Sri Lanka Safari

12 days
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Small Group Tour
Unearth a region of wild delights and rich biodiversity through the depths of Sri Lanka’s forests and national parks. With safaris on land, water, and by foot, you’ll have the best chance of spotting some of Sri Lanka's iconic wildlife, including herds of native elephants in their natural habitat, leopards, thousands of birds, slender lorises, monkeys, crocod...
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$3,610
From$2,935
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Head out on multiple safaris in 4WDs through Wilpattu, Minneriya, Gal Oya, Kumuna and Yala National Parks, looking out for herds of native elephants, leopards, buffalo, deer, crocodiles, hundreds of species of birds and more.
    • Don infrared night goggles and witness sea turtles coming ashore at Rekawa beach to lay their eggs while hatchlings dash down to the water to start their new life.
    • Visit Singharaja Forest Reserve – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and spend the night in a nearby lodge in the misty rainforest. Head out on nature walks here, looking out for butterflies, jackals, big cats, wild boars and toque monkeys.
    • Explore the biodiverse Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary, unique due to its three vastly different ecosystems – the coast, the mangroves and the freshwater tanks.
    • See the incredible site of Sigiriya – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ruined fortress is one of Sri Lanka's most famous spots. Discover the ruins among thousands of birds, who thrive in the surrounding forests.
    • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Zero Plastic. Donations help them educate Sri Lankan communities about the impact of plastic on the environment and reduce plastic pollution in the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

What's this trip about?

    Unearth a region of wild delights and rich biodiversity through the depths of Sri Lanka’s forests and national parks. With safaris on land, water, and by foot, you’ll have the best chance of spotting some of Sri Lanka's iconic wildlife, including herds of native elephants in their natural habitat, leopards, thousands of birds, slender lorises, monkeys, crocodiles, buffalo, deer and jackals. You’ll also see the epic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya, exploring the ruined fortress. Couple these experiences with a cruise on a natural lake, some delicious local food and a night spent in an eco-lodge among the sounds of the forest, and you’ll delight on a wildlife-focused and nature-filled itinerary in one of Asia’s best selections of jungle and forest.

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityNegombo
End CityColombo

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions

  • Dambulla
  • Sigiriya
  • Sigiriya
  • Yala
  • Yala National Park

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • Wilpattu National Park - Evening 4WD Safari
    • Anawilundawa - Bird Sanctuary
    • Anuradhapura - Vessagiriya Complex Guided Tour
    • Minneriya National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
    • Popem’s Arboretum - Evening Nature Walk
    • Sigiriya Rock Fortress Visit
    • Habarana - Cooking Demo & Home Cooked Meal
    • Gal Oya National Park - Evening 4WD Safari
    • Kumana National Park - Evening 4WD Safari
    • Kumana National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
    • Yala National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
    • Yala National Park - Evening 4WD Safari
    • Sinharaja Rainforest - Evening Nature Walk
    • Rekawa - Turtle Nesting Observation
    • Sinharaja Rainforest - Bird & Butterfly Trail Walk
    • Galle - Galle Fort Walk

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Negombo

Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. If you arrive early, maybe relax on the golden sand beaches and soak up some sun or feast on fresh seafood. The surrounding countryside is also perfect to explore on a b...

Day 2 Wilpattu National Park

Drive to Wilpattu this morning, visiting Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary on the way. Anawilundawa is unique because it borders three vastly different ecosystems – the coast, the mangroves and the freshwater tanks. This makes it one of the six RAMSAR Wetlands in Sri Lanka ...

Day 3 Habarana

Set off after breakfast this morning for Dambulla. On the way, visit the Vessagiriya Complex – where 500 monks lived during the reign of the Anuradhapura kingdom. Explore the caves and then carry on to Minneriya National Park for an afternoon safari. Home to Sri Lanka...

Day 4 Habarana (Sigiriya)

Beat the heat with an early wake-up this morning and head to Sigiriya – this ruined fortress is one of Sri Lanka's most famous sights and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Those who make it to the top will be rewarded with epic views. This is also a popular spot for birdl...

Day 5 Ampara - Gal Oya National Park

Make the drive to Ampara and enter the unspoiled splendour of Gal Oya National Park. When you arrive, spend some time exploring the lush landscape on foot before heading out on a 4WD safari. This park is home to elephants, axis deer, muntjacs, water buffalo, mugger cr...

Day 6 Arugam Bay

Today, you'll head to Arugam Bay on Sri Lanka's southeast coast, renowned for its world-class surfing, stunning crescent-shaped beach, and laid-back vibes. When you arrive, check in to your hotel and maybe chill out by the beach before embarking on a 4WD evening safar...

Day 7 Kataragama - Kumana National Park

This morning, head out on another safari through Kumuna National Park. Because of the many waterways that thread through the landscape, you’ll have a pretty good shot of spotting some local wildlife. You'll also have the chance to stop by Arugam Bay Lagoon or Panama L...

Day 8 Kataragama - Yala National Park

Double up on wildlife spotting with two included safaris in the morning and evening in Yala National Park. There's a good chance of spotting crocodiles, elephants, monkeys and buffaloes, and if you are lucky, you may even spot a leopard – the park is considered one of...

Day 9 Sinharaja

Drive to Singharaja Forest Reserve today – a biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you arrive, settle into the Rainforest Eco Lodge, your accommodation for the night. Set among the misty rainforest, these eco-lodges sit on stilts for optimum harmon...

Day 10 Tangalle

Wake up with the morning birds and head out on a forest walk with your trip leader. Follow the leafy pathway, keeping an eye out for butterflies, multi-coloured blue magpies, squirrels, mongoose and birdlife. After, you’ll make the drive to Rekawa, where you’ll spend the night. As the sun goes down, you’ll head out to the beach with your group to look for nesting turtles.

Day 11 Colombo

Prepare for a big day as you head for your last stop in Colombo. From October to April, you have the option to join an early morning whale-watching excursion. Although it can make for a long day, Sri Lanka offers exceptional whale-watching sightings. Here, you have th...

Day 12 Colombo

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to stay in Colombo, just speak to your booking agent.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,935
Price per day$245
Last Updated: 2/28/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
18 Apr 2025
29 Apr 2025
$3,605
16 May 2025
27 May 2025
$3,485
13 Jun 2025
24 Jun 2025
$3,325
27 Jun 2025
08 Jul 2025
$2,920
11 Jul 2025
22 Jul 2025
$2,935
25 Jul 2025
05 Aug 2025
$3,085
08 Aug 2025
19 Aug 2025
$3,000
22 Aug 2025
02 Sep 2025
$3,315
05 Sep 2025
16 Sep 2025
$2,885
19 Sep 2025
30 Sep 2025
$3,210

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Permanent Tented Camp (with facilities) (1 night),Eco Lodge (1 night),Hotel (9 nights)

Transportation & Flights

Private vehicle,

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines CURRENT SITUATION: The recent terrorist attacks were a tragic event and have had a serious impact on tourism in the country. Intrepid has a strong commitment to our local staff and the communities we visit and are continuing to operate all our trips in Sri Lanka. While the security situation is now much more stable, you will still see a high police presence in towns and cities and many check points are still in place. We continue to follow government travel advisories and local authorities in operating our trips in Sri Lanka. We don't anticipate major changes to your itinerary at this time, however it’s important to be aware that the country is still recovering and things like travel times between destinations and time taken to go through security at the airport may be affected. POLITICAL TENSION: Demonstrations and large public gatherings can turn violent or be a target for politically-motivated attacks. Police have used tear gas and water cannons in response to protests. Curfews can be imposed at short notice. You should avoid all large public gatherings and follow advice of your leader. Some security forces maintain a visible presence, particularly in the northern and eastern provinces. Military and police checkpoints can be established and road closures can occur without warning. PETTY CRIME: Pick-pocketing, bag snatching and other petty crime occurs in Sri Lanka, particularly in crowded places such as tourist areas, markets and on public transport. Carry only what you need an always use hotel safes where available. Card skimming has been known to occur - only use ATMs attached to banks or at major hotels. Some tourists unwittingly buy counterfeit goods, particularly jewellery and gems - be aware you may not be buying the real thing. LOCAL LAWS: You must carry a form of official photo identification with you at all times - a copy of your passport is a good idea. Be aware that smoking and drinking in most public places is illegal. WOMEN'S SAFETY: Women should exercise caution when travelling in Sri Lanka. While the risk of an incident occurring on your trip is very low, below are some things you can do for your safety and peace of mind when travelling: - Respect local dress codes and customs, perhaps dressing more conservatively than you do at home - Avoid isolated areas, including beaches, unlit city streets and village lanes when alone at any time of day - Avoid travelling alone on public transport, or in taxis or auto-rickshaws at night - If you’re being collected at the airport by a driver make sure they have properly identified themselves before you set off. BICYCLE HELMETS: Please note that helmets are not always provided for sightseeing on bicycles. If you wish you can bring along your own.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
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