WILD SRI LANKA PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARI

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21 July 2023

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Price: £2795/$3295 per person

Date: 3rd to 15th February 2025 & 1st to 12th July 2025

Your Local Photographer Guide: Mevan Piyasena

Birding and Bird Photography in Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Multiple Safaris in Yala National Park (July) and in Kumana National Park (February)

Great Chances to See Asiatic Leopards and Elephants

Witness the Elephant Gathering in Minneriya National Park (July Only)

Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Multiple Safaris in Wilpattu National Park

Photograph the flamingo gatherings in Mannar (February only)

This is our iconic wildlife photography holiday in Sri Lanka. This is a small guided group holiday (4 participants maximum), led by Sri Lankan wildlife Photographer Mevan Piyasena. The holiday focuses on key National Parks to maximise our chances to photograph Sri Lankan leopard, elephants, sloth bears and birds. We will do half day ad full day safaris and use safari vehicles that allows you to get to eye level and maximise the photography experience. We have 2 dates and slightly different itineraries in 2025: one in February and one departure in July. Please contact us for the exact details.

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo

Upon your arrival in Colombo, the vibrant capital of Sri Lanka, get ready for an exciting wildlife photography holiday. Your taxi will take you to the city centre, where you’ll spend the night, setting the stage for the adventures ahead. Tomorrow, we head to the heart of the rainforest.

Overnight in Colombo.

Meals included: Dinner

Toque macaque,from Sri Lanka

Day 2: Journey to Sinharaja Forest Reserve – A Paradise for Birds

After a delightful breakfast, we begin our four-hour journey to Sinharaja Forest Reserve. As the last remaining primary tropical rainforest on the island, it houses a diverse range of flora and fauna. You will soon capture some mesmerizing avifauna shots.

Overnight near Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Purple faced langur from Sinharaja

Day 3: Bird Photography in Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Today, we fully immerse ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of the rainforest. With both morning and afternoon bird photography sessions, you will have the opportunity to frame rare and vibrant bird species.

Overnight near Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Brown-headed barbet from Sri Lanka

Day 4: Journey to Yala National Park – Land of the Elusive Leopards

Saying goodbye to Sinharaja, we embark on a four-hour journey to Yala National Park. This wildlife photographer’s paradise offers some great chances with the majestic Asiatic leopards in their natural habitat. Enjoy our first safari in the afternoon.

Overnight near Yala National Park.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Asiatic leopard from Yala

Day 5 – 7: Wildlife Photography Safaris at Yala National Park

Over the next three days, dive deeper into the wonders of Yala National Park through exhilarating safaris. Each day brings new photographic opportunities, from the graceful Asiatic elephants to the diverse birdlife that graces this biodiverse landscape.

Overnight near Yala National Park.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elephant from Yala

Day 8: Travel to Dambulla – Meet the Red Slender Loris & Asiatic Elephants

Today, we leave the South of Sri Lanka and travel towards Dambulla, a city renowned for its cultural heritage. Along the way, we’ll stop at Minneriya National Park, where the magical gathering of Asiatic elephants can be observed at the watering holes during the dry season. Later, we’ll search for the elusive Red Slender Loris, a shy nocturnal mammal.

Overnight near Dambulla.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elephant gathering in Minneriya

Day 9: Explore Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Head to Wilpattu National Park

The morning brings us to the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, offering panoramic views and insights into Sri Lanka’s ancient history. In the afternoon, we continue our tour to Wilpattu National Park to capture its wild beauty.

Overnight near Wilpattu National Park.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sigiriya rock fortress in Sri Lanka

Day 10 – 11: Wildlife Photography Safaris in Wilpattu National Park

For the next two days, we’ll be immersed in Wilpattu’s untamed wilderness, capturing captivating shots of Asiatic elephants, elusive leopards, and sloth bears. Wilpattu’s vast landscapes and diverse wildlife provide ample opportunities to produce extraordinary images.

Overnight near Wilpattu National Park.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leopard in Wilpattu National Park

Day 12: Departure Day

As your wildlife photography holiday comes to an end, we head back to Colombo Airport where we say goodbye.

Meals included: Breakfast

Grey-headed fish eagle in Wilpattu

Colombo

Radisson Hotel Colombo (Premium)

This is a modern, 4-star hotel ear the coast of Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Martin’s lodge (Basic)

A very simple, lodge in Sinharaja Forest Reserve. While the lodge is basic, it is located at an excellent place, surrounded by nature.

Kirinda (near Yala National Park)

Yala Chalets by Lalan Leisure (Classic)

Lalan Leisure offers comfortable accommodation on the South of Sri Lanka in the proximity of Yala National Park.

Dambulla

Back of Beyond Tree House (Classic)

The back and Beyon Tree house is an eco lodge near Dambulla. It is interesting concept that hides in the forest at the base of Pidurangala rock.

Wilpattu National Park

Thimbiri Wewa Resort Wilpattu (Superior)

Thimbiri Wewa Resort Wilpattu is a new, modern hotel outside the National Park. It offers clean, comfortable rooms and an outdoor pool.

Prices & Inclusions

Date: 3rd to 15th February 2025 & 1st to 12th July 2025

Holiday Price:

£2795/person

min. 2, max. 4 participants

$3295/person
Single Supplement £400/person
$600/person

Inclusions

  • Accommodation in simple hotels for 11/12 nights on a twin share basis
  • All meals from the breakfast on Day 2, till breakfast on Day 12
  • Transportation as per the itinerary
  • One Local Wildlife Photography Guide throughout the holiday
  • 3 birding sessions in Sinharaja
  • 2 full day and 3 morning / afternoon safaris in Yala National Park/Kumana National Park
  • 1 afternoon safari in Minneriya (July only)
  • An optional Night walk near Dambulla
  • Visit of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • 2 full day safaris in Wilpattu National Park
  • Full financial protection by Protected Trust Services
  • 2 flamingo photography sessions in Mannar (February only)

 

Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Visa Fees
  • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • Drinks
  • Tips
  • Travel Insurance
Your
Next Holiday

Sri Lanka, previously known as Ceylon, is an island country south of the Indian Subcontinent. The Island is in the India Ocean, and it offers a wide range of cultural landmarks, outstanding cuisine, lush tea plantations, exciting national parks and beautiful golden sand beaches. This relatively small country has 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Island’s tropical climate makes it a year-round destination.

 

It is one of the best places to observe Sri Lankan Elephants and the Sri Lankan leopards in the wild and its Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a birding hotspot. The South Coast is the best place to watch whales between November and April.

 

Sri Lanka offers a great variety of cultural and natural sights, wildlife watching and some excellent spots for relaxation at the end of your holiday.

+44 (0) 738 888 45 30

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