The wildlife of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is second to none in terms of its biodiversity and can be considered the best for big game safaris outside the African continent. As bold a statement as that may be, Sri Lanka’s wildlife credentials speak for itself.
Sri Lanka’s Big Five
Leopard, elephant, sloth bear, blue whale, and sperm whale – are known as the country’s great wildlife attractions. These species are just some of the country’s plethora of wild species of fauna. It is also renowned as a birder’s paradise with an array of endemic, migratory, and resident avifauna found in its 70 Important Bird Areas strewn across its diverse landscape. Sri Lanka is also famous for its abundance of exotic flora.
Amongst its many wildlife attractions, none have garnered such awe as those pertaining to the largest land mammal in the world – the elephant. Sri Lanka is home to the largest seasonally recurring concentration of wild elephants found anywhere in the world. This phenomenon known simply as The Gathering takes place in the country’s Minneriya National Park which is renowned the world over for being one of the best locations to spot elephant herds and observe their behaviour. Herds as large as 400 elephants have been recorded here in the past. Lonely Planet listed this occurrence as one of the Top Ten Wildlife Spectacles in the world. Sri Lankan elephants can also be spotted in several of the country’s 26 national parks including the Udawalawe National Park which is the only place in the world that guarantees an elephant sighting on each visit.
Sri Lanka’s wildlife crown jewel is the Sri Lankan leopard. Yala National Park is celebrated as the best place on Earth to see leopards as its leopard density is unmatched. Block 1 has a leopard for every square kilometer and these usually reclusive beasts are often spotted in these parts. Apart from the leopard, Sri Lanka is also home to other wildcats including jungle cats, civet cats, and rusty-spotted cats that can be found in Sri Lanka’s wilds.
The sloth bear is somewhat more elusive and its dwindling numbers have meant that spotting them in the wild is a rarity. However, in places such as Wasgamuwa National Park, Wilpattu National Park, and Yala, visitors have been able to catch a glimpse of these magnificent bears, especially during the Palu Season during which these marvelous mammals can be seen climbing the palu trees to gorge themselves on their favorite fruity snacks.
The island is also considered the best place in the world to spot the largest animal that has ever lived on earth – the blue whale. The coastlines of Mirissa and Trincomalee offer the best locations for viewing these magnificent beasts while Kalpitiya is known as one of the world’s top ten best sites to catch a glimpse of the amazing sperm whale – the biggest toothed whale in the world. Meanwhile, Mirissa additionally offers visitors the best chance at seeing both these magnificent mammals of the ocean on the same tour.
Sri Lanka’s Bird Diversity
Sri Lanka is also an amazing place to visit for those interested in birding. It has dozens of bird sanctuaries and Important Bird Areas where an eye-catching array of avifauna can be viewed. The Kumana and Bundala National Parks are birding hotspots where almost every species of bird recorded in Sri Lanka can be seen. The Sinharaja Bird Wave is also a well-known attraction in Sri Lanka, providing visitors with the largest and longest studied bird waves on the island.
The wildlife of Sri Lanka is one of the country’s defining attractions and few countries can rival Sri Lankan wildlife and its combination of big game safari animals, species densities, and its tourism infrastructure. It is well and truly the ultimate safari island.
Day 1 Colombo
When you exit the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be greeted by a SUNGATE LANKA TOURS representative and drive you to the Marino Reach hotel at the heart of Colombo.
Overnight stay at the Marino Beach hotel Colombo
Day 2 & 3 Wilpattu
On day 2 after breakfast will begin your wildlife journey and head towards Wilpattu. On the way, you will visit the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary for beautiful natural wetland and bird sightings. Big Game Camp is where you will stay in Wilpattu.
On Day 03, we have scheduled a full day jeep safari for you to thoroughly explore and peacefully observe the wildlife of Wilpattu National Park.
Days 2 and 3 at Big Game Park hotel Wilpattu
Day 4 Sigiriya
Day 4 you will be transferred to Sigiriya and engage in a village tour. . After this, you will drive to Minneriya where a jeep safari will be waiting for you to explore the Minneriya National Park. Amaya Lake Hotel is where you will be staying in Sigiriya.
Overnight stay at Amaya Lake Hotel Sigiriya
Day 5 Kandy
On day 05, you have an early morning visit to the Sigiriya sanctuary for bird watching. Later, you will explore the popular Lion’s Rock in Sigiriya.
After the visit to Lion’s Rock, you will transfer to Kandy. In the evening you can attend a cultural dance performance in Kandy. Later that evening, you will check in to the luxurious Amaya Hills hotel to relax and unwind for the night.
Overnight stay at Amaya Hills hotel Kandy
Day 6 & 7 Nuwara Eliya
The next morning, you will go on a nature trail at Udawattekela Forest Reserve and then visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. After exploring beautiful flora at the gardens, you will transfer to Nuwara Eliya and check in to Hotel Golden Ridge for the next two nights.
On day 07 of this wildlife tour in Sri Lanka, you will visit the Horton Plains National Park in the morning. This is a 9.5km nature trail which includes the view of World’s End point and also a visit to the Bakers Falls.
Days 6 and 7 at Golden Ridge hotel Nuwara Eliya
Day 8 & 9 Udawalawe
From Nuwara Eliya, the next morning, you will visit the gorgeous town of Ella – Nine Arches Bridge and Litlle Adam’s Peak. Later that day, you will transfer to Udawalawe and check in to the Big Game Camp for two nights.
You will spend day 09 exploring the Udawalawe National Park on a jeep safari.
Days 8 and 9 at Yudawalawe Big Game Camp
Day 10 & 11 Udawalawe
Day 10 you will transfer to Yala and engage in jeep safari to the Yala National Park. The next morning. Once again, the Big Game Camp at Yala is where you will be staying for two nights.
On day 11, another morning jeep safari opportunity is available for you to explore the wildlife in Yala. In the afternoon, you will be taken to the Bundala National Park to see the birds and wildlife there.
Days 10 and 11 accommodation at Big Game Camp Yala.
Day 12 & 13 Sinharaja
On day 12, another safari at the Bundala National Park is on the itinerary, after which you will transfer to Sinharaja and check in to Rainforest Eco Lodge for the last two nights of your stay in Sri Lanka.
A full day trekking tour is scheduled on day 13 to explore the Sinharaja Rain Forest.
Days 12 and 13 at Rainforest Eco Lodge Sinharaja
Day 14 Airpot
From Sinharaja, you would be drive to the Airport for your flight back home.
