A Sri Lanka wildlife adventure for all the family
Tour Introduction
More suitable for families with older children, the wildlife locations in this excellent natural history tour are perhaps the best in Sri Lanka. After the seaside and cultural attractions of Galle, venture out on jeep safari in Yala, famed for its leopards but offering much more. Then marvel at large herds of Asian elephant at Uda Walawe before enjoying jungle walks in Sinharaja National Park, the island’s last remaining viable tract of virgin rainforest and its only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lastly, relax on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast at a minimalist beach hotel designed by Sri Lanka’s most famous architect, Geoffrey Bawa. A fabulous family holiday for all to enjoy.
Full Itinerary
Met on arrival in Colombo by your private chauffeur/guide who will be at your service until Wadduwa. Drive south along the new highway to the historic town of Galle. Rest of day free to relax and explore.
Staying at Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Free day to relax on the beach and enjoy the other hotel facilities including two swimming pools, fully equipped gymnasium, tennis courts, squash court and full Ayurvedic health centre.
Staying at Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Morning guided tour of Galle to visit the old Dutch fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its well-preserved ramparts and plentiful colonial buildings. Free afternoon.
Staying at Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Drive along Sri Lanka’s beautiful southern coast - stopping to see the iconic fishermen perched on stilts over the water - before arriving at Yala National Park, in the far southwest of the island.
Staying at Cinnamon Wild. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy three thrilling days of morning and afternoon private game drives in the Yala National Park. Yala has some of the highest leopard densities in the world and the animals are particularly habituated to people meaning that this is one of the world’s best parks for spotting and photographing these magnificent cats. One may also see elephant, sloth bear, sambar, spotted deer, wild boar, stripe-necked mongoose, black-naped hare and several civet species. In the water holes you may see mugger crocodile, painted stork, lesser whistling teal, black-headed Ibis, Eurasian spoonbill and the rare black-necked stork. Palu trees dominate the monsoon forest vegetation of the park. (Manilkara hexandra) and thorny bushes dominate the thick undergrowth.
Staying at Cinnamon Wild. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy a final morning in Yala then drive to Uda Walawe. Stop to visit the Elephant Transit Home on the western border or Uda Walawe National Park, which cares for orphaned calves until they are capable and independent enough to be released back into the wild. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the impressive animals close up.
Staying at Kalu’s Hideaway. Includes All Meals.
Morning private jeep safari in Uda Walawe National Park with your private guide plus a local park guide. The park is surrounded by mountain ranges and is one of the few reliable water sources in the dry zone, attracting sizeable herds of elephants and many waterfowl. In the afternoon, drive to Sinharaja and check-in to hotel.
Staying at Boulder Garden. Includes All Meals.
Morning and afternoon guided walks in the Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve with local guide plus your private guide. The last remaining viable primary rainforest tract on the island, Sinharaha is very precious – indeed, it is the only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. It has pitcher plants and all of 57 endemic dipterocarp tree species in its lowland habitat, attracting the purple-faced leaf monkey, endemic hump-nosed lizard and many bird species including the common birdwing, black bulbul, and the endemic white-faced starling, red-faced malkoha, Sri Lanka jungle fowl, Legge’s flowerpecker and spot-winged thrush.
Staying at Boulder Garden. Includes Breakfast.
Drive to Wadduwa on the coast south of Colombo. Transfer to the hotel and afternoon at leisure to relax (your private guide will return to Colombo).
Staying at Blue Water Hotel. Includes All Meals.
Two full days to relax by the beach and enjoy the facilities of this excellent hotel (you can extend your stay here if you wish).
Staying at Blue Water Hotel. Includes All Meals.
Drive back to Colombo and check in for your flight home.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Cinnamon Wild Yala
Overview
The recently refurbished and award-winning Cinammon Wild Yala is located just outside the world renowned Yala National Park boundary and borders a beautiful golden beach in Kirinda.
The lodge blends wilderness and luxury living without damaging the existing flora and fauna. The theme of the lodge is ‘in harmony with wildlife’. The hotel has 68 well-appointed deluxe air-conditioned bungalows with verandahs scattered around ten acres of woodland, some with beach views.
All rooms are equipped with minibar, satellite TV, international direct dial telephone, safety deposit box, electric kettle with tea and coffee, hair dryer and have free WiFi.
The Tuskers Restaurant in the main lodge offers an good selection of a la carte dishes and there is a friendly bar and plenty of living areas including a rooftop terrace around the property in which to enjoy a beverage. There is a large swimming pool with sun lounging terrace for relaxation between safaris.
The lodge is ideally located for early morning and evening game drives in Yala and also offers birdwatching and bush walks and night safaris with infra-red light giving opportunities to see elusive nocturnal species. Even around the grounds of the hotel it is not unusual to see a diversity of wildlife including wild boar, squirrels, deer, scorpions, civets and hear elephants in the distance.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant and bar, swimming pool, LCD TV, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, hair dryer, safety deposit box, laundry service, room service, free WiFi, currency exchange, luggage storage and gift shop.
Local Wildlife
Yala has some of the highest leopard densities in the world and the cats are particularly habituated making it one the world’s best parks for spotting and photographing these magnificent cats. One may also see elephant, sloth bear, sambar, spotted deer, wild boar, stripe-necked mongoose, black-naped hare and several civet species. In the water holes you may see mugger crocodile, painted stork, lesser whistling teal, black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill and the rare black-necked stork. The monsoon forest ecosystem of the park is dominated by Palu and Manilkara hexandra trees and thorny bushes create a dense understory.
Optional Activities
Game drives, elephant back safaris, night drives, guided walks and cultural tours.
Kalu’s Hideaway
Overview
Kalu’s hideaway is a small, well run guesthouse with swimming pool and just five rooms situated in lush gardens close to the entrance to Udawalawe National Park, famous for its impressive herds of wild Asian elephants.
All of the five characterful rooms have en suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, ceiling fans and mosquito nets over comfortable double or twin beds.
The hotel sits within five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens with a picturesque stream running through. It is a perfect distance (3km) from Udawalawe National Park, famous for its elephant population of 700+ individuals.
There is a restaurant offering both buffet and a la carte dishes with a choice of local, Indian, Chinese and continental cuisine and as well as a BBQ facility for special occasions.
Free WiFi is available throughout the property and facilities include a wellness centre with massage and body treatments, bicycle rental and a children’s play area.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, swimming pool, air-conditioning, mosquito net, ceiling fan, massage service, laundry service, luggage storage, children’s play area, currency exchange, bicycle rental, safety deposit box and 24hr reception desk.
Local Wildlife
Udawalawe National Park is the principal wildlife attraction with its large population of elephant, but jungle cats, golden jackals, spotted and sambar deer, wild boar, toque macaques, monitor lizards, marsh mugger crocodiles and a wealth of birdlife can also be seen.
The Udawalawe National Park is one of the oldest national park’s in Sri Lanka and protects the largest density of wild elephants in the country. The park is home to the Udawalawe Reservoir, which during the dry season is a key water source for the elephants and results in a large gathering of elephants. Throughout the year, the park remains the best location in Sri Lanka to view elephants and they can be seen on almost every game drive.
Close to the entrance of the National Park is the Elephant Transit Home, a conservation project set up to rehabilitate orphaned or injured wild elephants back to the wild.
Optional Activities
Game drives in Udawalawe National Park and visits to the Elephant Transit Home.
Boulder Garden
Overview
A remarkable boutique hotel built into a jumble of huge granite boulders bordered by the rampant greenery of the lush Sinharaja rainforest, Boulder Garden is one of the best accommodation options in the Sinharaja region. The unique hotel has a small number of rooms that are integrated with the large granite boulders naturally found at the site.
There is a small pool with bar and restaurant, situated below a rocky overhang. There are three choices of room available including standard, extra-large family and deluxe honeymoon suites.
The open-air restaurant serves traditional Sri Lankan and international dishes.
The unique accommodation of this hotel combined with exploration of the nearby Sinharaja rainforest provides an unforgettable experience.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, swimming pool, laundry, room and concierge service,
Local Wildlife
The Sinharaja forest reserve is a UNESCO site that protects the last tract of tropical lowland rainforest left in the country. The forest is home to wealth of biodiversity and is noted for its important populations of endemic birds and mammals, 19 species of endemic bird including the red-faced malkoha and Sri Lankan blue magpie. Mammal fauna includes leopards (rarely seen here) endemic purple-faced leaf monkeys, mongooses, Sri Lankan giant squirrel and sambar and red muntjack deer are also commonly seen. The vibrant and endemic green pit viper and hump-nosed lizard are both frequently found along with many other colourful reptiles’ amphibians, butterflies and insects.
Optional Activities
Treks into the Sinharaja forest, kayaking, mountain biking, cave exploration, abseiling and wildlife watching walks.
Jetwing Lighthouse
Overview
Designed by Sri Lanka’s pre-eminent architect, the late Geoffrey Bawa, Jetwing Lighthouse is a long-established, medium-sized, international standard hotel well located on a promontory with rocky sea frontage and nearby small beach, very close to Galle Fort. Although a little dated, the hotel has good service and the restaurants serve excellent food – the buffet is particularly renowned.
There is the option each night for five lucky couples to dine outdoors on the rocks, with the sea just below and the meal cooked by a personal chef. The hotel’s four categories of rooms are all well-appointed, some with sea views, and there are two swimming pools – one especially for children. It is not suitable for swimming directly in front of the hotel but a short walk will bring you to a small, safe beach.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Two swimming pools, three restaurants, lounge, bar, gym, free WiFi, room service, beachfront, babysitting, cots, spa, business centre, jewellery shop, floodlit tennis court.
Optional Activities
Visit Dutch colonial Galle Fort with its ramparts, museums, small colonial streets and well preserved period buildings, some going back to the 17th century, others dating from the 1930s.
The Blue Water Wadduwa
Overview
The Blue Water is a long established, four-star beach resort designed by Sri Lanka’s most famous architect, the late Geoffrey Bawa. There’s a 24-hour coffee shop, bar and two good restaurants. The spacious grounds host many coconut palms and reach to the beach. There’s a huge swimming pool with plenty of shallow areas, perfect for children. Baby sitting is available. On site is a nightclub, spa, beauty salon, full gym, jewellery shop and business centre. Plenty of options for activities exist on site as well as swimming, such as table tennis, squash, tennis, beach volleyball, water polo, carrom (a local board game), pool, darts and chess.
The Blue Water is a perfect family resort and the huge pool is exceptional. The beach can be dangerous for swimming so it’s best to keep to the pool and to walk down to the beach in the early morning to see the fishermen bring in their catch, as they have done for centuries.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
The rooms come in five categories, all with sea views, private balcony or terrace, fans and air-conditioning, high speed WiFi in the rooms and complimentary drinking water. Higher room grades have private Jacuzzi, living and dining areas, DVD players, large TVs and minibars.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Sri Lankan Airlines direct from Heathrow to Colombo
Best Visited:
January to January
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
Add a night in Mirissa on Day 09 so that you can enjoy a day of whale watching. Good chances of Blue Whales, Sperm Whales plus plenty of dolphins during the season (November to April)
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
We were absolutely thrilled by the whole experience and can only commend the helpfulness and friendliness of everyone who made our holiday so special. We cannot speak highly enough of all of our guides who were extremely knowledgeable and went above and beyond to enhance our Sri Lankan wildlife encounters. We felt very privileged to be with guides who have so much expertise.
