Skip to content
Ceyvon LankaTravels & Tours

Wildlife Tour · 5 Nights · 6 Days

Wild Ceylon Safari

Leopards in Yala and Wilpattu, elephant herds in Udawalawe, rainforest birds in Sinharaja and blue whales off Mirissa.

Duration
5 Nights / 6 Days
Tour type
Wildlife · Private
Best time
February – July
Ideal for
Wildlife lovers, families, photographers

Overview

About this journey

Sri Lanka packs astonishing biodiversity into a small island. This safari-focused itinerary visits the best parks at the best times of day.

Expert naturalist-led jeep safaris, a UNESCO rainforest walk and an ocean cruise in search of the largest animal on Earth.

Route

  1. Wilpattu
  2. Udawalawe
  3. Sinharaja
  4. Yala
  5. Mirissa

Tour highlights

  • Wilpattu — leopards & natural lakes
  • Udawalawe elephant herds
  • Sinharaja rainforest trek
  • Yala morning & afternoon safaris
  • Whale & dolphin watching

Day by Day

Detailed itinerary

Every day can be adjusted — add nights, swap hotels or include extra experiences.

  1. Day01

    Head north-west to Wilpattu, the island’s largest and wildest park, for an afternoon safari among its ‘villus’ — natural lakes.

    • Airport pick-up
    • Afternoon Wilpattu safari
    Overnight:
    Wilpattu
    Meals:
    Dinner
    Travel:
    3.5 hrs · 150 km
    Day 1: Wilpattu National Park
  2. Day02

    A long but scenic drive south. Visit the Elephant Transit Home at feeding time, where orphaned calves are rehabilitated for the wild.

    • Elephant Transit Home feeding
    • Evening at leisure
    Overnight:
    Udawalawe
    Meals:
    Breakfast · Dinner
    Travel:
    6 hrs · 290 km
    Day 2: Elephant Transit Home
  3. Day03

    Morning jeep safari in Udawalawe — virtually guaranteed elephant sightings — then continue to the edge of Sinharaja rainforest.

    • Udawalawe morning safari
    • Rainforest lodge check-in
    Overnight:
    Sinharaja
    Meals:
    Breakfast · Dinner
    Travel:
    2.5 hrs · 90 km
    Day 3: Udawalawe & the Rainforest Edge
  4. Day04

    A guided morning trek through the UNESCO rainforest, home to endemic birds, frogs and the purple-faced langur. Afternoon drive to Yala.

    • Guided rainforest trek
    • Endemic birdwatching
    Overnight:
    Yala
    Meals:
    Breakfast · Dinner
    Travel:
    4 hrs · 160 km
    Day 4: Sinharaja Rainforest Trek
  5. Day05

    A full day in Yala with a picnic lunch inside the park, maximising your chances of leopard and sloth bear sightings.

    • Full-day jeep safari
    • Picnic lunch in the park
    Overnight:
    Yala
    Meals:
    Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
    Travel:
    Safari jeep
    Day 5: Full-Day Yala Safari
  6. Day06

    Early whale-watching cruise from Mirissa (seasonal), then expressway transfer to the airport.

    • Whale & dolphin watching
    • Airport drop-off
    Overnight:
    —
    Meals:
    Breakfast
    Travel:
    4.5 hrs · 260 km
    Day 6: Whales & Departure

What's included

Included

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking chauffeur guide
  • Hand-picked hotel accommodation on twin / double share
  • Daily breakfast (and meals as noted in the itinerary)
  • Airport meet & greet with welcome refreshments
  • Fuel, highway tolls, parking and driver’s accommodation
  • Bottled water in the vehicle throughout the tour
  • All government taxes and service charges
  • Private safari jeeps with naturalist tracker
  • Whale-watching cruise (Nov – Apr)

Not included

  • International flights and Sri Lanka ETA visa
  • Entrance fees to sites and national parks (can be pre-arranged)
  • Lunch and dinner unless stated
  • Camera / video permits at heritage sites
  • Tips, personal expenses and travel insurance

Book or customise

Enquire about this tour

No payment needed — we'll send a personalised quote within 24 hours.

You may also like

More Sri Lanka journeys

  • Classic Ceylon Escape — Airport, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota, Airport
    Classic 3 Nights · 4 Days

    Classic Ceylon Escape

    Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Bentota

    A short, beautifully paced taste of Sri Lanka — the royal city of Kandy, misty tea country and the golden beaches of Bentota.

    From$390/ person

  • Heritage & Highlands — Negombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Bentota
    Cultural 6 Nights · 7 Days

    Heritage & Highlands

    Negombo · Dambulla · Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Yala · Bentota

    Climb Sigiriya, explore cave temples and ancient capitals, then ride the famous hill-country train to Ella before a safari in Yala.

    From$720/ person

  • The Grand Ceylon Tour — Negombo, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Mirissa, Galle, Bentota
    Classic 9 Nights · 10 Days

    The Grand Ceylon Tour

    Negombo · Sigiriya · Polonnaruwa · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Yala · Mirissa · Galle · Bentota

    The complete island in ten days — ancient kingdoms, temples, tea hills, leopard safaris, whale watching and the southern beaches.

    From$1090/ person