Wildlife Tour -TAT/WEB/011
12 Nights / 13 Days
Witness 92 species of mammals including the big three- The Elephant, the Leopard and the Sloth Bear, in their natural habitat here in this tiny isle. Go to where Elephants roam free in hundreds at Minneriya, Wilpattu, Udawalawe, spot the Deer, Peacock, Wild Boar, Buffalo and hundreds of birds, reptiles and other wild animals in over seven Wildlife Parks. Cap it all at Mirissa where you could go Whale and Dolphin watching. Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to see the elusive Leopard, where in Yala National Park it is reported to be the highest in terms of the number of Leopards per square KM. The diversity of Sri Lanka’s wildlife is a great attraction.
DAY 01 – AIRPORT – NEGOMBO
Arrive in Sri Lanka. Clients will be met and welcomed by the representative of Tropical Asia Tours on arrival and transferred to the hotel in Negombo. (Travel time from Airport to Negombo approx.: 30 min)
After check-in at the hotel, there will be ample time to relax and freshen up prior to the evening visit of the Muthurajawela Nature Reserve. (Travel time from Negombo to Muthurajawela approx.: 30 min)
Overnight stay in Negombo.
 DAY 02 – NEGOMBO – PINNAWELA – ANURADHAPURA.
After an early breakfast leave for Millennium Elephant Foundation in Pinnawela.
(Travel time from Negombo to MEF takes approx.: 2 & ½ hrs.)
Millennium Elephant Foundation (MEF) is a family run non-government organization (NGO) which is dedicated to improving the welfare of domestic elephants throughout Sri Lanka. Home of the new and exclusive Elephant Walk Experience and bath an elephant concept, alternative to elephant riding option and the most interactive enjoyable way to see domestic elephants in Sri Lanka.
On completion proceed to Anuradhapura.
(Travel time from MEF to Anuradhapura takes approx.: 3 hrs.)
Check-in at the Hotel.
Evening conduct a brief City Tour in Anuradhapura and visit main Highlights.
Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.
DAY 03 – ANURADHAPURA – WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK –MINNERIYA/ KAUDULLA – HABARANA
After an early breakfast leave for Wilpattu National Park for a 4×4 Jeep Safari.
(Travel time from Anuradhapura to Wilpattu approx.: 45 minutes.)
On completion proceed to Habarana. (Travel time from Wilpattu to Habarana approx.: 3 ½ hrs.)
En-route, embark on a 4×4 jeep safari at the Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park depending on the larger herds of Elephant gathering.
Check-in at the Hotel.
Overnight stay in Habrana.
DAY 04 – HABARANA – MATALE – KANDY
After breakfast continue the journey towards Kandy. En route visit Spice Garden in Matale.
(Travel time from Habarana to Kandy approx. 3 hrs. including the visiting time at Spice Garden)
Check-in at the Hotel.
Thereafter visit the famous Rain Forest “Udawattakele Forest reserve†which is a paradise for fascinating flowers, birds and monkeys.
If time permits conduct a brief city tour in Kandy.
Overnight stay in Kandy.
DAY 05 – KANDY – PUSSALLAWA – NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in order to witness the morning Pooja Ceremony. Thereafter visit a Gem museum and proceed to Nuwara Eliya.
En-route visit a Tea Factory/ Plantation in Pussallawa for a first-hand experience in the whole production process of Ceylon Tea, reputed to be the best in the world.
(Travel time from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya approx. 2 & ½ hrs.)
Check-in at the Hotel and in the evening explore the city of Nuwara Eliya.
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 06 – NUWARA ELIYA – HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK –ELLA – UDAWALAWE
After an early breakfast leave for Horton Plains National Park.
(Travel time from Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains approx.: 1 hr.)
 On completion, leave for Udawalawe via Ella. Visit Ella Gap/ Nine Arch Bridge to witness the beauty of the Hill Country and significant Locations. (Travel time from Nuwara Eliya to Udawalawe approx.: 4-5 hrs.)
Check-in at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Udawalawe.
DAY 07 – UDAWALAWE – TISSAMAHARAMA
After an early breakfast commence a 4×4 Jeep safari to the Uadawalawe wild National Park.
On completion visit Elephant Transit Home which is a temporary orphanage to care for injured elephants from all over Sri Lanka.
Thereafter proceed to Tissamaharama.
(Travel time from Udawalawa to Tissamaharama approx. 1 & ½ hrs.)
Overnight stay in Tissamaharama.
DAY 08 – TISSAMAHARAMA – YALA NATIONAL PARK – TISSAMAHARAMA
Early Morning embark on a 4×4 jeep safari at the Yala National Park in search of Leopards, Sloth Bears and Asian Elephants.
Return to the hotel for breakfast and thereafter continue once again for the afternoon safari basically covering the full day at the National park.
Overnight stay in Tissamaharama.
DAY 09 – TISSAMAHARAMA – BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK – MIRISSA
After an early breakfast, proceed to Bundala for a morning 4×4 Jeep safari at the Bundala National Park.   (Travel time from Tissamaharama to Bundala approx. 45 min.)
On completion proceed to Mirissa.
Check-in at the hotel.
Evening enjoy the hotel amenities.
Overnight stay in Mirissa.
DAY 10 – MIRISSA – GALLE – HIKKADUWA
Approx. by 06.00 hrs. transfer to Mirissa Fishing Harbor to undertake a boat excursion to witness the spectacular sights of Dolphins and Whales.
On completion return to the hotel, and proceed to Galle.
(Travel time from Mirissa to Galle approx. 60 min.)
Thereafter visit the city of Galle featuring the UNESCO World Heritage site – The Dutch Fort.
Continue the journey towards Hikkaduwa for the overnight stay.
Overnight stay in Hikkaduwa.
DAY 11 – HIKKADUWA
After breakfast proceed to Madu River for a boat experience where clients have the opportunity to see birds, perhaps crocodiles and the beautiful mangroves. Also you will witness how Ceylon Cinnamon is peeled and enjoy some ‘fish therapy’ as they playfully nibble your feet at the ‘fish spa’.
On completion return to the hotel. En route visit the Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda.ÂÂ
Overnight stay in Hikkaduwa.
DAY 12 – HIKKADUWA – COLOMBO
After breakfast leave for Colombo.
(Travel time from Hikkaduwa to Colombo approx. 2 Hrs. using the southern expressway)
Upon reaching Colombo, Explore the City of Colombo including last minute shopping before departing the island paradise.
Check-in at the Hotel
Overnight stay in Colombo.
DAY 13 – COLOMBO – AIRPORT
After breakfast proceed to Airport for departure.
(Travel time from Colombo to Airport approx.: 1 hrs.)
TOUR ROUTE
KEY DESTINATIONS
BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK
This is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. With an area of 6216 hectares, it is one of the 3 “RAMSAR†Wetland that hosts over 20,000 shorebirds, during the period August to April. The Park consists of lagoons and inter-tidal mud flats where wintering birds rest and feed, golden sandy beaches and sand dunes where sea turtles nest and the thorny scrub-land where elephant, spotted deer, wild buffalo, wild boar, crocodiles and peacocks roam. More than 150 species (including 45 species of “Wadersâ€Â) of resident and migrant birds could be seen in this Park. Thousands of Greater / Lesser Flamingos, Spot-billed Pelicans, Spoonbills, Ducks, Indian Shags, Cormorants, Stone Plover and various species of Herons. In 2005 the national park was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, thus being the fourth biosphere reserve in Sri Lanka.
YALA (RUHUNA) NATIONAL PARK
Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Actually it consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public; and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names also, like Ruhuna National Park for the (best known) Block 1 and Kumana National Park or ‘Yala East’ for the adjoining area. It is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. Yala harbours 215 bird species including six endemic species of Sri Lanka. The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.
WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK
The unique feature of this park is the existence of “Willus” (Natural lakes) – natural sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Located in the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka the park is located 30 km west Anuradhapura and located 26 km north of Puttalam. The park is 131, 693 hectares and ranges from 0 to 152 meters above sea level. Nearly sixty lakes (Willu) and tanks are found spread throughout Wilpattu and it is the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. It is also among the top national parks world renowned for its Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) population. The Leopard population in Wilpattu is still not yet known. In addition 31 species of mammals have been identified within Wilpattu national park. Mammals that are identified as threatened species living within the Wilpattu National Park are the Elephant, Sloth bear, Leopard and Water Buffalo. Sambhur, spotted deer and mongoose are more of Wilpattu’s residents.
MUTHURAJAWELA WETLANDS
It a coastal ecosystem located in Negombo and has vast bio- diversity. “Muthurajawela†which means in Sinhala “Supreme Field of Pearls†is a real gem of wetland which provides a haven to some 75 bird species, as well as crocodiles, monkeys and even some very rarely seen otters. Purple herons, Cormorants and Kingfishers are some of commonly seen birds in this area.
