Sri Lanka Wildlife & Cultural Treasures

A very important feature of our Sri Lankan safari is the limited group size, as nature encounters are best experienced within the intimate setting of a small group.

Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s) and local guides, private whale watching cruise, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on final day, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, most alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees, optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Moderate
Travelers must be able to walk unassisted (without the use of walking aids) at a steady pace for at least two miles over uneven terrain, climb stairs at some accommodations, and climb a short ladder to get in and out of our safari vehicles, all in potentially hot and humid conditions, in order to participate in this trip. Activities include walking tours that could be as long as three miles in length and walking on sometimes dark and uneven paths at our accommodations; some walks will take place in areas situated between 6,000 and 7,500 feet in elevation. If you wish to climb to the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress (not required), there are approximately 1,200 steps to navigate to the top. Wildlife drives in the parks take place on rough and bumpy dirt roads with many ruts and potholes, in conditions that are potentially extremely dusty. Travelers with back problems or other health issues that could be exacerbated by such conditions should take this into consideration. The trip also involves many very early morning starts and long, full days of activities with little down time, which can be tiring. Some drives between locations are long (5-6 hours) and can occur amid chaotic local driving conditions.

On custom or private departures with smaller groups, our ability to accommodate varying levels of physical abilities or interests is limited, since these trips are staffed with a single Expedition Leader who may be assisted, pending availability, by local guides.

Most of our guests travel to Sri Lanka for encounters with the country’s unique wildlife. While the nature experiences here are indeed remarkable, there is a fundamental difference between wildlife encounters in Sri Lanka versus a typical safari in Africa. At times, guests who are lured to Sri Lanka by tourist brochures can be disappointed to see fewer animals than they expected, or at least fewer than they might expect to see in Africa. It is not that Sri Lanka's surviving jungles are thinly populated with wildlife, but similar to places like Costa Rica where forest vegetation is very dense, creatures have mastered the art of camouflage and can be very difficult to spot. Other factors can affect potential sightings, too, including inclement weather—for example, when rain creates small pockets of water, animals are not forced to emerge to drink and may remain hidden in the forest. Furthermore, the best wildlife destinations in the small country of Sri Lanka tend to be more crowded than Africa's vast tracts of remote wilderness. More visitors, combined with fewer government regulations guiding wildlife viewing, can mean a less serene experience than one might anticipate.

At Nat Hab, we design our itineraries to capitalize on the best wildlife viewing opportunities. There is no doubt that Sri Lanka's wild side is worth enthusiastic discovery. However, the secret to a gratifying experience for visitors lies in the skills of our expert guides, in knowing what to expect, and in understanding that the privilege of stepping into a pure and untouched world is a reward in itself. Our guests can take pride in knowing that our very presence in Sri Lanka makes a difference: by infusing our travel dollars into this developing nature destination, along with influence and communication from our partners to local government and tourism organizations, we aim to have a positive impact on wildlife policy and conversations efforts in Sri Lanka.

Arrive in Colombo by 2 pm on Day 1 in order to meet your fellow travelers for an orientation and group welcome dinner beginning at 6:30 pm (the drive from the airport to our hotel in Kandanegedara takes approximately one hour). You are free to depart Colombo anytime after 8 pm on the final day.

We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as we are intimately familiar with the special requirements of this program and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find special web rates or better fares online.