Unforgettable Endemic Bird Watching Tour in Sri Lanka
Experience the ultimate bird watching in Sri Lanka with our one-of-a-kind birding tour, taking you across diverse climatic zones to explore and observe some of the island’s most unique avifauna and other natural wonders.
Your tour begins in Kitulgala, where you can encounter fascinating species, including the endemic Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, White-faced Starling, and Green-billed Coucal. Then, visit the virgin Sinharaja Rainforest , a biodiversity hotspot home to 95% of Sri Lanka’s 33 endemic bird species.
Your accommodation will consist of handpicked hotels and glamping sites, designed to minimize travel time and maximize your birding experience. This will allow you to fully enjoy your Endemic Birding Tours Sri Lanka and immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes, comfortable accommodations, and delicious cuisine.
Ideal For: Bird lovers who are eager to explore the wilderness and admire the beauty of these avifauna, especially the endemic birds of Sri Lanka.
Our birding tours are perfect for solo travelers, couples, friends, families with kids and teenagers, and small groups of friends and family.
Join us for an unforgettable journey through the heart of Sri Lanka’s birding paradise and witness the beauty of endemic birds in Sri Lanka . Book your Endemic Birding Tours Sri Lanka today!
Highlights at a glance
- Bird Watching in Kitulgala for endemic species and nocturnal birds.
- Birding in a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site: Sinharaja Rainforest.
- Explore the buffer zone of Sinharaja Rainforest for endemics and owls
- Thrilling White Water Rafting Expedition in Kitulgala.[ Optional ]
Itinerary
Upon your arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be transferred to Kitulgala which was used as a location in the filming of David Lean’s award-winning film ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ and is considered one of the island’s most picturesque locations as well as a hotspot for endemic birds. Depending on your time of arrival, you can choose to rest at your hotel, or do a short bird-watching trail with your personal guide and hope to encounter some of Sri Lanka’s endemic bird species including the Orange-billed Babbler and the Chestnut-backed Owlet that have been recorded here.
Rafter’s Retreat
After an early breakfast or with a packed breakfast, enjoy atour of the Makandawa rain forest in Kitulgala which boasts an impressive list of endemic, migratory and resident birds. Many of the wet zone endemics such as the Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Hanging Parrot, Layard’s Parakeet, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul and the Spot-winged Thrush can be sighted here.
After the morning trail in Makandawa Rainforest, you will be taken to the Sinharaja rainforest, which is recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Another highlight of this forest is the mixed-species of bird flocks, averaging up to 42 individual species, which make this the world’s largest mixed-species bird flock. The mixed-species bird flock study of the Sinharaja forest has been continuing since 1981 and is considered the World’s longest bird flock study. Birding highlights include: the Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, White-faced Starling and Scaly Thrush. After lunch, check-in to your hotel in Sinharaja before a bird-watching tour in the forest. We have also planned a night birding trail, where you may spot some of Sri Lanka’s nocturnal species including the Chestnut-backed Owlet and Serendib Scops Owl. Your overnight stay will be at a hotel selected given its close proximity to the forest.
Blue Magpie Lodge
Following an early breakfast, enjoy a day of exploration (with packed lunches) in the beautiful Sinharaja rain forest where we will search for more wet lowland forest birds including endemics. Depending on your interest, our guide will also help you to identify many butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles, forest mammals and other wildlife. If you are feeling up to it, you could also do a night-walk along the peripheries of the reserve. At the close of the day, you will spend the night at a hotel close to Sinharaja Forest.
The Blue Magpie Lodge
Completing the trail, you will be back to the hotel and drive back to Airport or extend your trip with some more birding experiences or couple up with a few jeep safaris and birding trails in a couple of National Parks in the region.
Includes / Excludes
Our Services Include
- 03 nights comfortable accommodation
- All meals starting from Dinner on day 01 till breakfast on day 4
- Transportation in an air conditioned vehicle with an English Speaking Chauffeur throughout the tour including Airport Transfers.
- Entry Permits to all Rainforests mentioned in the itinerary.
- Well experienced local guides for biring trails at the respective rainforests
- Jeep Drive in the buffer zone of Sinharaja Rainforest with a well experienced local birding guide
- Binoculars, leach socks & Bird Checklists during the forest explorations.
- Service charges at the hotels & current applicable taxes by the Sri Lankan Government.
Excludes
- Any International or Domestic flights.
- Any Visa fee or ETA fee. (Electronic Travel Authorization)
- Christmas & New Year Eve dinner supplement. (24th & 31st December)
- Any additional beverage or food.
- Early Check-in or Late Checkout Charges at Hotels.
- Any tips to the staff.
- Any expense of personal requirements telephone, laundry, hotel extra bills etc.)
- Any additional expenses , other than mentioned in the inclusions list above.
When it comes to the accommodation, all the reservations are subject to availability at the time of confirmation, and as soon as we have received the payment, our Tour Operations Team will take in charge of your tour and proceed with the reservations. In case a hotel mentioned in your itinerary has no availability, we will find you an alternative. No changes will be done without your approval!
We will make a rough day-by-day schedule for your tour, but won’t set you exact timings for each and every activity – unless there is a an activity which start at a specific time. Since you will be traveling by private vehicle, with a knowledgeable driver-guide, we want you to have your part in decision making. With the help from him, you may tune the schedule to your rhythm.
Along the destinations included in your itinerary, you are free to take as many stops as you want to. When it comes to additional visits and destinations that are located out of the original route, the extra kilometers will be taken in consideration. For your journey, we will calculate a total mileage that is sufficient for the whole tour and mentioned in your itinerary. If this limit is exceeded, we will charge a supplement according the extra mileage.
We’ll do our best to accommodate the programme in your needs and wishes, if something urgent occurs during your tour. In a situation that requires changing the accommodation, the cancellation policies of the hotels concerned are to be taken on account.
Since the 1st of January 2012, all travelers must be in possession of a visa when arriving in Sri Lanka. Citizens from Singapore and The Maldives are the only exempt. Visitors can apply for the official Electronic Travel Authorization (visa) via www.eta.gov.lk, or upon arrival at the airport. There is a small fee to pay, and you must have at least six months left on your passport at the time of travel to obtain one.
MasterCard and Visa are widely used and accepted by many local shops, restaurants and hotels, but it’s always better to double check. Other major cards such as AmEx and DinersClub are accepted often also.
The Important Stuff
Sri Lanka is a nation where religion and culture occupy an important place in the day-to-day lives of the local people. It is important to be aware of the customs and practices that are particular to the location you are visiting, so here are a few general tips to keep in mind during your travels. Your chauffeur will assist you with more detailed information.
- If you plan on visiting any temples, ancient or current, you should wear clothing that covers your body from your shoulders down to your knees. Head coverings such as caps or helmets should be removed and shoes must be taken off at the entrance. White coloured clothing is generally a good choice to go with here.
- Some religious places do not allow photography or videography without prior permission and some may not allow it at all. Refer to signage or ask your chauffeur guide about the policy or protocol. Don’t try to photograph or take videos without permission.
- If you have any tattoos associated with Buddhism, Hinduism or Islamism, it’s best that you cover them completely in public places.
- Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places, workplaces and on public transport.
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