Safaris in Sri Lanka
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10 best Sri Lanka safari tour packages
Compiled by
NinaSri Lanka travel expert at TourRadar
Yala Safari
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We saw many wild animals including a family of elephants which were the highlight of the trip!”
Ela, traveled in September
Skilled guides lead safaris in Yala National Park tracking leopards, elephants, and crocodiles. Prime wildlife viewing occurs during early morning and late afternoon drives, with naturalists sharing insights about Sri Lanka's fauna.
Duration 5 days Destinations Colombo, Ahungalla, Balapitiya, Hikkaduwa, Weligama, Mirissa, Udawalawe National Park, Tissamaharama, Yala, Yala National Park Age Range 5 to 89 year olds Physical Rating Easy Distance 312 mi Operator Stelaran Holidays (Pvt) Ltd From $2,469
10% Off- NZ$2,222You save $247
Four specialized jeep safaris in Yala National Park's Block 1 focus on leopard photography. Baby elephants like Bhanu charm visitors at Udawalawe's Elephant Transit Home. Naturalist-led treks through Sinharaja Rainforest reveal endemic birds and reptiles.
Duration 9 days Destinations Colombo, Yala, Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Deniyaya, Sinharaja Forest Reserve Age Range 5 to 80 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Physical Rating Easy Distance 254 mi Operator Alkof Holidays From
10% Off- NZ$4,115
Yala National Park boasts the world's highest leopard density, offering premier wildlife encounters. Elephants bathe majestically at Pinnawala Orphanage, while the safari-oriented Chhaya Wild resort in Tissamaharama serves as base for expert-guided adventures.
Duration 6 days Destinations Colombo, Seeduwa, Pinnawala, Kandy, Peradeniya, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala National Park, Tissamaharama, GalleSee all destinations Age Range 10 to 99 year olds Distance 314 mi Operator Aitken Spence Travel From $2,488
20% Off- NZ$1,990You save $498
Rich wildlife viewing unfolds across 5 national parks - jeep drives in Wilpattu's woodland, boat safaris in Gal Oya's reservoir, and leopard tracking in Yala. Luxurious stays at Big Game Camp Wilpattu and premium lodges complement wildlife encounters.
Duration 9 days Destinations Colombo, Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Wasgamuwa National Park, Mahiyanganaya, Gal Oya National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Yala National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Distance 566 mi Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- NZ$4,795
Sri Lanka Chirping Trails
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We stayed at nice lodges, enjoyed great food, and had a wonderful birding and photography experience.”
Robin, traveled in January
Sri Lanka's rich biodiversity spans 11 locations including Yala and Wilpattu National Parks. This 15-day safari features bird watching at Horton Plains, UNESCO-listed Sinharaja Rainforest treks, and Kalametiya Sanctuary boat rides, with daily breakfast and dinner included.
Duration 15 days Destinations Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Habarana, Kandy, Kitulgala, Nuwara Eliya, Kumana National Park, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, Sinharaja Forest ReserveSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Physical Rating Easy Distance 440 mi Operator SkyHaven Tours From
20% Off- NZ$7,900
Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
2,110 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The insight to the local culture, religions and the way of life is truly magnificent and something I will aspire to always.”
Mollie, traveled in June
Wild elephants roam freely during 4x4 safaris in Udawalawe National Park, viewed from luxury safari camps. Coastal turtle sanctuaries and wildlife-rich national parks reveal nature's diversity with expert naturalist guides.
Duration 12 days Destinations Negombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Udawalawe National Park, Mirissa, Galle, Colombo Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Physical Rating Easy Distance 328 mi Operator One Life Adventures From $2,806
10% Off- NZ$2,526You save $281
Six guided safaris reveal wildlife treasures in Udawalawe and Yala National Parks. Over 400 elephants, elusive leopards, and basking crocodiles await, while Bundala Bird Sanctuary and Sinharaja Forest Reserve offer additional natural wonders.
Duration 11 days Destinations Colombo, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Udawalawe National Park, Bundala National Park, Yala National Park, Mirissa, Kosgoda Age Range 1 to 90 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Physical Rating Easy Distance 301 mi Operator UncleSam Holidays From $8,497
60% Off- NZ$3,399You save $5,098
Sri Lanka Grand Discovery Circuit
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Lots of fantastic sights and scenery that will stay with us for a lifetime.”
Rick, traveled in February
Duration 12 days Destinations Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Kandy, Kitulgala, Nuwara Eliya, EllaSee all destinations Age Range 2 to 75 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Spanish Physical Rating Easy Distance 469 mi Operator Exotic Perla From $2,493
15% Off- NZ$2,119You save $374
Sri Lanka Untouched Wildlife
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I had a wonderful safari experience in Sri Lanka with them. My guide Nishantha and Safari drivers were excellent.”
Finch, traveled in August
Skilled trackers lead safaris through Yala's leopard territory and Wilpattu's diverse habitats. The spectacular elephant gathering at Minneriya Reservoir peaks between July-October. Dawn and dusk drives maximize wildlife encounters throughout each park.
Duration 18 days Destinations Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Kaudulla National Park, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, MirissaSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Physical Rating Moderate Distance 411 mi Operator SkyHaven Tours From
15% Off- NZ$6,254
Wildlife viewing reaches its peak across Sri Lanka's top three parks: Yala, Minneriya, and Udawalawe. Professional naturalists guide leopard tracking, elephant observation, and birdwatching from specialized safari vehicles and wildlife-focused lodges.
Duration 14 days Destinations Colombo, Pinnawala, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Tissamaharama, Yala National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 5 to 90 year olds Physical Rating Easy Distance 477 mi Operator Stelaran Holidays (Pvt) Ltd From $3,292
10% Off- NZ$2,962You save $329
Sri Lanka Safari Tour Reviews
- Yala Safari
We saw many wild animals including a family of elephants which were the highlight of the trip! Jostling to the top of the line and fast to get to the animals first.
- Sri Lanka Chirping Trails
We had an amazing time birding and exploring Sri Lanka with Kesara! He is capable, knowledgeable, and his English is excellent too. We stayed at nice lodges, enjoyed great food, and had a wonderful birding and photography experience. I would definitely 100% recommend this tour and SkyHaven Tours to anybody looking to go birdwatching in Sri Lanka.
The tour was a good way to get introduced to Sri Lanka. Our guide Rihas and his crew, Shawn and Yapa, made sure we had the best time in Sri Lanka. The itinarary isn’t to packed, so you still have your moments of free time. I loved every minute of this trip, the activities and the cultural informations provided by the crew. Thanks Rihas, Shawn and Yapa!!
Sri Lanka Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
What our customers ask about Safaris in Sri Lanka
What are the best times of year to spot wildlife in Sri Lanka's national parks?
Sri Lanka's wildlife viewing peaks during the dry season from December to April with Yala National Park offering exceptional leopard sightings between January and July. The most active wildlife periods occur during early morning drives starting at 5:30 AM. Yala's Block 1 serves as a prime location where visitors regularly encounter Sri Lankan leopards elephants and sloth bears. A TourRadar traveler shared: "We saw three leopards and several elephants one so close to the jeep that we had to back up. We also spotted bears deer peacocks parrots monkeys buffaloes and crocodiles."
Which national parks in Sri Lanka are best for elephant spotting?
Udawalawe National Park stands out as the top destination for elephant encounters housing roughly 400 wild elephants in its grounds. The park's landscape features a large reservoir abundant grasslands and forest cover creating natural elephant territory. Yala National Park follows closely with a population of 350 elephants. Visitors staying at properties like Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort can explore the Elephant Transit Home where injured and orphaned elephants receive care before returning to their natural habitat.
What accommodation options are available during safari tours in Sri Lanka?
The accommodation spectrum in Sri Lanka ranges from basic camping to high-end lodges. Yala National Park features the Leopard Nest luxury campsite complete with private bathrooms and outdoor showers. Nature enthusiasts often choose the Rainforest Eco Lodge near Sinharaja while Heritance Kandalama provides rooms overlooking the lake and forest. A TourRadar guest notes: "The accommodations were amazing - from luxury camping in Yala to the beautiful Heritance Kandalama the lodges perfectly complemented our wildlife experience."
How long are typical safari game drives in Sri Lanka's national parks?
Standard game drives run 3-4 hours with parks offering both morning and afternoon options. Early risers begin their safari at 5:30 AM when wildlife is most active. Yala National Park provides full-day experiences from 5 AM to 6 PM. One TourRadar review states: "The full-day safari is long but much better because there are fewer cars in the park from 10 AM to 3 PM giving you better wildlife viewing opportunities and photography chances."
What are the entrance fees for Sri Lanka's national parks and what's included?
Entry fees for national parks cost between USD 25-40 per person. At Yala a comprehensive full-day package for two people including entry fees jeep guide and meals costs USD 180 while half-day options run USD 95. A Stelaran Holidays review on TourRadar confirms: "The package included park fees an experienced guide jeep transport and meals - everything was well organized and worth the cost for the incredible wildlife experience."
What cultural experiences can be combined with wildlife safaris in Sri Lanka?
Wildlife tours often connect with visits to the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort traditional craft workshops in Ambalangoda and local tea estates. The Handunugoda Tea Estate near Galle shows visitors the art of Ceylon tea making. As one TourRadar traveler reports: "The combination of wildlife at Yala cultural heritage at Galle Fort and learning about tea production at Handunugoda Estate made for a perfect blend of experiences. Our guide provided excellent context about both nature and culture."