Sri Lanka: Wildlife & Forest — 7 Days

Safari in three national parks, rainforest trekking, and wetland observation across southern Sri Lanka

This seven-day itinerary moves through four of Sri Lanka's primary protected areas, beginning in Colombo and proceeding south and east through Udawalawe, Bundala, and Yala national parks before turning inland to the montane Sinharaja rainforest. The route incorporates game drives conducted by local naturalists, early-morning bird-watching trails, and evening forest treks, with a final wetland stop at Attidiya before return to Colombo. Accommodation is arranged in lodge properties positioned near park entrances; travel between sites typically spans two to four hours by road. The itinerary is structured to maximize observation during peak animal-activity windows — particularly early morning and late afternoon — with rest periods built into the middle days.

Highlights

Morning and evening safari game drives at Udawalawe National Park, where dry-zone habitat supports herds of Asian elephant, water buffalo, and sambar deer
Full-day and partial-day safari operations at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's most visited reserve, with leopard sightings possible in open scrubland terrain
Evening safari at Bundala National Park, a coastal lagoon system important for migratory wading birds and home to resident crocodile and monitor lizard populations
Forest trekking in Sinharaja Rain Forest
Guided bird-watching trail at Sinharaja rainforest, targeting endemic species including the Sri Lanka whistling thrush and red-faced malkoha
Jeep-based wetland observation at Attidiya sanctuary, a brackish lagoon and reed-bed complex hosting resident and migratory water birds

Day by day

1Arrival in Colombo and Drive to UdawalaweColombo International Airport · Kalu's Hideaway · Colombo to Udawalawe

Meet your representative at Colombo International Airport and transfer by vehicle to Udawalawe, a four-and-a-half-hour drive south through coastal plains. Settle in at Kalu's Hideaway for the night.

2Udawalawe and Bundala National Parks SafariBundala National Park · Udawalawe National Park · Tissamaharama · Hotel Chandrika

Morning safari at Udawalawe National Park observing elephant herds and water buffalo. Transfer to Tissamaharama (1½ hours). Evening safari at Bundala National Park. Overnight at Hotel Chandrika.

3Full Day Safari at Yala National ParkYala National Park · Hotel Chandrika

Safari through Yala's scrubland and dry forests, tracking elephant, spotted deer, and wild boar. Overnight at Hotel Chandrika.

4Yala Safari and Transfer to Sinharaja RainforestSinharaja rainforest · Yala National Park · Rainforest Eco Lodge · Yala National Park to Sinharaja rainforest

A morning safari game drive at Yala National Park precedes a three-hour transfer inland to Sinharaja rainforest, traversing the transition between dry-zone scrub and montane terrain. Evening trekking through forest canopy is conducted with guides trained in rainforest ecology and bird identification. Lodging is at Rainforest Eco Lodge.

5Sinharaja Rainforest: Dawn and Dusk TrekkingSinharaja · Rainforest Eco Lodge

Early-morning bird-watching through Sinharaja targets endemic species across canopy layers. Return to the lodge for breakfast and rest. Evening trekking observes nocturnal fauna as dusk descends. Overnight at Rainforest Eco Lodge.

6Attidiya Wetland and Return to ColomboAttidiya Wetland · Cinnamon Red

Drive four hours to Colombo. A jeep ride through Attidiya Wetland's brackish lagoon reveals herons, egrets, and waders. Overnight at Cinnamon Red.

7DepartureColombo International Airport

Morning transfer to Colombo International Airport is approximately one hour by vehicle.

Where you go

Map: Sri Lanka: Wildlife & Forest — 7 Days route — Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

1Bundala National Park
2Udawalawe National Park
3Tissamaharama
4Hotel Chandrika
5Yala National Park
6Hotel Chandrika
7Yala National Park

Included

Birding & Wildlife Tours in Sri Lanka rate will include,
Accommodation in mentioned hotels
Meals as per mentioned meal plans
Air conditioned transfers with an English speaking chauffeur guide
All mentioned activities and park entrance fees
Prices may vary plus/minus depending on the season