Depart UK and fly overnight to Colombo

On arrival in Sri Lanka you will be met at the international airport and taken into the capital city of Colombo. Depending on flight times there may be time to do a little sight-seeing in Sri Lanka’s capital. Overnight in Colombo. (Hotel) Meals: no meals included today.

This morning you will leave the capital for the drive to Wasgamuwa. The journey is long but passes through beautiful forested foothills where one can really appreciate the natural beauty of Sri Lanka. Upon arrival in Wasgamuwa you will check in at the hotel and the rest of the day will be spent relaxing and acclimatising in preparation for the next day’s safari. Overnight in Wasgamuwa. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Today you will head out early in the morning to view the wildlife within the national park. Wasgamuwa is managed by the Wildlife Department of Sri Lanka, recent surveys have recorded around 23 mammal species inside the park including elephant, spotted deer, wild buffalo, leopard and sloth bear. Visitors have a good chance to see the crocodiles basking on the river banks and many of Sri Lanka’s 480 bird species.

After breakfast you will depart for the delightful hill top town of Nuwara Eliya. (1990m) Nuwara Eliya was established during the colonial era and once had a regular fox hunt and polo events. The town is often referred to as ‘Little England’ as it has retained many of its colonial buildings. You will have the chance to visit a tea plantation and have a tour of the tea factory. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

On the way to Kitulgala you will stop at the Horton Plains Nature Reserve and have a guided tour with a resident naturalist guide. Horton Plains is another wildlife hot spot, the vegetation cover here is open, grassy woodland, home to species such as the sambar, leopard and endemic purple-faced langur. From here you will continue to Kitulgala where you will be staying in beautifully deigned eco-lodges overlooking the Kelani River. Overnight in Kitulgala. (Lodge) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today you will drive out to Sinharaja. Sinharaja National Park is of international, ecological significance and has recently become a world heritage site. The area has some of the best preserved virgin rainforest on earth, saved from commercial logging due to its inaccessibility. Our hotel is situated just outside the forest gate. Overnight in Sinharaja. (Lodge) Meals: breakfast, dinner

The day will be spent exploring the Sinharaja rainforest. Due to the dense vegetation cover wildlife viewing is difficult and the elusive mammals such as the leopard are rarely seen. You may see some of the brightly coloured birds of the region which tend to move through the jungle in mixed feeding flocks. In the afternoon you can relax at the Sinharaja eco-lodge. Overnight in Sinharaja. (Lodge) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Early in the morning you will travel south to Udawalawe. This large national park was designed to protect the diverse catchment area of the Udawalawe Reservoir. The vegetation here is different again, mainly composed of open parkland with some mature teak trees. The park is home to around 400 wild elephants which are easy to spot and there are also good numbers of golden jackal, crocodile and buffalo. The afternoon will be spent out on safari in the national park. Overnight in Uda Walawe. (luxury camp) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning there will be another game drive in the National Park, the afternoon is free to relax at camp, perhaps try one of the fantastic ayurvedic masages or take a dip in the natural pools that surround the camp. Overnight in Udawalawe. (Luxury Camp) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today after a leisurely breakfast you will journey to the coast and to your final destination at Unawatuna. You will arrive at this relaxing beach resort in the late afternoon, time to catch the warm afternoon sun going down at the beach. Overnight in Unawatuna. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, dinner

Unawatuna is perfectly located on one of Sri Lanka’s finest beaches and a short drive from the historic town of Galle. Today is free so that you may chose from a host of activities offered at the resort including snorkelling, boat rides along the coast, rickshaw out to Galle to see the famous fort or simply relax and enjoy the ayurvedic treatments offered at the hotel. Overnight in Unawatuna (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, dinner

This morning you will travel back to Colombo via the turtle hatcheries at Bentota, here you will learn about the life cycle of the turtles and how conservation efforts are helping to protect these graceful animals. Overnight in Colombo (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

This morning one of our team will meet you at the hotel and accompany you to the airport for your homebound flight. Meals: breakfast