Overview
Embark on a 10-day Bird Watching & Wildlife Expedition across Sri Lanka, exploring wetlands, rainforests, and national parks. From the coastal lagoons of Negombo to the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Sanctuary, the lush Kelani Valley, and Ramsar sites like Anawilundawa and Bundala, this tour offers encounters with migratory and endemic birds, diverse wildlife, and nocturnal species. Enjoy guided safaris, expert-led birding sessions, and serene nature walks, combining adventure with the island’s rich biodiversity.
Highlights
- Spot endemic and migratory birds in wetlands, forests, and national parks.
- Safari adventures in Wilpattu, Bundala, and Yala, including chances to see leopards and elephants.
- Expert-led birding sessions with naturalists at Sigiriya, Makandawa, and Tissa Lake.
- Guided night walk at Pidurangala to see nocturnal wildlife like the Slender Loris.
Itinerary
Discover the best of Sri Lanka’s birdlife and wildlife on this 10-day guided expedition. Travel from the coastal wetlands of Negombo to the rich forests of Sigiriya, Kitulgala, and the iconic national parks of Wilpattu, Bundala, and Yala. With expert-led birding sessions, jeep safaris, and nature walks, the tour offers a perfect blend of migratory and endemic birds, wildlife encounters, and scenic landscapes, providing an immersive experience for nature enthusiasts.
- Arrival in Colombo International Airport and meet with our representative at the arrival lounge
- Transfer to Negombo – 20 min drive approximately
- Overnight stay in Ranweli Holiday Village in Negombo
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer to Anawilundawa Wetland – 1 hours drive approximately
- Bird Watching at Anawilundawa
- Anawilundawa is a man made wetland constructed in the 12th Century AD and is located on the western migratory bird route. This is a sanctuary with prolific bird life in beautiful surroundings. The vegetation of the site consists of a scenic forest in the low country dry zone and in addition to birds, mammals such as mouse deer, hare, mongoose, squirrels, wild cats (such as civets), wild boar and fruit bats and reptiles and amphibians like land monitors, water monitors, lizards, geckoes, skinks, and tortoises can be sighted.
- Transfer to Nawadankulama for bird watching
- The Nawadankulama Tank is about half and hour’s drive from the Anawilundawa Sanctuary. It is barren and dry when there is no rainfall. The tank is frequented by large flocks of migrant ducks. Collared dove and Indian grey partridge are present year round along with several species of eagle.
- Overnight stay in Hotel Sinharagama in Nochchiyagama
- Full day safari at Wilpattu National Park with picnic meals
- Wilpattu is a fairly thick dry zone jungle interspersed with a number of flood plain lakes banked with delicate white sands. It boasts an impressive variety of flora in huge expanses of forest, and varied wildlife, including deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears and leopards.
- Overnight stay in Hotel Sinharagama in Nochchiyagama
- Breakfast at the Hotel
- Transfer to Sigiriya – 2 hours drive approximately
- Sigiriya Sanctuary bird watching
- Surrounding of Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a designated forest reserve and is a very good birding destination. Sigiriya sanctuary is a well protected area as it is a UNECO World Heritage Site, waterways and thick canopied forests make it a heaven for birds. You will be accompanied by our expert bird watching naturalist for the birding trip in Sigiriya Sanctuary in the morning hours from 6 Am to 10 AM. Finishing the morning bird watching in Sigiriya you will be transferred to an Eco Lodge in Habarana for lunch and for some rest. There too you would be able to see many verities of birds in the lodge’s compound. At 3 PM we venture in to the jungles of Habarana surrounded by many lakes which is a very good habitat for birds.
- Overnight stay in Back of Beyond in Pidurangala
- Breakfast at the Hotel
- Bird watching in the Garden
- The Garden is surrounded by forest that is typical to the north central plains of Sri Lanka. It is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers. Our staff is specially trained to help you identify birds, butterflies and trees in the forest. As our property borders an elephant path, elephant sightings are possible, especially during the dry season.
- Garden walk in the night for spotting the Slender Loris
- Overnight stay in Back of Beyond in Pidurangala
- Breakfast at the Hotel
- Transfer to kitulgala – 4 ½ hour drive approximately
- Do evening bird watching in the Makandawa Rainforest Patch
- The Kalani Valley forest reserve is low country rain forest containing a host of endemic birds and other wildlife unique to the Island. Some of the birds are found around home gardens and will be a fascinating experience. One of the more sort after endemics is the Chestnut-backed Owlet, we will head in the direction to a known stakeout and then to the Serendib Scops Owl stakeout. The latter mentioned owl created a sensation in the birding world. Other endemic birds found here is the Yellow-fronted barbet, Ceylon small Barbet, Ceylon Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal, Layard’s Parakeet, and the Ceylon Rufous Babbler to name a few.
- Overnight stay in Kitulgala Adventures
- Early Morning bird watching at the Makandawa rain forest
- Back to campsite
- Evening bird watching tour in the village
- Overnight stay in Kitulgala Adventures
- Breakfast at the camp site
- Transfer to Tissamaharama – 5 hour drive approximately
- Do evening bird watching safari in Bundala National park
- The bio diversity of this park is immense: A total of 383 plant species have been recorded from the park, including 6 endemics and 7 species that are considered nationally threatened. It is also home to 32 different species of mammal, 5 of which are classified as threatened. The birdlife is also diverse. For keen bird-watchers, the complex wetland system harbours a rich bird life (approximately 197 species), including several species of migratory waterfowl. This has led to the declaration of the park as Sri Lanka's first ‘Ramsar' wetland – one of great international importance especially for migratory waterfowl
- Overnight stay at Yala Lake Camp
- Full day safari at Yala National Park with picnic meals
- YALA NATIONAL PARK, one of Sri Lanka's premier eco tourism destinations, lies 24km northeast of Tissamaharama and 305 km from Colombo on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, spanning a vast 97,878 hectares over the Southern and Uva Provinces. The vegetation in the park comprises predominantly of semi-arid thorny scrub, interspersed with pockets of fairly dense secondary forest. Small patches of mangrove vegetation also occur along the coastal lagoons.
- Overnight stay at Yala lake camp
- Do Morning bird watching in the area of Tissa Lake and the village
- Transfer to airport for departure – 5 hour drive approximately
Includes/Excludes
Includes
- Airport transfers and all intercity transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
- 9 nights’ accommodation in comfortable hotels, eco-lodges, and camps
- Guided bird watching sessions with professional naturalists
- Safari tours in Wilpattu, Bundala, and Yala National Parks
- Entrance fees to national parks, sanctuaries, and heritage sites
- Bottled water during excursions
Excludes
- International flights and travel insurance
- Personal expenses, tips, and optional activities
- Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary
- Visa fees, vaccination costs, or medical expenses
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
FAQs
November to April is ideal for bird watching and dry-zone safaris.
What kind of birds can I see?
Migratory waterfowl, raptors, herons, storks, endemic owls, barbets, and spurfowl.
Yes, full-day safaris at Wilpattu and Yala, and an evening jeep safari at Bundala.
Yes, sessions are guided by expert naturalists, suitable for all levels.
A mix of eco-lodges, comfortable hotels, and camps, with breakfast included.
Typically 3–4 hours in the morning or late afternoon for optimal bird activity.
Binoculars and cameras are recommended; tripods optional.
Yes, air-conditioned vehicle transfers are included throughout the tour.
Yes, all park, sanctuary, and heritage site fees are included.
Yes, suitable for adults and children, though night walks may be limited to older kids.
Yes, optional activities and extensions can be arranged on request.
Route
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