Sri Lanka7 days
Sri Lanka Wildlife Photography — Yala, Udawalawe & Bundala, 7 Days
Three national parks and a tented safari camp in search of elephants, leopards, bears, and migratory birds
This seven-day trip moves through Sri Lanka's three principal wildlife reserves, each with distinct photographic opportunities. Udawalawe National Park holds the island's largest elephant populations, often visible in herds near the main lake. Bundala National Park, a RAMSAR wetland reserve, supports resident and migratory bird species across lagoons and marshland. Yala National Park, the most visited reserve, is the primary location for leopard and sloth bear sightings. The itinerary includes a multi-day base at a mobile tented camp within Yala itself, allowing extended early-morning and late-afternoon game drives across multiple days. Accommodation includes established hotels in Tissamaharama and a mobile tented safari camp inside Yala National Park.
Highlights
- Large elephant herds at Udawalawe National Park, often photographed near the park's main water sources
- Resident and migratory bird populations at Bundala National Park, a RAMSAR wetland reserve
- Leopard and sloth bear sightings in Yala National Park across consecutive full-day safari drives
- Multi-day mobile tented safari camp positioned inside Yala National Park, with extended game-drive blocks
- Dawn and dusk game drives in Yala from a private safari vehicle
- Picnic meals and field-based accommodation during the three-day Yala camp segment
Day by day
1Colombo to Udawalawe National Park — Afternoon Elephant DriveColombo · Udawalawe National Park · Kalu's Hideaway Hotel
A driver meets clients in Colombo and drives south toward Udawalawe National Park, approximately four hours. The afternoon is spent on a safari drive within the park from mid-afternoon to early evening, focusing on elephant herds near water sources. Udawalawe is known for large concentrations of Asian elephants, with sightings often occurring in groups. Overnight accommodation is at Kalu's Hideaway Hotel, positioned near the park entrance.
2Udawalawe Morning Safari, then Bundala National ParkUdawalawe · Bundala National Park · main lake · Tissamaharama · Hotel Chandrika
A morning drive returns to Udawalawe for a full game-drive block, departing before dawn and continuing into mid-morning. The focus remains on elephant herds, with particular attention to animals visiting the main lake for drinking and bathing. After breakfast at the hotel, a mid-morning transfer to Tissamaharama takes approximately two hours. An afternoon safari at Bundala National Park, approximately 30 minutes from Tissamaharama, runs from mid-afternoon to early evening. Bundala is a RAMSAR wetland reserve with shallow lagoons and brackish pools; resident cormorants, herons, and egrets are permanent, while migratory waders and waterfowl arrive seasonally. Overnight accommodation is at Hotel Chandrika in Tissamaharama.
3Yala National Park — Mobile Tented Camp and First SafariYala National Park · mobile tented camp · Tissamaharama · Yala's park gate
After breakfast in Tissamaharama, a transfer to Yala's park gate takes 30 minutes to one hour. A safari guide meets clients and drives them to a mobile tented camp situated within the park's interior. Lunch is served at camp. An afternoon game drive from mid-afternoon to early evening focuses on leopards and sloth bears. Overnight accommodation is in the mobile tented camp, a canvas structure with beds and basic facilities. Evening refreshments and dinner are included; chilled beverages are available before dinner.
4Full-Day Safari in Yala — Extended Leopard and Bear SearchYala National Park · mobile tented camp
Full-day safaris in Yala National Park run from 6 AM to 6 PM with picnic meals provided. Breakfast and lunch are served as picnic meals in the vehicle or at camp stops. The safari focuses on leopards and sloth bears; multiple exits and re-entries to different zones within the park occur throughout the day, maximizing habitat coverage. Overnight accommodation remains at the mobile tented camp with dinner and evening refreshments included.
5Full-Day Safari in Yala — Extended Wildlife PhotographyYala · mobile tented camp
A second consecutive full-day safari follows the same schedule: departure before dawn, return at dusk, with picnic meals in the field. The multi-day presence at camp permits repeated access to proven wildlife corridors and seasonal water sources. Overnight accommodation remains at the mobile tented camp with dinner and evening refreshments included.
6Full-Day Safari in Yala, then Return to TissamaharamaYala · the field · Hotel Chandrika in Tissamaharama · park gate to Tissamaharama
A final full-day drive in Yala follows the previous schedule, departing before dawn and extending until dusk. Picnic breakfast and lunch are provided in the field. Late afternoon, after the drive concludes, camp is struck and clients transfer from the park gate back to Tissamaharama, approximately 30 minutes to one hour. Overnight accommodation is at Hotel Chandrika in Tissamaharama.
7Return to ColomboColombo · Hotel Chandrika · Hotel Chandrika to Colombo
After breakfast at Hotel Chandrika, the drive north to Colombo begins. The journey takes approximately five to six hours. The trip concludes upon arrival in Colombo.
Where you go
- 1Colombo
- 2Udawalawe National Park
- 3Kalu's Hideaway Hotel
- 4Bundala National Park
- 5Tissamaharama
- 6Hotel Chandrika
- 7Yala National Park
- 8Mobile Tented Camp
- 9Tissamaharama
- 10Yala National Park
- 11Mobile Tented Camp
- 12Yala
- 13Mobile Tented Camp
- 14Yala
- 15Colombo
- 16Hotel Chandrika