Features
Overview
Sri Lanka is a dream destination for photographers seeking the perfect mix of landscapes and wildlife. From golden beaches and misty mountains to lush forests filled with endemic birds and mammals, this island offers endless opportunities to capture stunning images.
This exclusive 21-day wildlife photography tour takes you through eight of Sri Lanka’s most scenic national parks. You will experience unforgettable encounters with leopards, elephants, sloth bears, birds, and even whales in their natural habitats. The tour runs from November to April, offering the best lighting, weather, and visibility for photography.
Important Notes
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Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, as animals move freely in their natural habitats.
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Whale watching tours may be canceled due to weather or sea conditions.
Tour Highlights
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Visit eight national parks including Yala, Wilpattu, and Sinharaja.
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Two whale watching excursions in Mirissa.
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Multiple opportunities to capture leopards, elephants, and endemic birds.
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Stay in eco-friendly lodges and nature camps.
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Perfectly timed for optimal wildlife activity and lighting conditions.
What's Included
- Beverages, drinking water, morning tea
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tour Guide
Itinerary information
Day 01 – Arrival / Negombo
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel in Negombo. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to relax and prepare for your upcoming adventure.
Overnight: Negombo
Meals: Dinner
Day 02 – Negombo
Take a scenic boat ride along the Dutch Canal or explore the Muthurajawela Wetland, a paradise for bird watchers and photographers. Capture the tranquil beauty of Sri Lanka’s coastal wetlands.
Overnight: Negombo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 03 – Negombo to Wilpattu
After breakfast, depart for Wilpattu National Park, the largest and oldest park in Sri Lanka. In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive and photograph leopards, sloth bears, and elephants.
Overnight: Wilpattu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 04 – Wilpattu
Spend a full day exploring Wilpattu National Park. The park’s unique villu (natural lakes) attract a variety of wildlife, making it perfect for capturing stunning shots.
Overnight: Wilpattu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 05 – Wilpattu to Sigiriya
After breakfast, travel to Sigiriya. In the afternoon, visit Minneriya National Park, famous for “The Gathering,” where hundreds of elephants congregate near the water. Spot endemic birds and enjoy an evening Gray Loris watching session.
Overnight: Sigiriya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 06 – Sigiriya
Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring the Sigiriya surroundings or revisiting Loris habitats for more photography opportunities.
Overnight: Sigiriya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 07 – Sigiriya to Wasgamuwa
Proceed to Wasgamuwa National Park and embark on morning and afternoon game drives. Capture wild elephants, spotted deer, and crocodiles along the water edges.
Overnight: Wasgamuwa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 08 – Wasgamuwa to Gal Oya
After breakfast, drive to Gal Oya and settle into a beautiful campsite surrounded by nature.
Overnight: Gal Oya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 09 – Gal Oya National Park
Spend a full day in Gal Oya National Park. Witness elephants swimming between islands in the lake, a rare and spectacular sight.
Overnight: Gal Oya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – Gal Oya to Kandy
After breakfast, travel to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital. In the evening, visit Udawatta Forest Reserve for bird photography.
Overnight: Kandy
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Take the scenic tea train from Peradeniya to Nanu Oya and continue to Nuwara Eliya. Capture the lush tea estates and mountain landscapes.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 – Horton Plains National Park
Explore Horton Plains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photograph the cloud forests, grasslands, and endemic species like the Rhino-horned Lizard and Yellow-eared Bulbul. In the afternoon, visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 – Nuwara Eliya to Ella
After breakfast, travel to Ella, a picturesque mountain village surrounded by waterfalls and tea plantations. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon.
Overnight: Ella
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14 – Ella to Yala National Park
Depart for Yala and enjoy an afternoon game drive. Yala is world-renowned for its leopard population and offers thrilling wildlife encounters.
Overnight: Tissamaharama
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15 – Yala
Spend a full day exploring Yala National Park. Capture dramatic images of leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and a rich variety of birds.
Overnight: Tissamaharama
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16 – Yala and Bundala
Visit Bundala National Park in the morning to photograph flocks of Greater Flamingos and other migratory birds. In the afternoon, enjoy another safari in Yala.
Overnight: Tissamaharama
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 17 – Yala to Sinharaja
After breakfast, journey to Sinharaja Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This biodiversity hotspot is home to endemic birds and mammals, perfect for forest photography.
Overnight: Sinharaja
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 18 – Sinharaja
Spend the day photographing the rainforest’s rich flora and fauna. Look out for the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, and giant squirrels.
Overnight: Sinharaja
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 19 – Sinharaja to Galle
After breakfast, drive to Galle and visit the historic Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Capture the sunset views over the fort’s ramparts.
Overnight: Galle
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 20 – Galle / Mirissa
Embark on a whale-watching tour from Mirissa Harbor. This is one of the best places in the world to see Blue and Sperm Whales. Enjoy the rest of the day relaxing by the beach.
Overnight: Galle
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 21 – Galle to Colombo / Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure. Assistance with travel arrangements or PCR testing can be provided upon request.
Meals: Breakfast
