Best of Birds in
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, being near the equator, provides great conditions for attracting birds fleeing winters and monsoons throughout the world. The country’s bird life is remarkably diverse in comparison to its size. A total of 433 bird species have been identified, including resident, migratory, and endemic birds. Wonderland Leisure provides a special 18-day bird watching tour in Sri Lanka for all bird enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, and anybody interested in exploring the island’s flora and fauna. We will take you to the most popular bird viewing trails in Sri Lanka to ensure you have seen the greatest birds in the country.
Your tour guide will take you to many fascinating and interesting locations and will share his expertise of Sri Lanka’s Majestic beauty with you. You’ll get to see all of the country’s best animals and birds while staying in nice hotels and resorts and enjoying warm Sri Lankan hospitality.
Tour Info
-
Trip Length
18 Days -
When to visit
Year round -
Customizable?
Yes -
Price
Contact for Price
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Tour Itinerary
Ayubowan!
Welcome to Sri Lanka, the gem of the Indian Ocean, where our 18-day Birding tour will highlight the best of Endemic and Migrant Bird Species, Wildlife, lush green Tea Plantations, Waterfalls, and gorgeous golden sandy beaches.
On arrival at the Bandaranayake International Airport. A Wonderland Leisure Chauffeur Guide will greet you at the airport and accompany you to your private vehicle. To help you settle in, you will be driven from Bandaranaike International Airport to your accommodation in Negombo. The first location will be the seaside town of Negombo, which has long been renowned as Sri Lanka’s most popular resort, noted for its golden sandy beach, food, and entertainment. We haven’t booked any activities for day one, so you can arrive in Sri Lanka whenever you choose. If your flight arrives early in the morning, unwind at your lovely hotel’s beach and pool. In the evening, you may take a walk along the beach while admiring the lovely sunset and the nice evening environment.
Overnight stay in a seafront hotel at Negombo.
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed 1.5 hours from Negombo to Anawilundawa Wetland. Anawilundawa is a man-made wetland built in the 12th century AD that is located on the western migratory bird path. This is a bird sanctuary with abundant bird life in attractive settings. The vegetation at the site is a scenic forest in the low country dry zone, and in addition to birds, mammals such as mouse deer, hare, mongoose, squirrels, wild cats (such as civets), wild boar, and fruit bats can be seen, as well as reptiles and amphibians such as land monitors, water monitors, lizards, geckoes, skinks, and tortoises.
Transfer to Nawadankulama for further bird viewing. The Anawilundawa Sanctuary is roughly 45 minutes’ driving from the Nawadankulama Tank. When there is no rain, the land becomes barren and parched. Large groups of migrating ducks visit the tank. Collared dove and Indian grey partridge are present all year, as are various Eagle species.
Continue on to Anuradhapura for dinner and your overnight stay.
Transfer to Wilpattu National Park after breakfast for a full-day safari with picnic lunch.
Wilpattu is a relatively dense dry zone rainforest with a number of flood plain lakes rimmed with fine white sands. It has a remarkable variety of vegetation in vast stretches of forest, as well as diverse species such as deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears, and leopards.
Dinner and overnight stay at Anuradapura.
Transfer to Wilpattu National Park after breakfast for a full-day safari with picnic lunch.
Wilpattu is a relatively dense dry zone rainforest with a number of flood plain lakes rimmed with fine white sands. It has a remarkable variety of vegetation in vast stretches of forest, as well as diverse species such as deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears, and leopards.
Dinner and overnight stay at Anuradapura.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing on a 2.5-hour trip to Mannar. When you arrive, check into your hotel and relax. Take a leisurely evening stroll in the garden in discovery of birdlife.
Dinner and overnight stay at Mannar.
Grab a takeaway breakfast and head to the Mannar Bird Sanctuary.
Mannar is essentially one large bird sanctuary that is protected by the wildlife department. Mannar is a major stopover for migrating birds from October to March, making it a must-see for bird watchers. The bird species that visit Mannar are numerous and diverse. It is also one of the remaining spots in Sri Lanka where flamingos may be seen.
Dinner and overnight stay at Mannar.
Aside from Asian elephants, the Minneriya reservoir is an important home for big water birds such as the Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, and Spot-billed Pelican. Minneriya serves as a haven for numerous resident and migrating bird species. There have been reports of big flocks of 2000 Little Cormorants and Indian Shags.
Finish the day with a nighttime garden tour in search of the Slender Loris.
Dinner and overnight stay at Sigiriya.
After a great breakfast at the hotel, explore birding at the Sigiriya Bird Sanctuary.
The forest reserve that surrounds Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a popular birdwatching site. The Sigiriya sanctuary is a well-protected place because it is a UNECO World Heritage Site, and its streams and dense canopied trees make it a birder’s paradise. Our experienced bird watching naturalist will accompany you on the birding expedition in Sigiriya Sanctuary from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
After you have finished your morning bird watching at Sigiriya, you will be taken to engage in a fun activity.
Elephant Back Safari in Sri Lanka offers numerous delights and the most exhilarating safari experiences in the country. These Elephant Back Safaris not only allow you to see animals from the back of an elephant, but they also provide you the rare opportunity to live a day in the life of an elephant.
At 4 p.m., we head into the Habarana jungles, which are surrounded by many lakes and serve as an excellent habitat for birds.
Dinner and overnight stay at Sigiriya.
After breakfast, enjoy bird watching in the Hotel’s Garden. The hotel garden is bordered by forest, which is home to the north central plains of Sri Lanka. It is a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Then, proceed to the Village Tour.
Today, you’ll go to Habarana to tour a rural region and get a taste of Sri Lankan country life. A Tuk Tuk will pick you up and drive you to the beginning point of the village tour. At Habarana village, you will have an entirely fresh experience, allowing you to witness how these people go about their daily lives. Make sure to take a bullock cart trip as well.
Walk through a scrub forest before enjoying a canoe catamaran trip on a lake where you can see Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock side by side. Then you’ll return to a village home, where the assigned cook will give you a taste of the local cuisine. If you’re interested, you can engage in a cooking class being held at a local residence. We encourage you to try this activity since it is a fun experience.
You will witness birds throughout this activity.
Dinner and overnight stay at Sigiriya.
After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, go on a four and half hours journey to Kitulgala.
Spend an evening birding in the Makandawa Rainforest Patch.
The Kalani Valley forest reserve is a low country rain forest that is home to a variety of rare birds and other fauna found only on the island. Some of the birds may be found in backyards and will be an interesting experience. The Chestnut-backed Owlet is a sought-after endemic; we will travel to a recognised stakeout and then to the Serendib Scops Owl stakeout. The aforementioned owl caused quite a stir in the birding community. To mention a few, the Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ceylon Small Barbet, Ceylon Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal, Layard’s Parakeet, and Ceylon Rufous Babbler can be found here.
Dinner and overnight stay at Kitulgala.
Grab a take-out breakfast from the hotel and return to the Makandawa Rainforest for some more Early Morning Bird Watching. You will be able to spend the whole morning and afternoon birding at your leisure. Return to your accommodation to unwind before continuing on a birding trip at the Kitulgala village.
Dinner and overnight stay at Kitulgala.
After Breakfast.
Set off on a five-hour journey to Tissamaharama. Participate on an evening bird watching safari at Bundala National Park. This park has an enormous ecological diversity: The park has 383 plant species, including 6 endemics and 7 species that are considered nationally endangered. It is also home to 32 distinct mammal species, 5 of which are endangered. The birdlife is varied as well. The intricate wetland system is home to a variety of bird life (about 197 species), including numerous kinds of migratory waterfowl. This has resulted in the park being designated as Sri Lanka’s first ‘Ramsar’ wetland, which is of considerable worldwide importance, particularly for migratory waterfowl.
Dinner and overnight stay at Yala.
Today, enjoy a full-day safari at Yala National Park, complete with picnic lunches.
Yala National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s best ecotourism locations, is located on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, 24 kilometres northeast of Tissamaharama and 305 kilometres from Colombo, and spans a massive 97,878 hectares over the Southern and Uva Provinces. The park’s flora is mostly semi-arid thorny scrub, with patches of fairly dense secondary forest interspersed. Along the coastal lagoons, there are also small pockets of mangrove forests.
Dinner and overnight stay at Yala.
Choose your picnic lunch menu and make your way to Bundala National Park for a morning safari. Spend the evening bird viewing at the Tissa Lake and village vicinity.
Dinner and overnight stay at Yala.
After breakfast at the Hotel.
Travel three and a half hours to the Sinharaja Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a forest reserve in Sri Lanka that is also a biodiversity hotspot. It has worldwide importance and has been declared as a Biosphere Reserve.
Explore the charming trails of Sinharaja and discover birds where serene undergrowth awaits the enjoyment of anyone who desire to engage in the tranquil environment of Sri Lanka’s world-renowned rainforest.
Dinner and overnight stay at Deniyaya.
After breakfast or with a breakfast takeaway.
You’ll be led into the dense canopy of Sinharaja Forest on more adventurous jungle pathways, spotting birds as you go. This provides an exceptional opportunity to explore the deep forest and visit two waterfalls, Kekuna Ella and Pathan Oya Ella. This excursion is best suited for adventure junkies.
Considering heavy rain might be challenging at times, suitable jungle gear is suggested. Leeches are to be expected, but your guide will help you prepare. Pack your swin suits as well if you want to enjoy bathing in a refreshing shallow water pool below the Kekuna Ella Water Fall.
The entire excursion will take no more than 7 hours, and you will be out of the woods by sunset.
Dinner and overnight stay at Deniyaya.
After breakfast, proceed to Colombo, which is a 4-hour drive away.
Visit the Thalangama Wetland to observe more birdlife.
The Talangama wetlands, located just a few kilometres from Colombo, are reported to be home to over 100 distinct kinds of migratory, resident, and indigenous birds. It is ideal for a quiet afternoon in nature and for people who are interested in birdwatching and wildlife. Talangama Lake, a tiny, man-made irrigation tank that still delivers water to surrounding farms, has replenished the wetlands, and a unique mangrove ecology has evolved in and around the body of water. Black-crowned Night-herons, Little Green Heron, Yellow Wagtails, Water Cocks, Wood Sandpipers, and Pintail Snipes are among the species that may be seen in the wetlands. Several species of animals, butterflies, and dragonflies, including Rapacious Flangetails and Blue-eyed Pondcruisers, live in the marshes.
In the evening, take a Colombo City Tour. Colombo, the country’s commercial hub, is the busiest place in Sri Lanka. Colombo is a lovely city with modern high-rise buildings interspersed with historic colonial structures, making it a stunning setting. Colombo has a lot to offer travellers, such as the National Museum and Galle Face Green, a popular hangout location for locals and tourists alike, overlooking the magnificent Indian Ocean and surrounded by tall majestic structures. Viharamaha Devi Park, with its towering blooming trees that bloom in April, is a peaceful and beautiful oasis in the heart of the city. Colombo is also a shopping heaven, with upscale retail complexes and the well-known Pettah market.
Dinner and overnight stay at Colombo.
Your 18 Days Birding tour has now been concluded. We appreciate you selecting Wonderland Leisure as your Sri Lankan travel partner. We hope you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to seeing you again. After breakfast, we will make a quick stop at a souvenir shop (depending on your flight schedule) before dropping you off at the airport with a heartfelt Good Bye till the next time.
If your holiday falls during an off-season period for certain seasonal activities, the company will always offer you the next available alternate activity.
You May visit these following locations
- Negombo
- Anawilundawa
- Nawadankulama
- Wilpattu National Park
- Colombo
- Pidurangala
- Sigiriya
- Minneriya
- Habarana
- Makandawa Rain Forest
- Yala National Park
- Sinharaja Rain Forest
- Thalangama Wetland
- Mannar
- Bundala National Park
- Guided Tours
- Comfortable Bed, Breakfast & Dinner Accommodations in the Mentioned “Overnight Stay” Locations
- Transport in an Air-Conditioned car with an English speaking Chauffeur Guide
- Government Tax (11%)
- Early check-in & Late check-out
- Entrance/excursion fees to the places mentioned in our itinerary
- Tips and other expenses of personal nature
Payment Policy
Payment Methods
- On-line payment using a personal credit card (Amex/Visa/Master). Log in details will be sent on confirmation
- Bank Transfer
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Contact Information
Address:
Wonderland Leisure (Pvt) Ltd
205/3, Kaldemulla Road,
Moratuwa.
Sri Lanka.
Phone:
International 24/7 Hotline: +94 766 765 677
WhatsApp: +94 766 765 677
Emails:
info@wonderlandleisure.lk
hello@wonderlandleisure.lk
Official Social Media Pages:
- @wonderlandleisure.lk
- @wonderlandleisure.lk
- @wonderlandleisure
- @wonderland_leis