Wild Sri Lanka

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Guests:

2 Adults
Duration:

15 Nights
Board:

Various Meals
Departing:

London Heathrow
Offer Date:

April 2027 - November 2028

From

£3,299pp

Book this holiday

With hundreds of tours, each catering to different types of safari experiences, our first tip is to do your research and read the itineraries carefully

Riviera Travel

Travel across the globe from Australia to Austria and everywhere in between! Riviera Travel’s guided tours offer seamless exploration and adventure, while their rail-only European tours are perfect for non-fliers and reducing your carbon footprint.

Why Book?

Discover elephants, leopards and sloth bears roaming free in their natural environment on safari’s in Wilpattu and Minneriya National Parks
Experience the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka in the Koneswaram Temple and the Temple of the Tooth, home to a sacred relic of the Buddha
Learn more about the history and culture while wandering through thecolonial architecture and lively markets of Colombo and Kandy
Head south to Bundala and Yala National Parks to spot monkeys, crocodiles and colourful birdlife

This tour includes:

Return flights
15 nights hotel accommodation
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 12 dinners
A welcome dinner and drinks on arrival
Services of an Expert Tour Manager
Transfers and transportation throughout
No local tax required

About this tour

Experience the untamed spirit of northern Sri Lanka, spotting elephants, leopards, lemurs and more in breathtaking national parks while discovering the island’s sacred temples, tranquil beaches and hidden gems. Begin your journey in Colombo with a city tour, taking in the regions vibrant energy and exploring the colourful stalls of its bustling markets. You’ll also experience some of Sri Lanka’s stunning landmarks, including the Red Mosque and Lotus Tower.

Leaving the fast pace of the city, you’ll have opportunities to immerse yourself in lush tropical landscapes filled with stunning foliage with visits to Wilpattu National Park, Minneriya National Park, Udawattakele Forest Reserve and Yala National Park.

Board a safari jeep and venture deep into the jungle, keeping watch for monkeys, sloth bears, colourful birdlife and, if you’re lucky, the elusive leopard. Along the way, langurs leap through the trees, buffalo graze across open grasslands, elephants roam freely and crocodiles glide silently through the waterways.

Delve deeper into Sri Lanka’s rich history with visits to places such as Jaffna, where you’ll explore the Public Library and Jaffna Fort while learning about the ancient Jaffna Kingdom and the lasting impact of decades of civil war on the region. Discover the colonial architecture of UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, visit the serene Temple of the Tooth, one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist sites, and admire the intricate carvings and statues of Koneswaram Temple.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 • Departure

The adventure begins with an overnight flight to Colombo.
Day 2 • Arrival in Colombo

Arrive in Colombo and transfer to our hotel for a two-night stay and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities. Later this evening, gather with your fellow explorers by the pool for a welcome drink before sitting down to a welcome dinner together at the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 3 • Colombo

This morning, we'll begin our exploration in earnest with a panoramic city tour - the perfect introduction. Feel the pulse of the city — tuk tuks weaving through traffic, locals adorned in traditional dress fill the streets as they go about their daily lives. Symbols of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity are interwoven into the fabric of the city, creating a beautiful tapestry of co-existing cultures.
Day 4 • Wilpattu National Park

Drive to Habarana, via Wilpattu National Park for a safari with an expert local guide who can find even the most elusive creature.
Day 5 • Sigiriya & Minneriya National Park

Visit one of the most memorable monuments in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya, and see the elephants of Minneriya National Park on a safari.
Day 6 • Jaffna

Leaving Habanara behind, we continue our journey north. Once isolated by decades of civil war, the region is finally opening its doors to travellers, offering a rare glimpse into a culture and landscape that feels distinct, yet familiar to the more widely visited south. As we travel the scenery shifts again — tropical forests give way to flat plains.
Day 7 • Jaffna & Point Pedro

Jaffna is the cultural and historical heart of Tamil heritage, with Hindu traditions deeply woven into daily life. Today, our guided tour continues with a visit to Nallur Temple. Founded in 948 AD, the temple has seen much of Sri Lanka's history, from the ancient Jaffna Kingdom to the civil war. It's become a symbol of Tamil nationalism, having witnessed events like the hunger strike of Tamil revolutionary, Thileepan.
Day 8 • Travel to Nilaveli

This morning, we leave Jaffna behind and head to the peaceful shores of Nilaveli on the east coast of Sri Lanka. The drive showcases Sri Lanka's layered past, passing through rural villages, agricultural landscapes and former army checkpoints that marked the war's divide until 2009. By early afternoon, we'll arrive at our hotel, where we'll stay for two nights. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to take a stroll along the soft white sands, dip your toes in the water or simply take advantage of the hotel's facilities.
Day 9 • Trincomalee

Discover Trincomalee’s highlights with visits to the sacred Hindu temple of Koneswaram and the historic Fort Fredrick.
Day 10 • Travel to Kandy

Leave the east coast of Sri Lanka now and head to the central point of the island to Kandy.
Day 11 • Udawattakele Forest Reserve & Kandy

Wander the paths of Udawattakele Forest Reserve and see the sights of Kandy, including the sacred Temple of the Tooth.
Day 12 • Travel to Yala

Today, we travel from Kandy to Yala National Park and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 13 • Budala National Park & Yala National Park

Spend the day exploring the wilds of Sri Lanka with safaris in Bundala and Yala National Parks, and spot lots of native animals.
Day 14 • Bentota

Bid farewell to Yala after breakfast and begin our journey along the southern coast towards Bentota. En route, we'll visit Dondra Point, the southernmost tip of the island. Take a short walk through a quiet local village to the white lighthouse, nestle among tropical trees overlooking the Indian Ocean. It's a scenic stop and a chance to reflect on how far we've come - from the northernmost point in Jaffna to the southern edge of Sri Lanka. We continue to Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka's most charming coastal towns.
Day 15 • Free Day in Bentota

After an all-encompassing adventure visiting north, south, east and west Sri Lanka, enjoy a day at leisure in and around the hotel to relax or explore as you wish.
Day 16 • Return Home

Return to Colombo Airport and journey home.

Get in touch and book your perfect holiday with Hays Travel

Find a branch near you, enquire now or call an expert to start planning your dream getaway.

*Please note that prices may vary. Contact us directly or pop into your local Hays Travel branch for the most accurate quote.

Book this holiday

With hundreds of tours, each catering to different types of safari experiences, our first tip is to do your research and read the itineraries carefully

Wild Sri Lanka

Book this holiday

Riviera Travel

Why Book?

This tour includes:

About this tour

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 • Departure

Day 2 • Arrival in Colombo

Day 3 • Colombo

Day 4 • Wilpattu National Park

Day 5 • Sigiriya & Minneriya National Park

Day 6 • Jaffna

Day 7 • Jaffna & Point Pedro

Day 8 • Travel to Nilaveli

Day 9 • Trincomalee

Day 10 • Travel to Kandy

Day 11 • Udawattakele Forest Reserve & Kandy

Day 12 • Travel to Yala

Day 13 • Budala National Park & Yala National Park

Day 14 • Bentota

Day 15 • Free Day in Bentota

Day 16 • Return Home

Get in touch and book your perfect holiday with Hays Travel

Book this holiday