23 Unforgettable Wildlife Tours In Sri Lanka 2023

There are so many absolutely incredible wildlife tours in Sri Lanka for you to choose from. Here is a list of the very best ones, so that you have the highest chance of spotting your favourite animals and birds!

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Wildlife Tours In Sri Lanka

Many people think that the only wildlife tours in Sri Lanka are safaris. Whilst there are some amazing safari tours (yep, they’re on our list!), they aren’t the only thing that the country has to offer.

From majestical birds and inquisitive monkeys to playful dolphins and cold-blooded crocodiles – there is something for every animal lover here!

Read More: The Definitive 7 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary or The Jam-Packed 5 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary

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What To Expect On Wildlife Tours In Sri Lanka

All of these wildlife tours in Sri Lanka are designed to give you the best access to animals, birds and plants across the country.

The tours will always come with an experienced guide and/or driver so not only will you see the wildlife, but you will be able to learn about it too.

Some tours include meals, hotel pick up or even accommodation in the price, but double-check your options before you book so you know exactly what to expect and what you’ll need to organise yourself.

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Bird Watching Tours

Sri Lanka is home to almost 400 different species of bird! That’s an astonishing number, considering how small the island is (in comparison, Afghanistan is approximately 10 times bigger and has a similar number of bird species!).

Bird watching in Sri Lanka is a fun activity that many people don’t think about doing because they’re too busy with the bigger safaris. But if bird watching is a hobby of yours, then take a look at these wildlife tours in Sri Lanka that will show you the fascinating life of your feathery friends!

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Hiking & Bird Watching in Nuwara Eliya

You’ll be hiking through the beautiful hills of Nuwara Eliya, from one of the highest places in Sri Lanka. The views are breathtaking and you’ll see some interesting bird species along the way. Your guide is experienced in bird watching so will be able to give you plenty of information about the creatures you see!

The walk is between 15km and 30km – speak to your guide as he can accommodate your needs and hiking abilities.

Take a camera too to save your memories of the stunning tea plantations!

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Muthurajawela Bird Watching Tour

Birds love a wetland, so Muthurajawela is the perfect place to spot some of Sri Lanka’s endemic species! You’ll be picked up by tuk-tuk (a new experience for some in itself!) and taken to the marsh where you’ll be greeted by your boat!

You’ll slowly cruise through the wetland, spotting birds, monkeys and even crocodiles! Your knowledgeable guide will be able to explain what you’re seeing and give you plenty of information about the local wildlife.

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Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary Day Tour

It’s an early start for this tour, but that’s because the best wildlife is seen in the morning! The sanctuary is around 60km from Negombo, so be prepared for a scenic drive before you get there.

You’ll be provided with some fruit as it is an early start!

The Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary is a haven for so many different types of birds – you’ll be on the lookout for species like storks, ibis, swamp hens and egrets.

You might even be lucky enough to watch the birds leave their nests in the morning for the day!

This tour also includes a visit to two amazing Hindu temples on the way back.

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Rainforest Tours

There is an amazing variety of rainforests in Sri Lanka, some of which are accessible to visitors. We recommend jumping on one of the following tours as the tour guides are extremely experienced and can spot animals that you would, almost certainly, miss if you were to go alone.

The three rainforest tours we have recommended also come with swimming opportunities in waterfall pools; that is as memorable as it sounds.

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Sinharaja Rainforest Tour

Located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, Sinharaja Rainforest is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of fascinating wildlife. On this tour, your guide will walk you through the forest, spotting a variety of animals such as monkeys + and snakes, as well as plenty of birds and tropical plants growing fruits and spices.

Your guide will take you to a waterfall where you can relax and swim to cool down – you’ll need it as the humidity here can get very high!

Lunch is included in this tour, so you can enjoy it in the forest with your guide, surrounded by nature!

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Kanneliya Rain Forest Tour

This tour is similar to the one above, but in a different rainforest, 45km away! You’ll be walked through the forest, looking for chameleons, monkeys, snakes and fish with your eagle-eyed guide.

A fabulous lunch is provided, and you can swim in the natural waterfalls.

If there’s time, you can enjoy a tour of a local tea factory too.

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Kottawa Rainforest and Arboretum Tour

Kottawa is closest to the coast – only around a 30 minute drive from Galle, so this might be the best out of the rainforest wildlife tours in Sri Lanka to choose if you’ve got impatient children coming along!

There are some amazing trees growing here, and so many endemic bird species which means you won’t see them in any other country!

Again, you’ll get the chance to swim in a natural waterfall and pool, so bring your swimmers!

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Ocean/River Tours

The rivers and oceans of Sri Lanka are teeming with life from crocodiles to fish to birds and whales! The only way to access this incredible world is to use a registered tour guide.

We have included tours that explore the mangroves of the river banks where crocodiles and lizards lurk and tours that take to the waves to see the mighty blue whales that live off the coast. Whether you are adventurous or not, we have a tour recommendation for you.

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Whale Watching Mirissa with Eagle Eye

If you want to see a blue whale, then off the south coast of Sri Lanka in Mirissa is a great place to go. There are some migrating whales but many call this part of the world home, which is why you have such a high chance of spotting one!

Read More: Your Ultimate Guide To Whale Watching in Sri Lanka

On this tour, you’ll be picked up early in the morning and taken to the harbour. You’ll be offered sea sickness tablets – I would recommend taking them as the Indian Ocean can get quite rough and you don’t want to miss out on a sighting because you’ve got your head in a bin!

The boat will leave the harbour and communicate with other vessels doing a similar tour, so that all customers can get the best chance of seeing a whale!

Realistic Experience For Whale Watching In Mirissa

You are also likely to spot dolphins – they often swim next to the boats, playing with their pod.

You’ll be offered breakfast – there are sandwiches, fruit and cake – and the crew will try their hardest to spot a whale, which the captain will then carefully follow without getting too close.

Even if you’ve seen one or two, the crew will ask the boat if it’s enough – if everyone wants to keep going then they’ll stay out to sea, looking for more whales!

Read More: Whale Watching In Trincomalee

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Bentota River Safari

Cruising along a river, on the lookout for Sri Lankan wildlife is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.

With free pickup from many spots along the west coast in the Bentota area, this tour is a fantastic opportunity to view the scenic mangroves.

You’ll be on the lookout (with the help of your guide of course!) for water monitors, birds, monkeys, bats and even crocodiles!

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Snorkelling With Turtles In Mirissa

Snorkelling with wild turtles is such a great experience because you know that there is no animal cruelty involved – these majestic creatures are just living their lives in the ocean!

You’ll make your way to the beach to meet your guide, where they’ll find you a well-fitting snorkel set.

Once you’re in the water, your guide will take show you the best places to spot turtles. It may surprise you how big these animals are – but don’t be startled because they won’t hurt you unless you invade their space.

You can swim around, looking for as many turtles as you can under the water as they look for food, but don’t forget to look above as well sometimes to spot them coming up for air!

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Sunrise Mangrove Kayaking

It’s all too easy to avoid getting up for sunrise on holiday, but this is a trip you won’t want to miss!

You’ll be picked up by your guide, and taken to the Madu wetlands where you’ll be given your life jacket. Once your guide has gone through the safety briefing, you’ll get some basic training on how to use the kayaks, so don’t worry if you’ve never done it before!

Once you’re in your boats, you’ll follow your guide through the mangroves, keeping an eye out for the hundreds of wildlife species who live there. The sun will rise beautifully throughout the morning, giving you epic views on your tranquil tour.

There is also a safety boat following your party so you can be sure that everyone is being looked out for in the water.

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Madu River Boat Safari

Travelling by boat is a great way to see the hundreds of animal species who live in the mangroves. You’ll meet your guide at the boat, and then wind your way down the river.

There is a stopping point during the tour at a fish pond where you can experience ‘fish massage therapy’. It sounds strange but it’s a cool feeling being nibbled at by the fish!

You can also visit a Buddhist monastery, and meet the monks who live there.

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Sunrise Dolphin Watching

What better way to see these playful animals than from a small boat with the pretty sun rising on the horizon?

After a safety briefing, you’ll find a seat on the boat and start the trip.

You’re likely to see Bottlenose, Humpback and Risso’s dolphins in this part of Sri Lanka. They are known for regularly swimming alongside the boat, playing with each other and giving a great show!

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Jeep Safaris

Jeep safaris are probably the most well-known of all the different wildlife tours in Sri Lanka. This is due to the iconic safari jeeps being so well known all over the world.

Sri Lanka also has a mind-boggling amount of different safari parks considering the relatively small size of the country which gives you an incredible array of options to choose from depending on budget and what you would really like to see!

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Udawalawe National Park Private Safari

If you want a very high chance of seeing wild elephants, then this is the tour you need to book. On our tour, we saw at least 40 elephants in their natural habitat, and it was incredible! Take a look at the video to see how good the tour was!

Udawalawe Safari: Almost GUARANTEED Elephant Sightings! │ Sri Lanka Travel Vlog

You’ll be picked up by a huge jeep and driven to Udawalawe National Park. Once inside, your driver will communicate with the other drivers to see if there are any good places to spot an elephant.

On your way around, you’ll also probably see monkeys, birds, water buffalo and a mongoose or two.

Read More: Your Ultimate Guide To A Safari At Udawalawe National Park

However, the elephants are the main reason you’re here, and you should see plenty! Some will be alone, and some will be in big groups, looking after the babies. You might even get lucky and see a family playing in the water!

You can ask your driver about the animals and the park if you’re interested in the facts too.

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Leopard Safari Tour in Yala National Park

Seeing a wild leopard is one of the most exciting things to do on any of these wildlife tours in Sri Lanka! You have the best chance of seeing one at Yala National Park, and the longer your tour, the more likely it is that you’ll get a sighting!

You can choose from a 5, 7 or 12 hr tour, but I would definitely recommend choosing the all-day 12-hour tour. It sounds like a long time, but honestly, the time willdisappear! Your driver will pick you up nice and early and take you to the gates of Yala National Park.

A Realistic Guide To Yala Safaris - What Will You See?

The best time to see leopards is in the very early morning and the early evening, so for the first few hours of the tour, your driver will only be looking for leopards. They’ll talk to the other drivers to see if they’ve spotted anything, and drive around to the rocks and trees that are well-known for sightings.

You’ll have delicious Sri Lankan lunch near the beach, and you can wander along the sand, taking in the beautiful surroundings. Afterwards, your driver will continue the tour, looking out for other animals too such as monkeys, water buffalo, birds and crocodiles! We even saw a sloth bear, which is quite rare but it was awesome!

The last few hours will slow down again, looking for a leopard if you haven’t already seen one! The drivers really do try their best to make your experience unforgettable!

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Minneriya National Park Jeep Safari

Another great place to see elephants is Minneriya National Park. If you’re staying in the Sigiriya/Dambulla area, then this tour is a good option.

You’ll be picked up and taken to the park in a large safari jeep. Your driver will be on the lookout for the large herds of elephants who roam around in this region.

There are other types of wildlife to see here, but the main attraction is the elephants so your driver will be focused on them.

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Kumana National Park Full-Day Safari

If you’re visiting the much less travelled east coast of Sri Lanka, then a visit to Kumana National Park is a must.

It’s near to the famous Yala, but it’s much quieter which means you might see more animals roaming around!

You’ll be picked up at 5 am in a jeep to drive to the park, and once inside you’ll explore the whole place, on the lookout for wildlife.

Breakfast and lunch are included in this all-day tour, so you’ll always be fuelled up, ready to snap some pictures of the animals.

Look out for birds, turtles, crocodiles, elephants, wild boar and even leopards!

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Bundala National Park Private Tour

Located on the south coast of Sri Lanka, this private tour to Bundala National Park is another opportunity to experience a fantastic safari without the crowds of Yala.

It’s similar to other tours in that you’ll be picked up by a jeep, your driver will take you around the park, finding different animals and explaining what they are, and then stop for a homemade Sri Lankan lunch.

Once you’ve eaten, you’ll explore more of the park, and hopefully see different animals as the sun sets and the evening falls.

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Wasgamuwa National Park Private Tour

If you’re looking for one of the more remote wildlife tours in Sri Lanka, then take a trip to Wasgamuwa. This is a private tour, and the park won’t be crowded as it’s still quite an unknown part of the country to tourists.

You will have the opportunity to spot monkeys, elephants, water buffalo, a variety of bird species and plenty of lizards too!

There are also some ancient palace ruins here that you can go and see – they’re thought to be almost 2000 years old!

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Wilpattu National Park Full-Day Safari

This is the longest single-day tour on this list, but it means that you have so many chances to see the gorgeous wildlife in the park!

Wilpattu is known for having the second-highest density of leopards, so it really is worth going for those few extra hours!

You’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to the entrance of Wilpattu National Park. Before you go in, you’ll be given breakfast, so you don’t have to worry about being hungry that early in the morning!

You’ll spend the first part of the day looking for leopards, exploring the huge park and enjoying the scenery. There are plenty of other animals to see too – elephants, water buffalo, crocodiles, sloth bears, deer and many seabirds.

Lunch is also provided so you can eat that at a pretty spot in the park, before heading out again on the second half of your adventure, keeping an eye out for any other animals that you haven’t seen yet!

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Multi-Day Wildlife Tours

If you simply cannot decide on what you want to do most, or, you already know that you want multiple wildlife experiences in Sri Lanka then this is the place to be.

Here you will find the best combinations of wildlife tours in Sri Lanka and may find significant savings by combining tours with one company. Some of them also come with food and accommodation included so it could be a really easy way to plan your Sri Lanka trip!

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All-Inclusive Leopard Nest Luxury Glamping Experience in Yala

Seeing a wild leopard at Yala National Park is an incredible experience, but imagine pairing it with a luxury glamping overnight stay. This tour adds a special element to the typical tour that everyone else is doing!

You’ll be picked up from your original hotel and transferred to the campsite, where you’ll see your room for the night. You can choose from five luxury treehouses or tents – but trust me, these aren’t the everyday tents that you’re used to!

Once you’re checked in, you’ll jump in a jeep and go to the park for an afternoon drive, on the lookout for the elusive leopard.

After the safari, you’ll return to camp and enjoy a delicious dinner that you can eat al fresco. Spend the night in your comfortable tent, and awake nice and early to freshly brewed coffee. Your guide will then take you on a nature walk – keep an eye out for the elephants, birds and lizards who live here! You can then have breakfast near the lake before being taken back to camp to enjoy the surroundings for a short time.

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8 Day Private Tour Sri Lanka With Wildlife & Outdoor Experiences

This is the perfect tour if you want to leave the planning to the professionals, and not miss out on the best wildlife experiences!

In this tour, you’ll go on two safaris (Udawalawe and Yala), take a boat ride, go white water rafting, enjoy a guided nature hike in the Sinharaja rainforest, hike to some incredible viewpoints, go on a cycling trip and enjoy a BBQ dinner at a jungle campsite and sleep overnight there.

All of your accommodation and breakfast is included in the price, so you don’t have to worry about finding places to stay each night.

It’s a busy trip, but so fun and memorable!

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Wild Wonders Of Sri Lanka | 7 Days

This tour is fantastic because not only does it take you on a super organised wildlife tour of Sri Lanka, but it’s flexible in that you can choose whether to include accommodation and breakfast or if you’d rather just book a driver and guide.

In the 7 days, you’ll go on a jungle trek, safari to Yala, a bird sanctuary, whale watching and you’ll even have time to squeeze in a beach visit to see the turtles too.

Your guide will point out all of the cool wildlife every step of the way. It really is a great way to experience the natural side of Sri Lanka.

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5-Day Private Wildlife Photography Tour with Unique Accommodation

If you are looking for a tour that is more than just about finding different animals, then this is the trip for you.

You’ll still visit all of the cool spots that are notorious for wildlife, but you’ll have time and guidance for taking photographs that are more than just the classic touristy snaps.

The tour will take you to Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park as well a local village. These places will give you fantastic opportunities to take photos of the gorgeous flora and fauna that Sri Lanka has to offer.

You’ll also stay in some unique accommodation too – stay in fancy glamping pods and an eco-lodge.

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The Best Time To Visit For Wildlife Tours In Sri Lanka

Simply put, November – April is the best time to visit Sri Lanka for everything. From general tourism to wildlife tours in Sri Lanka.

This is because Sri Lanka does not have seasonal changes as you might be used to however they do have the monsoon season in the other half of the year. This means that if you visit during the monsoon period then some of the wildlife tours in Sri Lanka will be less enjoyable and some may even be cancelled.

Read More: How To Spend 10 Awesome Days In Sri Lanka

For example; whale watching in Mirissa does not run throughout the monsoon season as the waters around Mirissa are just too rough for the boats.

You can enjoy the majority of the wildlife tours in this post throughout the year but we highly recommend you visit Sri Lanka between November and April to fully maximise your enjoyment and experience in the country.

What To Pack For Wildlife Tours In Sri Lanka

Binoculars

Many of the wildlife tours in Sri Lanka come with binoculars as part of the price. However, in our experience, these binoculars tend to be very old, faded and, in some cases, broken. This is made worse by the fact that there are very limited options for hire in Sri Lanka.

We wanted to hire a longer zoom lens for some of the safaris that we went on and there was literally no option to do this anywhere but Colombo and Colombo is miles away from the best wildlife tours in Sri Lanka.

Therefore, if you are coming to Sri Lanka specifically to go on wildlife tours then we highly recommend bringing some binoculars as part of your luggage.

If you are interested in some small and compact binoculars then check out the Zeiss Terra ED’s. They are compact and feature incredible clarity and very good magnification.

If you don’t mind about the space and just want something that is going to perform absolutely incredibly then check out the Nikon Monarch 7’s.

There are, of course, many cheaper options than the two beauties above so if you are looking for a budget set of binoculars that will get the job done then check out the Nikon Aculon A211. These are much less and will enable you to make the most out of your wildlife tours in Sri Lanka.

Camera

If you don’t have a camera then I HIGHLY recommend the Panasonic Lumix ZS70K. It is an affordable point-and-shoot camera that can be picked up and used by anyone of any ability. The camera captures gorgeous images and surprisingly excellent video whilst fitting in your pocket. The main difference between this and your phone’s camera is that it also has an incredible optical zoom so you won’t miss any of the shots you need to take. Check it out here.

Dark Clothing

If you are going on a safari or you are keen on seeing the birds of Sri Lanka, we recommend taking dark clothing with you to Sri Lanka as this has less chance to disturb the animals that you are trying to see.

Cover-up (in case of early mornings + wind)

Whether you’re visiting religious temples or windy beaches, this long cover-up by Moss Rose is perfect for wrapping around your shoulders. It’s lightweight and has so many uses, plus it looks great too! One size fits all and there are so many different patterns to choose from. Click here to get yours.

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Frequently Asked Questions