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Wildlife in Sri Lanka
About 14 percent of the Sri Lankan Island is dedicated to wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and nature reserves. This small tropical island has a high bio diversity. Since it is isolated from other countries this island has a high endemicity among its life forms. Out of the 3368 species of flowering plants 879 species are endemics while 57 out of 314 ferns are endemics.
There is a wide array of beautiful wild flowers in the country which include more than 250 species of orchids. Among these plants there are plants with medicinal value. Scientists believe that in forests like Singharaja, Knuckles and Peak wilderness has plants yet undiscovered.
The Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation’s list of Animals
Big Game: Elephant, Water Buffalo, Leopard, Sloth bear, Wild boar
Deer Types: Spotted, Barking, Mouse, Sambar
Monkeys: Grey Langur, Toque, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey
Reptiles: Swamp Crocodile, Estuarine Crocodile, Iguana
Others: Ceylon Jackal, Fishing Cat, Civet Cat, Grey Mongoose, Giant Squirrel, Porcupine, Indian Pangolin.
Basic Wild Life Package
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Day 01 - Airport picks up and relax at a hotel in Negambo
Warmly meet and great at the airport and proceed to Negombo.Check in at your specified hotel and spend the afternoon at full leisure.
Negombo Beach was Sri Lanka's first beach resort and is not only an ideal place to start or end your holiday in Sri Lanka. Conveniently located only 15 km from Sri Lanka's International Airport, Negombo offers wide beaches. In Negombo you find some of the best dream spots for wake-boarding, wake surfing and wake skating.Regardless of the time of the day you always get the most perfect conditions.
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Day 02 Singharaja Tropical Rain Forest
After breakfast proceed to singharaja tropical rain forest
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.The hilly virgin rainforest is a part of the Sri Lanka lowland rain forests ecoregion. The reserve's name translates as Kingdom of the Lion.It is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
The commonest larger mammal is the endemic Purple-faced Langur.An interesting phenomenon is that birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and the noisy Orange-billed Babbler. Of Sri Lanka's 26 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive Red-faced Malkoha, Green-billed Coucal and Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.
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Day 03- Kandy
Kandy-a major tourist destination-is also known as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Nestled in the hills at an altitude of 488 m.This Historic and Romantic hill capital of Sri Lanka is situated 115 kilometers inland from Colombo. The road to Kandy is enchanting and exciting revealing the full glory- of the tropics. Everything is in the most effulgent luxuriance, throbbing with silver and green. The roads run round in sharp curves and looking down are the deep valleys, abysses, rocks, waterfalls and streams glittering in the sun and patterned in emerald with terraced rice fields. On the other side the mountains rise majestically against the blue sky. Whether one looks u or down, it's a sight of beauty, glorious beyond the power of words to express. The city of Kandy, lies in a triangular valley surrounded by mountains.
Afternoon:
Vist the Royal Botanical Garden.
Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya is located in close proximity to the city of Kandy. It is renowned for the collection the variety of Orchids,and has more than 300 varieties of Orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palms trees attach it is the National Herbarium. Total land mass of the botanical garden is 147 acres, 460 Meters above sea level with a 200 day annual rain fall. It is one of the most famoust tourist sites and a must see site in Sri Lanka.
The Temple of Tooth Relic
Sightseeing of Kandy including a visit to the Temple of the much revered Temple of the Tooth relic. Also witness a Cultural Performance.
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Day 04 Nuwara Eliya
An early 20th century English writer commented on Nuwara Eliya: “When he looks out of his window in the early morning and sees the whole world glistening under hoar-frost and the garden brimming with geraniums, pansies, sweet peas and every English flower, he wonders if he is really in the tropics at all.” There’s no need to wonder. It is the tropics and it’s for real. Sri Lanka is well-known for hot sunny days and beautiful stretches of palm-fringed beaches. So how can there exist a place that has grey, cold, drizzly days and chilly nights with a mean temperature of 57F? Where there is a need for wood fires and extra blankets at bedtime to stave off the cold? Where there is a golf course, English-style pubs, trout fishing - and not even a palm tree in sight?
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Day 05- Hortain Plains
After breakfast Excursion to Horton Plains Nature & Wild Life Reserve. (30km – transfer time approx. 1 hour)
The Horton Plains National Park is the only National Park situated in the Hill Country and falls within the Nuwara Eliya district and is 200 km. away from Colombo. Panoramic scenic beauty of the Hill Country could be witnessed within the Park. The famous `Worlds End' is a major attraction within the Park. Endemic slender loris and endemic purple monkey are among the important animal species that could be seen in addition to sambhur, a member of the cat family etc. There is some endemic avifauna also found within this Park.
Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. This plateau at an altitude of 2,100–2,300 metres (6,900–7,500 ft) is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Nuwara Eliya.
The plains' vegetation is grasslands interspersed with montane forest, and includes many endemic woody plants. Large herds of Sri Lankan Sambar Deer feature as typical mammals, and the park is also an Important Bird Area with many species not only endemic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains
Over night in Nuwara Eliya. |
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Day 06 – Udawalawa National Park
After Breakfast: proceed to Udawalawa National Park
Udawalawe is an important habitat for Sri Lankan Elephants, which are relatively easy to see in its open habitats. The Rusty-spotted Cat, Fishing Cat and Sri Lankan Leopard are members of the Felidae family present in Udawalawe. The Sri Lankan Sloth Bear is seldom seen because of its rarity. Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Indian Muntjac, Sri Lankan Spotted Chevrotain, Wild Boar and Water BuffaloGolden Jackal, Asian Palm Civet, Toque Macaque, Tufted Grey Langur and Indian Hare are among other mammal species also inhabit the park.
Overnight at Yala
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Day 07 – Yala National Park
After breakfast: Proceed to yala national park
Yala Park is the larges national park in Sri Lanka. It includes multifarious ecosystems ranging from Moist monsoon forests, to dry monsoon forests, semi deciduous forests, thorn forests, grasslands, fresh water and marine wet lands and sandy beaches with wide varieties of wild animals and plants. It consist of two main rivers flow through the park
About 32 species of mammals, 125 species of birds and many reptiles and lagoon fauna species have been recorded in the park.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yala_National_Park
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Day 08& 09- Bentota
Facing the Indian Ocean, a tropical lagoon and a major river Bentota offers water sports possibilities nowhere else to be found. Apart from swimming, body-surfing or diving in the sea, you can jet-ski, windsurf, parasail or enjoy a romantic river safari on the river and lagoon.Bentota also delivers an ancient art of healing called Ayurveda
Especially for families Bentota is a well sought after destination. Safe swimming conditions combined with fun water sport and exciting excursions are providing for the ideal background for a relaxed holiday in Sri Lanka. Bentota is also known for its professional touristic infrastructure. The many 5 star hotels are build in fantastic locations.
The Maadu river offers very popular boat trips down the river where you can arrange to visit temples, cinnamon estates and other nature resorts. This area is a preserved wild life sanctuary.
Visit a Turle hatchery in the afternon. Touch and feel the turtles . If you are luckey you can see the turtles hatching out of their eggs.
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Day 10 - Air port dop off / Transfer to beach stay
Please contact us for a booking or more information. We can also provide a customised Wildlife tour based on your specifications.
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Bird Watching in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka 's abundant bird-life makes the island a true Ornithologist's paradise. Of the 427 recorded species, 250 are resident and 23 are endemic to the country.With such a variety of environments ranging from wet to dry zone, forest to jungle, and hill country to low lands, there's no end to the fascinating locations in which to spot many of these beautiful birds.Among the best areas for sighting these birds are the SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST WILDERNESS SANCTUARY
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Sinharaja Bird Watching Tour Itinerary (3 Days / 2 Nights) |
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Day 1:
Arrival meet greet and transfer to Sinharaja. Check-in at Sinharaja.
Dinner & over night stay at the camp / hotel.
Value – Blue Magpie Hotel (HB)
Standard – Rain Forest Edge (HB)
Deluxe - Mahoora Luxury Camp (FB)
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Day 2:
After breakfast you'll proceed to Sinharajah Rain Forest
Sinharaja Rain Forest is a world heritage site, which can also be described as a Tropical Lowland Rainforest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest. Whatever its ‘technical’ name, it is undoubtedly a rich treasure trove of nature with a great diversity of habitats and a vast repository of Sri Lanka’s endemic species found nowhere else in the world.
Bird Watching in this ecosystem is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka! Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word ‘Sinharaja’ means, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it is popular belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest.
Schedule:
- After early breakfast leave for forest exploration and bird watching with packed lunch.
- Lunch to be taken in a suitable location.
- After lunch continue to observe the forest.
- After leave to lodge relax & leisure.
- Dinner & overnight stay at the camp / hotel
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Day 3:
After breakfast proceed to your holiday destination or airport for departure.
Please contact us for a booking or more information.
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