Sri Lanka · 6 DAY PROGRAMME · 2027
Sri Lanka Mammal Watching
THE JOURNEY
A closer look.
Discover the quieter side of Sri Lanka’s wildlife on a mammal-focused journey through rainforest, highlands and dry-zone habitats. The route links Sinharaja, Kitulgala, Horton Plains and Sigiriya, with guided evening outings to look for nocturnal species where permitted.
Extend the experience with optional whale watching from Mirissa or additional safari time around Wilpattu. Choose the main land itinerary and add the optional pre-tour or extension sections to suit your interests. The team will confirm your final duration, transfers and inclusions in a tailored 2027 proposal.
Journey highlights
- Search for endemic primates and other rainforest mammals
- Explore the highland habitats of Horton Plains
- Guided evening wildlife observation around Sigiriya
- Optional Mirissa whale watching pre-tour
- Optional Wilpattu safari extension
YOUR TIME IN THE FIELD
The itinerary.
Optional pre-tourOptional pre-tour: arrive in Mirissa
Travel to Mirissa and settle into your hotel before the optional marine wildlife programme. The following morning’s excursion will depend on sea conditions and the agreed arrangements.
Wildlife you may encounter
Bryde’s Whale (Balanoptera edeni), Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and Long-snouted Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris).
Occationaly observed species: Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), Killer Whale (Orcinus orca), False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens), Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus), Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata), and Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba).
Main programmeSinharaja and an evening wildlife walk
If joining the optional pre-tour, take a morning whale watching excursion before travelling to Sinharaja after lunch. Otherwise, join the main programme at Sinharaja as arranged. Explore the forest surroundings and take a guided evening walk to search for nocturnal mammals where permitted. Overnight at a forest lodge.
Wildlife you may encounter
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.
Main programmeKitulgala rainforest
Travel to Kitulgala in the morning and explore the rainforest in the afternoon. Continue with an evening wildlife walk where permitted, searching for forest mammals with your guide. Overnight in Kitulgala.
Wildlife you may encounter
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.
Main programmeHorton Plains and Nuwara Eliya
Leave early for the highlands and visit Horton Plains National Park. Explore grassland and montane forest in search of highland mammals, before settling into accommodation in Nuwara Eliya.
Wildlife you may encounter
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. Sri Lanka Red Slender Loris, Sri Lanka Mountain Chevrotain.
Main programmeSigiriya and nocturnal wildlife
Drive to Sigiriya, allowing approximately four and a half hours. Explore the sanctuary area in the afternoon and take a guided evening drive in permitted areas to search for nocturnal mammals. Overnight in Sigiriya.
Wildlife you may encounter
Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (dry zone race), Tufted Grey Langur e, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (dry zone race), Grey Slender Loris e, White-striped Chevrotain E, Brown Palm Civet E, Golden Palm Civet, Chital, Sambar Deer, Asian Elephant, Eurasian Wild Boar, Golden Jackal, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat, Striped-necked Mongoose e, Ruddy Mongoose e, Indian Grey Mongoose, Indian Gerbil, Wild Water Buffalo
Main programmeA further day around Sigiriya
Spend the day exploring Sigiriya and its surroundings, with another evening wildlife outing where permitted. Travellers finishing here depart for the airport as arranged; those continuing to Wilpattu remain overnight.
Wildlife you may encounter
Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (dry zone race), Tufted Grey Langur e, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (dry zone race), Grey Slender Loris e, White-striped Chevrotain E, Brown Palm Civet E, Chital, Sambar Deer, Asian Elephant, Eurasian Wild Boar, Golden Jackal, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat, Striped-necked Mongoose e, Ruddy Mongoose e, Indian Grey Mongoose, Indian Gerbil, Wild Water Buffalo, Indian Hare e.
Optional extensionOptional extension: Wilpattu
Travel to Wilpattu, allowing approximately three and a half hours. Take an afternoon safari in the national park, followed by an evening wildlife outing outside park boundaries where permitted. Overnight at Wilpattu Safari Camp or the accommodation confirmed in your proposal.
Wildlife you may encounter
Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (dry zone race), Tufted Grey Langur e, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (dry zone race), Grey Slender Loris e, White-striped Chevrotain E, Brown Palm Civet E, Chital, Sambar Deer, Asian Elephant, Eurasian Wild Boar, Golden Jackal, Sloth Bear e, Leopard, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat, Striped-necked Mongoose e, Ruddy Mongoose e, Indian Grey Mongoose, Indian Gerbil, Wild Water Buffalo, Indian Hare e.
Optional extensionOptional extension: more time in Wilpattu
Enjoy a relaxed morning before another afternoon safari. Look for mammals across the park’s forest and lake habitats, then take a further evening wildlife outing where permitted. Overnight near Wilpattu.
Wildlife you may encounter
Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (dry zone race), Tufted Grey Langur e, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (dry zone race), Grey Slender Loris e, White-striped Chevrotain E, Brown Palm Civet E, Chital, Sambar Deer, Asian Elephant, Eurasian Wild Boar, Golden Jackal, Sloth Bear e, Leopard, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat, Striped-necked Mongoose e, Ruddy Mongoose e, Indian Grey Mongoose, Indian Gerbil, Wild Water Buffalo, Indian Hare e.
Optional extensionOptional extension: airport transfer
Travel to Colombo Airport in time for your onward flight, with departure timing agreed around your flight schedule.
FROM OUR PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION
A glimpse of the wild.
Practical details.
Your written 2027 proposal will confirm the final inclusions and arrangements.
Programme inclusions
Arrival and departure transfers, and the whole tour in a comfortable A/C vehicle.
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.
Meal plan is on Full Board basis as per set menu or buffet provided by hotel for the day.
All entrance fees including government taxes according to number of fixed visits to the sites as given in the itinerary.
Jeep services, where necessary.
Service of an Expert mammal & wildlife Tour Leader.
* 3 bottles of mineral water will be provided free, per person per day
Programme exclusions
Airfares.
As per the itinerary if you stay on 24th December or 31st December at any hotel, there will be compulsory charge of US$ 50 nett per person. for X, Mas Eve Gala Dinner (December 24th night) and New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner (December 31st night
Extra meals, soft drinks not in meal time, alcoholic beverages (hard liquor), telephone call / fax / email and laundry charges.
Video and still camera permit charges if and where necessary.
Visits to cultural or any other sites that are not included/indicated in the itinerary.
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, duration, accommodation, inclusions and 2027 price will be confirmed in your written proposal. Optional pre-tour and extension sections add time to your chosen itinerary.