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Sri Lanka Wildlife Highlights

An incredible wildlife tour including some of the world's leopard and elephants hot-spots.
Duration: 13 nights
Location: Sri Lanka
Highlights: Elephants, leopards, Sigiriya and tea country
Price: £2,873pp
Enquire Now!

A

Sri Lanka adventure for those wildlife lovers who want to focus on the safari but also enjoy the iconic cultural and historical highlights of the island, this 13 night private tour includes 4 different national parks, the highest concentration of leopard on the planet, the ancient kingdoms of the cultural triangle and a train journey into the lush tea plantations.

SPEAK TO THE SPECIALISTS
This is just one idea. We have lots more up our sleeve. So let’s talk Sri Lanka, call 01273 923100 now. Or if you are worried the boss will be listening in, drop us an email, holidays@sundownerholidays.co.uk

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: UK to Colombo
Fly overnight from the UK to Colombo.

Day 2: Kaleliya (near Colombo)
On arrival you will be met by your driver/guide and transferred in your private vehicle 45mins to the village of Kaleliya to spend 1 night at Casa Heliconia, an intimate hideaway with only 2 guest pavilions, great service, a lovely pool and delicious meals served on your private terrace – what a start!

Day 3: Kaleliya to Wilpattu National Park
Today your adventure really starts as you head north to Wilpattu National Park to enjoy a jeep safari in the park.

You will then exit the park to spend 2 nights at Palpatha, a rustic eco retreat which supports the local community and is built to resemble a traditional village, offering an authentic back to nature experience on the doorstep of Wilpattu. Fancy something less rustic? Remember, this is just a starting point idea to give you a flavour of what we can do. All our holidays are uniquely designed for each individual client. Contact us on 01273 923100 to start designing yours.

Day 4:Wilpattu National Park
Full day jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park. One of the oldest and less known national parks in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu is dotted with many “villus” or natural lakes that support a variety of wildlife including elephant, leopard, sloth bear, endemic jungle fowls, mugger crocodiles and Indian pythons.

Days 5: Wilpattu to Cultural Triangle
This morning you will have the morning to enjoy one of the complimentary activities at Palpatha such as fishing on the Kala Oya River or taking a bike into the local village.

You will then drive into the Cultural Triangle region of the country to the incredible Dambulla Cave Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest temple cave complex in Sri Lanka.

After a fantastic day you will head to Arika Villa to spend 2 nights, a peaceful tropical retreat hidden away in the forest with 8 huge rooms, a lovely pool, attentive staff and some great food.

Day 6: Cultural Triangle
This morning you will be collected by your guide and driven to the iconic Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Definitely a great opportunity to burn off that lovely breakfast at Arika you will enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating UNESCO complex and a hike to the top to enjoy the stunning scenery.

This afternoon you will then head into Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari in search of the large elephant herds, sambar deer and purple faced langur monkey. Contact us for more info on the famous Elephant Gathering….

Day 7: Cultural Triangle to Kandy
Want to stay an extra day or two in the Cultural Triangle & see Polonnaruwa & Anuradhapura? Contact us on 01273 923100 to design a holiday tailored to you or to get more ideas. This morning you will be driven south to the scenic city of Kandy, heading to the UNESCO Temple of the Tooth and Royal Palace where you will enjoy a guided tour and walk by Kandy Lake.

You will spend 1 night at the Theva Residency, a great value boutique hotel which offers incredible views of the city from the rooms, restaurant and infinity pool – perfect for a Sundowner!

Day 8: Kandy to Tea Country
Today will be driven 7km south of Kandy to Station where you will board the train south through the stunning tea plantations and many local villages to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya where you will spend 2 nights at Ferncliff House, a charming 1800s bungalow with a beautiful setting and excellent staff, making it a firm Sundowner favourite.

Day 9: Tea Country
Full day to explore this beautiful region with your guide and vehicle at your disposal. No trip is complete to this region without a visit to a tea factory and if you are feeling active we definitely recommend a nature hike in the Horton Plains National Park to the “Worlds End”!

Days 10: Tea Country to Yala National Park
An incredible drive today will take in the Ella Gap with stunning views of the southern plains (definitely a stop for a few photos!) as you head down to Yala National Park to continue your safari with 2 nights at the Cadjan Wild, a laid back eco lodge with only 4 jungle view chalets, on its own 3 acre estate that borders the park – it also has lots of hammocks!

Enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in the park – prime leopard country.

Day 11: Yala National Park
Full day jeep safari in Yala National Park. Yala is the most visited park in Sri Lanka and boasting the highest concentration of leopard in the world it’s no surprise.

Day 12: Yala to Uda Walawe National Park
This morning you will drive west to your final wildlife hotspot, Uda Walawe National Park, where you will spend 1 night at Kalu’s Hideaway, a 14 room house on an estate with beautiful tropical gardens & pool, owned by the Sri Lankan test cricketer Romesh Kaluwitharana.

Enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in Uda Walawe National Park. With a perfect environment for the Asian elephant this is a fantastic spot to view these majestic creatures in the wild.

Day 13: Uda Walawe to Galle Fort
Following a morning jeep safari in the national park you will continue west to the UNESCO Galle Fort to spend your last night within the ancient walls at Mango House, a stylish boutique guesthouse with bags of character and a great location in the heart of the fort. There are plenty of wonderful things to do in or around Galle Fort. Talk to us about the different options. 

Day 14: Colombo to UK
Following a final breakfast in the fort you will be transferred north to Colombo Airport for your flight back to the UK. Or add-on a few nights at the beach for a relaxing end to your holiday. Call us on 01273 923100 to tailor this holiday to you. 

Welcome Home…(how many photos!!)

Sloth bear, Wilpattu National Park

Dambulla Cave Temples

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Temple of the Tooth, Kandy

Temple of the Tooth, Kandy

Stunning tea country!

Leopard, Yala National Park

Toque Macaques, Yala National Park

Jeep safari, Uda Walawe National Park

Jeep safari, Uda Walawe National Park

Elephants of Uda Walawe

Majestic elephants of Uda Walawe

Galle Fort Sunset

Galle Fort Sunset

 

 

 

This Sri Lanka safari holiday idea costs from £2,873pp and includes – International flights (price based on London), all accommodation on a sharing basis, 8 nights B&B, 4 nights half-board, a private vehicle with driver/guide, train tickets, national park fees, jeep safaris, and all entrance fees in the cultural triangle (as outlined above).

Now let’s make this holiday yours
Want to add some time on the beach? Want to include some ocean wildlife as well? Keen birder – how about including Sinharaja Rainforest? Let us do the work. Call 01273 923100 now or complete an enquiry form. 

Sundowner raw footage

The latest word on the street about Sundowner’s Sri Lanka holidays:

We had 12 nights in Sri Lanka which we organised through Sundowner – it was excellent! Sundowner added real value with their recommendations on the travel and in particular their recommended accommodation. We were nervous about having our own local driver but in fact he was very good and it suited us as independent travellers who like to set our own agenda.

Chris Farrance Sri Lanka

Our trips all worked incredibly well – we were the first up Sigiriya in the morning – thus avoiding the heat, something you had recommended. We had a great train journey, saw a bear, leopard and about 20 elephants on the safari (definitely needed a whole day) in addition to visiting a large numbers of stupas, temples, a herbal centre, tea plantation, botanical garden etc.

Sarah Lyle Sri Lanka

Brilliant work creating our itinerary. Thoroughly enjoyable and varied. Super country and people. Would definitely return to Sri Lanka.

The Fox Family Sri Lanka

A gem of a country to visit with great charm and variety enhanced by a fantastic driver/guide. We loved every part of the trip for different reasons since the itinerary combined culture, history, wildlife and beach. Thank you for your recommendations and brilliant organisation.

Jane Lind Sri Lanka

 

 

SRI LANKA

  • Can I Visit Sri Lanka?
  • Sri Lanka Holiday Ideas
    • Sri Lanka Highlights SPECIAL OFFER
    • Sri Lanka Highlights
    • Boutique Sri Lanka & Beach
    • Simply Sri Lanka Highlights
    • Classic Sri Lanka Highlights
    • Boutique Sri Lanka in Style
    • Sri Lanka Wildlife Highlights
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holiday
  • Sri Lanka Honeymoon Ideas
    • Sri Lanka Boutique Honeymoon
    • Sri Lanka Honeymoon Highlights
    • Classic Sri Lanka Honeymoon
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Honeymoon
  • Sri Lanka Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka Family Highlights
    • Sri Lanka Family Adventure
    • Family Sri Lanka & Maldives
  • Sri Lanka Owner Run & Boutique Hotel Favourites
    • Gal Oya Lodge
    • Karpaha Sands
    • Ashburnham Estate
    • Jim’s Farm Villas, Cultural Triangle
    • Elephant Stables
    • Niyagama House, Nr Galle
    • Kumbukgaha Villa
    • Mango House, Galle Fort
    • Ellerton, Nr Kandy
  • The Cultural Triangle
  • Sri Lanka Drivers
  • Sri Lanka When To Go

Boutique Hotels

We love owner-run & independent boutique hotels & hideaways. Find out why

Sri Lanka Holiday Ideas

Boutique Sri Lanka & Beach

14 days

Sri Lanka Boutique Highlights Honeymoon

15 days

Sri Lanka Highlights SPECIAL OFFER

12 days

Flexibility Promise

Change your departure date or destination any time up to 2 months prior to departure.
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Special Offers

Family Sri Lanka & Maldives

£2,435pp : £2,176pp

Southern Vietnam Special

£2,957ppSundowner Exclusive : £2,433pp

Sri Lanka Boutique Highlights Honeymoon

From £2,839pp : £2,497pp

Our Specialists

Name : Chelsie Garcia-Sierra

“I find that when travelling, I take on so many more challenges and do things I would never normally do, it makes me a bolder and braver person. I love making memories I will always treasure”

Name : Liam Kirkdale

“I love the freedom that travel brings, learning about the area, spending time with local people and exploring completely new places.”

Name : Lucy Francis

“Going away feeds my soul, I love finding places that make me want to stop for a moment and breathe it all in. It’s about creating memories that stand out in my mind, an escape from routine.”

Name : Clare Turner

“I love to travel so I can turn my imagination into reality, instead of thinking about how places might be, I want to see them as they truly are.”

Name : Victoria Pullar
Holidays allow me to re-balance myself, see the bigger picture and realise how lucky I am.
Name : Neil Cook
"I like to get into the depths of each country, wander around less-travelled towns, squash on to a local bus, breathe the whole country in."
Name : James O'Farrell
"For me, holidays are about experiences that broaden my mind mixed with relaxation by being in the perfect surroundings."

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    The Word on the Street

    Lovely people, memorable experiences. A great mix of physical exertion, exploring other cultures & finally relaxing in luxury. You designed this perfectly for all our family - no mean feat!
    The Belkin Family Nepal
    Best and most well organised trip ever been on. Every tour guide was superb! Incredible hotels and incredible staff. Guides and drivers at all the hotels were beyond expectation. We will be in touch for our next trip!
    Mr & Mrs Clare India
    Excellent holiday in every respect. Absolutely stunning safari location - great views over river. Didn't want for anything. Guide Chris was fantastic and fun to be around. Delicious food and staff even made us a happy honeymoon cake!  
    Mr & Mrs Thomas Zambia

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    Pronunciation: ˈsʌnˌdaʊnə Definition: That perfect time of day, to kick-back, ponder the day's adventures, admire the surrounding views & partake of a local drink that refreshes, relaxes and tells you, without fail, that you are on holiday.
       
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