Welcome to the Elephant Country

The Wild: Elephant Country tour is perfect for elephant lovers. You will be see one of the world’s top ten wildlife spectacles take place, known as ‘The Gathering’, where more than 250 elephants gather around Minneriya water tank in search of food and water.

Our Suggested Day By Day Itinerary

This tour can be fully personalised and upgrades are available.
Sri Lanka tailor-made holidays will be designed to suit your preferences.

PACKAGE DETAILS

From £2.200  Per Person
Based on 2 people sharing a Twin or Double Room

  • Price Includes:
  • Return economy flights from UK London/Manchester/Birmingham. Contact us for flights quotation from different countries.
  • Excursions,
  • Entry fees,
  • Transport: Private A/C Car with Chauffeur Guide
    Hotels: Mixture of Simple & Mid-range hotels on Half Board basis

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Day 1 – Fly to Colombo

Today you will start your Sri Lankan adventure by flying to Colombo International Airport.

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Day 2 – Arrival → Habarana

“Ayubowan” & ‘’Vanakkam’’. Welcome to tropical paradise.
You will be welcomed and greeted by your guide or The Earth Trip representative on arrival at the waiting area at Colombo International Airport. You will be transferred to your hotel in Habarana.

  • Board Includes:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

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Day 3 – Kaudulla Safari

Enjoy a safari at Kaudulla National Park. It is the most recent to be added to the list of 15 parks in Sri Lanka. Famous for its elephants and bird population, species include the nation’s largest bird, the Lesser Adjutant and the Pompadour Green Pigeon. Built around the year 300 A.D, the tank slowly fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in 1959, and with its variety of plant life it has now become home to 24 species of mammals, 25 species of amphibians and countless bird types. The endangered Rusty Spotted Cat can be spotted in Kaudulla National Park, as well as large herds of Asian elephants, elusive leopards and both Sambar and Axis Deer.

  • Board Includes:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

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Day 4 – Kala Wewa Tuskers

North of the central hills, at the paradise named Kala Wewa Sanctuary, a yearly congregation of tuskers takes place.

Kala Wewa is a safe haven for elephant herds and majestic tuskers to congregate and socialise. Nowhere else in Sri Lanka will you witness such a greater tusker density than amidst the elephant herds at the Kala Wewa sanctuary during the dry season. Kala Wewa was built by King Dhatusena (455 – 473 CE) who ruled the in the fifth century. This massive combined reservoir served as one of the largest irrigation tanks in ancient times.

During the dry season in Kala Wewa you can witness elephant herds of more than 50 in numbers. These herds can grow up to 100 or more. There are 18 different tuskers of various ages, sizes, shape of tusks and temperaments that have been identified.

 

  • Board Includes:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

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Day 5 – Minneriya

After lunch around 2pm enjoy a 2 hour Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park. It’s on the banks of the Minneriya reservoir, which was built in the 4th century A.C. Minneriya is a hide-out for many elephants, where you may see herds of elephants, with approximately 50 to 60 elephants in a herd. During July to September, one of the world’s top ten wildlife spectacles takes place, known as ‘The Gathering’, where more than 250 elephants gather around Minneriya water tank in search of food and water. Apart from elephants, it is a habitat for migrant and resident bird species like Grey heron, Open built storks and Painted storks. In addition you may see three different species of monkeys: Silica makake, Pink faced leaf monkey and Grey langur.

  • Board Includes:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

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Day 6 – Wasgamuwa

You will travel to Wasgamuwa National Park for a safari.

Wasgamuwa National Park features incredibly diverse wildlife. The name Wasgamuwa derives from an ancient meaning as a gathering place for bears. This park is home to 23 species of mammal and reptiles and is especially known for its high abundance of sloth bears (Melursus Ursinus). It’s home to some of the largest Asian elephants and the “marsh elephant” of Wasgamuwa are reputedly the largest of the Sri Lankan elephants. Some 143 species birds have been recorded of which 5 are endemic to Sri Lanka. Fifteen species of amphibians have been reported including some endemic species. There are also 35 reptile species, 17 fish species plus many butterflies can be seen flitting around the park and 52 different species have been recorded The shy sloth bear is today a highly endangered species and yet has been seen here. Mugger crocodiles have been spotted on the banks of the rivers camouflaged in murky waters as they await their prey. The Toque macaque “rilewa” and the Purple faced langur, both endemic species of monkey to Sri Lanka can be sited too.

  • Board Includes:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

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Day 7 – Wasgamuwa

Today you will have another safari at Wasgamuwa.

Wasgamuwa is distinguished from other parks by having a full complement of predators of which bears are particularly noteworthy. Ecological research undertaken in the park suggests that the density of bears in Wasgamuwa is probably higher than anywhere else in Sri Lanka. Climate conditions are fairly typical of the dry zone and largely influenced by the North East monsoon.

  • Board Includes:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

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Day 8 – Wasgamuwa → Maduru Oya

You will travel to your accommodation near Maduru Oya National Park.

 

  • Board Includes:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

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Day 9 – Maduru Oya

After early morning coffee or tea around 5am you will travel to Maduru Oya National Park for a morning safari with packed breakfast. The entrance to the park is about 45 minutes away from the lodge. Maduru Oya is well known for its elephant habitat and the largest in size compared to other elephants in Sri Lanka. Other than elephants, leopards, sloth bears, samburs, spotted and barking deer, wild boar and wild buffalo are also found here. Torque Macaque, Purple face leaf monkey and nocturnal slender Loris are also found in the park. Lesser Adjutant, Wooly necked stork, open bill, painted stork, Racket tailed Drongo, Yellow fronted barbet, Sri Lanka Junglefowl & Spurfowl are among the 100 plus species of birds found within the park. All dry zone vegetation is found in abundance at Maduru Oya National Park.

  • Board Includes:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

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Day 10 – Maduru Oya → Negombo

Experience another safari at Maduru Oya National Park.

You will then travel to your accommodation in Negombo.

  • Board Includes:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

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Day 11 – End of Tour

You will be transferred to Colombo Airport to fly home. Travel time to the airport is approximately 30 minutes.

 

  • Board Includes:
  • Breakfast

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Tailor Your Tour - Potential Highlights

  • Spot elephants in Kaudulla National Park Safari
  • Witness the elephant gathering at Minneriya National Park Safari
  • Discover Maduru Oya National Park
  • Search for Elephants & Sloth Bears at Wasgamuwa National Park
  • See tusked elephants at Kala Wewa National Park
  • Taste fresh Seafood and Sri Lankan Curry

If you love this tour but want to spend some time on the beach we can arrange this for you! Our team will tailor this tour to match your interests. With our in-depth knowledge you will provide the best advice on every detail of the tour.

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