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Ultimate Birding Tour of Sri Lanka

This is the ultimate bird watching itinerary one could do in Sri Lanka. This nearly three weeks of bird watching tour in Sri Lanka includes almost all bird watching sites in Sri Lanka with a greater degree of sightings of Endemic Birds in Sri Lanka, the main focus of this bird watching tour of Sri Lanka with extended stays in 3 nights in most of the best bird watching sites of Sri Lanka. Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary, Nawadankulama Bird Sanctuary, Mannar Salterns & Lakes, Wilpattu National Park, Sigiriya Bird Sanctuary, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, Kitulgala Makandawa Rain Forest, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park and some of the highly kept secret bird watching sites for endemic birds of Sri Lanka of our bird watching guides which are not in your regular bird watching guide books.

Day 01

Arrival in Colombo International Airport and meet with our representative at the arrival lounge
Transfer to Negombo – 20 min drive approximately
Overnight stay in Ranweli Holiday Village in Negombo

Day 02

Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Anawilundawa Wetland – 1 hours drive approximately
Bird Watching at Anawilundawa
Anawilundawa is a man made wetland constructed in the 12th Century AD and is located on the western migratory bird route. This is a sanctuary with prolific bird life in beautiful surroundings. The vegetation of the site consists of 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 and reptiles and amphibians like land monitors, water monitors, lizards, geckoes, skinks, and tortoises can be sighted.
Transfer to Nawadankulama for bird watching
The Nawadankulama Tank is about half and hour’s drive from the Anawilundawa Sanctuary. It is barren and dry when there is no rainfall. The tank is frequented by large flocks of migrant ducks. Collared dove and Indian grey partridge are present year round along with several species of eagle.
Overnight stay in Hotel Sinharagama in Nochchiyagama

Day 03

Full day safari at Wilpattu National Park with picnic meals
Wilpattu is a fairly thick dry zone jungle interspersed with a number of flood plain lakes banked with delicate white sands. It boasts an impressive variety of flora in huge expanses of forest, and varied wildlife, including deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears and leopards.
Overnight stay in Hotel Sinharagama in Nochchiyagama

Day 04

Full day safari at Wilpattu National Park with picnic meals
Wilpattu is a fairly thick dry zone jungle interspersed with a number of flood plain lakes banked with delicate white sands. It boasts an impressive variety of flora in huge expanses of forest, and varied wildlife, including deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears and leopards.
Overnight stay in Hotel Sinharagama in Nochchiyagama

Day 05

Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Mannar – 3 hours drive approximately
Relax by the hotel
Evening walk for birding in the garden
Overnight stay in The Palmyra House in Mannar

Day 06

Bird watching in Mannar
Mannar is almost one huge bird sanctuary, protected by the wild life department. Mannar is an important resting point for migrating birds (October to March), making it a must for Bird Watchers. The bird species that drop into Mannar are many and varied. It is also one of the last places in Sri Lanka where you can see flamingos.
Overnight stay in The Palmyra House in Mannar

Day 07

Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Sigiriya – 3 ½ hour drive approximately
Do evening bird watching safari in Minneriya National Park
The national park's faunal species include 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds most of which are wetland birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
Other than the large number of Asian elephant, the Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, and Spot-billed Pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Instances of large flocks of 2000 Little Cormorants and Indian Shag have been reported here.
Garden walk in the night for spotting the Slender Loris
Overnight stay in Back of Beyond in Pidurangala

Day 08

Breakfast at the Hotel
Sigiriya Sanctuary bird watching
Surrounding of Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a designated forest reserve and is a very good birding destination. Sigiriya sanctuary is a well protected area as it is a UNECO World Heritage Site, waterways and thick canopied forests make it a heaven for birds. You will be accompanied by our expert bird watching naturalist for the birding trip in Sigiriya Sanctuary in the morning hours from 6 Am to 10 AM. Finishing the morning bird watching in Sigiriya you will be transferred to an Eco Lodge in Habarana for lunch and for some rest. There too you would be able to see many verities of birds in the lodge’s compound. At 3 PM we venture in to the jungles of Habarana surrounded by many lakes which is a very good habitat for birds.
Overnight stay in Back of Beyond in Pidurangala

Day 09

Breakfast at the Hotel
Bird watching in the Garden
The Garden is surrounded by forest that is typical to the north central plains of Sri Lanka. It is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers. Our staff is specially trained to help you identify birds, butterflies and trees in the forest. As our property borders an elephant path, elephant sightings are possible, especially during the dry season.
Garden walk in the night for spotting the Slender Loris
Overnight stay in Back of Beyond in Pidurangala

Day 10

Breakfast at the Hotel
Transfer to kitulgala – 4 ½ hour drive approximately
Do evening bird watching in the Makandawa Rainforest Patch
The Kalani Valley forest reserve is low country rain forest containing a host of endemic birds and other wildlife unique to the Island. Some of the birds are found around home gardens and will be a fascinating experience. One of the more sort after endemics is the Chestnut-backed Owlet, we will head in the direction to a known stakeout and then to the Serendib Scops Owl stakeout. The latter mentioned owl created a sensation in the birding world. Other endemic birds found here is the Yellow-fronted barbet, Ceylon small Barbet, Ceylon Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal, Layard’s Parakeet, and the Ceylon Rufous Babbler to name a few.
Overnight stay in Kitulgala Adventures

Day 11

Early Morning bird watching at the Makandawa rain forest
Back to campsite
Evening bird watching tour in the village
Overnight stay in Kitulgala Adventures

Day 12

Breakfast at the camp site
Transfer to Tissamaharama – 5 hour drive approximately
Do evening bird watching safari in Bundala National park
The bio diversity of this park is immense: A total of 383 plant species have been recorded from the park, including 6 endemics and 7 species that are considered nationally threatened. It is also home to 32 different species of mammal, 5 of which are classified as threatened. The birdlife is also diverse. For keen bird-watchers, the complex wetland system harbours a rich bird life (approximately 197 species), including several species of migratory waterfowl. This has led to the declaration of the park as Sri Lanka's first ‘Ramsar' wetland – one of great international importance especially for migratory waterfowl
Overnight stay at Yala Lake Camp

Day 13

Full day safari at Yala National Park with picnic meals
YALA NATIONAL PARK, one of Sri Lanka's premier eco tourism destinations, lies 24km northeast of Tissamaharama and 305 km from Colombo on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, spanning a vast 97,878 hectares over the Southern and Uva Provinces. The vegetation in the park comprises predominantly of semi-arid thorny scrub, interspersed with pockets of fairly dense secondary forest. Small patches of mangrove vegetation also occur along the coastal lagoons.
Overnight stay at Yala lake camp

Day 14

Morning safari at Bundala National Park with picnic meals
Do evening bird watching in the area of Tissa Lake and the village
Overnight stay at Yala lake camp

Day 15

Breakfast at the Hotel
Transfer to Sinharaja Rainforest – 3 ½ hour drive approximately
Rain forest walk - Take a trek through the quaint paths of Sinharaja where placid undergrowth lie in wait for the appreciation of all who wish to indulge in the tranquil wilderness of Sri Lanka's world renowned rainforest.
Dinner & Overnight stay in Forest Edge

Day 16

Trekking in the rain forest through the thick canopy of trees along more adventures jungle trails. This gives to you an unmatched opportunity to explore the dense forest. This trail leads you to two water falls, namely Kekuna Ella and Pathan Oya.
Adventure seekers will be guided through the thick canopy of trees long more adventurous jungle trails. This gives to you an unmatched opportunity to explore the dense forest and visit Kekuna Ella water fall and Pathan Oya Ella waterfall. You will get a chance to visit a village and be part of the village family for a moment. You will be amazed with their hospitality. This tour is more suited for adventure seekers.
Proper jungle clothing is appropriate because the torrential rain might be challenging sometimes. You will have to expect leeches but your guide will assist you in preparations.
You can have a bath in cool shallow water pool down the Kekuna Ella Water Fall. You must be prepared with swim suits.
Entire tour will take maximum of 7 hours and you will be out of the jungle before sunset.
Dinner & Overnight stay in Forest Edge

Day 17

Breakfast at the Hotel
Transfer to Colombo – 4 hour drive approximately
Do Bird watching in Thalangama Wetland
Located just a few kilometres away from Colombo, the Talangama wetlands are known to be home to over 100 different species of migratory, resident and endemic birds. It is the perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon in nature and for those who are passionate about birding and nature. The wetlands are enriched by the Talangama Lake, a small, man-built irrigation tank which still provides water to nearby farms while a unique mangrove ecosystem has emerged in and around the body of water. The birds that can be spotted in the wetlands include Black-crowned Night-herons, Little Green Heron, Yellow Wagtails, Water Cocks, Wood Sandpipers and Pintail Snipes. The wetlands are also home to several species of mammals, butterflies and dragonflies including Rapacious Flangetails and Blue-eyed Pondcruisers.
Overnight stay in Cinnamon Red

Day 18

Breakfast at the Hotel
Transfer to Airport for departure –1 hour drive approximately

Price of

Ultimate Birding Tour of Sri Lanka

From US$ 4066

Per person on double sharing basis

We can tailor this trip to suit your requirements

Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered, from excursions to accommodation

Make an enquiry to book Ultimate Birding Tour of Sri Lanka
Get in touch with a Sri Lanka destination specialist
to customize this trip

Ultimate Birding Tour of Sri Lanka rate will include,

Accommodation in mentioned hotels
Meals as per mentioned meal plans
Air conditioned transfers with an English speaking chauffeur guide
All mentioned activities and park entrance fees

Prices may vary plus/minus depending on the season

Places of visit during Ultimate Birding Tour of Sri Lanka

Key highlights of Ultimate Birding Tour of Sri Lanka

Bird watching in Anawilundawa and Nawadankulama
Safaris in Wilpattu National Park
Bird watching in Mannar
Bird watching in Sigiriya Sanctuary, Minneriya, Habarana, Kitulgala, Bundala, Yala National Park, Sinharaja Rainforest and Thalangama Wetland

Accommodation and meals during Ultimate Birding Tour of Sri Lanka (For 2 Adults)