Safaris in Sri Lanka
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10 best Sri Lanka safari tour packages
Compiled by
NinaSri Lanka travel expert at TourRadar
- Sri Lanka Wildlife Tour
- Yala Safari
- Safari in Sri Lanka - 9 days
- Sri Lanka Chirping Trails
- Overnight Luxury Glamping in Yala With Return Transfers (From Colombo)
- 7-Day Off The Beaten Nature and Wildlife tour
- Sri Lanka Highlights
- Sri Lanka Wildlife Photography Tour
- EXPLORE THE WILDLIFE: SRI LANKA SAFARI TOUR
- Sri Lankan Safari - 14 Days
Six guided safaris reveal wildlife treasures in Udawalawe and Yala National Parks. Over 400 elephants, elusive leopards, and basking crocodiles await, while Bundala Bird Sanctuary and Sinharaja Forest Reserve offer additional natural wonders.
Duration 11 days Destinations Colombo, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Udawalawe National Park, Bundala National Park, Yala National Park, Mirissa, Kosgoda Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Physical Rating Easy Distance 301 mi Operator UncleSam Holidays From $8,606
65% Off- NZ$3,012You save $5,593
Yala Safari
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We saw many wild animals including a family of elephants which were the highlight of the trip!”
Ela, traveled in September
Skilled guides lead safaris in Yala National Park tracking leopards, elephants, and crocodiles. Prime wildlife viewing occurs during early morning and late afternoon drives, with naturalists sharing insights about Sri Lanka's fauna.
Duration 5 days Destinations Colombo, Ahungalla, Balapitiya, Hikkaduwa, Weligama, Mirissa, Udawalawe National Park, Tissamaharama, Yala, Yala National Park Age Range 5 to 89 year olds Physical Rating Easy Distance 312 mi Operator Stelaran Holidays (Pvt) Ltd From $2,500
10% Off- NZ$2,250You save $250
Rich wildlife viewing unfolds across 5 national parks - jeep drives in Wilpattu's woodland, boat safaris in Gal Oya's reservoir, and leopard tracking in Yala. Luxurious stays at Big Game Camp Wilpattu and premium lodges complement wildlife encounters.
Duration 9 days Destinations Colombo, Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Wasgamuwa National Park, Mahiyanganaya, Gal Oya National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Yala National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Distance 566 mi Operator On The Go Tours From
10% Off- NZ$5,155
Sri Lanka Chirping Trails
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We stayed at nice lodges, enjoyed great food, and had a wonderful birding and photography experience.”
Robin, traveled in January
Sri Lanka's rich biodiversity spans 11 locations including Yala and Wilpattu National Parks. This 15-day safari features bird watching at Horton Plains, UNESCO-listed Sinharaja Rainforest treks, and Kalametiya Sanctuary boat rides, with daily breakfast and dinner included.
Duration 15 days Destinations Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Habarana, Kandy, Kitulgala, Nuwara Eliya, Kumana National Park, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, Sinharaja Forest ReserveSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Physical Rating Easy Distance 440 mi Operator SkyHaven Tours From
10% Off- NZ$8,001
Master naturalists lead safaris in Yala National Park's prime leopard habitat. First light reveals diverse wildlife by the lake, while afternoon drives track big cats. Luxury camping includes gourmet meals and professional guidance throughout.
Duration 2 days Destinations Colombo, Yala National Park Age Range 10 to 60 year olds Distance 229 mi Operator Beyond Escapes From
10% Off- NZ$1,890
Rare wildlife flourishes at Horton Plains National Park, including endemic Rhino-horned Lizards and Dull-blue Flycatchers. Kitulgala Forest Reserve harbors Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys and the elusive Serendib Scops Owl in their natural habitat.
Duration 7 days Destinations Colombo, Kitulgala, Ella, Belihuloya, Negombo Age Range 12 to 45 year olds Physical Rating Heart-pumping Distance 184 mi Operator Beyond Escapes From
10% Off- NZ$2,014
Yala National Park boasts the world's highest leopard density, offering premier wildlife encounters. Elephants bathe majestically at Pinnawala Orphanage, while the safari-oriented Chhaya Wild resort in Tissamaharama serves as base for expert-guided adventures.
Duration 6 days Destinations Colombo, Seeduwa, Pinnawala, Kandy, Peradeniya, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala National Park, Tissamaharama, GalleSee all destinations Age Range 10 to 99 year olds Distance 314 mi Operator Aitken Spence Travel From $2,519
15% Off- NZ$2,142You save $377
Four specialized jeep safaris in Yala National Park's Block 1 focus on leopard photography. Baby elephants like Bhanu charm visitors at Udawalawe's Elephant Transit Home. Naturalist-led treks through Sinharaja Rainforest reveal endemic birds and reptiles.
Duration 9 days Destinations Colombo, Yala, Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Deniyaya, Sinharaja Forest Reserve Age Range 5 to 80 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Physical Rating Easy Distance 254 mi Operator Alkof Holidays From
15% Off- NZ$3,667
Full-day safaris in Wilpattu National Park showcase Sri Lankan leopards and endemic birds. Yala's wilderness holds the highest global leopard density, with exclusive tented camps as base. The itinerary includes Udawalawe's Elephant Transit Home and whale watching off Mirissa's coast.
Duration 9 days Destinations Colombo, Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Kandy, Udawalawe National Park, Yala, Mirissa Age Range 35 to 70 year olds Physical Rating Easy Distance 456 mi Operator Tweet World Travel From
15% Off- NZ$3,994
Wildlife viewing reaches its peak across Sri Lanka's top three parks: Yala, Minneriya, and Udawalawe. Professional naturalists guide leopard tracking, elephant observation, and birdwatching from specialized safari vehicles and wildlife-focused lodges.
Duration 14 days Destinations Colombo, Pinnawala, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Tissamaharama, Yala National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 5 to 90 year olds Physical Rating Easy Distance 477 mi Operator Stelaran Holidays (Pvt) Ltd From
15% Off- NZ$3,334
Sri Lanka Safari Tour Reviews
- Yala Safari
We saw many wild animals including a family of elephants which were the highlight of the trip! Jostling to the top of the line and fast to get to the animals first.
- Sri Lanka Chirping Trails
We had an amazing time birding and exploring Sri Lanka with Kesara! He is capable, knowledgeable, and his English is excellent too. We stayed at nice lodges, enjoyed great food, and had a wonderful birding and photography experience. I would definitely 100% recommend this tour and SkyHaven Tours to anybody looking to go birdwatching in Sri Lanka.
- Sri Lanka Grand Discovery Circuit
Had a great time on this fast paced tour that covered most of the hot spots in the country. Lots of fantastic sights and scenery that will stay with us for a lifetime. Our guide was the perfect combination of expert driver, knowledgeable manager and passionate patriot who shared his country in a way that will set a standard for any guide we have in the future.
What our customers ask about Safaris in Sri Lanka
What are the best times of year to spot wildlife in Sri Lanka's national parks?
Sri Lanka's wildlife viewing peaks during the dry season from December to April with Yala National Park offering exceptional leopard sightings between January and July. The most active wildlife periods occur during early morning drives starting at 5:30 AM. Yala's Block 1 serves as a prime location where visitors regularly encounter Sri Lankan leopards elephants and sloth bears. A TourRadar traveler shared: "We saw three leopards and several elephants one so close to the jeep that we had to back up. We also spotted bears deer peacocks parrots monkeys buffaloes and crocodiles."
Which national parks in Sri Lanka are best for elephant spotting?
Udawalawe National Park stands out as the top destination for elephant encounters housing roughly 400 wild elephants in its grounds. The park's landscape features a large reservoir abundant grasslands and forest cover creating natural elephant territory. Yala National Park follows closely with a population of 350 elephants. Visitors staying at properties like Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort can explore the Elephant Transit Home where injured and orphaned elephants receive care before returning to their natural habitat.
What accommodation options are available during safari tours in Sri Lanka?
The accommodation spectrum in Sri Lanka ranges from basic camping to high-end lodges. Yala National Park features the Leopard Nest luxury campsite complete with private bathrooms and outdoor showers. Nature enthusiasts often choose the Rainforest Eco Lodge near Sinharaja while Heritance Kandalama provides rooms overlooking the lake and forest. A TourRadar guest notes: "The accommodations were amazing - from luxury camping in Yala to the beautiful Heritance Kandalama the lodges perfectly complemented our wildlife experience."
How long are typical safari game drives in Sri Lanka's national parks?
Standard game drives run 3-4 hours with parks offering both morning and afternoon options. Early risers begin their safari at 5:30 AM when wildlife is most active. Yala National Park provides full-day experiences from 5 AM to 6 PM. One TourRadar review states: "The full-day safari is long but much better because there are fewer cars in the park from 10 AM to 3 PM giving you better wildlife viewing opportunities and photography chances."
What are the entrance fees for Sri Lanka's national parks and what's included?
Entry fees for national parks cost between USD 25-40 per person. At Yala a comprehensive full-day package for two people including entry fees jeep guide and meals costs USD 180 while half-day options run USD 95. A Stelaran Holidays review on TourRadar confirms: "The package included park fees an experienced guide jeep transport and meals - everything was well organized and worth the cost for the incredible wildlife experience."
What cultural experiences can be combined with wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka?
Wildlife tours often connect with visits to the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort traditional craft workshops in Ambalangoda and local tea estates. The Handunugoda Tea Estate near Galle shows visitors the art of Ceylon tea making. As one TourRadar traveler reports: "The combination of wildlife at Yala cultural heritage at Galle Fort and learning about tea production at Handunugoda Estate made for a perfect blend of experiences. Our guide provided excellent context about both nature and culture."