Sri Lanka · 7 DAY PROGRAMME · 2027
Sri Lanka Endemic Birding & Wildlife
THE JOURNEY
A closer look.
Discover Sri Lanka through its rainforest birds, open-country wildlife and cool highland forests. This seven-day journey links Sinharaja, Udawalawe, Yala, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains and Kitulgala, with time devoted to the island’s distinctive birdlife and rewarding wildlife photography.
Search for elusive forest endemics, watch elephants on safari and explore montane habitats with a specialist local guide. The pace and daily priorities respond to conditions and the species you most want to see.
Journey highlights
- Rainforest birding in Sinharaja and Kitulgala
- Elephant encounters and dry-zone birdlife in Udawalawe
- A safari in Yala National Park
- Highland birding around Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains
- Photography opportunities with specialist local guidance
YOUR TIME IN THE FIELD
The itinerary.
Day 1Arrival and the forests of Sinharaja
Travel to Sinharaja after arrival and begin exploring the rainforest as time permits. Listen for calling endemics and watch mixed feeding flocks, with opportunities to observe primates, reptiles and butterflies. Settle into a forest lodge for the night.
Wildlife you may encounter
Ceylon Spurfowl, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Malabar Trogon, Crimson-backed Flameback, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Ceylon Scaly Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughing-thrush, Legge’s Flowerpecker, White-faced Starling, Ceylon Crested Drongo, Ceylon Hill Myna, Ceylon Blue Magpie
Possible highlights of mammals: Toque Macaque E (wet zone race), Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Red Slender Loris E, Sri Lanka Flameback squirrel E, Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Sri Lanka Yellow Spotted Chevrotain E, Sambar, Woolly Horseshoe Bat, False Vampire Bat, Rainbow Bat.
Day 2A full day in Sinharaja
Spend the day on rainforest trails with your guide, concentrating on Sri Lanka’s endemic birds and any priority species missed on arrival. Patient observation gives you time to enjoy forest behaviour and work with the light for photographs. Return to the forest lodge.
Wildlife you may encounter
Ceylon Spurfowl, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Malabar Trogon, Crimson-backed Flameback, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Ceylon Scaly Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler,Ashy-headed Laughing-thrush, Legge’s Flowerpecker, White-faced Starling, Ceylon Crested Drongo, Ceylon Hill Myna, Ceylon Blue Magpie
Possible highlights of mammals: Toque Macaque E (wet zone race), Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Red Slender Loris E, Sri Lanka Flameback squirrel E, Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Sri Lanka Yellow Spotted Chevrotain E, Sambar, Woolly Horseshoe Bat, False Vampire Bat, Rainbow Bat.
Day 3Sinharaja to Udawalawe
Enjoy a final morning of birding in Sinharaja before travelling towards Udawalawe. As the landscape becomes drier and more open, look for a different mix of birds and mammals. Overnight in Udawalawe.
Wildlife you may encounter
Crested Hawk-Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Indian Peafowl, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha, Indian Scops Owl, Alexandrine Parakeet, Plum-headed parakeet, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Marshall’s Iora, Crested Treeswift, Coppersmith Barbet, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Blyth’s Pipit, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Lesser Adjutant, Ceylon Woodshrike, Indian Black Robin, White-browed Bulbul, Jungle Prinia, Ashy Prinia, Plain Prinia, Grey-breasted Prinia, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Black-headed Munia, Rosy Starling.
Possible highlights of mammals: Ruddy Mongoose, Asian Elephant, Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Indian Flying Fox, Lesser Tube-nosed Bat.
Day 4Udawalawe and Yala safaris
Explore Udawalawe National Park in the morning, looking for elephants and birds of grassland, scrub and dry forest. Continue to Tissamaharama and take an afternoon safari in Yala, searching its wetlands and woodland for wildlife. Overnight in Tissamaharama.
Wildlife you may encounter
Great Thick-knee, Black and Yellow Bitterns, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Small Pratincole, Watercock, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Scops Owl, Blue-faced Malkoha, Ceylon Woodshrike, Marshall’s Iora, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Jungle Prinia, Rosy starling.
Possible highlights of mammals: Chital, Sambar, Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear e, Leopard, Tufted Grey Langur e, Eurasian Wild Boar, Golden Jackal, Striped-necked Mongoose e, Ruddy Mongoose e, Indian Grey Mongoose, Indian Gerbil, Wild Water Buffalo, Indian Hare e.
Day 5Into the highlands at Nuwara Eliya
Travel into the cooler hill country and settle into Nuwara Eliya. Visit Victoria Park in the evening to search for highland birds and seasonal visitors, with particular attention to quiet, shaded corners. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Wildlife you may encounter
Yellow-eared Bulbul, Ceylon Whistling Thrush, Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Dusky (Dull) Blue Flycatcher, Kashmir Flycatcher, Indian Blackbird (endemic race kinnissi a possible future split from the Indian Blackbird), Ceylon Hill white-eye, Ceylon Bush Warbler, Black-throated Munia (endemic nominate race, the Ceylon Hill Munia, a possible future split from the Indian races), Himalayan Buzzard, Pied Bush Chat.
Possible highlights of mammals: Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (highland race), Sambar, Toque Macaque E (highland race), Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Striped-necked Mongoose e, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (highland race), Golden Palm Civet E.
Day 6Horton Plains and onward to Kitulgala
Visit the grasslands and montane forest of Horton Plains, looking for highland endemics, sambar and other wildlife. Enjoy the distinctive scenery before continuing to Kitulgala after lunch. Overnight in Kitulgala.
Day 7Rainforest birding in Kitulgala
Devote the final day to Kitulgala’s lowland rainforest, revisiting target species and enjoying further opportunities to photograph birds, butterflies and forest wildlife. Confirm onward travel and airport arrangements with the team when planning your tour.
Wildlife you may encounter
Ceylon Spurfowl, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Malabar Trogon, Crimson-backed Flameback, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler, Legge’s Flowerpecker, Ceylon Crested Drongo, Ceylon Hill Myna.
FROM OUR PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION
A glimpse of the wild.
Practical details.
Your written 2027 proposal will confirm the final inclusions and arrangements.
Programme inclusions
1. Arrival and departure transfers, and the whole tour in a comfortable A/C vehicle.
2. Accommodation in A/C double occupancy hotel rooms, except non A/C rooms at accommodations in Hotel in Nuwara Eliya (in cool climate in higher hills) and Sinharaja.
3. Meal plan is on Full Board basis as per set menu or buffet provided by hotel for the day.
4. All entrance fees including government taxes according to number of fixed visits to the sites as given in the itinerary.
5. Jeep services, where necessary.
6. Service of an Expert birding & wildlife Tour Leader.
7. Free Soft drinks at lunch and Beer & Wine at dinner times.
* 3 bottles of mineral water will be provided free, per person per day.
Programme exclusions
1. Airfares.
2. Extra meals, soft drinks not in meal time, alcoholic beverages (hard liquor), telephone call / fax / email and laundry charges.
3. Video and still camera permit charges if and where necessary.
4. Visits to cultural or any other sites that are not included/indicated in the itinerary.
5. Personal tipping to porters, restaurant people, park guides, jeep drivers, tour vehicle driver and local tour leader.
Wildlife sightings depend on season, weather and animal movements. The final route, accommodation, inclusions and 2027 price will be confirmed in your written proposal.