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15 Days
Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Birding & Wildlife Expedition

Join us for an immersive 15-day adventure across Sri Lanka’s most spectacular landscapes, offering a perfect blend of wildlife, nature, culture, and scenic highlands. From the dense, mist-covered rainforests of Sinharaja to the sweeping coastal lagoons of Bundala, this expedition is expertly crafted for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Guests will have the opportunity to search for highly sought-after endemic bird species, observe large herds of Asian Elephants, and track the elusive Sri Lankan Leopard across the island’s premier national parks and reserves.

Trip Highlights

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Embark on a full-day wildlife safari in Wilpattu National Park, the largest protected wildlife reserve in the country, known for its unique natural lakes.

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Climb the majestic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a 5th-century cultural landmark that rises nearly 200 meters above the surrounding plains.

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Explore the lowland rainforests of Kitulgala to seek out rare endemic species like the Chestnut-backed Owlet and the striking Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.

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Experience the cool, high-altitude climate of Nuwara Eliya and search for the highly elusive Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush at Horton Plains National Park.

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Enjoy a full-day safari in Yala National Park, a world-famous wildlife destination renowned for having one of the highest leopard densities on the planet.

Sri Lanka Birding & Wildlife Expedition

Discover the ultimate natural wonders of the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean" on our immersive 15-day Sri Lanka Birding & Wildlife Expedition. From the ancient ruins of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress to the mist-shrouded highlands of Nuwara Eliya and the dense, endemic-rich canopies of the Sinharaja Rainforest , this carefully curated journey covers the island's most iconic habitats.

Day 01: Arrival in Colombo – Transfer to Wilpattu National Park
Arrive in Colombo and transfer to Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest and most renowned wildlife reserve. En route, enjoy scenic views of rural landscapes and coastal villages. The region offers excellent birding opportunities with species such as Stork-billed Kingfisher, Black-naped Monarch, Oriental Honey Buzzard, and Red-vented Bulbul, while the elusive Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Serendib Scops Owl are exciting highlights.

Overnight stay at Wilpattu.
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Day 02: Full Day Safari at Wilpattu National Park
Enjoy a full-day safari in Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest wildlife reserve, renowned for its unique natural lakes known as Willus. Explore diverse habitats in search of Sri Lankan Leopard, Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant, Spotted Deer, Mugger Crocodile, and other fascinating wildlife. Birding highlights include Painted Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Sri Lankan Junglefowl, Spoonbill, Purple Heron, and numerous raptors and wetland birds.

Overnight stay at Wilpattu.
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Day 03: Transfer to Sigiriya Fortress
After breakfast enjoy some relaxation time and optional evening bird watching around the lodge area. proceed to Sigiriya Overnight Stay: Camellia Hotel (4★) or similar
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Day 04: Sigiriya Fortress – Transfer to Kitulgala
After breakfast, visit the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka’s UNESCO-listed ancient citadel, famed for its frescoes, water gardens, and dramatic summit views. Later, continue to Kitulgala, one of Sri Lanka’s premier birding destinations. Explore lush forests and village habitats in search of endemic species including Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Layard’s Parakeet, Sri Lanka Drongo, and Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher.

Overnight stay in Kitulgala.
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Day 05: Kitulgala Rainforest Birding
Enjoy a morning of birdwatching in the lush rainforests of Kitulgala, one of Sri Lanka’s finest birding hotspots. Search for endemic and rainforest specialties including Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, Orange-billed Babbler, Sri Lanka Myna, Spot-winged Thrush, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Legge’s Flowerpecker, and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch while exploring scenic forest trails.

Overnight stay in Kitulgala.
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Day 06: Transfer to Nuwara Eliya
Travel to the cool highlands of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s famed “Little England,” surrounded by tea plantations, waterfalls, and montane forests. Explore Hakgala Botanical Gardens and nearby birding hotspots in search of highland endemics and migratory species including Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Sri Lanka Thrush, Kashmir Flycatcher, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Brown Wood Owl, and Black-throated Munia.

Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
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Day 07: Horton Plains National Park
Set out early to explore the spectacular landscapes of Horton Plains National Park, renowned for its montane grasslands, cloud forests, and the dramatic World’s End viewpoint. This premier birding destination offers excellent opportunities to spot Sri Lankan endemics including Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka White-eye, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, and Large-billed Leaf Warbler, along with a variety of raptors and highland bird species. Afternoon birding at Victoria Park.

Overnight Stay: Araliya Red Hotel or similar
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Day 08: Transfer to Tissamaharama
After breakfast, visit a nearby elephant rehabilitation centre and enjoy birding in Sri Lanka’s dry-zone habitats before continuing to Tissamaharama. En route and around the region’s wetlands, look for Collared Scops Owl, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Indian Thick-knee, Marshall’s Iora, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Spot-billed Pelican, and Stork-billed Kingfisher. The lakes and marshes around Tissa provide excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of waterbirds and wetland species.

Overnight Stay: Hibiscus Garden Hotel or similar, Tissa
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Day 09: Yala National Park Safari
Spend a full day exploring Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s premier wildlife destination and one of the best places in the world to spot the elusive Sri Lankan Leopard. Traverse diverse habitats including wetlands, grasslands, scrub forests, and dry woodlands in search of Asian Elephants, Sloth Bears, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, and a rich variety of birdlife. Birding highlights include Malabar Pied Hornbill, Sirkeer Malkoha, Indian Peafowl, Crimson-backed Flameback, Painted Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-necked Stork, and Great Thick-knee.

Overnight Stay: Hibiscus Garden Hotel or similar
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Day 10: Bundala National Park Birding
Enjoy morning birding at Bundala National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for its spectacular wetlands and migratory bird populations. Explore lagoons, salt pans, and coastal habitats in search of Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Spot-billed Pelican, Glossy Ibis, Kentish Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Caspian Tern, and Gull-billed Tern. Later, continue birding around the rich wetlands of Tissamaharama before returning for an overnight stay.
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Day 11: Udawalawe National Park
After breakfast, travel to Udawalawe National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s best wildlife destinations, renowned for its large population of Asian Elephants. Enjoy an afternoon safari through grasslands, wetlands, and scrub forests in search of Malabar Pied Hornbill, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Painted Stork, Black-headed Ibis, and Crested Hawk Eagle. The park also offers excellent opportunities to spot Sambar, Toque Macaque, Tufted Grey Langur, and other wildlife.

Overnight Stay: Centuria Wild Hotel, Udawalawe or similar
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Day 12: Transfer to Sinharaja Rainforest
After breakfast, journey to the legendary Sinharaja Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sri Lanka’s most important biodiversity hotspot. Explore the lush evergreen forest in search of endemic birds including Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Orange-billed Babbler, Layard’s Parakeet, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, and Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker. With expert local guides, there is also an excellent opportunity to locate the elusive Serendib Scops Owl.

Overnight Stay: Jensen Bungalow or similar
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Day 13:Birding at Sinharaja Rainforest
Spend a full day exploring the pristine Sinharaja Rainforest, Sri Lanka’s premier birding destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Search for an impressive range of endemic species including Serendib Scops Owl, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Chestnut-backed Owlet, and Crimson-backed Flameback. The rainforest also offers opportunities to encounter rare reptiles, amphibians, and endemic mammals amid one of Asia’s finest tropical forest ecosystems.

Overnight Stay: Bird Paradise Hotel or similar.
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Day 14: Sinharaja Birding
Continue exploring the rich rainforest trails of Sinharaja, searching for some of Sri Lanka’s most sought-after endemic and forest bird species. Highlights may include Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Thrush, Indian Blue Robin, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Legge’s Flowerpecker, Black-throated Munia, and Ashy-headed Laughingthrush. Another rewarding day immersed in one of Asia’s finest tropical rainforests.
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Day 15: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight. Your Sri Lanka Birding & Wildlife Expedition concludes with wonderful memories of the island’s spectacular biodiversity.
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Meet Our Experts

Ansar Khan is a highly experienced naturalist and wildlife guide from India, specializing in birdwatching, wildlife photography, and tailor-made nature expeditions. With over 20 years of experience in the field, he has guided extensively across India’s most renowned wildlife destinations, including national parks, bird sanctuaries, and biodiversity hotspots.

Ansar Khan | Naturalist & Wildlife Guide

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