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Sri Lanka Expedition: Wilderness & Wildlife

Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Head out on a morning and evening safari in the Kumuna National Park, to give you the best chance to search for the abundance of wildlife that live along the park’s many waterways.
- Visit Project Orange Elephant, run by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society. Supported by the Intrepid Foundation, this organisation is dedicated to ensuring both sustainable farming practice and wildlife conservation.
- Spend some time soaking up laid-back surf vibes in Arugam Bay – a beachside haven that’s ideal to just sit back and watch the waves roll in after a long day of exploring.
- Stay in a well-situated eco-lodge in the Sinharaja Forest Reseve – a World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest that’s home to jackals, big cats, wild boars and Toque monkeys – to name a few.
- Discover the Portuguese and Dutch influence in Galle Fort. After nearly a week in the wild, wind down in this colonial town, with varied cuisine and eclectic bars perfect for a crew outing.
Short Description
Unearth a region of wild delights on this expedition through the depths of Sri Lanka’s forests and national parks. Spend 12 days from Negombo traversing the thickets of Kumuna National Park to the dry evergreen forests of elephant-rich Wasgamuwa National Park. Discover the lofty mountains of Gal Oya National Park and the misty Sinharaja Forest Reserve, and on the way, gain an insight into local farming industries before lazing on the shores of Arugam Bay. Delight on a wildlife-focused and nature-filled itinerary in one of Asia’s best selections of jungle and forest – thank ya for Sri Lanka!
Itinerary
Day 1 Negombo
Ayu-bowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins in the town of Negombo, located close to Bandaranaike International Airport. You can arrive at any time today as there are no activities planned until an important welcome meeting at 5.30 pm. Those arriving early can get into the spirit of seaside Sri Lanka by observing the local fishing craft and perhaps feasting on fresh seafood. The beautiful surrounding countryside is also ideal to be explored on a bicycle, which you can rent with help from the hotel reception. Better yet, book into a local Urban Adventure like Spirit of Negombo. First check out the sights on foot and then take a leisurely boat tour, all while soaking up some epic views and learning all about the history and culture of Negombo.
Day 2 Wasgamuwa National Park
An early start is necessary this morning to catch some animal action later in the day. Check-out of the hotel at 8 am and transfer to Wasgamuwa National Park via Kandy (approximately 7 hours). Home to wild Asian elephants, sloth bears, leopards, peafowl and more, the park is one of the most biodiverse protected areas in Sri Lanka. Spend some time settling into your accommodation and perhaps exploring the area around the hotel. In the evening, climb up into basic 'tree houses' situated just outside of the park to observe wild elephants lumbering back into the forest to sleep for the night.
Day 3 Wasgamuwa National Park
Spend the day learning about the complex relationship between some farmers and wild elephants in Sri Lanka, and what one organisation is doing to ease the conflict. Project Orange Elephant is run by Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society, a local non-government organisation. For Sri Lankans who rely on subsistence or commercial farming, elephant populations can be incredibly destructive. Crop raiding by elephants is commonplace, and farmers who have had their livelihood destroyed often retaliate with violence. With support from The Intrepid Foundation, SLWCS encourages more sustainable farming practices – particularly of crops like oranges that elephants do not eat – to help wildlife and humans coexist peacefully. Take the opportunity to meet some the local farmers and learn about life for both the elephant and human inhabitants that live in the area.
Day 4 Ampara – Gal Oya National Park
Make the 4-hour drive to Ampara and enter the unspoiled splendour of Gal Oya National Park, home to elephants, axis deer, muntjacs, water buffalo, mugger crocodiles and more than 150 species of birds. Unlike the dry forest and low mountain ranges of Wasgamuwa National Park, Gal Oya is set against the massive Senanayake Samudraya Lake and is framed by mountains that reach an elevation of over 900 metres. Arrive and spend some time exploring this lush environment, and in the evening, take a cruise to a part of the lake where elephants come for their nightly splash.
Day 5 Arugam Bay – Kumana National Park
Rise and shine for a morning boat ride on Senanayake Samudraya Lake – Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir. Cruise over serene waters, watching morning light illuminate the tiny islands that dot the water and keep an eye out for elephants, storks and horn bills. Get back on land and transfer to Arugam Bay (approximately 2 hours). After three days in the wilderness, the sight of palm-lined beaches is a welcome change of scenery! Spend some time soaking up the laid-back vibes of this surf town and, in the evening, embark on a jeep safari through nearby Kumana National Park (formerly known as Yala East National Park). With fewer crowds than some of Sri Lanka’s other parks and a diverse range of wildlife, Kumana is the perfect place to search for leopards, elephants, crocodiles and white cobras. Bird enthusiasts will be happy to know it's common to spot wild peacocks and a wide variety of storks.
Day 6 Arugam Bay – Kumana National Park
Today, you’ve got planned a morning and evening safari drive through Kumuna National Park – both chances to spot animals along the many waterways that thread through the landscape. You’ll even have the chance to stop by Arugam Bay Lagoon or Panama Lake to spot some crocodiles! During the middle of the day, you can do as you please. Perhaps soak up some sunshine along the sandy coast or stroll through this quaint town. There are plenty of local restaurants serving up both Sri Lankan and international cuisine – your group leader will have some delicious recommendations.
Day 7 Udawalawe
Transfer to Udawalawe (approximately 3.5 hours). Spend some time relaxing in Udawalawe town before an evening safari, where you’re bound to spot elephant families on the move. Udawalawe National Park has an amazing array of animal and birdlife, with more herds of wild elephant than anywhere else in Sri Lanka. Other wildlife regularly spotted here include macaques, monkeys, spotted deer, crocodiles and sometimes even leopards!
Day 8 Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Make the 2-hour drive to Sinharaja Forest Reserve and settle into the Rainforest Eco Lodge – your accommodation for this evening. Set among the misty rainforest, these eco-lodges are set on stilts for optimum harmony with the natural environment. Spend the day as you please, either getting a feel for the grounds of the lodge with a walk, or simply relaxing at the bar or restaurant on site. In the evening, enjoy a nature walk through the World Heritage-listed forest, enjoying the tropical surrounds and looking out for beasts like jackals, big cats, wild boars and toque monkeys.
Day 9 Galle
Wake up with a morning walk through the rainforest, keeping a look out for butterflies, multi-coloured blue magpies, squirrels, mongoose and more! Afterwards, make the 2.5-hour drive to Galle. Head to Galle Fort – the fortified city of with plenty of Portuguese and Dutch colonial charm, narrow laneways and stunning promenades. Galle Fort is a wanderer's paradise, and you’ll spend some time exploring it on foot and taking in structures that date from between the 16th and 19th century. With plenty of eclectic cafes and bars, Galle Fort is also the perfect place to grab a Sri Lankan meal with a contemporary twist.
Day 10 Galle
From November to April, there will be the opportunity to join a morning whale watching tour. In the off-season – or if you simply prefer to stay close to shore – perhaps begin your day with a dip in the ocean. There is plenty to occupy you in this charming town, from historical sites like the 17th-century Dutch Reformed Church and the Fort Gates to cute vintage shops, quirky boutiques and art galleries. In the evening, why not grab a beer and a meal at one of the waterfront restaurants and watch the sunset over the ocean.
Day 11 Colombo
Spend another day at your leisure in Galle Fort before transferring to Colombo (approximately 3 hours). For your evening, perhaps head out to sample some of the city's renowned street food. Local delicacies include crispy vegetable samosas, hoppers and kotthu – a tasty dish of sliced roti, vegetables and eggs or meat. It’s cause for celebration with your travel crew to reminisce on the wildlife expeditions you’ve enjoyed the most.
Day 12 Colombo
Today your Sri Lankan Wilderness and Wildlife trip comes to an end. But it doesn’t have to be the end of your adventure! A great way to see the city is by tuk-tuk tour such as the one offered by Urban Adventures, which gives you the chance to navigate narrow streets and hit the mains sights with a local guide. Find out more at urbanadventures.com/destination/Colombo-tours.
Availability
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4,320 Intrepid Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings
Sri Lanka Expedition: Wilderness & Wildlife
Company Reviews
Sardines in a can
If any of us had been physically inflexible or overweight we could not have coped with the sleeping arrangements . It is impossible to sit on the top bunk and even turning over in bed requires considerable planning .
An adventure does not mean cutting back on basic essentials …
In our view there were too many people in too small a space .
Two complete strangers were also asked to sleep together in an extremely small double bed , which meant that one of them decided to sleep on deck or in the living space .
The only redeeming factor was our Skipper who is professional, friendly , informative and skilled .
I would recommend this trip if the numbers were reduced .
I feel totally cheated
Have not even started and not impressed
No help when things go wrong (seriously ill on trip)
Trip 1- I was taken very ill while in Vietnam and had to drop out of the tour. I had no help from the guide- no help with getting to a doctor (I don't speak Vietnamese and was too ill to get out of bed anyway), he didn't even assist with arranging a hotel room.
Trip 2- I've had to cancel an upcoming (2024) trip, but haven't received the refund despite phoning the customer service line several times. The people I talk to are nice, but don't seem to be able to actually get anything done. They just suggest waiting a bit longer- not sure how long they think is acceptable to hang on to someone's money really.
Check for other companies offtering the same trip
Once I had paid for my trips, it was very difficult to get in touch with Intrepid to ask a question.
During the trips, several times I was told something one day only to have the info change without any good reason. The guides need proper training about dealing with the heat. Some of use suffered from dehydration and heat stroke and the guides were quite flippant about it. I was told that the guides would not leave anyone behind, but it happened several times.
There was one guide (a trainee) who really took some of the pleasure out of my cycle tour. She spoke to me with a tone used for a child. This tone and her attitude to me almost bordered on harassment.
I went on a third cycling tour with a different company after my 2 with Intrepid and it was much better than my experience with Intrepid.
As the demand for ebikes rises, tour companies such as Intrepid need to increase their fleet of ebikes. They also don’t need to charge the huge amount to rent these ebikes. We only want to rent them, not buy them. As the cost of ebikes comes down, if should reflect in the rental price.
Ecuador guide Eitel made the tour…
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport Private vehicle,Jeep,Boat
Group Size
Small Group - 24 max
Maximum Number of People in Group: 12
Accommodations
Hotel (11 nights)
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Age Notes :
Min. Age: 15
Max Age: 99
Additional Information
Finish point
- The Steuart by Citrus
- 45, Hospital Lane, Off Chatham Street,
- Colombo
- SRI LANKA
Trip ID#:
intrepid-HPSV
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