Sri Lanka Safari

Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. If you arrive early, maybe relax on the golden sand beaches and soak up some sun or feast on fresh seafood. The surrounding countryside is also perfect to explore on a bicycle (which you can rent with help from hotel reception). Tonight, ask your trip leader for the best local restaurants for dinner.

Drive to Wilpattu this morning, visiting Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary on the way. Anawilundawa is unique because it borders three vastly different ecosystems – the coast, the mangroves and the freshwater tanks. This makes it one of the six RAMSAR Wetlands in Sri Lanka and a favourable nesting and breeding ground for hundreds of species of birds. Some of the species found here include herons, open-bills, great cormorants, white ibis, egrets, stalks, pheasant-tailed jacnas and the purple swamp hen. A total of 20 species of mammals have been recorded here, too, including the rusty-spotted cat, the fishing cat, the Indian otter, the slender loris, the toque monkey and 74 species of butterflies. Continue to Wilpattu and when you arrive, set out for an evening safari in the national park. This thick, dry jungle features floodplain lakes and boasts an impressive variety of flora in the huge expanses of forest.

Head out for a morning safari in Wilpattu this morning, looking out for deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears and leopards. Cruise around in your 4WD, soak up the landscapes of the national park, then leave for Dambulla. This afternoon, you have the option to take an excursion to Minneriya National Park for another safari. Home to Sri Lankan elephants, Minneriya is said to be the best national park in the world for spotting large herds in their natural habitat (between July and August is your best bet). Tonight, visit Popham's Arboretum – Sri Lanka's only dry zone arboretum – for a night walk with your group among the trees, looking out for the slender loris and pangolin.

Enjoy a leisurely morning today, then head to a local’s home for a cooking demonstration of traditional dishes like pol Sambol and dhal curry, which you’ll enjoy for lunch. Get to know the locals, swap stories, then soak up a relaxing afternoon. After lunch visit the Zero Plastic Impact Center, an Intrepid Foundation partner supporting almost 100 local artisans producing plastic-alternative products like reusable woven basket bags and clay water bottles. Try your hand at bamboo and coconut shell crafting, plus take home your own traditional Sri Lankan mask as a keepsake. Later on, you’ll head into Minneriya National Park for a nighttime safari, watching the changing landscape from your 4WD as the sun goes down. Try to spot some more elephants, then spend another night in leafy Habarana.

Beat the heat with an early wake-up this morning and head to Sigiriya – this ruined fortress is one of Sri Lanka's most famous sights and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Those who make it to the top will be rewarded with epic views. This is also a popular spot for birdlife, due to the surrounding forests. Here, you’ll also learn about the Intrepid Foundation partner Zero Plastic – which works in this area to eliminate single-use plastic, educating local communities on sustainability practices and limiting the impact of plastic in and around Sigiriya. After exploring, you’ll head back to your hotel for a late breakfast. Then, you'll head to Arugam Bay on Sri Lanka's southeast coast – renowned for its world-class surfing, crescent-shaped beach and laid-back vibes. When you arrive, check in to your hotel and maybe chill out by the beach, finding a good sunset spot.

Soak up a chill morning to relax by the beach (maybe a morning swim is calling?). If you like, you can opt for a surfing lesson or an extra safari before embarking on a 4WD evening safari at nearby Kumana National Park. The park hosts a variety of wildlife, including elephants, leopards and crocodiles. Kumana is also celebrated for its diverse birdlife and serves as a vital bird sanctuary with hundreds of species migrating to its lush wetlands.

This morning, head out on another safari through Kumuna National Park. Because of the many waterways that thread through the landscape, you’ll have a pretty good shot of spotting some local wildlife. You'll also have the chance to stop by Arugam Bay Lagoon or Panama Lake to see some crocodiles before leaving the area for Kataragama. This afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure. Maybe visit Kataragama Temple – dedicated to the Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama deviyo and the Hindu War God Murugan. For those who just can’t get enough of wildlife spotting, you can arrange an optional safari in Yala National Park - Sri Lanka’s second-largest national park. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at your resort with your group.