Sri Lanka Wildlife Safari

Explore the charming coastal town of Negombo and discover its best-kept secrets. The Negombo Lagoon is a favourite place to engage in water sports, so head over for fun. The Hamilton Canal is another wonderful attraction, allowing visitors to explore the town through its waterways. The wildlife that thrives near the canal adds to the excitement and thrill of the boat ride. You can also visit the Lellama Fish Market and soak in the energy of the fishermen and their buyers. In the evening, visit Negombo beach, the perfect place to watch the sunset.

Visit the Rangiri-Dambulla Temple to view the extensive collection of Buddha statues and murals. The temple is one of the biggest and best-preserved Buddhist cave systems in Sri Lanka, and while the paintings and statues only date back to the Kandyan era, they showcase the artistry of ancient Sri Lankans. Afterwards, climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, passing the famous lion paws made of bricks. The old ruins at the summit may be the main attraction, but on the way visitors pass many highlights, including leisure gardens, the famous Mirror Wall and the beautiful Sigiriya frescoes. If you time it right, you can enjoy the sunset from the summit.

The Minneriya National Park is famous for its annual elephant migration. While this is a seasonal phenomenon, the park still attracts a large number of visitors throughout the rest of the year. In addition to elephants, visitors can also come across numerous mammal species, including the rare Sri Lankan leopard and sloth bear, birds, reptiles and amphibians. You will not only explore the wildlife but also travel through different landscapes, from scrubland to forests to wetlands, further enhancing the safari experience. Afterwards, you can relax at the hotel and enjoy the amenities.

Habarana is a rural area of the island. Once you reach Habarana, you can take a village tour. Discover the warmth of rural hospitality and the daily lifestyle of an agricultural community. Immerse yourself in the rhythm of the village for the day and observe the lives of farmers, herders and others. You can even visit a local home and help prepare your meal, enjoying a personal lesson on how to cook flavourful Sri Lankan curries using local ingredients and spices. In the evening, return to the Habarana lake to enjoy the sunset and perhaps spot the occasional wild animal since animals tend to gather near the bank as the sun sets.

Once the leisure garden of Sri Lankan kings, Peradeniya is now a scenic botanical garden. The garden houses native and migratory flora, some planted for educational or diplomatic reasons, while others merely offer pleasure. The Mahaweli River forms one border of the garden, giving incredibly scenic views. Enjoy a stroll before a city tour to witness Kandy as a living city rather than a historical capital. On the city tour, you will spot famous landmarks such as the Queens Hotel and visit viewpoints that let you gaze at the city below. Stop at a local artisanal store to shop for traditional arts and crafts of Kandy.

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in the morning in time for the daily morning puja. The iconic temple is the heart of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and enshrines the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. There is also a museum with keepsakes that are significant to the temple's history. The Magul Maduwa pavilion is a place of historical significance and a must-visit attraction before you leave the temple grounds. Afterwards, enjoy a stroll around Kandy Lake or perhaps take a boat ride. Top off the evening with a stunning cultural performance by local artists, dancers and musicians.

Depart from Kandy to head to Ella, a mountain town renowned for its gorgeous scenery and sweeping vistas. You can take the train to Ella, cutting down the travel time of the full journey from Colombo and only enjoying the most scenic portion of this beautiful train ride. Along the way, you will pass tea estates and waterfalls, cross gorges and go through tunnels cut into mountains. The train slows down at the Nine Arch Bridge, so you can even disembark and capture a photo to mark the moment before getting back on the train as it finally drives into the Ella station. The rest of the day is to be spent at leisure.

There are several possible hiking trails you can choose, though the hikes are not difficult, thanks to the elevation of the town. For instance, you can hike up to the viewpoint at Little Adam's Peak. Alternatively, you can hike to Ella Rock. On the other hand, retrace the route the train took driving into Ella yesterday and walk up to the Nine Arch Bridge to explore the area further. A tuk-tuk ride can take you to the trailhead that allows you to reach the upper level of the Diyaluma Falls. The path through tea estates and steep inclines is all the more rewarding during the dry season, when you can jump into one of the natural pools formed by the current.

Travel through the verdant hill country to the more arid dry zone, witnessing the changing landscape. You can stop on the way near a beautiful waterfall to enjoy the view. Once back on the road, your destination for the day is Yala National Park. One of the most popular national parks on the island, Yala is the best place to spot the elusive leopard. While sightings are never certain, its high concentration of this big cat increases your chances. You can also visit the ancient Sithul Pawwa temple that sits atop a rocky outcrop within the park and reach the coast, which forms one boundary of the park.

The dry zone's aridness gives way as you move to Unawatuna, one of the most scenic beaches on the south coast. The vibrant greenery of the landscape will increase your excitement even before you reach the famous crescent moon bay, with its shallow water levels and powdery sand. This is a beach ideal for relaxation with plenty of opportunities to enjoy water sports, take a relaxing stroll or even visit a nearby temple. You can even spot stilt fishermen precariously perched on slender poles fastened to the sea bed to catch fish on their rods.

Galle is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Galle Dutch Fort, the best-preserved fortification in Sri Lanka. Now a cheerful commercial and residential area, the Galle Fort has several chic boutique hotels, cafes, shops and restaurants. The old ramparts of the fort are still strong and have well-tended pathways that let you enjoy stunning views of the sea and the town. If you stroll along these paths, you can reach the different bastions and the lighthouse and take incredible landscape photos. On the ground level, you can visit artisanal stores, cafes, restaurants and museums.

Drive along the Galle Road, basking in the coastal views until you reach a turtle hatchery in Hikkaduwa. These hatcheries aim to conserve the turtle species found in Sri Lanka and offer a safe space for turtle hatchlings, and sick and injured adult turtles. Afterwards, head to the Madu River, a serene space where you can enjoy a river safari and observe freshwater fish and amphibians. A short commute then takes you to Colombo, Sri Lanka's commercial capital, where you can embark on a city tour. Explore colonial buildings like the National Museum and Independence Hall, take advantage of its many shopping malls, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

After a leisurely meal, your guide will escort you from your hotel and transfer you via the highway to Bandaranaike International Airport. We hope you enjoyed your 14-day tour of Sri Lanka!