Sri Lanka - 10 Days - National parks and protected areas
10
Days
4.500€
per Person
10-12
Group Size
Low-Med
Fitness Abillity
24-32°
Teperature Range
Dec.-Mar.
Best Season
Ten days is enough to see Sri Lanka properly — if the itinerary is built around the right places at the right time. This expedition moves through four of the island's most rewarding ecosystems: the leopard and elephant country of Wilpattu, the mist-covered highland grasslands of Horton Plains, the dense leopard population of Kumana, and the endemic-rich understorey of Sinharaja rainforest. Focused, unhurried, and led by guides with deep field knowledge of each location.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Meet the group at the agreed arrival point and travel north towards Wilpattu National Park. After arrival, enjoy your first Sri Lankan lunch before checking in and taking time to rest. In the evening, we will have dinner together, followed by a tour briefing covering the journey ahead.PERSONAL COMFORT:
A relaxed travel day with time to rest after arrival. Comfortable clothing and a light layer for the journey are recommended.TRAVEL:
Approximately 3.5 hours by road.STAY:
WilpattuWHAT TO EXPECT:
Two full days exploring Wilpattu National Park by 4WD safari jeep. Early morning and late-afternoon drives provide the best opportunities for wildlife activity, with the park's distinctive villus natural lakes and wetlands attracting wildlife and waterbirds.ANTICIPATED SPECIES:
ANTICIPATED SPECIES: Sri Lankan Leopard, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Buffalo, Wild Boar, and Mugger Crocodile. Bird highlights may include Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and Crested Serpent Eagle. More than 200 bird species have been recorded in the park.PERSONAL COMFORT:
Safari by 4WD jeep with breaks between drives. Expect warm conditions, dust, and sun exposure. Light clothing, sun protection, and sufficient drinking water are recommended.STAY:
WilpattuWHAT TO EXPECT:
An immersive 4WD safari through the diverse dry-zone landscapes of Wasgamuwa National Park, known for its forests, open grasslands, wetlands, and rich concentration of wildlife. Explore a less-visited national park with excellent opportunities to observe elephants and other large mammals in a more secluded wilderness setting. The park’s varied habitats also support an impressive range of resident and endemic birdlife.ANTICIPATED SPECIES:
Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) is one of the main highlights, with opportunities to encounter elephants in their natural surroundings. Other possible sightings include Sri Lankan Spotted Deer, Wild Buffalo, Sambar, Wild Boar, Grey Langur, and Purple-faced Langur. Birdlife may include Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, and raptors such as Crested Serpent Eagle.PERSONAL COMFORT:
Relaxed 4WD safari in a safari jeep, with opportunities for both morning and evening wildlife viewing. Expect warm temperatures, sun exposure, and some dust on the park tracks. Light, breathable clothing, sun protection, comfortable footwear, and sufficient drinking water are recommended.TRAVEL:
Approximately 3.5 hours by roadSTAY:
WasgamuwaWHAT TO EXPECT:
Begin Day 5 with a journey from Wasgamuwa National Park to Kumana. After check-in, enjoy a relaxed evening to rest and prepare for two full days of wildlife exploration. Days 6 and 7 are dedicated to extended 4WD safaris in Kumana National Park, exploring its lagoons, wetlands, scrub forests, and coastal habitats while tracking wildlife and observing its exceptional birdlife.ANTICIPATED SPECIES:
The Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is a key focus, alongside Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant, Mugger Crocodile, and a rich diversity of birds. Kumana is particularly notable for its wetland and waterbird habitats, with opportunities to observe Painted Storks, pelicans, herons, egrets, raptors, and other resident and migratory species.PERSONAL COMFORT:
Day 5 involves a longer road journey followed by a relaxed evening at Kumana. Days 6 and 7 involve extended 4WD safaris with minimal walking. Conditions can be hot, dry, and dusty, so light clothing, sun protection, and adequate hydration are essential. Patience and quiet observation are an important part of wildlife tracking and birdwatching.TRAVEL:
Approximately 6.5 hours by road on day 5STAY:
KumanaWHAT TO EXPECT:
World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and remarkable concentration of endemic species. After check-in, enjoy an evening birding session in the rainforest surroundings. Day 9 begins with an early-morning birding walk along the forest trails, offering excellent opportunities to observe endemic birds and mixed-species flocks before travelling onward to Galle for the farewell celebration.ANTICIPATED SPECIES:
A high diversity of endemic birds including Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, and Ashy-headed Laughingthrush. Mixed-species flocks are a major highlight, while Purple-faced Langur, amphibians, butterflies, and other rainforest wildlife may also be encountered.PERSONAL COMFORT:
Day 8 involves a longer road journey followed by evening birding. Day 9 includes an early-morning forest walk before the journey to Galle. Expect warm and humid conditions, uneven and occasionally muddy trails, dense vegetation, and possible leech encounters. Light, long-sleeved clothing and suitable footwear are recommended. Leech socks will be provided.TRAVEL:
Approximately 8 hours by road from Kumana to Sinharaja, followed by onward travel to Galle on Day 9 about 2.5h.STAY:
Day 8 in Sinharaja / Day 9 in GalleFAREWELL:
Conclude the journey in Galle with a relaxed farewell party, sharing the highlights and memorable wildlife and birding experiences from across Sri Lanka.WHAT TO EXPECT:
Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Galle before your comfortable transfer to the airport for your onward journey home.PERSONAL COMFORT:
A leisurely morning with minimal activity, followed by a smooth airport transfer. Travel times will depend on your departure flight and airport.
Elephas maximus maximus
The Sri Lankan Elephant is the largest land mammal in Sri Lanka and a subspecies of the Asianelephant. Found mainly in dry-zone forests and national parks, it ishighly social and plays a key role in shaping forest ecosystems.
Panthera pardus kotiya
Sri Lankan leopard is a Sri Lankan endemic subspecies and the island’s largest terrestrial predator. It inhabits a variety of habitats, including dry-zone forests, grasslands, scrublands, rocky areas, and wet-zone forests. It is an adaptable species that hunts deer, wildboar, monkeys, and other small animals.
Axis axis ceylonensis
Spotted deer is a common deer species found in dry-zone forests, grasslands, scrublands, and forest edges. In Sri Lanka, it is widely distributed, especially in the dry zone, where it lives in herds and feeds on grasses, leaves, fruits, and young shoots. It is an important prey species for the Sri Lankan leopard.
Macaca sinica
Toque Macaque is an endemic monkey found only in Sri Lanka. Highly social and intelligent, it lives in forests andsometimes near human settlements, feeding on fruits, leaves, insects, and small animals. Despite its adaptability, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict pose significant threats to its survival.
Melursus ursinus inornatus
Sri Lankan sloth bear is a Sri Lankan endemic subspecies of slothbear found mainly in dry-zone forests, scrublands, and openwoodland habitats. It is mostly nocturnal and feeds on termites, ants,fruits, honey, and small animals. It plays an important role in theforest ecosystem as a seed disperser and insect predator.
Rusa unicolor unicolor
Sambar deer is the largest deer species in Sri Lanka and is widely distributed across the island. It inhabits forests, grasslands, and montane regions, occurring in both the dry and wet zones. Sambardeer are especially common in protected areas such as Horton Plains National Park, Yala National Park, and Wilpattu National Park. They feed mainly on grasses, leaves, shoots, and fruits.
Crocodylus palustris kimbula
Mugger crocodile is a large freshwater crocodile native to South Asia. In Sri Lanka, it is found mainly in dry zone rivers, lakes, reservoirs, tanks, and wetlands, especially in areas such as Yala, Wilpattu, Bundala, and other major river systems. It feeds on fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals and is recognized by its broad snout and heavily armored body.
Ceryle rudis
Pied kingfisher is a medium-sized black-and-white kingfisher found around rivers, lakes, lagoons, and reservoirs. In Sri Lanka, it is a resident species widely distributed across wetlands throughout the island. It feeds mainly on fish, often hovering above water before diving to catch its prey.
Mycteria leucocephala
Painted stork is a large wading bird found in wetlands, marshes, lagoons, reservoirs, and paddy fields across Sri Lanka. It is a resident species, mainly associated with lowland wetland habitats, where it feeds on fish, frogs, crustaceans, and other aquatic animals.
Gallus lafayettii
Sri Lankan junglefowl is a Sri Lankan endemic bird and the nationalbird of Sri Lanka. It is found in a variety of habitats, including dryzoneforests, wet-zone rainforests, scrublands, and forest edges. It feeds on seeds, grains, fruits, insects, and small invertebrates, and is often seen foraging on the forest floor.
Urocissa ornata
Sri Lanka blue magpie is a Sri Lankan endemic bird found in lowlandand montane rainforests, dense evergreen forests, and forest edges. It feeds on insects, small reptiles, fruits, and seeds and is easily recognized by its brilliant blue plumage, chestnut head, and long bluetail.
Ocyceros gingalensis
The Sri Lankan Grey Hornbill is a mediumsized, endemic bird found only in Sri Lanka. It inhabits forests and wooded areas, feeding mainly on fruits, especially figs, and plays an important role in seed dispersal across its habitat.
3 Nights
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Conservation is not an optional addition to an Avian Atlas journey.
It is part of how we believe wildlife tourism should operate.
We are committed to working with local guides, communities and conservation-minded partners
whose livelihoods are connected to the protection of natural landscapes and wildlife.
We aim to keep wildlife encounters responsible:
maintaining appropriate distances, avoiding disturbance, respecting park
regulations and never prioritising a photograph over the welfare of an animal.
We also believe that tourism should create value for the people who live alongside these ecosystems.
Wherever possible, we favour locally owned services and local expertise so that more of the value generated by travel
remains within the communities and destinations we visit.
As Avian Atlas grows, we intend to dedicate a defined share of our resources to conservation
and biodiversity initiatives in the landscapes where we operate.
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