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Nature & Wildlife Explorer

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Nature & Wildlife Explorer
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
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      • Overview
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      • Galle and Around
      • The South Coast
      • Puttalam & the North West
      • The East Coast
      • Jaffna & The North
    • National Parks
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
Experience Travel Group

Nature & Wildlife Explorer

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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 islands varied landscapes while getting a feel for day-to-day rural life and enjoying a relaxing time too.

The hotels selected here are all small and intimate places where you might enjoy discussing wildlife with other guests, away from any of the principle tourists trails.

Highlights include:

  • Enjoy one of the best wildlife experiences in the country. Join an expert guide to track elephants, leopards, and more
  • Spot rare birds while sipping local tea in the comfort of your villa near the Knuckles Mountains
  • Choose between early morning bird-watching walks, kayaking on the lake, learning to cook local food, or relaxing in a hammock at The Mudhouse
  • Enjoy relaxation time in a lovely hotel on the palm-fringed beaches of the southern coast

The support of our in-country team and one of our exclusively trained chauffeur-guide comes only with ETG holidays. 

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 holiday, talk to us today.

DAY 1  DEPART UK

 Depart the UK on your flight to Colombo.

DAYS 2 & 3  THE NOTARY'S HOUSE      

You’ll be welcomed to Sri Lanka by your private chauffeur-guide who will transfer you straight to the Notary's House.  The residence is a fantastic spot in which to relax after the flight, take a swim, explore the grounds or sit back and enjoy the hospitality.

DAYS 4 - 5  the mudhouse

Your guide will transport your north to The Mudhouse, an enchanting jungle lodge surrounded by lakes and forest, and at the foot of the mysterious Paramakanda Rock Temple. You can make the experience as adventurous or as relaxing as you please, enjoy early morning birdwatching walks, kayak in lakes, climb the ancient rock, cycle on jungle trails, and learn to cook Sri Lanka food or relax in the comfort of a hammock.

DAYS 6 - 8   the CULTURAL TRIANGLE       

Head east with your chauffeur-guide towards Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Visit the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa and the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress from unique vantage points and also learn firsthand about the history of the area and the life and work of villagers. 

Days 9 & 10  the Knuckles Mountain Range

Next stop is the Knuckles Mountain Range where you’ll stay in a hillside villa surrounded by tea plantations. The Knuckles is an incredible spot for birdwatching, and there is a telescope on the balcony for detailed viewing. We recommend a trek deep into the hills around too; your efforts will be rewarded as the range contains almost 75% of Sri Lanka's endemic bird species.

Days 11 – 13  Gal Oya Lodge

 As you journey towards Gal Oya National Park, you’ll feel that you’re getting away from the typical tourist trail. Here you’ll stay in a beautifully designed eco-lodge from which you’ll have the chance to enjoy both a cultural experience and a range of wildlife. The country’s largest lake is in the vicinity so keep watch for crocs, and if you’re lucky you might witness herds of elephants bathing.

Day 14 & 15     TREE TOPS JUNGLE LODGE

 You’ll travel with your chauffeur-guide south to Treetops Jungle Lodge. This is a different experience to Gal Oya; the accommodation is more comfortable camp than lodge style and the wildlife experience changes too.  Discover the jungle trails with an expert guide; you’ll keep watch for elephants and other wildlife as you explore.

 During your stay, there will be a full day four-wheel-drive safari to Yala National Park included. Yala is Sri Lanka’s most famous park on account of the high density of leopards, but it gets hectic. Your trackers will aim to scope out clear leopard sightings throughout your day without the typical jeep-jams.

DAYS 16-18  the GALLE Coast

 Your final stop is the Galle Coast, where you’ll stay at a contemporary beachfront hotel with fantastic service. A short distance from the historic town of Galle, days can be spent lazing by the beach or exploring the ramparts of the Dutch Fort with an expert historian. There is also the opportunity to explore inland should you wish, a picnic lunch next to a waterfall, a leisurely boat tour along the river, cycle tours or local cookery experiences.

DAY 19  FLY HOME

 Your driver will drop you at Colombo airport to depart on your flight back to the UK.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, our holidays typically cost between £4,000 and £6,000 per adult depending on trip length and time of year as well as the hotels and flights involved. We offer child and seasonal discounts. You can read our ultimate guide to holiday costs in Asia for more in-depth information.

To start your journey, talk to one of our friendly consultants today.

Since every traveler is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 to create your personalised vacation itinerary.

Inclusions

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

  • International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
  • Accommodation as described
  • Privately guided tours and transfers
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
  • Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
  • 24-hour in-country backup while away
  • Your dedicated travel expert in the UK 

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Gal Oya Lodge

Gal Oya Lodge, Sri Lanka

Surrounded by a stunning national park, Gal Oya is an environmentally responsible all-natural lodge experience.

KK Beach

KK Beach, Habaraduwa

A contemporary beachfront hotel on a quiet beach with stylish interiors and fantastic service.

Kumbukgaha Villa

Kumbukgaha Villa, Sigiriya

A collection of comfortable villas surrounded by wilderness and a veranda to relax on at the end of a long day.

Mudhouse

Mudhouse, Anamaduwa

Stunning jungle lodge and hideaway with unique accommodation, superb service and off-the-beaten-track excursions.

Rangala House

Rangala House, Kandy

Three-bedroom hillside villa with stunning views on the outskirts of Kandy.

The Notary's House

The Notary's House, Pannala

A charming, calming six-bedroom lake-side hotel. Manicured gardens, coconut groves, headspace. The perfect place to ease into Sri Lanka

Treetops Jungle Lodge

Treetops Jungle Lodge, Buttala

A wilderness luxury camping safari experience in one of the remotest corners of Sri Lanka.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

Market, cooking and Galle Fort

Market, cooking and Galle Fort, Galle

A morning market visit and cooking class, followed by a guided walk of Galle Fort.

Pidurangula Rock

Pidurangula Rock, Sigiriya

Just beside Sigiriya Rock Fortress lies another granite rock jutting out of the surrounding lowland, Pidurangala Rock.

Polonnaruwa Cycling Tour

Polonnaruwa Cycling Tour, Polonnaruwa

Cycle around the relatively compact and well preserved ruins of Sri Lanka's second great historical capital.

Sigiriya and Village Farm experience

Sigiriya and Village Farm experience, Sigiriya

Visit local farms and learn firsthand about the life and work of the villagers, enjoy a home-cooked lunch and visit the stunning Sigiriya rock fortress

Yala National Park

Yala National Park, Yala

Sri Lanka's Yala National Park has the world's highest density of leopards - so this is your best chance to see them.

Map showing Hotels & Experiences associated with 'Nature & Wildlife Explorer'

~
Your next adventure
starts with a conversation
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Let us inspire you...

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

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Birdlife and Natural Wealth of Sri Lanka

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~
Your next adventure
starts with a conversation
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Let us inspire you...

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

ETG - immersive holidays that give back, since 2004.
Don’t just see Asia - feel Asia.

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Experience Travel Group

020 7924 7133 Get in touch

Call
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Borneo
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • Holidays in Sri Lanka
    • Classic Sri Lanka Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Sri Lanka & Maldives Holidays
    • Ultimate Holidays
    • Nature & Wildlife Holidays
    • Off the Beaten Track
    • Slow Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
    • Sri Lanka Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Sri Lanka Travel Blog
  • Places in Sri Lanka
    • Regions of Sri Lanka
      • Overview
      • The Cultural Triangle
      • Colombo, Negombo & Around
      • Kandy and Around
      • The Hill Country
      • West Coast Beaches
      • Galle and Around
      • The South Coast
      • Puttalam & the North West
      • The East Coast
      • Jaffna & The North
    • National Parks & Sancturaries
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
      • Horton Plains National Park
      • Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
      • Kumana National Park (Yala East)
      • Lahugala National Park
      • Lunugamvehera National Park
      • Maduru Oya National Park
      • Minneriya National Park
      • Somawathiya National Park
      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
      • Yala National Park
  • About us
    • Why choose ETG?
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Team
    • Reviews
    • In the Press
    • Our Offices
    • Our Brochure
    • Travel Blog
  • How it works
    • Where to start...
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Get in touch
  • Immersive Holidays
    • Immersive Family Holidays
    • Immersive Honeymoons
    • Ideas & Inspiration
    • Holidays by month
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    • Download Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
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