Our team comprises four professional tour leaders, and several other qualified tour leaders and experts, who have years of experience in observing and studying the birdlife and other wildlife of Sri Lanka.

 

 
 
Sri Lanka
 

The itineraries below are tailored to give the maximum chances to see ‘most-wanted’ species of birds and other wildlife, making use of our many years of experience in leading bird and wildlife tours in Sri Lanka. It is possible to alter the number of days and sites in the itineraries according to your requirements.

   
Itinerary 1 : 15 day and 14 night tour
Itinerary 2 : 14 day and 13 night tour
Itinerary 3 : 15 day and 14 night tour
Itinerary 4 : 10 day and 9 night tour
 
 
 
ITINERARY 1
 
Covers usually visited places in all climatic regions (excludes North and East of the Island ).
 
Day 01 : Leave for Kitulgala from a hotel near airport OR leave directly from the airport to Kitulgala on arrival. Visit Kitulgala rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a rest house / lodge in Kitulgala.

01-046 02-013 06-021 07-003
Day 02 : Full day at Kitulgala rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a rest house / lodge in Kitulgala.

     
Day 03 : Leave for Ratnapura OR Sinharaja rainforest.
   

Looking for wet open country and forest birds including some endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, some mammals and other wildlife.

OR in Sinharaja, looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

     
Day 04 : Full day at Sinharaja rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

01-038 01-007 06-005 07-005
Day 05 : Full day at Sinharaja rainforest OR visit an alternative rainforest if stay in Ratnapura.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife. Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

 
Day 06 : Leave for Embilipitiya. Visit Udawalawa National Park consisting grassland and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for dry forest, open country and grassland birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country and forest mammals, and other wildlife

Overnight stay at a hotel in Embilipitiya.

03-042 03-004 05-005 07-001
 
Day 07 : Leave for Tissamaharama (Tissa). Visit wetlands in and around Tissa.
   

Looking for waterbirds, dry open country and nocturnal birds including some endemics. Also

butterflies, open country mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Tissa.

03-007 02-004 07-012
 
Day 08 : Visit Yala National Park consisting wetlands, grasslands, scrublands and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for waterbirds, shorebirds, dry open country, forest and nocturnal birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country and forest mammals, and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Tissa.

01-034 03-038 04-004 06-002
 
Day 09 : Visit Bundala National Park consisting wetlands, scrublands and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for waterbirds, shorebirds, coastal seabirds, dry open country, forest and nocturnal birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country and forest mammals, and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Tissa.

03-008 03-026 06-009 09-014
 
Day 10 : Leave for Nuwara Eliya in the high hills, via tall dry forest of Ruhunu National Park.
   

Looking for highland open country and forest birds including endemics. Also butterflies, highland forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

03-018 03-046 06-008 08-005
 
Day 11 : Visit Horton Plains National Park consists of Grasslands and montane forest in higher cool climatic conditions.
   

Looking for highland open country and forest birds including endemics. Also butterflies, highland forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight at stay a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

01-003 03-009 06-003 09-005
 
Day 12 : Leave for Kandy . Visit Botanic gardens.
   

Looking for wet lowland open country and forest birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, some mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy .

01-009 01-032 06-017 11-002
 
Day 13 :

Visit patch of tall wet forest in Kandy and leave for Sigiriya.

   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife

In Sigiriya, looking for waterbirds, dry lowland open country and forest birds including some endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Sigiriya.

03-028 02-018 06-018 09-001
 
Day 14 : Visit tall forest in dry climatic conditions around Sigiriya rock.
   

Looking for waterbirds, dry lowland open country and forest birds including some endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Sigiriya.

     
Day 15 : Leave for Airport OR a beach resort.
 

If the above itinerary is followed for birding during the migratory season the average number of species which can be seen is 240. Amongst this total, all 33 Sri Lanka endemics, about 42 species endemic to the rest of Indian subcontinent, 12 nocturnal birds and about 128 other Asian species are quite possible.

If the above itinerary is followed for mammal watching, with the addition of or replacement with other special sites, the average number of species possible is 30 including nocturnal mammals.
If the above itinerary is followed for butterfly watching, with the addition of or replacement with other special sites, the average number of species possible is 55.
If the above itinerary is followed for general wildlife watching, the average number of species possible in each animal group is 200 birds, 18 mammals, 30 butterflies, 15 reptiles and 8 amphibians, among other fauna.
 
» For more information on the animals which are possible to see on our tours see Birds to watch and Other wildlife to watch.
 
TOP
 
 
ITINERARY 2
 

Covers usually visited places in all climatic regions (excludes North and East of the Island ).

 
  Leave for Kitulgala from a hotel near airport OR leave directly from the airport to Kitulgala on arrival. Visit Kitulgala rainforest.
 
Day 01 :

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a rest house / lodge in Kitulgala.

     
Day 02 : Full day at kitulgala rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a rest house / lodge in Kitulgala.

01-046 02-013 06-021 07-003
 
Day 03 : Leave for Ratnapura OR Sinharaja rainforest.
   

Looking for wet open country and forest birds including some endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, some mammals and other wildlife.

OR in Sinharaja, looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

     
Day 04 : Full day at Sinharaja rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

01-038 01-007 06-005 07-005
 
Day 05 : Full day at Sinharaja rainforest OR visit an alternative rainforest if stay in Ratnapura.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

     
Day 06 : Leave for Embilipitiya. Visit Udawalawa National Park consisting grassland and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for dry forest, open country and grassland birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country and forest mammals, and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Embilipitiya.

03-042 03-004 05-005 07-001
 
Day 07 : Leave for Tissamaharama (Tissa). Visit wetlands in and around Tissa.
   

Looking for waterbirds, dry open country and nocturnal birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Tissa.

     
03-007 02-004 06-019 07-012
Day 08 : Visit Yala National Park consisting wetlands, grasslands, scrublands and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for waterbirds, shorebirds, dry open country, forest and nocturnal birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country and forest mammals, and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Tissa.

01-034 03-038 04-004 06-002
 
Day 09 : Visit Bundala National Park consisting wetlands, scrublands and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for waterbirds, shorebirds, coastal seabirds, dry open country, forest and nocturnal birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country and forest mammals, and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Tissa.

03-008 03-026 06-009 09-014
 
Day 10 : Leave for Bibila, via tall dry forest of Ruhunu National Park. Visit Nilgala forest consists of Grassland and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for grassland, dry forest and nocturnal birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a guest house in Bibila.

03-040 03-031 02-019 07-008
 
Day 11 :

Visit Nilgala forest and leave for Nuwara Eliya in the high hills.

   

Looking for grassland and dry forest birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

In Nuwara Eliya, Looking for highland open country and forest birds including endemics. Also butterflies, highland forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

03-018 03-046 06-008 08-005
 
Day 12 : Visit Horton Plains National Park consists of Grasslands and montane forest in higher cool climatic conditions.
   

Looking for highland open country and forest birds including endemics. Also butterflies, highland forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight at stay a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

01-003 03-009 06-003 09-005
 
Day 13 : Leave for Kandy . Visit Botanic gardens.
   

Looking for wet lowland open country and forest birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, some mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy .

01-009 01-032 06-017 11-002
 
Day 14 : Visit patch of tall wet forest in Kandy and leave for Airport OR a beach resort.
     

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

 

If the above itinerary is followed for birding during the migratory season the average number of species which can be seen is 240. Amongst this total, all 33 Sri Lanka endemics, about 42 species endemic to the rest of Indian subcontinent, 12 nocturnal birds and about 128 other Asian species are quite possible.

If the above itinerary is followed for mammal watching, with the addition of or replacement with other special sites, the average number of species possible is 30 including nocturnal mammals.
If the above itinerary is followed for butterfly watching, with the addition of or replacement with other special sites, the average number of species possible is 55.
If the above itinerary is followed for general wildlife watching, the average number of species possible in each animal group is 200 birds, 18 mammals, 30 butterflies, 15 reptiles and 8 amphibians, among other fauna.
 
» For more information on the animals which are possible to see on our tours see Birds to watch and Other wildlife tto watch.
 
 
TOP
 
 
ITINERARY 3
 
Covers usually visited places in all climatic regions including North-Central part of the Island .
   
Day 01 : Leave for Kitulgala from a hotel near airport OR leave directly from the airport to Kitulgala on arrival. Visit Kitulgala rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a rest house / lodge in Kitulgala.

01-046 02-013 06-021 07-003
 
Day 02 : Full day at kitulgala rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a rest house / lodge in Kitulgala.

     
Day 03 : Leave for Ratnapura OR Sinharaja rainforest.
   

Looking for wet open country and forest birds including some endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, some mammals and other wildlife.

OR in Sinharaja, looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

     
Day 04 : Full day at Sinharaja rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

01-038 01-007 06-005 07-005
 
Day 05   Full day at Sinharaja rainforest OR visit an alternative rainforest if stay in Ratnapura.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

     
Day 06 : Leave for Embilipitiya. Visit Udawalawa National Park consisting grassland and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for dry forest, open country and grassland birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country and forest mammals, and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Embilipitiya.

03-042 03-004 05-005 07-001
 
Day 07 : Leave for Tissamaharama (Tissa). Visit wetlands in and around Tissa.
   

Looking for waterbirds, dry open country and nocturnal birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Tissa.

03-007 02-004 06-019 07-012
 
Day 08 : Morning visit Bundala National Park consisting wetlands, scrublands and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for waterbirds, shorebirds, coastal seabirds, dry open country, forest and nocturnal birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country and forest mammals, and other wildlife.

Afternoon visit Yala National park consisting wetlands, grasslands, scrublands and forest in dry climatic conditions.

Looking for waterbirds, shorebirds, dry open country, forest and nocturnal birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country and forest mammals, and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Tissa.

     
Day 09 : Leave for Nuwara Eliya in the high hills, via tall dry forest of Ruhunu National Park.
   

Looking for highland open country and forest birds including endemics. Also butterflies, highland forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

03-008 03-026 06-009 09-014
 
Day 10 : Visit Horton Plains National Park consists of Grasslands and montane forest in higher cool climatic conditions.
   

Looking for highland open country and forest birds including endemics. Also butterflies, highland forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight at stay a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

01-003 03-009 06-003 09-005
 
Day 11 : Leave for Kandy . Visit Botanic gardens.
   

Looking for wet lowland open country and forest birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, some mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy .

01-009 01-032 06-017 11-002
     
Day 12 : Visit patch of tall wet forest in Kandy and leave for Sigiriya.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

In Sigiriya, looking for waterbirds, dry lowland open country and forest birds including some endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Sigiriya.

01-009 01-032 06-017 09-001
 
Day 13 : Visit Sigiriya Sanctuary consisting tall forest in dry climatic conditions and leave for Anuradhapura.
   

Looking for waterbirds, dry lowland open country and forest birds including some endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Anuradhapura.

     
Day 14 : Full day at Vilpattu National Park consists of wetlands, scrublands and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for waterbirds, dry lowland open country and forest birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Anuradhapura.

     
Day 15 : Leave for Airport OR a beach resort.
   
 

Optional extention: From Anuradapura it is possible to visit Mannar wetlands in very dry climatic conditions, with one night stay at a guest house (basic accommodation) in Mannar.

Looking for waterbirds, shorebirds, coastal seabirds and dry open country birds. Also butterflies, open country mammals, and other wildlife.

 

If the above itinerary is followed for birding during the migratory season the average number of species which can be seen is 240. Amongst this total, all 33 Sri Lanka endemics, about 42 species endemic to the rest of Indian subcontinent, 12 nocturnal birds and about 128 other Asian species are quite possible.

If the above itinerary is followed for mammal watching, with the addition of or replacement with other special sites, the average number of species possible is 30 including nocturnal mammals.
If the above itinerary is followed for butterfly watching, with the addition of or replacement with other special sites, the average number of species possible is 55.
If the above itinerary is followed for general wildlife watching, the average number of species possible in each animal group is 200 birds, 18 mammals, 30 butterflies, 15 reptiles and 8 amphibians, among other fauna.
 
» For more information on the animals which are possible to see on our tours see Birds to watch and Other wildlife to watch
 
 
TOP
 
 
ITINERARY 4
 
10 day Endemic Tour – C overs most of usually visited places in all climatic regions (excludes North, East and South-East of the Island).
   
 
Day 01 : Leave for Kitulgala from a hotel near airport OR leave directly from the airport to Kitulgala on arrival. Visit Kitulgala rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a rest house / lodge in Kitulgala.

01-046 02-013 06-021 07-003
     
Day 02 : Full day at kitulgala rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a rest house / lodge in Kitulgala.

     
Day 03 : Leave for Ratnapura OR Sinharaja rainforest.
   

Looking for wet open country and forest birds including some endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, some mammals and other wildlife.

OR in Sinharaja, looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

     
Day 04 : Full day at Sinharaja rainforest.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

01-038 01-007 06-005 07-005
     
Day 05   Full day at Sinharaja rainforest OR visit an alternative rainforest if stay in Ratnapura.
   

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including endemics and nocturnal birds. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ratnapura OR at a forest lodge in Sinharaja.

     
Day 06 : Leave for Embilipitiya. Visit Udawalawa National Park consisting grassland and forest in dry climatic conditions.
   

Looking for dry forest, open country and grassland birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, open country and forest mammals, and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Embilipitiya.

03-042 03-004 05-005 07-001
 
Day 07 : Leave for Nuwara Eliya in the high hills, via tall dry forest of Ruhunu National Park.
   

Looking for highland open country and forest birds including endemics. Also butterflies, highland forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

03-018 03-046 06-008 08-005
 
Day 08 : Visit Horton Plains National Park consists of Grasslands and montane forest in higher cool climatic conditions.
   

Looking for highland open country and forest birds including endemics. Also butterflies, highland forest mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight at stay a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

01-003 03-009 06-003 09-005
     
Day 09 : Leave for Kandy . Visit Botanic gardens.
   

Looking for wet lowland open country and forest birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, some mammals and other wildlife.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy .

01-009 01-032 06-017 11-002
     
Day 10 : Visit patch of tall wet forest in Kandy and leave for Airport OR a beach resort.
     

Looking for wet lowland forest birds including some endemics. Also butterflies, forest mammals and other wildlife.

 

If the above itinerary is followed for birding during the migratory season the average number of species which can be seen is 240. Amongst this total, all 33 Sri Lanka endemics, about 42 species endemic to the rest of Indian subcontinent, 12 nocturnal birds and about 128 other Asian species are quite possible.

If the above itinerary is followed for mammal watching, with the addition of or replacement with other special sites, the average number of species possible is 30 including nocturnal mammals.
If the above itinerary is followed for butterfly watching, with the addition of or replacement with other special sites, the average number of species possible is 55.
If the above itinerary is followed for general wildlife watching, the average number of species possible in each animal group is 200 birds, 18 mammals, 30 butterflies, 15 reptiles and 8 amphibians, among other fauna.
 
» For more information on the animals which are possible to see on our tours see Birds to watch and Other wildlife tto watch
 
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