Overview
Embark on a 15-day wildlife watching tour with CHA Nature Travels to discover the natural treasures of Sri Lanka. Immerse yourself in diverse ecosystems, from lush jungles to vast grasslands, encountering a rich variety of mammals, birds, and other wildlife. Expert guides will accompany you, offering insights into the ecology and conservation efforts. Experience thrilling safaris in Yala National Park, home to elusive leopards and majestic elephants. Encounter herds of wild elephants in Udawalawe National Park and explore Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in endemic species. Marvel at rare montane birds in Horton Plains National Park and enjoy the untamed wilderness of Wilpattu National Park. The tour also includes visits to ancient cities like Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, adding cultural heritage to your adventure. Comfortable accommodations, sumptuous meals, and sustainable tourism make this wildlife odyssey unforgettable. Join CHA Nature Travels on an enchanting journey through Sri Lanka’s biodiversity, creating cherished memories of nature’s wonders.
Itinerary
Arriving noon/afternoon and check in at a hotel near airport. After early dinner visit to a forest nearby looking for nocturnal mammals.
Overnight stay at Vivanta Colombo Airport Garden Hotel.
Possible highlights of birds: Brown hawk Owl, Indian Scope Owl, Red backed Flameback, Sri Lanka Swallow, Lesser Hill Mayna.
Possible highlights of mammals: Brown Mongos, Golden Palm Civet E, Ruddy Mongos, Indian Flying Fox.
After breakfast leave for Wilpattu. Afternoon first safari drive to Wilpattu National park. After dinner night walk to find more nocturnal mammals.
Overnight stay at Wilpattu Safari Camp in Wilpattu.
Possible highlights of birds: Forest Eagle Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Nightjar, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Blue-faced Malkoha, Indian Pitta, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Ceylon Woodshrike, White-browed Bulbul, Indian Blue Robin, Orange-headed Thrush, White-rumped Shama, Jungle Prinia, Green Warbler, Large-billed Warbler, Brown-capped Babbler, Streaked Weaver.
Possible highlights of mammals: Leopard, Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant, 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, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat.
Possible species: Common Mormon, Blue Mormon, Common Jay, Plum-Judy, Psyche, Jezebel, Blue Tiger, Plain Tiger, Common Tiger, Leopard, Lemon Pansy, Chocolate Soldier, Peacock Pansy, Medus Bushbrown, Forget-me-not, Lesser Grass Blue, Banded Peacock, Lime Butterfly, Mime, Tailed Jay, Dark Wanderer, Great Eggfly, Danaid Eggfly, Tawny Rajah, Centaur Oakblue, Common Albatross, Lesser Albatross, White Orange Tip, Yellow Orange Tip, Great Orange Tip, Mottled Immigrant, Lemon Migrant, Small Salmon Arab, Large Salmon Arab, Crimson Tip, Plain Orange Tip, Little Orange Tip, Small Grass Yellow, Spotless Grass Yellow
Morning second safari drive to Wilpattu National park. After dinner night walk to find more nocturnal mammals.
Overnight stay at Wilpattu Safari Camp in Wilpattu.
Possible highlights of mammals: Leopard, Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant, 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, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat.
Possible species: Common Mormon, Blue Mormon, Common Jay, Plum-Judy, Psyche, Jezebel, Blue Tiger, Plain Tiger, Common Tiger, Leopard, Lemon Pansy, Chocolate Soldier, Peacock Pansy, Medus Bushbrown, Forget-me-not, Lesser Grass Blue, Banded Peacock, Lime Butterfly, Mime, Tailed Jay, Dark Wanderer, Great Eggfly, Danaid Eggfly, Tawny Rajah, Centaur Oakblue, Common Albatross, Lesser Albatross, White Orange Tip, Yellow Orange Tip, Great Orange Tip, Mottled Immigrant, Lemon Migrant, Small Salmon Arab, Large Salmon Arab, Crimson Tip, Plain Orange Tip, Little Orange Tip, Small Grass Yellow, Spotless Grass Yellow.
Morning drive to Sigiriya. Full day in Sigiriya, in and around hotel premises, and in the Sigiriya forest, looking for wildlife in dry lowland open country and forest: mammals, reptiles, birds, butterflies and other wildlife, including endemics species. Looking for such as monkeys, macaque, mongooses, Giant Squirrel, etc. After-dinner second night drive in Sigiriya looking for some nocturnal animals such as Slender Loris, civets, chevrotain, Indian Hare, etc.
Overnight stay at Sigiriya Village Hotel in Sigiriya.
Possible highlights of birds: Forest Eagle Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Nightjar, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Blue-faced Malkoha, Indian Pitta, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Ceylon Woodshrike, White-browed Bulbul, Indian Blue Robin, Orange-headed Thrush, White-rumped Shama, Jungle Prinia, Green Warbler, Large-billed Warbler, Brown-capped Babbler, Streaked Weaver.
Possible highlights of mammals: 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, Indian Pangolin, Brown Palm Civet E, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat.
Possible species: Common Mormon, Blue Mormon, Common Jay, Plum-Judy, Psyche, Jezebel, Blue Tiger, Plain Tiger, Common Tiger, Leopard, Lemon Pansy, Chocolate Soldier, Peacock Pansy, Medus Bushbrown, Forget-me-not, Lesser Grass Blue, Banded Peacock, Lime Butterfly, Mime, Tailed Jay, Dark Wanderer, Great Eggfly, Danaid Eggfly, Tawny Rajah, Centaur Oakblue, Common Albatross, Lesser Albatross, White Orange Tip, Yellow Orange Tip, Great Orange Tip, Mottled Immigrant, Lemon Migrant, Small Salmon Arab, Large Salmon Arab, Crimson Tip, Plain Orange Tip, Little Orange Tip, Small Grass Yellow, Spotless Grass Yellow.
Full day in Sigiriya, in and around hotel premises, and in the Sigiriya forest, looking for wildlife in dry lowland open country and forest: mammals, reptiles, birds, butterflies and other wildlife, including endemics species. Looking for such as monkeys, macaque, mongooses, Giant Squirrel, etc. After-dinner third night drive in Sigiriya looking for some nocturnal animals such as Slender Loris, civets, chevrotain, Indian Hare, etc.
Overnight stay at Sigiriya Village Hotel in Sigiriya.
Possible highlights of birds: Forest Eagle Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Nightjar, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Blue-faced Malkoha, Indian Pitta, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Ceylon Woodshrike, White-browed Bulbul, Indian Blue Robin, Orange-headed Thrush, White-rumped Shama, Jungle Prinia, Green Warbler, Large-billed Warbler, Brown-capped Babbler, Streaked Weaver.
Possible highlights of mammals: 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, Indian Pangolin, Brown Palm Civet E, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat.
Possible species: Common Mormon, Blue Mormon, Common Jay, Plum-Judy, Psyche, Jezebel, Blue Tiger, Plain Tiger, Common Tiger, Leopard, Lemon Pansy, Chocolate Soldier, Peacock Pansy, Medus Bushbrown, Forget-me-not, Lesser Grass Blue, Banded Peacock, Lime Butterfly, Mime, Tailed Jay, Dark Wanderer, Great Eggfly, Danaid Eggfly, Tawny Rajah, Centaur Oakblue, Common Albatross, Lesser Albatross, White Orange Tip, Yellow Orange Tip, Great Orange Tip, Mottled Immigrant, Lemon Migrant, Small Salmon Arab, Large Salmon Arab, Crimson Tip, Plain Orange Tip, Little Orange Tip, Small Grass Yellow, Spotless Grass Yellow.
Morning leave for Kandy, check in at a hotel in Kandy by lunch time, for one night. Afternoon birding at hotel garden, the garden is good for some common birds in the area including endemic Ceylon Small (Crimson-fronted) Barbet and Lesser Hill-Myna.
Short walk before dinner to search some nocturnal mammals.
Overnight stay at Hotel Tree of Life.
Possible highlights of birds: Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Ceylon Junglefowl, Malarbar Trogon, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-backed Flameback, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler, Lesser Hill Myna
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), Indian Giant Flying Squirrel, White-striped Chevrotain E, Brown Palm Civet E.
Morning leave for Nuwara Eliya in the high hills. Check in at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya by lunch time, for one night. Evening visit Victoria Park in town looking for Indian Pitta, Pied Thrush, Kashmir Flycatcher and some highland endemic birds, and forest near town.
Overnight stay at The Blackpool Hotel.
Possible highlights of birds: 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.
Early morning proceed to Horton Plains National Park on further higher up in the hills, the park consists of grasslands and cloud forest in higher cool climatic conditions, looking for highland open country and forest birds including endemics, and also butterflies, highland forest mammals and other wildlife.
Return to hotel for late lunch. After lunch drive to Kitulgala.
After dinner night walk at Kitulgala forest.
Overnight stay at Kitulgala Rest House.
At Horton Plains,
Possible highlights of birds: 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), Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (highland race), Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Striped-necked Mongoose e.
Possible species in Horton Plains: Indian Awl King, Ceylon Awl, Green’s Silverline, Ceylon Silverline, Brown King Crow, Ceylon Tiger, Cruiser, Blue Oakleaf, Indian Red Admiral, Ceylon Treebrown, Common Albatross, Lesser Gull,
At Kitulgala,
Possible highlights of birds: Ceylon Spurfowl, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Layard’s Parakeet, Green-billed Coucal, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Malarbar Trogon, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-backed Flameback, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler, Legge’s Flowerpecker, 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 Red Slender Loris E, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Flameback squirrel E, Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Sri Lanka Yellow Spotted Chevrotain E, Sambar, Wholly Horse-shoe Bat, False Vampire Bat, Rainbow Bat.
Full day at Kitulgala.
After dinner night walk at Kitulgala forest.
Overnight stay at Kitulgala Rest House.
Possible highlights of birds: Ceylon Spurfowl, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Layard’s Parakeet, Green-billed Coucal, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Malarbar Trogon, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-backed Flameback, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler, Legge’s Flowerpecker, 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 Red Slender Loris E, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Flameback squirrel E, Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Sri Lanka Yellow Spotted Chevrotain E, Sambar, Wholly Horse-shoe Bat, False Vampire Bat, Rainbow Bat.
Full day at Kitulgala.
After dinner night walk at Kitulgala forest.
Overnight stay at Kitulgala Rest House.
Possible highlights of birds: Ceylon Spurfowl, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Layard’s Parakeet, Green-billed Coucal, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Malarbar Trogon, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-backed Flameback, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler, Legge’s Flowerpecker, 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 Red Slender Loris E, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Flameback squirrel E, Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Sri Lanka Yellow Spotted Chevrotain E, Sambar, Wholly Horse-shoe Bat, False Vampire Bat, Rainbow Ba
Morning leave for Sinharaja rainforest. Check in to Hotel near Sinharaja by lunch time, Evening visit Singharaja rainforest. Looking for wet lowland forest Mammals, birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
Overnight stay at Blue Magpie Lodge.
Possible highlights of birds: Ceylon Spurfowl, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Malarbar Trogon, Crimson-backed Flameback, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Ceylon Scally 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, Wholly Horse-shoe Bat, False Vampire Bat, Rainbow Bat.
Possible species: Sri Lanka Birdwing, Blue Mormon, Bluebottle, Lemon Emigrant, Sri Lanka Tree Nymph, Blue Glassy Tiger, Leopard, Common Sailor, Chestnut-streaked Sailor,Commander, Gladeye Bushbrown, Common Lineblue, Angled Pierrot, Indian Cupid, Tropic Dart, Common Imperial, Red Helen, Aberrant Bush Blue. Common Evening Brown.
After breakfast drive to Mirissa, we will check in at our hotel in a beautiful cove at Mirissa. The evening will be spent at leisure, and this is a good opportunity to relax and observe the ongoing and daily routines of fish folk of eastern Sri Lanka. The seas are placid and the weather is most conducive for whale watching during this time of the year, and we will venture out in to the vast Indian Ocean in modified vessels in search of the magnificent Blue Whales, which is one of the highlights of this tour. They are usually encountered between two and five Km from shore. These pelagic tours also yield other cetaceans as well. Bryde’s Whale, Bottle- nosed Dolphins and Long-snouted Spinner Dolphins are regularly encountered.
Overnight stay at Paradise Beach Hotel in Mirissa.
Today we head to sea in search of our main quarry the magnificent Blue Whale and other cetaceans and we may encounter Blue Whales, Bryde’s Whales, Sperm Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Long-snouted Spinner Dolphins, etc.
Afternoon leisure at beach.
Overnight stay at Paradise Beach Hotel in Mirissa.
Species often encountered: Bryde’s Whale (Balanoptera edeni), Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and Long-snouted Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris).
Occasionally 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).
Today we head to sea second time in search of our main quarry the magnificent Blue Whale and other cetaceans and we may encounter Blue Whales, Bryde’s Whales, Sperm Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Long-snouted Spinner Dolphins, etc.
After lunch drive to hotel near Airport.
Overnight stay at Vivanta Colombo Airport Garden Hotel.
Species often encountered: Bryde’s Whale (Balanoptera edeni), Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and Long-snouted Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris).
Occasionally 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).
Departure
Includes/Excludes
Cost includes
- 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 Singharaja.
- 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.
Cost excludes:
- 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 net 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. 4. Video and still camera permit charges if and where necessary. 5. 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.
