Wildlife Tours in Sri Lanka
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10 best Sri Lanka wildlife tour packages
Compiled by
NinaSri Lanka travel expert at TourRadar
- Sri Lanka Highlights & Wildlife - 10 days
- 3-Day Different Discovery Private Wildlife Tour
- Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days
- Sri Lanka uncovered with Wild Life, Nature, Adventure and Culture
- Elephants of Sri Lanka - 15 Days
- Glamour Of Sri Lanka
- Leopards and Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka
- Professional Birding Tour
- Highlights of Sri Lanka (West Coast)
- Bird Watching Tour in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's rich biodiversity spans three national parks. Spot elephants in Udawalawe, search for leopards in Yala (home to highest concentration in world), and watch for 200+ bird species in Bundala, including magnificent greater flamingos.
Duration 10 days Destinations Colombo, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, MirissaSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From
- NZ$5,115
3-Day Different Discovery Private Wildlife Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The Rainforest Eco Lodge was an amazing place. The Yalla Leopards Nest Glamping location was muddy, so a little unpleasant arriving in the dark.”
Richard, traveled in January
Naturalist experts guide visitors through UNESCO-listed Sinharaja Forest and Yala National Park. Trek through evergreen rainforest spotting endemic species, then track leopards, elephants, and rare birds from the exclusive Leopard Nest camp base.
Duration 3 days Destinations Colombo, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Yala National Park Age Range 10 to 60 year olds Operator Beyond Escapes From
- NZ$2,314
Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Both the company and the itinerary suited as well. Special mention for Akmar who guided the wildlife section of the tour.”
Stewart, traveled in January
Sri Lanka's diverse wildlife thrives at three national parks: Yala's leopards, Udawalawe's 400 elephants, and Bundala's flamingos. Watch blue whales off Mirissa coast (Nov-Apr) and spot golden palm civets and crocodiles during expert-guided safaris.
Duration 10 days Destinations Colombo, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, Mirissa Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $4,145
15% Off- NZ$3,523You save $621
Sri Lanka uncovered with Wild Life, Nature, Adventure and Culture
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It's a beautiful country with amazing wildlife and cultural & natural sights.”
Jim, traveled in June
Premier parks across Sri Lanka showcase their unique residents - leopards in Yala, elephants in Minneriya, and sloth bears in Wilpattu. Naturalists guide safaris, whale watching in Mirissa, and visits to Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home from strategic 3-star lodges.
Duration 16 days Destinations Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Knuckles Forest Reserve, Kandy, Adam's Peak/ Sri Pada, Nuwara EliyaSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 60 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, French Operator Sunrise Sri Lanka Travels and Tours From $3,270
25% Off- NZ$2,453You save $817
Elephants of Sri Lanka - 15 Days
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We'd have no reservations in recommending anyone to use stelaranholidays! They really care about their clients and will look after you in every way possible.”
Ananda, traveled in February
Sri Lanka's biodiversity flourishes across Yala, Udawalawe, and Minneriya parks. Watch leopards hunt at Yala, observe elephant herds at Udawalawe, and spot over 130 bird species. Includes specialized safari guides and strategically-timed game drives for optimal wildlife viewing.
Duration 15 days Destinations Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Ampara, Kandy, Kegalla, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, EllaSee all destinations Age Range 5 to 90 year olds Operator Stelaran Holidays (Pvt) Ltd From
25% Off- NZ$5,031
Glamour Of Sri Lanka
19 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend to anyone considering visiting Sri Lanka.”
Lesley, traveled in February
Wildlife thrives at Wilpattu National Park, known for leopard sightings. Visit turtle hatcheries in Galle, take boat safaris through Madu River mangroves, and watch for blue whales off Trincomalee's coast during season.
Duration 11 days Destinations Colombo, Wilpattu National Park, Trincomalee, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Mirissa, Bentota Age Range 2 to 75 year olds Operated in English, German, Spanish, Dutch Operator BH Lanka Tours From $2,574
25% Off- NZ$1,931You save $643
Four game drives in Yala National Park focus on leopard photography, plus visits to Udawalawe's Elephant Transit Home. Expert guides help spot endemic species in Sinharaja's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Duration 8 days Destinations Colombo, Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Sinharaja Forest Reserve Age Range 10 to 99 year olds Operator Aitken Spence Travel From $9,194
15% Off- NZ$7,815You save $1,379
Wildlife viewing reaches its peak at Sri Lanka's premier destinations: spot leopards at Yala National Park, observe elephants at Udawalawe, and find 48 bird species in Sinharaja Rainforest. Trek through Horton Plains cloud forest to spot highland endemics and sambar deer.
Duration 9 days Destinations Colombo, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park Age Range 10 to 99 year olds Operator Aitken Spence Travel From $6,836
15% Off- NZ$5,811You save $1,025
Highlights of Sri Lanka (West Coast)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“You see a lot of the country with a very knowledgable guide.”
RosheenRyan, traveled in November
Duration 7 days Destinations Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Kandy, Unawatuna, Galle, Colombo Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From $2,400
18% Off- NZ$1,960You save $440
Rare birds soar through Sri Lanka's diverse habitats, from Sinharaja Rain Forest to Bundala National Park. Spot 34 endemic species and wildlife including Sri Lankan elephants and leopards at Wilpattu National Park, with expert guides leading specialized birding treks through Makandawa Forest.
Duration 8 days Destinations Colombo, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Tissamaharama, Nuwara Eliya, Kitulgala, Kandy, Sigiriya, Wilpattu National Park Age Range 1 to 75 year olds Operator Overa Tours From
18% Off- NZ$1,353
What people love about Wildlife Tours in Sri Lanka
- 3-Day Different Discovery Private Wildlife Tour
There was a lot of driving. The distance between Rainforest Eco Lodge and Leopards Nest in Yalla is almost 5 hours due to the elevation and dirt road conditions; the travel company estimated 3 hours which is unrealistic. I missed lunch. I wasn't disappointed as I was able to make the Safari. The Jeep driver was accommodating and brought me something to eat on the Safari. The Rainforest Eco Lodge was an amazing place. The Yalla Leopards Nest Glamping location was muddy, so a little unpleasant arriving in the dark and not being able to see what few stepping stones there were. Other than that, this is a really special place.
- Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days
A well planned, busy tour. The variety of our itinerary surpassed anything I expected, and we had a wonderful, knowledgable guide in Akhtar. Would revommend to anyone.
Thank you Sunrise Sri Lanka Travels & Tours for showing us the very best of your beautiful country. We could not be happier with the intinerary which showcased Sri Lanka’s culture, nature & people. It’s a beautiful country with amazing wildlife and cultural & natural sights. Our private tour with Amara made our trip very special & he was great company who answered any question we had for two weeks. We we’re able to make changes as we went & the owner Christopher & Amara were very flexible with all our needs. We couldn’t be happier with Sunrise Sri Lanka Travels and Tours & we recommend taking a tour with them to see the very best Sri Lanka has to offer.
Sri Lanka uncovered with Wild Life, Nature, Adventure and Culture
What our customers ask about Wildlife Tours in Sri Lanka
Which national parks should I visit on a Wildlife tour in Sri Lanka?
For prime wildlife viewing in Sri Lanka start with Yala National Park which has one of the world's highest concentrations of leopards. Udawalawe National Park hosts more than 400 elephants while Wilpattu National Park offers reliable sightings of sloth bears and leopards. At Minneriya National Park visitors can observe "The Gathering" a remarkable congregation of elephants. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The park visit was incredible - we saw herds of elephants leopards crocodiles and countless bird species during our game drives in Yala." Most tours provide lodging at quality properties such as Mandara Rosen near Yala or Hotel Sigiriya by Minneriya.
How long should I spend on a wildlife tour in Sri Lanka?
A wildlife tour of Sri Lanka needs 7-12 days to properly explore the country's diverse parks and sanctuaries. This timeframe lets visitors take multiple game drives through major parks like Yala and Wilpattu while experiencing different ecosystems from dense rainforest to open wetlands. The "Sri Lanka Safari" by Intrepid Travel spans 12 days across Wilpattu Minneriya and Yala National Parks. According to a TourRadar traveler "Having 3-4 days in Yala area gave us multiple chances for wildlife viewing and relaxation at the Cinnamon Wild resort which was perfect for photographing animals."
Which areas of Sri Lanka are best for bird watching?
Bird watchers will find rich opportunities throughout Sri Lanka. The Sinharaja Rainforest houses 20 of the country's 33 endemic bird species. Bundala National Park serves as home to 197 species including greater flamingos. Kumana National Park functions as a crucial breeding ground with 255 documented species. From Rainforest Eco Lodge a TourRadar traveler reported: "We spotted numerous endemic species like the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie and Red-faced Malkoha during our guided walks through Sinharaja."
What type of accommodation can I expect on a wildlife tour in Sri Lanka?
Lodging options span from upscale tented camps to forest lodges and intimate hotels. Notable choices include the Leopard Nest tented camp near Yala the Heritance Kandalama by Kandalama Lake and the Hibiscus Garden Hotel in Yala. For those seeking closer contact with nature the Rainforest Eco Lodge in Sinharaja provides rooms nestled in the forest. A TourRadar traveler confirms: "The Rainforest Eco Lodge was an amazing place. The Yala Leopards Nest Glamping location offered a really special experience."
How are the game drives conducted in Sri Lanka's national parks?
Expert naturalist guides lead game drives in 4x4 jeeps during prime wildlife viewing hours in early morning and late afternoon. Parks offer private safaris that typically run 3-4 hours. Yala National Park visitors can access less crowded entry points like Galge or Karagamuwa. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The Jeep driver was accommodating and the naturalist's knowledge made our safari really special."
What's included in a typical wildlife tour package in Sri Lanka?
Standard wildlife tour packages cover stays at properties like Cinnamon Wild Yala or Centauria Lake Resort daily breakfast and dinner private air-conditioned transport and English-speaking naturalist guides. Packages typically include 4x4 game drives with trackers park entrance fees boat safaris in select locations and airport transfers. TourRadar travelers note that "optional activities like extra game drives or night safaris may cost extra typically around USD 84-87 per person."