Wilpattu National Park

The Wilpattu National Park is situated in the north western region of Sri Lanka, and is the oldest and largest national park in the country. The national park envelopes an area that covers several types of forest, from wetlands to shrubs and grasslands. The Wilpattu National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including Sri Lankan Leopards, Sri Lankan Elephants, a number of primates, crocodiles and other reptiles, and more than 200 species of birds, but on this trip, the main attraction will be the Sri Lankan Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus inornatus).

Unawatuna Beach

After breakfast at the camp in Wilpattu, you will be driven south to Mirissa, a small town located between the southern cities of Galle and Matara. Mirissa has the port from which you will take a boat ride the next day to see whales. By the time you reach the town, it will be the afternoon, and since this time is unsuitable for whale watching, you may spend the day relaxing on one of the wonderful beaches in the area, either in Mirissa itself or in Unawatuna, the latter of which has been called one of the best beaches in the country. You will get a chance to relax and take in the atmosphere. It is recommended that you retire for the night early, as you have an early morning ahead of you.

Mirissa Beach

Go on a whale watching expedition in the morning off the coast of Mirissa. Drive to Yala National Park, where you will stay overnight in a safari camp. In the early morning, you will leave for the port to take a boat ride to see the two largest animals in the big five. You will leave the port at 7:00am to an area of deep sea where you will see Blue Whales and Sperm Whales in their natural habitat.

Yala National Park

Campfire and BBQ dinner at Yala Safari Camp

Yala National Park

Take a full day’s game drive at the Yala National Park, where you will be on the lookout for Leopards. Stay overnight at a safari camp at Yala National Park. Wake up in the early morning amidst the wilderness at Yala National Park, and get ready for an entire day filled with a safari adventure like no other. Several areas in the Yala National Park are known to have the highest density of wild leopards in the world, making it the prime leopard-watching destination globally. Photographing a wild leopard is a thrill of its own, and be prepared to take a few here, as sightings might be rare and far apart. After a long day of safari adventures, you will retire for the day, have dinner, and stay overnight at a Safari Camp adjacent to the Yala National Park.

Yala National Park

You will get another chance to see leopards at Yala National Park in the morning before breakfast, and catch up on things or areas you may have missed the day before. The jungle does not follow a set schedule, and there may be so many things you are yet to experience. After coming back from the early morning game drive, you will have breakfast at the campsite and then be taken to yet another national park in Sri Lanka.

Udawalawe National Park

There is a saying in Sri Lanka that goes “One can never get tired of watching elephants”. From the safety and comfort of your 4WD Safari Jeep, you will begin to understand the truth in the local saying. You will be taken very close to where the herds of elephants are, and you will get to see them near the reservoir drinking, bathing, or wallowing in mud as a way of cooling down. The most interesting of the herd will always be the baby elephants. These bundles of energy will entertain you to no end, as they learn the intricacies of their own trunks and play with other cubs. Elephant herds are made up of a matriarch and several adult females, plus juvenile or baby elephants of both sexes. Male elephants tend to live a solitary life and will interact with females only for mating purposes. After the elephant safari ends in the evening, you will have dinner and stay overnight at a camp site in the vicinity of the Udawalawe National Park.

Udawalawe National Park

If one experience of watching elephants is not enough (we guarantee you it won’t be), you have another chance to see these gentle giants in the wild once more. Morning safaris are a great way to see what elephants get up to in the early morning hours. The Udawalawe National Park’s other residents – several primate species, reptiles, and hundreds of bird species – are also more active during this time. After the morning safari experience, you will leave the camp to go to the west coast town of Negombo, which you will reach in the evening.

Negombo Beach

After the morning safari experience, you will leave the camp to go to the west coast town of Negombo, which you will reach in the evening. Negombo is best known for its amazing seafood, which local fishermen source from both the ocean and the vast lagoon. The variety of crabs, prawns, lobster, crayfish, and the various types of fish will be a seafood-lover’s dream. Food aside, the town is also known for its active nightlife every night of the week, and is home to several shops and boutiques that are open till late. You will stay overnight in a luxurious hotel in Negombo for your last night of the tour.

Katunayake

After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport, from which you will depart the island with memories of Sri Lanka’s big five.