Top Sri Lanka Budget Wildlife Viewing Tours & Packages 2025/2026

Our 9 most popular Sri Lanka Budget Wildlife Viewing Tours & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 7 tour companies. 339 reviews.

9 Trips match your criteria (1 - 9 shown)

Sri Lanka Family Holiday
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Dambulla, Mirissa, Negombo

Highlights

  • The whole family will be impressed by the ancient rock fortress Sigiriya, from the massive stone lion paws at the entrance to the 200-metre climb to the top.
  • Spotting elephants in their natural habitat during a jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park is something your kids – and you – will never forget.
  • Share dinner with a Sri Lankan family before sealing the friendship with an informal lesson in a traditional Kandyan dance.
  • Explore the Dambulla cave temples, where prehistoric Sri Lankans lived thousands of years ago and ancient murals and statues depicting the Buddha are on display.
  • Soak up some sun during a strategically scheduled beach break along the palm-fringed sands of Mirissa, where the kids can splash, and you can relax.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Michelle Middleton is an asset to the customer care team. Easy and honest communication throughout!"

Trip dates & details
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Walking Trails of Sri Lanka
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Ella

Highlights

  • Walk through paddies and tea plantations
  • Explore trails rarely taken by tourists
  • Visit the beautiful lakeside town of Kandy
  • Enjoy sunrise on Adam's Peak (seasonal)
  • Search for leopards in Yala National Park

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Hiking & Walking, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"The booking process for my forthcoming trip to Peru on the Salkantay trek in November went very smoothly"

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Discover Sri Lanka
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Sigiriya

Highlights

  • Experience the best of Sri Lanka: ancient culture, tropical landscapes and safari adventures
  • Enter Dambulla’s sacred cave temples to walk among ancient Buddha icons
  • Summit the mighty rock fortress at Sigiriya for unforgettable views over the central plains
  • Cycle through rice fields and villages − an immersive way to experience rural Sri Lanka
  • Game drive through Yala National Park to search for the elusive leopards
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Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Culinary & Wine, National Parks, Festivals & Special Events

What travelers are saying

"The booking process for my forthcoming trip to Peru on the Salkantay trek in November went very smoothly"

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Sigiriya, Sigiriya

Highlights

  • Discover Sri Lanka by bike, meeting the friendly people and exploring the incredible landscapes
  • Challenge yourself on a ride through emerald tea estates to Nuwara Eliya
  • Enter Dambulla’s sacred cave temples to walk among ancient Buddha icons
  • Summit the mighty rock fortress at Sigiriya for unforgettable views over the central plains
  • Game drive through Yala National Park in search of the elusive leopard

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Cycling & Biking, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"The booking process for my forthcoming trip to Peru on the Salkantay trek in November went very smoothly"

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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Natural Wonders of Sri Lanka
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5/5 Excellent
14 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Search for abundant wildlife on a Yala National Park expedition, which boasts Asia’s largest concentration of leopards, along with Asian elephants, spotted deer, and over 200 species of birds.
  • A hallmark of any Sri Lanka tour, discover the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sigiriya, an ancient palace and fortress built atop a huge granite monolith; the monumental ruins in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval capital; and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, a significant site of pilgrimage for Buddhists.
  • Enjoy whale-watching cruises off the southern coast, one of the best places in the world to view blue whales.
  • Explore Sinharaja, a vast tropical rain forest that is home to over half of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of flora and fauna.
  • Stay in a variety of superb accommodations throughout your Sri Lanka adventure travels—from beach-side resorts and colonial-era mansions to world-class game lodges offering splendid vistas of the surrounding wilderness.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Birding, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Zegrahm gets my highest recommendation. I recently returned from a 13-day Seychelles exploration and snorkel/dive adventure beginning in Zanzibar, visiting something like 9 Seychelles Atolls and islands for tons of daily snorkeling and diving, and finishing in Mahe where we departed from. This was absolutely the best cruise/group experience I have ever had on either land or sea. Zegrahm charters the boats and I was lucky enough to be on the Ponant ship, Le Bougainville, which is very posh, with a friendly and polite staff, an amazing french chef, good food, a nice spa, you name it. My bedroom was like a small luxury hotel and each room had a balcony so you could enjoy seaside and ocean views from your bed or balcony whenever you'd like. It was lovely. I especially appreciated coming back to such a haven after long days of sunshine, beach and snorkeling. Not only was the cruise ship and it's staff fantastic, but the Zegrahm staff were all wonderful. I sat and had dinner with many of them every day and they somehow remembered all our names (99 or so of us). They snorkeled and dove with us, pointing out fish and naming species, they went birding, they provided lectures in the mornings and evenings in their areas of expertise, because Zegrahm hires Marine Biologists, Anthropologists, and countless other individuals (with PhDs) to provide insight and lessons into the history and ecology of the places being visited and seen. At the conclusion of the trip - I didn't want it to end. I had made several like-minded friends for travel, was invited on future trips and exchanged information with almost everyone. We were a family by the end, both staff and customers. Hugs all around as we celebrated all we had seen together and promised to keep in touch. Zegrahm fosters that type of environment when you travel with them - and it was welcoming and especially enjoyable for a solo traveler like myself. These trips aren't cheap - but are worthwhile for all you see and do - most things you'd never be able to see on your own and certainly not with trained ecologists and marine science experts. I believe you get what you pay for. I was one of the youngest on board but there was a small group of about ten 30-40 year olds with the vast majority being probably 50-80. This isn't a sit on the boat all day-type thing. You are going to be waking up early, going out 2-3x a day and really seeing and doing things. You almost never have down time and you are always learning, seeing, talking and doing. It's expeditionary, not sedentary. It's fun and really enriching. The best way to know someone is doing a good job at this price point (think around $8-12k per person) is repeat customers and I met countless people who have done 6-12 of these expeditions with Zegrahm and knew the staff already. That's the absolute best recommendation you can get. I'll be booking with them again without any hesitation. Thank you to Brad, Murph, LJ, Merel, Steven, George, George K., Robin, Pepper, Lisa, Shirley, Gemma, Chris, Boli, Marcel, and anyone else who I forgot from this amazing trip. You all did a great job and made me feel like family!"

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Sri Lanka Adventure
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Anuradhapura, Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya

Highlights

  • Climb to the top of Adam's Peak, raft the River Kalani and hike the spectacular Horton's Plains
  • A relaxed pace with time to immerse yourself in the culture
  • Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park in search for wild elephants, water buffalo, deer and other species.
  • Time spent in the hill capital of Kandy
  • Experience remote regions of Sri Lanka
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

What travelers are saying

"Our group of four, were very well supported by an experienced group of Nepali guides, cook, kitchen boys and porters. Our leader – Bir Singh – was exceptional. He ensured everything went smoothly, from recommending “fleecy buffs”, dispensing medication, answering endless questions, to estimating the severity of earthquakes. He offered endless reassurance, always with a smile."

Trip dates & details
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Holiday Voyage: From Africa to Asia
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • At Nairobi’s Giraffe Center, hear from staff about efforts to restore the population of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe.
  • Go island hopping in the Seychelles, from the endemic vegetation of granite-peaked Mahé to Praslin National Park and breathtaking La Digue.
  • Explore the Sri Lankan cities of Galle and Colombo, including the latter’s colorful Pettah Bazaar and Asokaramaya Buddhist temple.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Sailing, Education / Learning, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"When I signed up for the Wonders of Costa Rica at a slower pace. The hotel listed in the itinerary for day 8&9 was a 4 star hotel on the beach called the Punta Leona. I'm not sure when but Road Scholar changed the Punta Leona hotel for the 3 star Villa Lapis Jungle hotel. I was shocked when we drove up to this dump. Others in the group wanted to leave and find another hotel. I had black bugs under that shower mat and the shower did not drain, Spiders on the wall and roaches coming out of the cracked in the bathroom. The bed was a thin mattress on a board and was hard as a rock. The food they put out was covered with a wrap but 15 minutes after the plastic wrap was removed it was covered with fruit flies. I passed on the open food bowls. The walls were real thin and the neighbors were real noisy until 11:30 pm. Others in the group complained about the late night noise, spiders and toilet seat being broken. I'm not sure where this place gets 3 stars. After I saw the roaches, I give it a 1 star. Road Scholar put us up in beautiful hotels and then they take us here. You can do better than this Road Scholar. The end the story, Road Scholar customer service called me about my concern and said they have never used the Punta Leona, (I sent her my itinerary that said PUNTA LEONA). She also said they haven't had any complaints about this Villa Lapis dump. After her call, I'm not sure if I'll ever travel with Road Scholar again. Enough said...."

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Secrets of Sri Lanka
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5/5 Excellent
12 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Discover past and present Colombo with a guided tour
  • Climb the 1,144ft (349m) ancient fortress at Sigiriya
  • Tuck into lunch overlooking paddy fields and a private spice garden
  • Whip up a feast at a hands-on Sri Lankan cooking class
  • Plunge down white-water rapids on a river rafting trip
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"A Culture Trip curated trip is a must for anyone burnt out planning their own trips or going to a remote or unfamiliar area. Having a local insider was the highlight of the trip. From the moment we landed to the moment we had to go through security to leave, we were completely taken care of. Our insider gave us great recommendations for restaurants and was very adaptable to any situation that arose."

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Sri Lanka Budget Wildlife Viewing Tours & Packages Reviews

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Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Highlands of Sri Lanka walking tour

Two weeks walking tour in Sri Lank. through cultural hotspots, mountain ranges, tea plantations, national parks. An excellent programme for a first discovery of th...

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Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Highlands of Sri Lanka

A wonderful experience in a beautiful country. The welcoming smiles of the Sri Lankan people. Sujee was excellent - caring, helpful and knowledgeable with a passio...

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Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Great trip!

A thoroughly enjoyable and well planned trip. Our guide Sujan was great. Hotels of good standard. Good bunch of people. Seeing the devotion of old people climbin...

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Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Highlands of Sri Lanka

A thoroughly enjoyable group tour of the southern half of Sri Lanka. Highlights included an overnight ascent of Adam's Peak and whale watching off the south coast....

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Highlands of Sri Lanka

Good walking and sight seeing and experience of Sri Lanka. Adequate/good hotels. Seeing the leopard in Yala national park. Staying in tea plantation bungalow. Walk ...

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