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Heroes and Heroines Wilpattu and Yala
Track leopards and sloth bear on a jeep safari at Wilpattu and Yala National Parks.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Sri Lanka – In the Company of Naturalists
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.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1
2Gal Oya
Senanayaka Samudra Lake, the largest inland body of water, is home to swimming elephants.
3Whale Watching
Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to see the Blue Whale.
4Knuckles Ranges
Hike towards Ella Rock for stunning views across the Knuckles Mountain Range.
Why we like it
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
More details
Explore the National Parks
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.
What sets Wilpattu apart from other parks is the peace, space, and tranquillity away from other safari vehicles. Venture out on a game drive into the verdant jungle. Sightings of sloth bear are a frequent occurrence at Wilpattu. See the magnificent leopard roaming freely in Yala National Park. Yala can have a reputation for being busy due to its popularity and leopard sighting success, but you can avoid the crowds and still get a unique eco-friendly wildlife experience.
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Gal Oya Lake
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.
Walk with the Vedda
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.
You will quickly find that the vedda people are friendly and open people with great knowledge of the nature that surrounds them. They worship dead ancestors and sing songs to the spirits in the forests to ensure safe passage as they travel. If you visit during the honey season, you may even have the opportunity to watch the Veddas harvesting honey from the giant combs that sit high in the trees.
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.
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Trek and Tea Experience
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.
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Whale Watching
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.
Avoid the bun fight that happens each morning by being one of the first vessels to leave the harbour. It is questionable if the public boats have responsible tourism at the heart of their operations or just cashing in on the experience. Sail Lanka is accredited by the WDCS and has a responsible tourism policy. So bring your binoculars and support all conservation initiatives as much as you can.
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.
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Visit the Kaneliya Rainforest Reserve
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.
Let’s chat
A note on price
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.
This Itinerary
Price
From $6,087 Per person
When to travel
Sri Lanka in January
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.
Sri Lanka in February
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.
Sri Lanka in March
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.
Sri Lanka in April
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.
Sri Lanka in May
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.
Sri Lanka in June
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.
Sri Lanka in July
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.
Sri Lanka in August
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.
Sri Lanka in September
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.
Sri Lanka in October
Prior to the monsoon season, rainfall is likely throughout the country and can sometimes be unpredictable, meaning disruptions in travel are likely.
Sri Lanka in November
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.
Sri Lanka in December
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.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
Why Choose Steppes?
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?
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