Wilpattu and Yala
Track leopards and sloth bear on a jeep safari at Wilpattu and Yala National Parks.
Spotting leopard in lush jungles, seeing the forest through the eyes of the Veddhas, private whale watching experience off the south coast, Sri Lanka is a perfect destination for wildlife enthusiasts, young and old.
In the company of naturalists, discover lesser-visited forest reserves and National Parks not on the tourist trail.
Track leopards and sloth bear on a jeep safari at Wilpattu and Yala National Parks.
Senanayaka Samudra Lake, the largest inland body of water, is home to swimming elephants.
Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to see the Blue Whale.
Hike towards Ella Rock for stunning views across the Knuckles Mountain Range.
What other destination can offer whale watching one day and elephants and leopard sightings the next? This well-thought-out trip visits five national parks, concluding with an ocean-based sea excursion. Each step of the way we ensure you are meeting expert naturalists, such as Damian of Gal Oya and other engaging personalities. Interspersed with leisurely hikes into the hill country and wanderings through ruined ancient cities, this holiday suits the most curious traveller with a penchant for nature.
Day 1
Colombo - Makandura
Day 2
Makandura - Wilpattu National Park
Day 3
Wilpattu National Park
Day 4
Wilpattu National Park - Sigiriya
Day 5
Sigiriya
Day 6
Sigiriya - Gal Oya National Park
Day 7
Gal Oya National Park
Day 8
Gal Oya National Park - Ella
Day 9
Ella
Day 10
Ella - Yala National Park
Day 11
Yala National Park
Day 12
Yala National Park - Galle
Day 13
Galle
Day 14
Galle- Colombo
Day 1
Colombo - Makandura
Day 2
Makandura - Wilpattu National Park
Sightings of sloth bear are a frequent occurence at Wilpattu National Park.
Day 3
Wilpattu National Park
Day 4
Wilpattu National Park - Sigiriya
Day 5
Sigiriya
Climb up the impressive giant rock fortress of Sigiriya.
Day 6
Sigiriya - Gal Oya National Park
Day 7
Gal Oya National Park
Visit Gal Oya to watch wild swimming elephants.
Day 8
Gal Oya National Park - Ella
Day 9
Ella
Visit the cooler climes of the tea country.
Day 10
Ella - Yala National Park
Day 11
Yala National Park
See the magnificent leopard roaming freely in Yala National Park.
Day 12
Yala National Park - Galle
Day 13
Galle
Visit the UNESCO Galle Fort for its amazing architecture.
Day 14
Galle- Colombo
Sri Lanka is home to some of the most beautiful and unexplored National Parks in this part of the world. The island’s isolation from the mainland, heavy rainfall from two annual monsoons and a wide range of altitudes give Sri Lanka biodiversity normally found across an entire continent. Get off the beaten track and visit remote national parks such as Gal Oya, Wilpattu, Bundala and Keneliya.
Gal Oya National Park is surrounded by plenty of water and little islands making this the perfect environment for the wild elephant to roam and crocodiles to bask. It can be scary watching from your tiny safari boat as a 12-foot crocodile slinks off the bank and disappears into the water — but there’s nothing to be afraid of. Sri Lanka’s freshwater mugger crocodiles are less aggressive than their saltwater counterparts and are not known to attack humans! Gal Oya Lake is the only national park on the island where you can view elephants swimming from your safari boat. It’s a breathtaking experience. We would argue that this unique national park is one of Sri Lanka’s best-kept secrets.
Gal Oya Lodge is neighbour to one of the last remaining communities of the Vedda – the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka. the village Chief will accompany you on a walk through the jungles of his ancestors. Learn about local nature as he brings the forest alive by explaining his tribe’s use of medicinal plants, ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings while providing a fascinating insight into how the hunter-gatherers lived in the jungles of Gal Oya.
Whilst at the lodge, we encourage you to spend time with the excellent and ever enthusiastic in-house naturalist, Damian. Visit the Wildlife Research Centre on the grounds. Damian and the lodge team are actively monitoring the species surrounding the lodge, which include mouse deer, water monitor, and the endangered thick-tailed pangolin. They have exciting camera trap imagery that they will share with you.
Rise early to avoid the warmer temperatures later in the day and enjoy clear views of the valley and surrounding hills. The Knuckles range is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular with wildlife enthusiasts and hikers. With cascading waterfalls, quaint villages, terraced rice fields and a high level of biodiversity, this region displays the best of Sri Lanka’s diverse natural beauty. Spending a few days in here is extremely rewarding.
Walk with a local farmer who will guide you to Ella Rock. Aside from trail hikes, Ella offers a fabulous tea experience. Meet Salinda Madugalle, a tea planter for over 30 years. Salinda will show you around the tea estates as they exist now, and take you on a walk down the memory lane of the life of a tea planter. Meet some locals plucking tea and later join Salinda for a private tea tasting experience at Santani.
You can see up to ten different species off the Sri Lankan coast, including fin, Bryde’s, minke, humpback, sperm, and of course a plethora of dolphins, between late November and mid-April. Between February and March, it is krill feeding time when blue whales are jumping out of the ocean. Just an hour from Galle, board your private catamaran operated by Sail Lanka, setting off from Mirissa Harbour.
With breakfast and lunch on board, a friendly and well-trained crew, as well as snorkelling and paddle boarding gear included, this is a great opportunity to not only catch a glimpse of the gentle giants of the ocean but to explore the south coast in all its beauty.
Another fantastic experience, close to the town of Galle, is to explore Kaneliya and Hiyare Rainforest Reserves. Visit this impressive rainforest, on foot, with your wildlife tracker. In comparison to other wildlife parks in the country, both these reserves are much more serene and tranquil but boast an eco-system that includes a natural lake and diverse variety of plants, birds, insects as well as deer and porcupine. The trek through the forest reserve itself can be quite an adventure, as the only ways through the forest is by foot or paddle boat.
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
Sri Lanka benefits from generally good weather all year round and experiences a tropical climate with the best and most popular to visit being during our winter months, from January to April.
Visit the Southern and Western coast of Sri Lanka to experience the hot and humid climate in coastal areas or visit the mountainous regions for cooler temperatures with less humidity.
In Northern and Central Sri Lanka, temperatures will start to rise, and these regions will become more humid with March being generally a dry month for Sri Lanka.
Overall, April is a very good time to visit Sri Lanka, with most of the island experiencing high temperatures and lots of sunshine, all before the first monsoon rains of the year begin in the South.
From May to August, the country experiences the first of its two annual monsoon seasons in Southwest Sri Lanka. Therefore, during these months it is best to visit Northeast Sri Lanka including Batticaloa and Passekudah.
Rainfall with continue in the South during the monsoon season whereas in Northern Sri Lanka, June is one of the best times to visit this area with a warm climate and high temperatures throughout.
In Northern Sri Lanka, the months of June and July are particularly good times to travel to the area, with minimal rainfall, particularly high temperatures and long days of sunshine.
Throughout the country, you can expect excellent climate conditions. August is ideal month for those wanting to experience both the Northeast and Southwest regions of the island, typically quite unusual due to Sri Lanka’s monsoon seasons.
September will start to see the end of the monsoon season in the Southwest and whilst rainfall and thunderstorms are less frequent, are still likely across the region.
Prior to the monsoon season, rainfall is likely throughout the country and can sometimes be unpredictable, meaning disruptions in travel are likely.
From November to February, Northeast Sri Lanka will experience one of two annual monsoon seasons. Whilst most days will experience rainfall, it is a great time to travel to experience the lush, green countryside.
Due to the monsoon in the Northeast, it is best to visit the southwest coast of Sri Lanka prior to the second monsoon reaching this area in May. Experience high levels of sunshine, perfect for Sri Lanka’s beaches.
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?