Photographer Birding & Wildlife Encounter
Private Safari in mesmerizing
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a home rich in wildlife. birding and plants. Experience this private trip as a solo or with like minded friends on a bespoke Photography Birding and Wildlife safari encounter with Sri Lanka Escapes as we visit the unimaginable exotic Birding Wetlands, Wildlife National Parks, Bird Sanctuaries, Bays and Lagoons. With seven amazing safaris, both full day safaris and half day safaris including National Park entrances, available year round, travelling with a private Chauffeur/Guide.
Safari will be in a private 4 x 4 jeep with a driver/tracker, some bush walks, lagoon visits. and bird sanctuaries to give a complete personal experience with Sri Lanka's unique wildlife.
We will take you to some quieter, lesser-visited Parks, many hidden gems to experience for an unimaginable, intimate encounter with true wildlife and nature at its best, behind the lens of your camera.
13 Day Itinerary
DAY 1
COLOMBO - NEGOMBO
Arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport where you will be welcomed by a representative of Sri Lanka Escapes. You will be Let your adventure and journey begin.
Acclimatize yourself with Sri Lanka as we drive to the coastal town of Negombo a unique, picturesque fishing village with private transfer to your hotel to relax.
DAY 1
Birding and Wildlife in Sri Lanka
DAY 2
NEGOMBO - WILPATTU
ANAWUNDAWA BIRD SANCTUARY
This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, you will be met by your experienced Chauffeur-Guide, he will be with you for the duration of the trip. He is a local with exceptional years of experience and knowledge and is very excited to show his beautiful country. This morning will enjoy a city tour of the coastal town of Negombo is set alongside a picturesque lagoon and canals built by the Dutch colonies.
We travel through the countryside and visit the Anawiundawa Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary is considered unique for its collision of three distinct ecosystems: the forest wetlands (including mangroves and freshwater swamps), the coast’s saltwater ecosystem, and the freshwater lakes. This exceptional melding of environments has resulted in the creation of a unique ecological nesting and breeding ground for hundreds of bird species.
The Wetlands are home to more than 150 species of birds; 20 species of mammals, 70 species of butterflies, and more than 50% of Sri Lanka’s freshwater fish species. It is an ideal attraction for birdwatching, hiking and boat-ride adventures, and the area is quickly becoming one of Sri Lanka’s most important ecotourism sites.
We continue our way to Wilpattu with viewpoints and photography stops on the way and arrive at our hotel in the afternoon and relax.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 3
WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK
FULL DAY SAFARI
This morning, we have an early start for our full-day Wildlife Safari in Wilpattu National Park in a 4 x 4 private jeep with the chance of seeing a Leopard and Sloth bears.
As one of the leopard hotspots of Sri Lanka, the density of leopards living there is estimated to be around 18 leopards per 100 square kilometres so safaris for leopards will be our main priority during our time in Wilpattu.
Over thirty species of mammals have been recorded in Wilpattu including Sloth Bears, Asian Elephants, Water Buffalo, Tufted Grey Langurs, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, mongoose and shrews.
The abundance of lakes also attracts a broad diversity of birds and reptiles. On safari. we will be keeping a lookout for Asian Water monitor, rock pythons. Mugger Crocodiles alongside birds like Asian Green and Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, and the spectacular Malabar Pied Hornbill.
We will enjoy lunch and then continue with our safari to see the exotic species of Wilpattu. This is one of the most exciting safari experiences in Sri Lanka and a highlight.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Water Buffalo
Malabar Piped Horn Bills
Tufted Grey Langur
DAY 4
WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK
FULL DAY SAFARI
This morning, we will set out for another amazing full day in Wilpattu National Park Wildlife Safari in a 4 x 4 private jeep to capture more candid shots of the exceptional Leopard and Sloth bears, elephants, spotted deer, barking deer, jackals, sambhur, barking deer, mouse deer wild pig, water buffalo, and mugger crocodiles.
We will enjoy lunch and continue to capture some fabulous shots. Late afternoon. return to your hotel and relax
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Sloth Bear
Spotted Deer
DAY 5
Elephant Safari
Water Buffalo
WILPATTU MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK - HALF DAY SAFARI
After a leisurely breakfast, we travel through beautiful scenic roads for our afternoon Safari. At Minneriya National Park we will experience a half day safari in a 4 x 4 private jeep. Minneriya is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The Minneriya National Park is famed for its Elephant Gathering, a spectacular phenomenon during the long dry seasons, when hundreds of Elephants, both the adults and young along with a few tuskers, sometimes numbering close to 200 (with some sightings claiming close to 700) can be seen feeding on the grasslands .... Transfer to your hotel and relax
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Elephant safari
DAY 6
Blue Tiger Butterfly
MINNERIYA ARUGAM BAY
After a leisurely breakfast, we encounter natural viewpoint stops and capture candid photography as we drive to Arugam Bay with the opportunity to take beautiful pictures of the birds in Arugam Bay lagoon. accessible through optional boat tours.
Arugam Bay is a coastal town in south eastern Sri Lanka, known for its beautiful beaches, lagoons and offering a mix of cultural experiences, and wildlife encounters.
Crested Serpent Eagle
DAY 7
Majestic male peacock
ARUGAM BAY - KUMANA NATIONAL PARK FULL DAY SAFARI
KUMANA NATIONAL PARK
Early morning start to a full-day safari in Kumana National Park in a 4 x 4 private jeep. Kumana is renowned for its avifauna, particularly its large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds.
The park is 391 kilometres southeast of Colombo on Sri Lanka's southeastern coast. The 18,149-hectare Kumana National Park is a well-known eco-tourism attraction and bird sanctuary.
The park is home to over 255 bird species. Its wild landscape is known for its animal diversity, with over 20 tanks all over the park, Kumana Wildlife Sanctuary is known to be the largest bird sanctuary in Sri Lanka. The park is mostly covered with wide plains, thick forests.
You will be struck by the park's diversity and the changes in landscape, from stretches of grassland, forest patches to wetlands. The call of birds is a prelude to the morning jeep safaris, with the thrill of never knowing exactly what fauna you will encounter, always with the possibility of a secluded leopard or sloth bear sighting. Return to your hotel and relax.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Black Necked Stork
Kumuna largest bird sancturary
DAY 8
Sunset Pottuvil Lagoon
ARUGAM BAY - YALA
After a leisurely breakfast, we will have the opportunity to take some scenic pictures. Arugam Bay Lagoon, also known as the Pottuvil Lagoon, is a natural attraction near the well-known surfing destination of Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province.
Offering a serene mangrove ecosystem and diverse wildlife encounters, including elephants, crocodiles, water monitor lizards, and various bird species. Arrive at your hotel in the afternoon and relax.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Elephants
Great Crimson Glider
DAY 9
Leopards
YALA NATIONAL PARK
FULL DAY SAFARI
An early start with a full day safari in Yala National Park in a private 4 x 4 jeep – this is the most visited and second largest national park bordering the Indian Ocean A fabulous full day Safari as we use the quieter and less crowded entrance from Katagamuwa with minimal jeeps and tourists.
Yala National Park in Sri Lanka offers a diverse wildlife experience, with its most famous resident being the Sri Lankan leopard, which has one of the highest densities in the world, alongside elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, water buffalo, and a variety of bird species, including peacocks. Return to your hotel late afternoon
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Sloth Bear
DAY 10
YALA - BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK - HALF DAY SAFARI
After a leisurely breakfast, we start our journey to Bundala National Park for our breath taking Parcapture of beautiful birds for our half-day safari in Bundala National Park in a private 4 x 4 jeep.
Bundala National Park in Sri Lanka is renowned as a birdwatching paradise, especially famous for its large flocks of migratory birds and greater flamingos, and is also home to other wildlife like elephants, crocodiles, turtles, and various monkeys, though large game sightings are less common than in parks like Yala. Arrive at your hotel late afternoon
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Bundalla Flamingo
Private Safari
DAY 11
BUNDALA UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK
HALF DAY SAFARI
After a leisurely breakfast, we commence our journey to Udawalawe for a fabulous half day safari in Udawalawe National Park in a private 4 x 4 jeep. The Udawalawa National Park is situated in the Uva Province.
The majestic Elephant plays a major role in the wildlife of Sri Lanka. They can be easily sighted, unlike the other wild animals given the high population. If you are an elephant enthusiast and are looking for a place to have a wildlife experience, Udawalawe National Park is the ideal.
Apart from the herd of wild elephants, you can also witness wild boar, buffalo, deer, and many other endangered and unique species of wild animals such as black naped hare, endemic Toque Macaque and Gray langurs. Arrive at your hotel late afternoon.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Spotted deer
DAY 12
UDAWALAWE COLOMBO
BABY ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME
After a leisurely breakfast, we visit the Baby Elephant Transit. The Udawalawe Elephant Transfer Home is a facility within Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka. The Elephant Transit was established in 1995 by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation. Its primary objective is to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves for ultimate release back into the wild.
Supported by the Born Free Foundation (www.bornfree.org.uk), this complex is a halfway house for orphaned elephants. After rehabilitation, the elephants are released back into the Udawalawe National Park.
The Elephant Transit Home exists for the primary objective of rehabilitating orphaned elephant calves before releasing them.
There are normally between 40 to 60 orphaned elephants and visitors can watch them being fed, from the safety of a viewing platform about 8m away, at one of the four daily feeding sessions. We continue our journey and reach your hotel in Colombo late afternoon.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner.
Baby Elephant Transit Home
Baby Elephant Transit Home
DAY 13
Colombo
COLOMBO -NEGOMBO
After a leisurely breakfast Colombo city tour. Historically, Colombo was seen as a simple trading port, while today the city of Colombo is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that serves as the island's commercial capital. Opportunity to take some stills of local life in the heart of Colombo.
We continue to Negombo for our Complimentary Transit hotel to freshen up and dinner. Transfer to the airport for your homeward-bound flight.
Includes Breakfast/Dinner
PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT TIPS
If you use a DSLR for wildlife photography, you should bring telephotos (and converters) that will (with a full-frame body) cover the range 200-500mm or 600mm or more.
Even a short telephoto of around 100-135mm can be great in certain circumstances in Sri Lanka, particularly for smaller animals like snakes and lizards. You will also find a wide-angle lens good for landscapes and historical monuments.
There will be many opportunities to use a macro lens. If you bring a good quality bridge camera instead of a DSLR (and this is a perfectly good option in Sri Lanka due to the wide variety of photography subjects) it will be best if it has an optical zoom of 18-20x or more, combined with a reasonable wide-angle at the other end of the zoom range. Be sure to bring plenty of spare battery power.