Sri Lanka

Day 1
DEPART UK ON AN OVERNIGHT FLIGHT FOR COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

Day 2
MORNING/EARLY AFTERNOON ARRIVAL IN COLOMBO. TRANSFER TO KANNELIYA. LATE AFTERNOON AND EVENING SPOTLIGHTING WALKS AT KANNELIYA
We should arrive at Colombo in the late morning or early afternoon where we will meet up with WildWings guide Mukesh Hirdaramani.  We will then drive to Kanneliya where, depending on flight times, we will spend the late afternoon and evening exploring the lowland rainforest looking for both mammals and birds. There are an excellent range of species here and our first speciality mammals should include Purple-faced Langur (Leaf-Monkey).

Twenty of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds have also been recorded at Kanneliya and those we could see include Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Red-faced Malkoha, Orange-billed Babbler and the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.

After dinner, we will set off on what will be the first of many after dark spotlighting sessions to look for the special mammals of Sri Lanka.  Kanneliya is a good site for Red Slender Loris and Yellow-striped Chevrotain and we also have a chance of finding Golden Palm Civet.

Although at some locations during our trip we will be spotlighting from vehicles, here it is largely done on foot (from a wide jeep track), although we may need to go off the trail in the hope of better views of the loris.  Night at Udugama

Day 3
MORNING KANNELIYA RAINFOREST. DRIVE TO KATARAGAMA. EVENING SPOTLIGHTING AROUND TISSAMAHARAMA VILLAGE
We will spend the morning exploring more of Kanneliya’s excellent rainforest habitats.  During the heat of the day, we will drive to Kataragama which should take about three hours.  We may arrive in time for some local exploring, but our main objective is an evening spotlighting session near Tissamaharama village.  This is predominantly an area of scrub, fields and paddies and both Fishing and Rusty-spotted Cats are possible. It can also be good for Asian Elephant, Small Indian Civet, Black-naped Hare, Golden Jackal and a variety of other mammals.  Two nights at Kataragama

Day 4
MORNING SAFARI IN LUNUGAMVEHERA NATIONAL PARK. AFTERNOON RELAXING AROUND HOTEL. SPOTLIGHTING SESSION AROUND TISSAMAHARAMA VILLAGE
During the morning, we plan to visit Lunugamvehera National Park. If our previous nights spotlighting session went on late and or sightings at Lunugamwehera National Park are better in the evening, we will switch the safari to the evening, but only with the intention of increasing our chances of sighting our target species. This site is far less visited and consequently less disturbed than the much better known Yala National Park and is a good site for Sloth Bear and we have seen both that species and Leopard here previously.  The area is also good for Asian Buffalo and Chital with other possibilities including Toque Macaque, Tufted Grey Langur, Black-naped Hare, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Grey Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose, Asian Elephant, Wild Boar and Golden Jackal.

There is also excellent birding at Lunugamvehera and we will hope to see Black-winged Kite, Painted Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Spot-billed Pelican, Black-headed Ibis, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Blue-faced Malkoha and Sirkeer Malkoha amongst a substantial list of possible species.

After dark, we will again head out to look for cats and will explore the paddy fields, reservoirs, shrub forests and even sleepy towns and villages depending on local knowledge and what we saw the previous evening.  Many of our nocturnal excursions last several hours (and potentially continue until the early hours of the morning), and our goal here is to locate both Fishing and Rusty-spotted Cats. On one occasion, a Fishing Cat was watched for 30 minutes on one drive and on our 2024 tour, a Rusty-spotted Cat was seen at a home doorstep !!  Whilst there are no guarantees, this is one of the best areas for these species.

Day 5
MORNING SAFARI IN LUNUGAMVEHERA NATIONAL PARK. LATE MORNING/AFTERNOON TRANSFER TO NUWARA ELIYA. VISIT HAKGALA BOTANICAL GARDENS
Once again taking a packed breakfast, we plan to make a return visit to Lunugamvehera National Park where our priority will be to look for any species that occur there which we have not seen with the possibilities including Asian Elephant, Small Indian Civet and Black-naped Hare.

In the late morning, we plan to depart for Nuwara Eliya, a journey that should take about four hours.

As we travel, we will keep an eye out for the Stripe-necked Mongoose (if we have not seen it so far) and for the Brown Mongoose which is often seen by the roadside.  We intend to make several stops to look for these two species as the area we are travelling through is amongst the best to find them.

Our planned destination for the late afternoon is a visit to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens and whilst this is mainly a birding site, it is also the best place on the trip for the distinctive highland form of Purple-faced Langur.  We intend to explore this site on foot but will only be walking short distances and mainly on tarmac.

Other mammal possibilities here include Toque Macaque, Brown Mongoose, Dusky-striped Squirrel, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel, Indian Bush Rat and Giant Bandicoot Rat but there should also be plenty of birds to look for.  One of the potentially highlights is Chestnut-backed Owlet (a Sri Lankan endemic) which we stand a decent chance of finding here.

Other birds which are possible include Black Eagle, Shikra, Indian Pitta, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Kashmir Flycatcher, Orange-headed Ground Thrush, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Yellow-eared Bulbul and Sri Lanka White-eye.  Two nights at Nuwara Eliya

Day 6
FULL DAY VISIT TO HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK
We have added a full day at this modest-sized reserve to the itinerary as it is now considered to be an excellent location to look for the montane race Leopard with a marked increase in sightings in recent years.

Other mammal possibilities here include Brown Mongoose, Stripe-necked Mongoose and Dusky-striped Squirrel.

The reserve also has a bird list of a couple of hundred species with the possibilities including a good selection of endemics such as Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Woodpigeon, Sri Lanka Scimitar-babbler, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush and Sri Lanka White-eye.

Day 7
DRIVE TO KANDY. EVENING SPOTLIGHTING IN GROUNDS OF HOTEL
After breakfast we will set off for Kandy, a journey which is likely to take 3-4 hours. We may well make some stops along the way which are likely to be more bird-focused than mammal-focused.

The grounds of our hotel can be an excellent location for spotlighting and once it is dark, we will hope to find Small Indian Civet, Yellow-striped Chevrotain, Indian Crested Porcupine, Golden Palm Civet and Common Palm Civet.  Other possibilities include Indian Gerbil, Giant and Lesser Bandicoot Rat, Indian Flying Fox and Toque Macaque, however, our main target for the evening is Giant Flying Squirrel.  We may well be first alerted to their presence by the distinct sound of one gliding overhead which is invariably followed by a “thump” as the squirrel lands on a tree.

If we haven’t already seen Fishing Cat, there is a site not too far from the hotel where this species can sometimes be found and there are also opportunities to look for several species of owls including both Brown Fish Owl and Brown Wood Owl.  Night Kandy

Day 8
MORNING DRIVE TO SIGIRIYA. EVENING SPOTLIGHTING AT PIDURANGALA FOREST
We will leave our hotel at Kandy after breakfast for the drive to Sigiriya which should take three to four hours. We may well make a few stops along the way with possibilities including Indian Flying Fox, Ruddy Mongoose, Tufted Grey Langur and Indian Palm Squirrel.

After dinner, there will be another spotlighting session and this is another area where we could find Fishing, Rusty-spotted and Jungle Cats.  Small Indian and Common Palm Civets, Golden Jackal, Indian Crested Porcupine, White-spotted Chevrotain, Indian Hare and Grey Slender Loris are also possible, along with nocturnal birds which could include Brown Fish Owl and Indian and Jerdon’s Nightjars.  Three nights at Sigiriya

Day 9
MORNING LIE IN. AFTERNOON BIRDING EXCURSION AT PIDURANGALA FOREST. EVENING SPOTLIGHTING AROUND SIGIRIYA AND/OR PIDURANGALA FOREST
We will have the opportunity for a morning lie in after what is likely to have been a late finish to our spotlighting session the previous evening (which could potentially continue until well after midnight) but for those who are keen to explore, the grounds of our hotel offer some excellent birding opportunities.

During the afternoon, there will be an excursion to the Sigiriya Sanctuary where we can expect to see a range of species which could include mammals such as Grizzled Giant Squirrel, reptiles including Tree Skink and Bark Gecko, as well as a selection of endemic and more widespread birds.

After dinner, there will then be another nocturnal excursion and we will continue our quest for the three smaller cats as well as any other wildlife with Golden Jackal, Asian Elephant, Wild Boar, Indian Hare and Small Indian Civet amongst the possibilities.

Days 10
MORNING LIE IN. AFTERNOON WALK IN PIDURANGALA FOREST /ROCK TEMPLE LOOKING FOR BATS, PURPLE-FACED LANGURS AND OTHER MAMMALS. EVENING SPOTLIGHTING AROUND SIGIRIYA AND/OR PIDURANGALA FOREST
After what is likely to have been another late-night spotlighting session, we will have a leisurely morning and after lunch will visit the Pidurangala Rock Temple and nearby forests.  This area is particularly good for roosting bats and the species we will look for include Schneider’s Leaf-nosed Bat, Large Leaf-nosed Bat, Rufous Horseshoe Bat, Pygmy Pipistrelle and Lesser False Vampire Bat.

Depending on the success of our previous spotlighting sessions, there may be another opportunity to head out after dinnner to explore around Pidurangala village and surrounding forests for nocturnal species.

Day 11
AFTER BREAKFAST PROCEED TO WILPATTU. AFTERNOON BIRDING AROUND WILPATTU VILLAGE. EVENING SPOTLIGHTING AROUND WILPATTU VILLAGE
We plan to leave Sigirya after breakfast and heading for the Wilpattu National Park.  This reserve consists of a range of habitats, including tall monsoon forest, and the mix of habitats supports a wide range of species; indeed, the area is now considered to offer some of the best mammal watching anywhere in Sri Lanka.  A unique feature of this protected area is the existence of natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. There are almost sixty of these lakes (‘willu’) and tanks spread throughout the reserve and they can act as a magnet for wildlife looking for water.

The list of possible species is very impressive and includes Jungle, Fishing and Rusty-spotted Cats and Sloth Bear.  Whilst we hope to have seen many of these species by the time we reach Wilpattu, this national park provides us with additional opportunities to find these enigmatic and sought-after mammals and on our 2025 tour, for example, we were able to watch a Sloth Bear for 45 minutes.  With good populations of Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer and Wild Boar, there is plenty of prey for Sri Lanka’s largest carnivore, the Leopard, and as a result this area has good numbers of this apex predator with an estimated population of over 350 individuals (2020 census) with some stunning views of a sleeping individual on our 2025 tour.

Another target here will be Sloth Bear which is no infrequently seen in the early morning and late evening.  These mate throughout the year and it is not unusual to encounter a female with cubs on a rocky outcrop or at a water hole.  Other mammals likely to be seen here include Asian Elephant, Ruddy Mongoose, Indian Red Muntjac, Tufted Grey Langur, Toque Macaque and Golden Jackal.

There is also an impressive bird life and those we are likely to encounter include Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Brown Fish Owl, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Brown-capped Babbler and White-rumped Shama.  Marsh Mugger crocodiles are also regularly seen, and we may be able to find Monitor Lizards, as well as Indian Cobra and Indian Rock Python.  Two nights at Wilpattu

Day 12
MORNING JEEP SAFARI IN WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK, AFTERNOON AT LEISURE AROUND HOTEL; EVENING SPOTLIGHTING
We will spend the morning continuing our exploration of Wilpattu National Park and then have a relaxing afternoon before another spotlighting session after dark.  This is likely to be in the buffer zone outside the national park and we will prioritise any species we have not seen.

Day 13
MORNING JEEP SAFARI IN WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK; AFTERNOON DRIVE TO KALPITIYA
We will have a final morning visit at Wilpattu to look for any species we have not yet seen or would like better views of before leaving for Kalpitiya.

Kalpitiya is situated in the northwestern province of Sri Lanka and is famed for its beautiful beaches and marine wildlife.  The area is popular for salt manufacturing and seafood production.  Mangroves can be found along the coastal and these plus the lagoons support a wide variety of bird species including both resident and migratory species.  Two nights at Kalpitiya

Day 14
MORNING WHALE WATCHING EXCURSION. AFTERNOON BIRDING AROUND KALPITIYA VILLAGE
We will leave the hotel early this morning and board our boat for several hours at sea in search of marine mammals.  As we leave the coast, we should encounter pods of Spinner and Bottlenose Dolphins which usually are seen close to the fishing boats. Occasionally, these pods can be over a thousand individuals and we enjoyed one of these ‘mega pods’ on our 2025 holiday. If we are fortunate to encounter this again, it can be an impressive sight which can attract Short-finned Pilot Whales and Orcas.

The seas offshore from Kalpitiya deepen relatively quickly and as we get into deeper waters, the chances of finding larger whales increases.  Whilst Bryde’s Whale is generally the most commonly encountered species, this area is increasingly being known as somewhere where it is also possible to find Sperm and Sei Whales and, if we are fortunate, the largest animal to ever live on our planet, the mighty Blue Whale.

After a morning at sea, we will return to the shore and in the cool of the late afternoon and early evening will do some local exploring.  Our main focus will be birds and especially species associated with mudflats and shallow water with the opportunity to look for a wide variety of terns and shorebirds including Great, Lesser Crested, Caspian and Gull-billed Terns, Marsh Sandpiper, Pacific Golden Plover, Kentish Plover and Black-winged Stilt.

Day 15
MORNING WHALE WATCHING EXCURSION. AFTERNOON DRIVE TO KATUNAYAKE WITH BIRDING AT ANAWILUNDAWA RAMSAR SANCTUARY
After breakfast, we will take another morning boat ride in search of whales and dolphins and will hope to find any cetaceans that we did not encounter on our previous pelagic trip.

Once back ashore, we will leave for Katunayake and depending on timings, may make a short stop at the Anawilundawa Sanctuary where there is the opportunity to take a leisurely walk around the main lake.  Whilst it is unlikely that we will find any species we have not previously encountered, birds can be present here in impressive numbers and we should find almost every treetop filled with roosting pelicans, cormorants, egrets and other herons.   Overhead, we may find White-bellied Sea Eagles and Grey-headed Swamphens  and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas are likely to be foraging around the edge of the lake.  Night at Katunayake

Day 16
MORNING FLIGHT BACK TO THE UK ARRIVING BACK EARLY EVENING

WHAT TO EXPECT
All the hotels and lodges are good quality and close to our mammal watching locations.

Meals will generally be a combination of Sri Lankan, Indian and Continental dishes, often incorporating local foods. Some choice is usually available and most special dietary requirements (for example vegetarian/vegan options) can be accommodated. If you do have any special requirements we recommend you inform us in advance of the tour in order that we may make any necessary arrangements.

In many of the hotels there is also either a snack or an a la carte menu and you may be able to select from these if there is nothing on the main menu that you want to eat although there may be a small additional charge for some options. If you have a food allergy that prevents you from eating certain foods we also suggest you carry some snacks with you.

TRANSPORT
All road transport will be in a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus. Road conditions are generally very good although progress can be slow around the main cities and in the hill country. 4×4 jeeps will be used for safari drives and night drives.

Watching from jeeps is not always ideal or easy for group members and guides alike. We, therefore, ask your cooperation in rotating places in jeep(s) for safari drives on the request of your tour leader or local guide.

WEATHER
The weather conditions throughout this tour will be more or less stable throughout, with warm to hot (20-30C) temperatures by day with cool to cold nights and early mornings (10-20C). March is at the end of the dry season so we should hopefully have dry conditions throughout the tour.

MONEY
The currency of Sri Lanka is the Rupee. It is not usually possible to exchange a foreign currency into Rupees abroad, however, you will be able to buy them on arrival in Colombo. When exchanging money, particularly inside the airport, please briefly check the notes you are given and do not accept any bundle containing an excessive number of notes that are torn, old, or generally in very poor condition, since they may not be accepted elsewhere. The exchange rate in April 2025 was about 400 rupees per GB£1.

Not all tips are included in the price of the tour and are at your discretion. 100 rupee notes are particularly handy for tipping porters, room service etc.

We would suggest taking a minimum of £200 spending money. If you are planning to use credit or debit cards in Sri Lanka please remember to notify your card provider in advance to avoid potential problems.

CLOTHING AND OTHER EQUIPMENT

• Sri Lanka is likely to be hot so lightweight clothing is recommended. A good sun block and hat are essential. Temperatures can however be quite cold in the mornings particularly on Horton Plains and on the back of open jeeps so please bring some warmer clothing including a fleece and/or windproof jacket with you. These will also be useful if we experience cold conditions at night when spotlighting. Long-sleeved shirts are useful for protection against the sun/insects.
• Sober coloured clothing and backpacks, greens, browns etc is preferable, conspicuous colours such as white, red and yellow should be avoided.
• Please bring torches as we will be spending time in the field at night.
• A pair of sturdy walking shoes would also be useful.  Lightweight shoes may be useful in hotels and on jeep safaris.
• Good binoculars with a specification of at least 8×30 are essential and if you have them a telescope and tripod or monopod could be useful in some areas.
• Sunglasses and spare glasses or contact lenses if applicable.
• Sun block and insect repellent.
• Snacks.

Photographic opportunities should be excellent and we would expect us to get very close views of a number of species. Video rather than still photography may be better when looking for primates in the forest especially if the video has a videograb facility. Video is generally better in forest as it can operate in much lower light conditions, although many modern cameras now have much improved picture quality at higher ISO levels.

ELECTRICITY AND WI-FI
The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Most hotels we will be staying in have at least one UK-style 3-pinned socket in the room, however, we also recommend taking a converter with you as most rooms also have several sockets that use three round pin plugs. See https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/gb/sri-lanka/ for further information.

Most of the hotels have free wi-fi in the rooms although in one or two reception is poor and it is easier to access wi-fi in the reception area and/or restaurant.

• SRI LANKA Mammals and birds Trip Report 2024
• SRI LANKA Mammals and birds Systematic List 2024
• SRI LANKA Mammals and birds Trip Report 2023
• SRI LANKA Mammals and birds Systematic List 2023
• SRI LANKA Mammals and birds Trip Report 2019