Wildlife of Sri Lanka

 

Negombo	Beach Hotel	1 night
Sinharaja	Rainforest Edge	2 nights
Udawalawe	Mahoora Camp	2 nights
Yala	Yala Village	2 nights
Galle	The Lighthouse	2 nights

11 days from £1375

excluding international flights

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: SriLankan Airways from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrive Colombo.  By road to Negombo.

On arrival in Colombo you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel in Negombo on the shores of the Indian Ocean.  The rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 3 - Sinharaja Rainforest.

In the early morning set off for a drive to the Sinharaja Rainforest, located in the southwest lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka.  The Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988; 60% of the trees are endemic and there are 21 endemic bird species and a number of rare insects, reptiles and amphibians.  You will have the memorable opportunity to observe wildlife whilst trekking through this amazing rainforest, parts of which are still untouched virgin forest.  In the afternoon you can relax around the hotel garden or enjoy a nature trail with the hotel naturalist.
Pictured: Sri Lankan Blue Magpie, Sinharaja.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 – Sinharaja Rainforest.

A day to further explore the rainforest and to relax at the hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 5 – Udawalawe National Park.

Today you will be driven to Udawalawe National Park, famed for its healthy population of elephants; they are frequently seen in herds of up to 300, gathered mainly around the edges of the lakes.  Birdlife is also prolific, and residents include stork-billed and common kingfishers, egrets, herons, white-necked storks, black-headed ibis and painted storks.  Among the mammals likely to be seen are endemic toque monkey, Hanuman langur, spotted deer, wild pig, black-napped hare, ruddy mongoose and sambar.  Rarely seen mammals include the stripe-necked mongoose, muntjac, pangolin, giant flying squirrel, jungle cat, porcupine and nocturnal slender loris.  There are leopards in the park but they are rarely seen.  Enjoy the unique experience of camping in the National Park, your candlelit dinner prepared by your very own personal chef.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 6 - Udawalawe National Park.

Another day in the park, including the opportunity to take an evening 4 wheel-drive jeep safari with a naturalist guide.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAYS 7 AND 8 - Yala National Park.

Your next destination, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's premier wildlife destination, is the best place in the country to see leopard (left), although this is not guaranteed.  You will also witness crocodiles basking in the sun, herds of spotted deer, sloth bears, porcupines, buffaloes, macaque monkeys and many more species of mammals.  Enjoy morning and evening jeep safaris in the park, experiencing a wide variety of habitats including scrub jungle, water tanks, brackish lagoons and rivers.
Meals included: Full breakfast each day.

DAYS 9 AND 10 - Galle. 

Morning drive to the city of Galle on the south west coast of Sri Lanka.  Your hotel is located on a lovely stretch of beach just outside the city.  You have 2 days to relax in this delightful spot.  Galle has always been one of Sri Lanka's most historic cities, the gateway to the sandy coves of the south.  Galle is also home to the magnificent 300 year old fort, like Kandy a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the largest and best preserved colonial sea fortress in Asia, constructed during the Dutch occupation in the 17th century.  From December to April there is the possibility of spending a morning whale-watching, with excellent chances of seeing both blue whales and sperm whales.  Whale watching excursion based on 2 passengers: £70 per person.
Meals included: Full breakfast each day.

DAY 11 - Drive to Colombo for your homeward flight.

Drive along the western coast of Sri Lanka to Colombo Airport (approximately 4 hours) for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.   

 

EXTEND YOUR STAY IN SRI LANKA

Many people combine a a touring holiday in Sri Lanka with a few days of relaxation at a top beach resort.

 

VIVANTA BY TAJ, BENTOTA

There are many resorts to choose from, and World Discovery would be delighted to quote for any of them, depending on your own preferences and budget.  Our recommended first class resort is the Vivanta by Taj in Bentota on Sri Lanka's west coast some 60 kilometres south of the capital Colombo.

 

International Flights.

We recommend the services of SriLankan Airways from London Heathrow. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Colombo. Depart at 21.25; arrive Colombo at 13.30 (next day)
Colombo/Heathrow. Depart at 13.15; arrive Heathrow at 19.45

Sri Lanka Holidays: Wildlife of Sri Lanka (Tour Reference: WDSL003)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Tuesdays (see note below)	Price
1 to 10 Jan	£1598
11 Jan to 31 Mar	£1550
1 Apr to 20 Jul	£1375
21 Jul to 31 Aug	£1530
17 Oct to 14 Dec	£1635
15 to 31 Dec	£1725

PLEASE NOTE: Yala National Park is closed from 1 September to 16 October.

Flights are available on most days of the week, but the timings differ each day and a Tuesday departure (returning on a Friday) offers the best option.  On some days, for example, arrivals and departures in Colombo are in the middle of the night.

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded or double rooms (please advise which you prefer) with private facilities.  Tented camp in Udawalawe National Park.
• 9 full breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation throughout.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees.
• The services of a private English-speaking driver/guide throughout.
• The services of naturalist guides in the National Parks.
  

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• Optional sightseeing.
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter.
• Sri Lankan online visa.  This should be purchased in advance via the Electronic Travel Authorization System’ (ETA) website - http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ .  The current cost for UK citizens is US$20 for a double entry visa which is valid for 30 days.  There is no charge for children under 12 years of age.
  

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Sri Lanka holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.