Sri Lanka is a birder’s paradise boasting of diverse and favorable climatic conditions and natural habitats such as forests, scrublands, grasslands, wetlands, seas and agricultural lands. Sri Lanka is home to 439 species of birds of which 236 are breeding residents, 203 migrants and the rest vagrants. For a country as small as Sri Lanka having 33 endemic species and 68 endemic subspecies of birds with a species endemism of 11% goes to demonstrate why Sri Lanka is one of the finest Bird Watching Tours destinations in the world. This includes endemics such as Fowls, Pigeons, Parrots, Parakeets, Malkoha, Coucal, Owl, Owlet, Hornbill, Barbet, Magpie, Bulbul, Warbler, Babbler, Thrush, White-eye, Mynah, Starling, Flycatcher, Flowerpecker, Pigeon, Barbet, Flameback, Woodshrike, Drongo and Swallow.
In addition there are close to 200 seasonal migratory birds both terrestrial and aquatic, moving away from the Northern winter travelling from as far as Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe, arriving around August /September and leaving around April/May. Since Sri Lanka is situated at the farthest southern point away from the south of India with no other landmass until the South Pole, the migrating birds end their long journey in Sri Lanka, making it a regular wintering ground. Some of the migrants include the Openbill, Ibis, Heron, Egrets, Pelicans, Cormorant, Water-cock, Swamphen, Waterhen, Stilts, Duck and Grebe. So take a look at the recommended Bird Watching Tours in Sri Lanka we have for you designed by local Bird Watching Guides in Sri Lanka.
The main bird sanctuary in Sri Lanka is the Kumana National Park which is considered one of the most important nesting and breeding grounds in Sri Lanka. The Bundala national Park situated in the southernmost tip of the bird migratory route is a favorite birding ground where flocks of flamingos, herons and storks are a regular sight. The other places are the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary, Sinharaja Rain Forest, Bodinagala Forest Reserve, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Kitulgala Forest Reserve, Yala, Wilpattu, Udawalawe, WagamuwaWasgamuwa
We will ensure to take you to the most popular locations for bird watching trails to make sure you have discovered the best of birds in Sri Lanka.
Day 1 Colombo
When you arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport .a SUNGATE LANKA TOURS Representative, who will be your chauffeur cum guide throughout the tour. Colombo will be your first stop on this bird watching tour in Sri Lanka. After a brief city tour, you will check in to Galle Face Hotel for the night.
Overnight at the Galle Face Hotel
Day 2 & 3 Sinharaja
The next morning, you will begin a four hour drive to Sinharaja and check in to the Rainforest Eco Lodge for two nights. Later that afternoon, we have scheduled a bird watching tour for you in the Sinharaja rainforest. There are about 280 different kinds of bird species found in Sinharaja, including about 34 endemic birds.
Day 2 and 3 at Rainforest Eco Lodge
Day 4, 5 Yala
On day 04, you will transfer to Chaarya Hotel in Tissamaharama. In the afternoon, a jeep will pick you up for a tour of the Yala National Park.
On day 05, we have scheduled a full day bird watching tour at the Bundala National Park. This park is internationally recognized as a wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. About 197 bird species can be found here.
Days 4 and 5 to Chaarya Hotel in Tissamaharama
Day 6, 7 Nuwara Eliya
On the morning of the 6th day you will depart to Nuwara Eliya and check in to Golden Ridge Hotel. In the afternoon, we have scheduled a bird watching walk at the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. This garden is one of the best places to see migratory birds during the North-East monsoon and some endemic montane bird species.
On day 07 of this bird watching tour in Sri Lanka, you will visit the Horton Plains National Park in the early morning. This is a nature trail of about 9.5km both ways, including a stop at the spectacular World’s End viewpoint and the ferocious Bakers Falls.
Days 6 and 7 at hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Day 8 Kitulgala
Day 8 will take you to Kitulgala south of Nuwara Eliya. In Kitulgala, you will explore the Belilena prehistoric cave area to find some unique bird species. Palm Stone Retreat will be your accommodation for the night. White water rafting is an option.
Day 9 Negombo
On day 09, you will visit the Makandawa Rainforest in Kitulgala for another bird watching experience and then move on to Negombo – the final destination for the tour. In Negombo, you will check in to hotel Jetwing Beach, after which an interesting boat ride on the Muthurajawela Marsh is scheduled for you in the evening. This is a wetland at the Southern end of Negombo Lagoon and the boat ride here is a good experience for bird lovers.
Overnight stay at Jetwing Beach Negombo
Day 10 Airport
The next day you will transfer to the Airport for your departure flight
