Sri Lanka7 days

Sri Lanka: Wilpattu Safari & Negombo Coast — 7 Days

Wilderness camping inside Wilpattu National Park, followed by three nights on the Negombo beachfront — seven days for two

This seven-day itinerary divides its time between two distinct corners of Sri Lanka's northwest. The first half is spent inside Wilpattu National Park — Sri Lanka's largest national park, characterized by a dry-zone forest punctuated by dozens of natural lakes called villus, which draw a concentrated mix of mammals and waterbirds. Three game drives over two days cover the park's interior from a tented camp, with morning and evening departures timed to wildlife activity. The second half shifts to Negombo, a coastal town approximately 30 kilometers north of Colombo's international airport, where the itinerary slows considerably — three nights at Jetwing Beach, beach time, and a candle-lit sunset dinner on a private stretch of sand. A single opening night at Casa Heliconia in Kaleliya, roughly one hour from the airport, bridges the arrival and the park entry. Accommodation is on a half-board basis at the hotels and fully inclusive at the safari camp. Transfers throughout are by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur guide, and all park fees and activities are included.

Highlights

Multiple game drives inside Wilpattu National Park, targeting Sri Lankan Leopard, Sri Lankan Elephant, and Sloth Bear
Two nights of tented camp accommodation within Wilpattu National Park's interior
Wilpattu's network of natural lakes (villus), habitat for resident and migratory waterbirds including Spoonbill, Purple Heron, and Painted Stork
Three-night stay at Jetwing Beach, Negombo, on the Indian Ocean coastline
Private candle-lit sunset dinner on Negombo beach, served at a table on the sand with champagne

Day by day

1Arrival in Colombo & Transfer to KaleliyaColombo's Bandaranaike International Airport · Casa Heliconia · Colombo to Kaleliya

After meeting the tour representative at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport arrivals lounge, the transfer to Kaleliya takes approximately one hour. The evening is at leisure, with dinner and overnight accommodation at Casa Heliconia.

2Wilpattu National Park: Entry & First Evening Game DriveWilpattu National Park · Casa Heliconia · Casa Heliconia to Wilpattu National Park's main entrance · tented campsite within Wilpattu National Park

Breakfast is taken at Casa Heliconia before the drive to Wilpattu National Park's main entrance, a journey of approximately 30 minutes from Kaleliya. The camp crew meets the group at the gate at noon, after which the party is driven to a tented campsite positioned within the park boundary, in a designated camping zone authorised by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Lunch is served at the camp on arrival. Wilpattu is Sri Lanka's largest national park and one of the oldest, covering a landscape of dry-zone jungle interspersed with a series of natural lakes — known locally as villus — that collect rainwater and serve as critical water sources for the park's resident and migratory wildlife. Roughly 30 mammal species inhabit the park, among them the Sri Lankan Leopard, Sri Lankan Elephant, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Buffalo, and Mongoose. The villus attract a notable range of waterbirds: Garganey, Pintail, Whistling Teal, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Large White Egret, Cattle Egret, and Purple Heron are all recorded here, alongside Gulls, Terns, Owls, Kites, Eagles, the endemic Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Little Cormorant, and Painted Stork. An evening game drive departs in the late afternoon in an open-sided safari vehicle with a park-assigned tracker. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at the campsite.

3Wilpattu National Park: Morning & Evening Game DrivesWilpattu National Park · campsite

An early morning game drive departs before sunrise to take advantage of peak wildlife activity. Breakfast is served at camp on return. The midday hours are at leisure at the campsite. A second game drive departs in the late afternoon. Dinner is a BBQ meal at the campsite, with overnight accommodation in the tented camp.

4Wilpattu Morning Drive & Transfer to NegomboWilpattu · the campsite · Wilpattu's main park gate · Jetwing Beach · Wilpattu to Negombo

Breakfast is served at the campsite before a final morning game drive. The group returns to Wilpattu's main park gate for check-out formalities before transferring to Negombo, approximately two hours by road. The evening includes dinner and overnight accommodation at Jetwing Beach.

5Negombo: Full Day at Jetwing BeachJetwing Beach

Breakfast is at the hotel. The day is unscheduled, with direct access to the beach available throughout. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at Jetwing Beach.

6Negombo Beach & Private Dinner on the SandNegombo beach · Jetwing Beach

The morning and afternoon are at leisure by the beach. In the evening, a private candle-lit dinner is arranged on a secluded section of Negombo beach — a table set on the sand, attended by a dedicated waiter, with champagne included. Overnight accommodation is at Jetwing Beach.

7Negombo Breakfast & Departure Transfer to Colombo AirportJetwing Beach to Bandaranaike International Airport

Breakfast is taken at the hotel before the approximately 20-minute transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for departure.

Where you go

Map: Sri Lanka: Wilpattu Safari & Negombo Coast — 7 Days route — Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

1Negombo Beach

Included

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
Accommodation and meals (For 2 Adults)
1 night in Pagoda Gold or Temple Angkor at Casa Heliconia on Half Board Basis
2 nights in a tent at Wlpattu Safari Camping on all inclusive basis
3 nights in a suite room at Jetwing Beach on Half board basis