Journey deep into the Sinharaja Rainforest and keep a lookout for the Sri Lankan White-Eye, Yellow-Eared Bulbul, Brown-Capped Babbler, and Spurfowl.
Sri Lanka’s buzzing with life – the subtropical air practically sings with insects, and the jungles and forests teem with creatures, big and small. We love wildlife holidays in Sri Lanka.
Keep your eyes peeled for bright-green lizards, cheeky monkeys, and Sri Lanka’s own ‘Big Five’ – the Asian elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sperm whale, and the colossal blue whale.
This island is paradise for nature lovers, and we’ll help you experience it at its wildest – with naturalists who know just where to look. You’ll leave having explored a wide variety of its lovely landscapes by foot, by boat and by rail, too.
Nature & Wildlife Holidays in Sri Lanka:
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East Coast
Digital Detox in Sri Lanka
This itinerary idea is perfect if you long to slow down, reconnect, and immerse yourself in Sri Lanka’s beauty. You’ll also veer off the beaten track, staying in gorgeous eco-lodges and homely retreats. Leave life’s constant buzz behind and savour meaningful connections with your companions, locals, and the natural world.
Highlights
Gal Oya National Park
Boat safaris on Sri Lanka’s largest lake, spotting elephants and vibrant birdlife
Knuckles Mountains
Hike hidden trails and discovering a disappearing way of life
Historic Galle
Explore the charming fort and the vibrant local food scene here
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Map
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Cultural Triangle
Family Adventure in Sri Lanka
This is an action-packed holiday, perfect for families with a sense of adventure, with an exciting mix of off-the-beaten-path places and touches of luxury. Made for travellers who enjoy pushing the boundaries a little and want to experience the ‘real’ Sri Lanka (while staying in some lovely hotels along the away).
Highlights
Wilpattu National Park
Spot leopards, elephants and sloth bears on peaceful safaris in the serene and lesser-visited Wilpattu National Park
Knuckles Mountains
Set off on a thrilling hike through the lush forests and waterfalls in the Knuckles Mountains
Surfing
Catch a wave in Sri Lanka’s Ahangama and Weligama surf hotspots, perfect for all skill levels
Farm visit
Experience rural Sri Lanka with a guided farm tour and meet local families in the heart of Sri Lanka
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Arugam Bay
Family Safari, Surf and Turf
This immersive and unusual itinerary is a brilliant option for adventurous families seeking something different in Sri Lanka. Avoiding the typical loop, it carves a path through verdant tea hills, remote beaches, and wildlife-rich landscapes, offering a vibrant mix of activity, culture, and relaxation.
Trek a scenic section of the Pekoe Trail, surf Sri Lanka’s east coast, and spot elephants in the wild before winding down in Galle’s historic fort. Each stay has been handpicked for comfort, charm, and a sense of place. This is a real adventure with no compromise on ease.
Highlights
The Pekoe Trail
Privately guided walk along a scenic stretch of the Pekoe Trail
Safari in Kumana National Park
Spot elephants, birds and sloth bears on safari in Kumana National Park
Surfing
Surf and unwind on the relaxed east coast at Arugam Bay
Guided walk
Explore Galle Fort with a local guide and enjoy tea in a historic Dutch home
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Cultural Triangle
Nature & Wildlife Explorer
Sri Lanka is extraordinary, with wildlife and nature all around. This holiday is ideal for casual nature and wildlife enthusiasts who want to see the island’s varied landscapes while getting a feel for day-to-day rural life and enjoying a relaxing time.
The hotels selected here are all small and intimate places where you might enjoy discussing wildlife with other guests, away from any of the principal tourist trails.
Highlights
Wildlife experiences
Enjoy some of the best wildlife experiences in the country. Joining expert guides to track elephants, leopards, and more
Knuckles Mountains
Spot rare birds while sipping local tea in the comfort of your villa near the Knuckles Mountains
The Mudhouse
Choose between early morning bird-watching walks, kayaking on the lake, learning to cook local food, or relaxing in a hammock at The Mudhouse.
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Cultural Triangle
Natural and Wild Sri Lanka
This holiday is a take on our flagship Sri Lanka highlights itinerary, carefully tweaked to better suit those more interested in wildlife.
Packed with our best local experiences and our favourite tried and tested boutique hotels, we will ensure you’ll discover both the wildlife, culture, and diversity of this amazing island country.
Highlights
The Mudhouse
Experience rural life, relax in a hammock or explore the jungle trails while staying in unique accommodation at The Mudhouse.
Tree Tops Jungle Lodge
Enjoy an incredible, immersive wildlife experience at Treetops Jungle Lodge: where wild elephants co-exist with people
Beautiful Beaches
Relax on the wild, palm-fringed beaches of The Deep South
Cultural Triangle
Enjoy our unique insider tours of The Cultural Triangle, Kandy and Colombo. Typically we offer a distinct vantage point compared to DIY or more ‘package’ type holidays
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Colombo
The Birdlife of Sri Lanka
Spend two weeks travelling through Sri Lanka’s rich and varied natural environments on a quest to encounter some of the 500 bird species that have been recorded here. Your expedition will take you into the lush forests of central Sri Lanka’s hill country and the dry national parks of the south via the lowland rainforest of Sinharaja.
An expert birding guide will be on hand to help you identify some of the rarer endemic and migratory species, and each hotel has been selected to optimise the experience. Though the trip is designed around the island’s birdlife, there is plenty of time to take in many of its other charms, such as its food, culture and warm welcome.
Highlights
Weerawila Bird Sanctuary
Discovering some of the 200 bird species in the Weerawila Bird Sanctuary, including the Majestic Junglefowl, Ceylon Woodshrikes, and Great Cormorants.
Knuckles Mountains
Being surrounded by the deep jungle of the Knuckles Mountain Range while relaxing on the terrace of your remote hillside lodge, looking for parakeets and barbets through the hotel’s telescope.
Sinharaja Rainforest
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These itineraries are designed for you to spot the wonderful wildlife of Sri Lanka and explore its diverse landscapes without missing the must-see sites.
Yep, they’re big on nature, but not just nature – think the perfect blend of discovery and downtime, with stays in everything from eco-lodges and luxury camps to charming, characterful hotels.
Do you have a particular passion? Talk to our talented Travel Team, and we’ll finetune your holiday in Sri Lanka to up your chances of seeing exactly what you’re after.
These holidays are just ideas – together, we’ll design your dream adventure.
The Best Wildlife & Jungle Lodges in Sri Lanka
We know the lodges in Sri Lanka like the back of our hand.
From the conventional, ultra-luxe ones like Relais & Châteaux’s Wild Coast Tented Lodge, to the comfortable and atmospheric ones like Gal Oya Lodge and our absolute favourite, The Mudhouse.
Mulling over which might suit you and your travel companions best? Talk to us. Together, we can choose a lodge (or a winning combination) to match your styles.
Each of our hand-picked hotels has a serious sense of place.
Never bland. Certainly never boring.
And the guides? Top-notch.
What’s included:
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We can tailor it completely to suit your budget, pace and style. To find out more about how this suggested itinerary could inspire your own holiday.
International flights (if required)
Guides, drivers & their tips
Accommodation
Specified meals & snacks
Your immersive experiences
Internal & regional transfers
Selected Accommodation in Sri Lanka
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of Sri Lanka.
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Sri Lanka
Eagles Crest
Tucked away deep in the Knuckles mountain range of central Sri Lanka, Eagles Crest is a unique, homely mountain lodge. It’s a very special spot with plenty of natural beauty surrounding it.
Highlights
Highlights
Scenic spot,
Special atmosphere,
Unusual experiences
Best for
Couples,
Solo Travellers
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South West Beaches, Sri Lanka
Kumu Beach
An intimate beach hotel with attentive staff and panoramic views over the Indian Ocean.
Highlights
Highlights
Indian Ocean views,
Infinity pool,
Intimate service
Best for
Couples
Honeymooners
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Sri Lanka, The Deep South
Kulu Safaris
Sri Lanka’s original luxury wildlife outfit, Kulu’s responsible, immersive safaris offer an unforgettable rumble in the jungle: the remote camp comprises just four authentic safari tents.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Honeymooners
Wildlife lovers
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Sri Lanka, Hill Country
Living Heritage Koslanda
A charming, rustic planter’s bungalow built in the mid-1800s, set on well-kept grounds, providing wonderful service and food.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
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Kandy and around, Sri Lanka
Rangala House
Three-bedroom hillside villa with stunning views on the outskirts of Kandy.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
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Sri Lanka
Gal Oya Lodge
Gal Oya Lodge is located in the heart of the Gal Oya National Park, not far from Sri Lanka’s most sizable inland body of water, Senanayake Samudraya. This wonderfully serene lake is surrounded by forests teeming with colourful wildlife.
All the teak and mara wooden furnishings have been locally and lovingly handmade and the building’s open-plan architecture maximises the panoramic mountain views.
Highlights
Highlights
Scenic spot,
Sublime swimming pool,
Amazing activities
Best for
Families,
Couples
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Sri Lanka, Puttalam & The North West
The Mudhouse
Tucked away in sixty acres of forest and surrounded by serene lakes, The Mudhouse sits at the foot of the enigmatic Paramakanda Rock Temple. It’s a unique jungle retreat where rustic charm meets immersive adventure.
This eco-lodge offers a one-of-a-kind experience, with beautifully crafted, thatched huts made entirely from natural materials. Thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly into the lush landscape, each private cluster of huts forms its own mini-village within the jungle, complete with spaces for sleeping, dining, and relaxing.
Highlights
Highlights
Fun local experiences,
Bike rides,
Birdwatching
Best for
Families
Nature nuts
Good to know
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Colombo, Negombo & around, Sri Lanka
Horathapola Coconut Estate
Beautiful tropical mansion offering unpretentious luxury on a working Coconut Estate.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
Friends
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Puttalam & the North West, Sri Lanka
Thamaravila Wilpattu
A private and peaceful hideaway with just five chalets spread over 9 acres of land, a 10-minute drive from Wilpattu National Park.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Wildlife lovers
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Meet Our Experts
“A visit to one of Myanmar’s gems, the magnificent and tranquil Inle Lake, deserves a place to rest which can complement the serenity of the landscape. The Inle Princess Resort perfectly blends traditional Burmese design in a very special location, all with a touch of luxury.”
Holly Newing
South & Southeast Asia Expert
Sri Lanka Holidays
In Our Traveller’s Words
An Epic Adventure Across Southeast Asia
There were moments while I was out and about where I thought that everyone should experience this kind of mindful travel that Experience Travel organises, as it's not backpacking where you tick off the standard party hotspots, and it's not the typical cruise for tourists to visit the standard sightseeing destinations, but an experience where I really felt I got to know the countries, meet great people and do fun stuff that most people miss.
Very highly regarded in Sri Lanka
Two-week tour through relatively undiscovered Sri Lanka staying in six bespoke locations from eco lodges to homestays. ETG were attentive to our needs, imaginative and they have a wonderful ethos/brand that we could see whilst we were travelling.
Sri Lanka made (very) easy!
Sri Lanka was a delight. The unique experiences ETG provided really brought the country to life. From the planning through to booking, and all the arragements, we really didn't have to think about a thing thanks to ETG's expertise and care.
The Curious Traveller’s Expert Guide to Sri Lanka
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