7 Day Big Five Sri Lanka Safari Holiday

Itinerary

Day 01 - Airport –Mirissa

Upon your arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be greeted by your chauffeur and transferred to Mirissa. We have organized dinner and an overnight stay at the elegant Imagine Villa Hotel where you can relax and recover from your journey. Spend your first day enjoying the comforts of an exotic, colonial-style hotel and relax on the beautiful golden beach which the hotel overlooks.

Day 02 - Mirissa

You will have an early start on Day 2, as you will be taken to the Mirissa Harbour by 6.15am to go whale watching (Season is from November to April) in order to catch a glimpse of the majestic Blue Whale and Sperm Whale, two of Sri Lanka’s ‘Big Five’. Sri Lanka is located within the International Whaling Commission’s protected zone in the Indian Ocean while 26 of the identified cetacean species are found in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka’s southern coast is among the best locations in the world to see Blue Whales and boasts the longest Blue Whale season which falls during their annual migratory route from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Sea. In the evening, you will be taken to the archaeological and architectural heritage monument, the Galle Dutch Fort which was first built by the Portuguese in 1587 and then extensively fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. Dinner at your overnight stay will be arranged at a hotel in Mirissa.

Day 03 - Mirissa- Yala

You will be taken for another whale-watching tour before your transfer to Yala. You can check-in at the Big Game Camp in Yala and enjoy a wildlife adventure with an evening safari of the famous Yala National Park, which is commonly regarded as one of the best places to spot leopards; a favorite amongst the ‘Big Five’. Male leopards in the Yala National Park are bold and unafraid of safari jeeps and this offers visitors the perfect opportunity to photograph and film them. Dinner and an overnight stay have been organized at the Big Game Camp located on the borders of the Park, where you will enjoy the finest tented camping experience in Sri Lanka.

Day 04 - Yala

Enjoy a full-day safari in the dazzling Yala National Park which spans a vast 97,878 hectares. This is a Park where you can see wild elephants and herds of water buffalo grazing by watering holes strewn throughout its territory and catch a glimpse of the Sri Lanka Sloth Bear, another principal feature of the five. Yala is also known for being one of the best Parks for bird-enthusiasts. Its habitat also boasts an array of endemic and resident birds. The country’s largest bird, the Lesser Adjutant, has been often spotted in the Park among a host of other exotic birds. A night walk will also be included with the guidance of an expert naturalist.

Day 05 - Yala - Udawalawe

After breakfast, you will be transferred from Yala to Udawalawe. En route, a visit to the Elephant Transit Home will be made in the afternoon, before checking into the Udawalawe camping site. You will then go on an evening safari at the Udawalawe National Park, which is famous for being home to approximately 600 resident elephants; the main focus of the ‘Big Five’ here. You could also see water buffaloes, water monitor lizards, sambar deer, monkeys, and if lucky, the leopard. Dinner and your overnight stay will be organized at the Big Game Tented Camp in Udawalawe where you can enjoy the comforts of the tented campsite while being close to nature.

Day 06 - Udawalawe–Colombo

Another early morning Safari has been organised for you at the National Park. The park is also renowned for its species of gorgeous birds including the Red-Faced Malkoha, Serpent Eagles, Hawk Eagles, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Black Eagles, Black Capped Bulbuls, Racket Tailed Drongos, and peacocks. The Park also boasts a rich list of migratory birds including the Forest Wagtails, Indian Pitta, Whiskered Terns, and Osprey Sandpipers. Head back to the camp for breakfast after which you will be taken to Colombo. You have the option of en-route visiting Ratnapura, the city renowned for its gems, while an overnight stay will be organised at a hotel in Colombo

Day 07 - Colombo – Departure

On the final day, you will be transferred to the Bandaranaike International Airport well ahead of time for your flight - bringing your exotic Sri Lankan wildlife experience to a close.