The Serendipity Experiences
WILD SRI LANKA
A Journey Through the Island’s Extraordinary Wilderness
10 Nights
11 Days
The Escape
Sri Lanka may be compact in size, but few destinations offer such an extraordinary diversity of wildlife and natural landscapes within one island.
This carefully curated journey travels from the forested wilderness and natural lakes of Wilpattu to the remote waterways of Gal Oya, the mist-covered cloud forests of the Central Highlands and the leopard country of Yala. Along the way, explore dramatically changing ecosystems with experienced naturalists and rangers while staying in carefully selected wilderness retreats and characterful hotels.
Designed for travelers who want to experience more than a conventional safari, this journey reveals the remarkable biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife stories that make Sri Lanka one of Asia’s most fascinating nature destinations.
Journey Highlights
- •Naturalist-led exploration of Wilpattu National Park
- •Search for Sri Lankan leopard and sloth bear
- •Two-night wilderness stay at Gal Oya
- •Boat safari across Senanayake Samudraya
- •Opportunity to witness elephants from the water
- •Naturalist-led wilderness experiences at Gal Oya
- •Exploration of Sri Lanka’s Central Highland ecosystem
- •Guided walk through Horton Plains National Park
- •Safari through Yala National Park
- •Opportunity for additional private safari experiences
- •Carefully selected wilderness lodges and tented camps
- •Introduction to Colombo’s history and contemporary character
- •Private chauffeur-guide throughout the Sri Lanka journey
Day by Day
The Itinerary
Day
01
ARRIVAL IN SRI LANKA
A Gentle Introduction to the Island
Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, meet your private chauffeur-guide and transfer to your hotel.
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, allowing time to relax and recover following your international journey.
Overnight Stay
The Wallawwa
Day
02
INTO LEOPARD COUNTRY
Journey to Wilpattu
After breakfast, journey north towards Wilpattu, travelling through rural landscapes and Sri Lanka’s dry-zone countryside.
Upon arrival, settle into your wilderness retreat and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, taking time to absorb the peaceful surroundings and atmosphere of the wilderness.
Overnight Stay
Leopard Trails Wilpattu / Mahoora Tented Safari Camp Wilpattu
Day
03
WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK
Leopards, Sloth Bears & Villu Landscapes
Set out early this morning with an experienced naturalist for a safari through Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest national park.
Wilpattu has a distinctly different character from many of the island’s other wildlife reserves. Dense dry-zone forest opens unexpectedly onto natural lakes known locally as villus, creating rich habitats for elephants, spotted deer, crocodiles, sloth bears, prolific birdlife and the elusive Sri Lankan leopard.
Explore the park at an unhurried pace with your naturalist, gaining insight into both its wildlife and the unique ecosystem that supports it.
Return to your wilderness retreat and spend the afternoon at leisure.
For guests wishing to spend additional time in the park, an optional afternoon safari can also be arranged.
Overnight Stay
Leopard Trails Wilpattu / Mahoora Tented Safari Camp Wilpattu
Day
04
WILPATTU TO GAL OYA
Across Sri Lanka's Wild Interior
After breakfast, leave the wilderness of Wilpattu behind and journey across Sri Lanka’s interior towards the remote landscapes of Gal Oya.
The journey reveals another side of the island, travelling through rural communities, forests and changing dry-zone landscapes far removed from Sri Lanka’s more frequently travelled routes.
Upon arrival at Gal Oya, check in to your lodge and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure amidst the surrounding wilderness.
Depending on arrival time and your interests, you may choose to join one of the lodge’s naturalist-led walks through the surrounding area.
Overnight Stay
Gal Oya Lodge
Day
05
GAL OYA
Wilderness from the Water
Set out early this morning for one of Sri Lanka’s most distinctive wildlife experiences — a boat safari across the vast Senanayake Samudraya reservoir within Gal Oya National Park.
Accompanied by an experienced naturalist, explore the lake and its scattered islands while watching for elephants approaching the water’s edge, crocodiles, deer and abundant birdlife.
On fortunate occasions, elephants may even be seen swimming between the reservoir’s islands — a remarkable wildlife encounter unique to this part of Sri Lanka.
Return to the lodge and spend the afternoon at leisure.
Guests may also choose from a selection of additional nature and wilderness experiences offered by the lodge.
Overnight Stay
Gal Oya Lodge
Day
06
INTO THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
From Dry-Zone Wilderness to Misty Mountains
After breakfast, leave Gal Oya and journey into Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands.
As the elevation gradually rises, the dry-zone landscapes give way to cooler mountain air, waterfalls, forests, tea-covered hills and mist-shrouded valleys.
Arrive in Nuwara Eliya and check in to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, enjoying the contrasting climate and landscapes of Sri Lanka’s high country.
Overnight Stay
The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya or The Bellwood Manor
Day
07
HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK
Exploring Sri Lanka's Cloud Forest
Depart early this morning for Horton Plains National Park, a remarkable high-altitude ecosystem located more than 2,000 metres above sea level.
Accompanied by a specialist guide, explore the park on foot through mist-covered grasslands and montane cloud forest, an environment completely different from the dry-zone wilderness experienced earlier in the journey.
The highlands support sambar deer, endemic birds, butterflies and a remarkable variety of plant life, while the walking trail leads towards Baker’s Falls and the dramatic escarpment known as World’s End.
Return to Nuwara Eliya and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight Stay
The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya or The Bellwood Manor
Day
08
FROM THE HIGHLANDS TO YALA
Into Sri Lanka's Wild South
After breakfast, leave the cool Central Highlands behind and journey south towards Yala.
Watch as the landscapes change once again, descending from mist-covered mountains and tea country into the drier plains, lakes and scrub forests of Sri Lanka’s southern wilderness.
Upon arrival, check in to your safari lodge and spend the remainder of the day at leisure, enjoying the surroundings and experiences offered by your wilderness retreat.
Overnight Stay
Wild Coast Tented Lodge or Leopard Trails Yala
Day
09
YALA NATIONAL PARK
In Search of the Sri Lankan Leopard
Set out early this morning with your naturalist for a safari through Yala National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated wildlife reserves.
Yala’s varied landscape of rocky outcrops, grasslands, lagoons, scrub forest and coastal wilderness supports an extraordinary range of wildlife. Look for elephants, spotted deer, water buffalo, crocodiles, monkeys and prolific birdlife while searching for the park’s most elusive inhabitant — the Sri Lankan leopard.
Your naturalist will bring the wilderness to life through an understanding of animal behaviour, tracks, habitats and the relationships between the many species that call Yala home.
Return to your lodge and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Guests wishing to spend more time in the wilderness may opt for an additional afternoon safari.
Overnight Stay
Wild Coast Tented Lodge or Leopard Trails Yala
Day
10
YALA TO COLOMBO
From Wilderness to the Capital
After breakfast, leave Sri Lanka’s wild south and journey towards Colombo.
Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy time at leisure.
Later in the afternoon, discover some of Colombo’s highlights, gaining an introduction to the city’s colonial heritage, architecture, religious landmarks and contemporary character.
From historic buildings and tree-lined avenues to the bustling commercial quarters and modern waterfront, Colombo offers a fascinating final contrast to the remote wilderness landscapes experienced throughout the journey.
Spend your final evening in Sri Lanka at leisure.
Overnight Stay
Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo
Day
11
DEPARTURE
Farewell to Sri Lanka
After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure depending on your flight schedule.
Thereafter, transfer privately to Bandaranaike International Airport for your onward flight.
Your journey through Wild Sri Lanka comes to an end, leaving behind memories of leopards and elephants, remote lakes and mist-covered cloud forests, wilderness camps and some of the island’s most extraordinary natural landscapes.
Where You'll Stay
Hotels Featured
Stay
The Wallawwa
Stay
Wild Coast Tented Lodge or Leopard Trails Yala
Stay
Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo
Stay
Leopard Trails Wilpattu / Mahoora Tented Safari Camp Wilpattu
Stay
Gal Oya Lodge
Stay
The Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya or The Bellwood Manor