Wild Ceylon
12 Nights 13 Days | Private Guided Tour
A tour for true wildlife enthusiasts. Explore in depth the wildlife of this amazing island. 12 Nights around the country from low wetlands to dry lands to hills giving you a drastic contract of nature and the wildlife inhabiting the green lands of Sri Lanka.
What to Expect
One of Sri Lanka’s main attractions is her wildlife. The diversity of the wild in Sri Lanka is amazing. For a tiny tropical country we pack a wild punch and give competing destinations like Kenya a run for their money. The reason why Sri Lanka is special for its wildlife is the availability of strict forest reserves and its nature loving people. While we do encounter occasional ugly elephant human interactions, in general, Sri Lanka’s love for animals is why we still get to experience the wild in their natural habitat.
During this tour you will explore 4 major wildlife experiences. The Largest mass of forest land the Wilpattu national park, the Smithsonian Primate Research Station, Gal Oya National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Sinharaja Rain Forest. This tour covers indepth insights to the Sri Lanka Leopard, the Asian Elephants, Sloth Bear, Primates and other mammals and bird life. Even indulge in a night safari in search of nocturnal animals.
While you explore the wild side of the country you will also visit other culturally and historically significant landmarks which you shouldnt miss when you visit Sri Lanka. A visit to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress another UNESCO World Heritage Sight, drive down the rustic back roads from Polonnaruwa to reach Gal Oya. A tour well rounded with a lot of wild experiences.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 01 - Airport - Negombo
As you land, you will arrive in Negombo 30 mins away from the International Airport and check in to the hotel. Later that evening take a stroll down Negombo beach and finally sit down for dinner where your chauffer/national guide will brief you about your tour.
Hotel: Jetwing Blue • Meals: Open
Day 02 - Negombo - Wilpattu
Today, after breakfast, proceed to Wilpattu. The campsite employees will pick you up and take you to the campsite with your luggage. Your chauffer will not accompany you here. at 3 PM, go on your first game drive of the tour. Settle for drinks at the jungle bar and have dinner under the stars!
Hotel: Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safari • Meals: All Inclusive
Day 03 - Wilpattu
Wake up by 5 and head off for your early morning game drive by 5:30 am and return to the camp by 9 for an amazing homemade Sri Lankan breakfast. Spend the noon reading a book on the wildlife, bird watching or by joining a cooking class. After lunch, go on another game drive from 3 pm to 6:30.
Hotel: Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safari • Meals: All Inclusive
Day 04 - Wilpattu - Polonnaruwa
With a quick coffee in your system, go on a final game drive in Wilpattu from 5:30 am and after breakfast at check out of the campsite and proceed to Polonnaruwa. Have lunch en-route at Priyamali Gedara (At own cost). This evening after a bit of relaxing, by 6:30 go on a tour in search of the Red Slender Loris. The primate centre is a the only small forest patch which is home to 13 slender loris adults, few juveniles and infants. These primates live solitary lives. This detailed tour conducted by the the official staff of the Primate Smithsonian is a must do.
All funds charged at the Primate Centre go into conserving the habitat of primates, holding free educational tours, seminars for the local government schools and other establishments, to run the Primate Centre Hospital for the injured primates and other mammals, as well as house and sustain the research staff for the scientific publication work.
Hotel: Primate Center Eco-Lodge • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 05 - Polonnaruwa - Gal Oya
Today at 6 am, go on the morning field session of the monkey tour. You will learn a lot about the world of the primates in Polonnaruwa. You will encounter the Grey Langur and the Toque Macaques. There after check-out of the Primate Eco-lodge and proceed to Gal Oya on the rustic back roads.
In Gal Oya today, you will relax till evening and embark on a night safari in the Watawanna Forest in search of nocturnal animals. A sight must see if you are a wild-life enthusiast.
Hotel: Gal Oya Lodge • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 06 - Gal Oya
Today, enjoy an early breakfast, and go on a safari in Gal Oya National Park. Gal Oya National Park is one of the Sri Lanka’s undiscovered natural treasures. Go on a jeep safari through the Nilgala section of the park, once the protectorate of ancient royalty for the abundant medicinal plants and endemic birdlife unique to this ecosystem. This safari is where you first experience Big Five; the Asian Elephant in its wilderness.
Your morning Safari + Walk is couple with an amazing picnic lunch in the jungle. That evening, you will go on Walk of Discovery with the Chief Veddha. Visit one of the last remaining communities of the Veddha, the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka. Discover and learn about local nature as he brings the forest alive.
Hotel: Gal Oya Lodge • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 07 - Gal Oya - Sinharaja
After breakfast and a relaxed morning, check out of the Gal Oya and proceed to Sinharaja. This a very scenic route through the thick jungle foliage to mountainous highlands. As you will notice the change in atmosphere and climate as you enter the lands of the Sinharaja Rain Forest. The one wild experience that has been strictly preserved and an experience must not be missed by any wildlife enthusiast.
Sinharaja is popular due to its abundant availability of birdlife. Some of the most sought birds in Sinharaja are the Greater Flameback, Sri Lanka Red Faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Spotwinged Thrush, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie and many other endemic and migrant birds. Today, you will relax and get ready for an exciting bird watching trail at Sinharaja.
Hotel: Rain-forest Eco-lodge • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 08 - Sinharaja
With a recorded 147 Species of birds, Sinharaja is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to do bird watching and butterflies observation. Today, you will go on a 4KM trail into Sinharaja Forest which is spit into 2 segments. First segment is somewhat easy while the second segment is a bit difficult. The trail starts from a disturbed vegetation with pioneering species and penetrates into an undisturbed secondary tropical sub-montane rain forest. The two segments of the trail are separated at a well identified landmark along the approach road, the Samangala. This point offers a panoramic view of the south western plateau of Sri Lanka.
Note: Leaches are unavoidable when going on a 4 to 6 hour trail in a rain forest. It is highly recommended that necessary precautions are taken and maintaining trail ethics.
Hotel: Rain-forest Eco-lodge • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 09 - Sinharaja - Colombo
Today, after breakfast and a little bit of rest, check out of the hotel and proceed to Colombo. Today you wind down and recollect your overall experience in the wild in Sri Lanka. Towards the evening, go on a tuk tuk safari around the Colombo. Try streetfood if you’d like during this tour. And finally have a good well deserved dinner. Since dinner is open, we recommend trying Ministry of Crab, Paradise Road Gallery Cafe, Monsoon, Nuga gama at Cinnamon Grand or Upali’s.
Hotel: Galle Face Hotel • Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 - Colombo - Airport
Today’s activities will depend on your departure flight time. We recommend choosing an evening flight out of Colombo so you can experience a bit of Colombo today. If time permits, do a bit of shopping or try out a few restaurants which we could happily recommend.
Meals: Breakfast
Best time to Travel
This trip is not for everyone and certainly not available through out the year. The best months to enjoy this trip perfectly are February, March and May.
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