Sri Lanka Birding and Wildlife Tour

If you are interested in the Sri Lanka Birding and Wildlife Tour, come and join us at Kaiyote Tours!

Birding, Relaxing and Tranquility 

Sir Lanka offers amazing natural beauty in a most relaxing environment.  If you are a nature lover, besides the beautiful birds, you will find wonderful forests, pristine riparian and waterway habitats, stunning coastlines, fantastic local people, many interesting mammals and great food!!  Stats:  130 mammal species, 508 bird species (33 endemics), 220 reptiles (136 endemics), 121 amphibians (106 endemics), 1389 fish species including 97 fresh water fish, and 3,500 identifies plant species equals:  Biodiversity. And don't forget your swimsuit, every hotel we stay at has a beautiful swimming pool, and sometimes access to the beach. 

Printable Bird List 
(Checklist of birds that we have seen on this trip)

• Travel Dates:  
• November 29 - December 10, 2025, spots left = 4
• January 17 - 28, 2026, spots left = 5
• Group Size:  6 Travelers plus guides
• Trip Length: 12 days
• Rates: Rate per person = $4,350 ($1,800 additional charge for single occupancy)
• Rates include: Domestic transfers, lodging, breakfast, lunch, dinner, scheduled group tours, park entrance fees and basic travel insurance.
• Not included: International airfare, customs & immigration fees and visas, alcohol, trip cancellation insurance.
• Adventure level:  Moderate, please check the “Welcome” page for definition

**Visa Requirement:  If you have a U.S.A. passport, you will need a visa to enter Sri Lanka.  It is strongly recommended that you get an electronic visa on-line before you travel; current fee is $60

Special offer:  Included with your trip (one per room) is a copy of the field guide "Birds of India: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives" Second Edition (Princeton Field Guides) by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp.  You will receive this when you reserve your trip so you will have time to study and know the beautiful birds of Sri Lanka. 

Map of the travel route here:  Sri Lanka Map 

Basic Itinerary

Day 3:  Sinharaja
Morning and afternoon, birding at Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve (Wikipedia page).

Day 4:  Sinharaja
A second full day of birding and wildlife viewing at the Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve.  This is the best area in Sri Lanka for observing endemic species.  

Day 5:  Udawalawe
Fuel up with a good breakfast, then hit the road to the wild beauty of Udawalawe. A 2.5 hour drive. Afternoon, safari at Udawalawe National Park for dry zone birds and Elephants. Look for dry zone birds, which include Little Green Bee-Eater, Malabar Pied Hornbill & Blue-faced Malkoha. On a visit to Udawalawe National Park close to 50-60 Elephants can be seen and the Nursery Herd which comprises many baby Elephants is one of the key attractions.  Dinner and overnight stay in Udawalawe at Kalu’s Hide Away, where we will spend 1-night.

Day 6:  Yala
From Udawalawe it is a 2-hour drive to the untamed wilderness of Yala. Enroute bird watching safari at Bundala National Park. Bundala is a fascinating wetland home for 150 species of winter migrant and resident birds. The park is accessed in safari jeeps. Bundala is a ‘Ramsar’ wetland of Sri Lanka. Among the larger water birds you could also see Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-headed Ibis and Wooly-necked Stork.  After a full day of birding, dinner and overnight stay at Yala at Wild Culture Hotel for 2-nights. 

Day 7:  Yala
Morning and afternoon safaris at Yala national park. Yala National Park was declared as a Game Park in 1938 and is 241,868 acres. According to the Leopard Researches, Yala Block 1 has one of the highest densities of Leopards in the world. Yala therefore offers one of the best chances in Asia to see Leopards. You may also see Elephant, Sloth Bear, Sambhur, and Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Stripe-necked, Brown & Ruddy Mongooses, Black-naped Hare & several civet species.

Day 8:  Nuwara Eliya
Early morning departure for the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Enroute visit Hakgala Botanical Garden. Nestled in the cool highlands, Hakgala Botanical Garden offers a serene haven for birders, with lush foliage that attracts endemics like the Sri Lanka white-eye and yellow-eared bulbul.  It is a 5.5 hour drive to our next place of lodging at Queenwood Cottage for 2-nights.

Day 9:  Nuwara Eliya
Morning, visit to Horton Plains National Park. An early start is required for the rare montane endemic, Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush. We would visit the famous ‘Arrenga pool’ before the light breaks, to try our luck with this crepuscular Thrush. As the day breaks, the booming calls of the dominant males of the endemic Bear Monkeys add an enigmatic touch to the forest’s orchestra of birdcalls. Look for the montane endemics, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon Sri Lanka White Eye and Dull Blue Flycatcher. In addition we may look for Scaly Thrush (race imbricata of White's Thrush), Brown Wood Owl, Eurasian Blackbird (race kinnissi), Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Crested Goshawk. This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to walk freely inside.  Afterward, a visit to Victoria Park. Highlights include Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka Hill White-eye and Dull blue Flycatcher.

Day 10:  Kandy
From Nuwara Eliya, it is a 3-hour drive to our next destination at Kandy.  In the afternoon we will visit Udawattakele Forest Reserve. Tucked behind the Kandy Temple, Udawattakele Forest Reserve is a birding gem where dense canopies shelter species like the Layard’s parakeet and brown-capped babbler. Its winding trails offer peaceful encounters with both forest endemics and vibrant resident birds. Lodging for 1-night: Hotel Thilanka

Day 11:  Colombo
From our hotel in Kandy, it is a 3-hour drive back to Colombo. Our main stop for the day is the Thalangama Wetland, which is a serene and biodiverse ecosystem located near Colombo, Sri Lanka, offering a vital habitat for numerous bird species and aquatic life. Its lush greenery and tranquil waters make it an important ecological haven and a peaceful escape from urban life. Our last hotel stay for the trip will be at the Marino Beach Hotel.

Day 12:  Fly Home 
There will be a shuttle to the airport for flights home. The hotel is a 1-hour drive to the airport. 

Paramie Perera: A seasoned travel specialist with over 16 years of experience, specializing in wildlife, luxury travel, and cultural explorations. She creates unique and meticulously planned itineraries, staying current with travel trends to offer flexible adventures. In 2009, she showcased Sri Lanka's avian life and conservation efforts at the UK Bird Fair, bringing global attention to the country's biodiversity. Her personal interests in wildlife and cultural destinations enhance her professional expertise.

Usiru Jinadasa:  With over a decade of experience in Sri Lanka's travel industry, Usiru is an expert in nature, wildlife, and cultural exploration. He holds a bachelor's in tourism management and a diploma in wildlife conservation, offering immersive tours and featured wildlife photography. His tours integrate Sri Lanka's culture and history, providing a holistic view of the island's heritage. In 2023, he represented Sri Lanka at the UK Bird Fair, promoting its avian life and conservation efforts globally.