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Sri Lanka extended safari
USD 7550
JAN-DEC
17 NIGHTS
Select your style
We are able to vary the price of this trip considerably, simply by swapping out the lodges that it contains. This is likely to have a very significant effect on the level of polish of the trip, but in all cases it will remain cool and authentic. Make your selection here and the lodges will automatically change in the itinerary below.
USD 11150 per person
This trip includes really good quality properties, perhaps without the intense polish of the very top lodges, but also without the premium price tag.
Trip Summary
Start location : Colombo Airport CMB
Colombo
01 : Wallawwa
Wilpattu
Anuradhapura
04 : Uga Ulugalla
05 : Uga Ulugalla
Sigiriya
Knuckles
07 : Madulkelle Lodge
08 : Madulkelle Lodge
Pasikuda
09 : Kalkudah Beach House
10 : Kalkudah Beach House
Gal Oya
11 : Gal Oya Lodge
12 : Gal Oya Lodge
Yala
13 : Kumana Under Canvas
14 : Kumana Under Canvas
15 : Leopard Trails Yala
Galle
16 : Galle Fort Hotel
17 : Galle Fort Hotel
End location : Colombo Airport CMB
Colombo
Set on the west coast of Sri Lanka, Colombo is the capital city and by far the largest urban area on the island. A mix of historic architecture and contemporary living, this vibrant place is certainly worth including in your trip if you want to get to know modern Sri Lanka.
Day 1
Arrival : Colombo Airport CMB
lodge
Wallawwa
Wallawwa is located around 30km north of Colombo in Sri Lanka.
Guest accommodation is in 18 rooms, including Wallawwa Rooms ...
... Garden Suites ...
... and the Mountbatten Suite.
The hotel also has a substantial spa facility.
The city of Colombo is located on the west coast of Sri Lanka.
This port city was declared the capital of the island by the British in 1815.
Both the colonial heart and the modern city are interesting to explore.
Both the colonial heart and the modern city are interesting to explore.
The best time of year to visit the Colombo area is generally considered to be during Jan-Mar.
Wilpattu
Set in the northwest of Sri Lanka, Wilpattu National Park is the largest conservation area in the country, home to a decent range of wildlife, notably including elephants, leopards and sloth bears. It also experiences far lower visitor numbers than the more popular Yala National Park.
Day 2 , 3
lodge
Leopard Trails Wilpattu
Leopard Trails Wilpattu is located in the Wilpattu area of northeast Sri Lanka,
Guest accommodation is in around 12 rooms, including Deluxe Tents ...
... and the much larger and nicer Suite Tents.
Wilpattu is the largest and oldest national park on the island ...
... and contains a really good range of wildlife ...
... largely focused around an extensive network of lakes.
The reserve experiences far fewer visitors than the Yala area down south.
The best time of year to visit the Wilpattu area is generally considered to be during Jun-Sep.
Anuradhapura
Set in northcentral Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is a relaxed town which is home to an enormous complex of historic ruins, with various sacred buildings including the renowned Bodhi Tree Temple, a place of great pilgrimage amongst Buddhists.
Day 4 , 5
lodge
Uga Ulugalla
Uga Ulagalla is located in the Anuradhapura area of Sri Lanka.
Guest accommodation is in 25 units, including nineteen Ulagalla Pool Villas ...
... five Deluxe Pool Villas, suitable for families ...
... and one larger Nikawewa Villa with two bedrooms.
Anuradhapura is home to an incredibly extensive array of historic Buddhist structures.
It is also home to the famous Bodhi Tree ...
... which is said to be a cutting from the revered Tree of Enlightenment.
Around 12km to the northeast lies a second holy site, Mihintale ...
... where Buddhism was originally introduced to Sri Lanka.
The best time of year to visit the Anuradhapura area is generally considered to be during Jun-Sep.
Sigiriya
Set in northcentral Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is an iconic hilltop fortress. Other attractions in this area include the rock temples of Dambulla and the ruins of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. It’s a fascinating area, which is home to some really good accommodation options.
Day 6
lodge
Water Garden Sigiriya
Sigiriya is an iconic hilltop fortress.
Dating from 480 AD, the fortress is surrounded by extensive ruins and gardens.
Close by lie famous cave temples of Dambulla, dating from around 50 BC ...
... which are crowned by a huge golden statue of Buddha.
To the northeast lie the extensive ruins of Polonnaruwa, dating from 950 AD.
There are three national parks in the area, but we generally avoid them due to sever traffic issues.
The best time of year to visit the Sigiriya area is generally considered to be during Jan-Mar.
Knuckles
Set in the centre of Sri Lanka, Knuckles is a mountainous conservation area, whose dense cloud forest harbour a remarkable number of endemic species. The reserve is little-visited, but does offer some interesting walking trails, whilst the surrounding tea-plantations contain some interesting accommodation options.
Day 7 , 8
lodge
Madulkelle Lodge
Madulkelle Lodge is located in the Knuckles area of central Sri Lanka.
The lodge is centred on an authentic colonial tea estate bungalow.
Guest accommodation is in 18 rooms, including Deluxe Tents ...
... and the much larger Honeymoon Suite.
Knuckles is a mountainous national park, renowned for its biodiversity.
It can only be explored on foot, with a good range of forest and mountain trails.
The reserve is surrounded by very scenic paddy fields and tea plantations.
The best time of year to visit the Knuckles area is generally considered to be during Jun-Sep.
Pasikuda
Set on the east coast of Sri Lanka, Pasikuda is a relatively quiet and beautiful beach area, easily combined in road trips with Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy, as well as featuring a broad range of accommodation options.
Day 9 , 10
lodge
Kalkudah Beach House
Gal Oya
Set in the east of Sri Lanka, Gal Oya National Park is a relatively small conservation area, best known for motorboat safari to view elephants swimming between the various islands in the huge reservoir.
Day 11 , 12
lodge
Gal Oya Lodge
Yala
Set in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka, Yala is the largest and best-known national park in the country, famously home to elephants, leopards and sloth bears, as well as having some decent beaches. The area also has a surprisingly good range of safari accommodation.
Day 13 , 14
lodge
Kumana Under Canvas
Day 15
lodge
Leopard Trails Yala
Leopard Trails Yala is located in the Yala area of southeast Sri Lanka.
Guest accommodation is in around 12 rooms, including Deluxe Tents ...
... and larger Suite Tents.
Yala is by far the most popular safari area on the island ...
... with a really good range of relatively accessible wildlife ...
... including elusive sloth bears.
Yala is renowned for its leopards ...
... but vehicle traffic is a major issue in some areas, so very careful safari planning is essential.
Unusually for a safari area, Yala includes an extensive ocean frontage.
The best time of year to visit the Yala area is generally considered to be during Jan-Mar.
Galle
Set on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, Galle (pronounced 'gorl') is an historic port, centred on an impressive Portuguese, Dutch and British fort, a lovely place to explore and with some really authentic accommodation options.
Day 16 , 17
lodge
Galle Fort Hotel
Day 18
Departure : Colombo Airport CMB
Alternative Trips
Here is a small selection of related sample trips.
Of course, your actual trip will be precisely tailor-made.
Of course, your actual trip will be precisely tailor-made.
