Sri Lanka Southern Wilderness Expedition | Elite Tour

Arrival in Colombo, drive to Negombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka! The start of many wonderful memories!
The first day of your wildlife holiday in Sri Lanka can be enjoyed at your own pace. On your arrival you will be picked up by our chauffeur who will be with you throughout the tour. The drive to Negombo is about 25 minutes.
This coastal city is a bustling place, with historical buildings and churches reflecting colonial influences. Negombo has a canal system that weaves an interesting route around the city and a lively fisherfolk community with a daily bustling fish market that attracts people from near and far. And of course it's an enchanting beach that will always beckon you.

Transfer to Ahaspokuna; The pond of the sky

After a good night's sleep an early morning start will see you heading to the fish market to watch the day’s catch coming in, experience the process of wholesale fish trading and also to learn about the process of drying fish. Afterwards you’ll be heading to Ahaspokuna via Ratnapura. The drive to Ahaspokuna is about 4 ¼ hours on the highway. You will be able to break the journey at Ratnapura called 'City of Gems' Famed for producing precious rubies, sapphires and other gemstones for thousands of years, this city is steeped in history and culture. You will reach the meeting point on Belihuloya-Rajawaka road from where you will be taken to the camp on foot.

You will go for an evening walk with your naturalist to explore the surroundings as a kick start for the next day which is going to be a little hard one!

Explore Jungle on Foot; Bushwalks at Ahaspokuna

We start the pre-breakfast nature trail at 6.30am. This bushwalk takes about an hour and you are free to partake in it or sleep-in and your team for breakfast at 7:30am.You will depart for a late-morning, 3 hour bush walk that cuts through the grasslands and goes deep into the forest. If the weather permits, a refreshing shallow dip on the top of the Gan Ella Waterfall is included. You will arrive back at camp for a hot lunch around 1pm. Relax in your daybed / star bed, unwind in our Wild Bath, or simply fall asleep in your private garden hammock to rest up for your evening excursion. Your evening trek will take approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours which goes through an elephant-made path into the grasslands and forest.

Heading to the Land's of Elephants; Udawalawe

Your wildlife holiday in Sri Lanka continues as we head down to elephant country! After having breakfast at Ahaspokuna Bushwalks Camp, you will trek down to the meeting point where your chauffeur will wait for you. Say good-bye to the camp staff and drive to Udawalawe. The journey to Udawalawe winds its way down to Kalthota valley. Despite its diverse population of animals and birds, Udawalawe National Park’s reputation is dominated by the giants, as it is home to over 400 elephants. An afternoon jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park will reward you with large herds of elephants along with small other animals. A post-dinner drive in the buffer zone near the campsite would be a remarkable experience!

Exploring Udawalawe National Park

A busy day starts with a pre-breakfast birding trail in the vicinity with your naturalist. The camp chef will enlighten you with a truly Sri Lankan Cooking Experience and you will learn about the secrets of spices and the uses of them in right combinations and the right quantities. The Elephant Transit Home, which nurses injured elephants back to health and cares for orphaned baby elephants, is also found on the outskirts of this National Park, you will witness the bottle feeding of milk to baby elephants followed by another safari drive in Udawalawe National Park.

Drive to Leopard's Kingdom via Bundala; Yala

Pack your bags early in the morning and drive to Yala. Of course, you will do a morning safari in Bundala National Park which is famous for migratory birds. The rich birdlife and serene surroundings make Bundala a real paradise for birders. These wetlands are home to nearly 200 bird species, including several species of migratory waterfowl. On completion of the jeep safari at Bundala National Park, you will drive to Yala and check in at your campsite for a typical Sri Lankan lunch: prepared in clay pots giving it an authentic taste. A cultural safari to Sithulpawwa Temple will be your evening experience where you might encounter some wildlife during your journey.

Full day Jeep safari in Yala National Park

Another day packed with wilderness experiences! You will go for a full day jeep safari with packed meals. Although it is most famous for Leopard sightings, Yala has a fantastically diverse population of animals. During your Safari in the Park you will encounter Elephants, Crocodiles, Sambar, Wild Buffalo, Eagles, Cobras, Peacocks and more. With rocky coasts, mountains, vast lakes and plains, the landscape of Yala is a treat for the eyes and is the perfect backdrop for exciting sightings! After a busy day, you will be rewarded with a night walk with your naturalist to witness the nocturnal animals in and around the campsite which is located near the park border.

Exploring Lunugamvehera National Park

A morning jeep safari will be a great opportunity to see the birdlife of Yala National Park. Camouflaged by trees and bush, the residents of the park will make their way to watering-holes in the morning - and this is an ideal time to catch sight of three of the island’s Big Five: the Elephant, Sloth Bear and of course the Sri Lankan Leopard. But just as wondrous are the spotted deer, mongoose, and birdlife, such as the white bellied sea eagle and the black necked stork.You will have a couple of free hours pre & post lunch before we head off for an afternoon safari drive in Lunugamvehera National Park which is less crowded and have more chances to spot animals without much disturbances.

Drive from Yala to Colombo via Galle

Your wildlife holiday is gradually reaching its end. You will say goodbye to your new friends, you will depart Yala after your breakfast and leave for Colombo via Galle. A walk in Galle Fort will enable you to get more insights about the colonial impact on Sri Lankan culture. Your chauffeur will be happy to accompany you and show you the Meeran Mosque, the Fort Lighthouse, the Dutch Reformed Church, restaurants, live music bars and quaint houses on cobblestone streetsYou may take your own lunch in a restaurant in Galle Fort and continue to Colombo. A short drive in the city would enable you to get more insights of the Sri Lanka urban way of life while shopping in the city might be a great opportunity for you to buy some souvenirs to take home.

Departure to Bandaranaike International Airport

We’ve reached the end of your 9-night Luxury Wilderness Expedition in Sri Lanka and it is time to depart. Your chauffeur will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to Colombo Airport in time to catch your departure flight.