go. Check out some of our top wildlife experiences to include in your Sri Lanka holiday.

Go off-the-beaten-path in Gal Oya

Gal Oya is a real treat for the wildlife lovers who want to venture off the beaten path. Undiscovered by most tourists, this National Park will give you a proper feel of the untouched jungle. Take a boat trip around the lake for a chance of spotting wild elephants swimming between the islands!

Sri lanka gal oya swimming elephant
Sri lanka wildlife dolphin

Go dolphin-spotting on the Dutch Bay

Sea lover? Happy days! Sri Lanka is home to an incredibly diverse marine ecosystem, and Kalpitiya is the place to go if you want to go dolphin spotting! You’ll have an early start on our 3-day trip in Kalpitiya, as you head out by boat in search of Spinners and Bottlenoses – you might even spot a whale too (if you’re lucky!).

Go on safari in Yala National Park

Yala is the most well-known and visited National Park in Sri Lanka. No surprise really, as it’s a haven for wildlife. On our 2-day Yala National Park trip, you’ll start with a short visit first to the Elephant Transit Home, which is an elephant orphanage dedicated to caring for and rehabilitating injured or orphaned elephants. Then head to Yala to search for elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and more birds than you can shake a stick at.

Sri lanka national park elephant jeep
Sri lanka yala bird

Spot exotic birds of Sinharaja’s rainforest

Sinharaja National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s last remaining rainforests and home to a wealth of animals, in particular, its exotic birdlife. On our 3-day Sinharaja rainforest trip you’ll follow trails through the thick undergrowth – and keep an eye out for giant centipedes, colourful lizards and screeching monkeys high up in the trees. In the evening, you’ll sleep in a simple guesthouse on the edge of the park and wake up to views of the lush vegetation. This trip is a real adventure for nature lovers and bird watchers.

See leopards at Wilpattu National Park

The largest national park in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu was closed for a long time during the civil war, but reopened to tourists in 2010. It’s the perfect place to head out on an adventurous jeep safari and our 3-day Wilpattu trip will take you in search of leopardssloth bears and elephants hiding in the park’s dense jungle. In the evening you’ll bed down in your own atmospheric safari tent, where you can enjoy a BBQ at the campfire.

Sri lanka yala national park leopard wildlife
Sri lanka whale tail

Whale watching at Mirissa

From November to April, Mirissa is one of the best spots in the world for whale watching and dolphin spotting. These mighty marine giants are drawn to the sea trench just off the coast to feed, making your chances of spotting them particularly high. Grab your binoculars and jump aboard on our 2-day Mirissa whale-watching trip, as you go in search of Humpbacks, Sperm Whales and even the largest mammal on the planet, the Blue Whale.

Build your own wildlife holiday using our bite-sized trips

Simply pick and choose your favourite bite-sized trips or ready-made itinerariesadd them to your Travel Plan and request a quote. It’s easy. Our travel specialists will then put together a holiday that’s right for you. Plus you’ll have the same team for the life of your booking & support from our local partners on the ground 24/7.
Sri Lanka Polonaruwa
Bite-sized trip

Temples in Buddha’s Garden

  • Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla
  • 3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
  • From £ 228.- per person (excluding flights)
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Man with elephant Sri Lanka
Bite-sized trip

Wild Elephants & Emerald Lakes

  • Gal Oya National Park
  • 3 days/2 nights
  • From £ 593.- per person (excluding flights)
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Sri Lanka - Sigiriya
Itinerary

A Taste of Sri Lanka

  • Colombo - Negombo - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains - Ella - Yala - Unawatuna - Galle - Colombo
  • 14 days / 13 nights (flexible)
  • From £ 1,810.- per person (excluding flights)
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Itinerary

Into the Wild: From Whales’ Tails to Elephant Trails

  • Colombo - Negombo - Wilpattu National Park - Ancient Capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa - Outskirts of Kandy - Ella - Sinharaja Rainforest - Mirissa - Colombo
  • 15 days / 14 nights (flexible)
  • From £ 2,215.- per person (excluding flights)
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