10 days · Wildlife with a beach finish
Elephants, Leopards & Coast
Ten days combining elephant safaris, Yala’s leopards, the Cultural Triangle and Kandy with two quiet nights on the south coast.
Private tour · price on request
Four national parks
Wild Sri Lanka Safari Circuit
Nine days built around Sri Lanka’s best safaris: Wilpattu’s quiet forests, the elephant gatherings near Sigiriya, Udawalawe’s herds and Yala’s leopards.
- Duration
- 9 days / 8 nights
- Pace
- See more
- Best months
- Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Route
- Negombo – Wilpattu – Sigiriya – Udawalawe – Yala
- Price
- On request
This circuit is for travellers whose priority is wildlife. It visits four very different parks, each chosen for what it does best: Wilpattu for peaceful, wild forest safaris around natural lakes; Minneriya or Kaudulla for elephant herds; Udawalawe for close elephant encounters in open grassland; and Yala for one of the world’s highest densities of leopards.
Safaris are timed for early mornings and late afternoons, with rest in between. Wildlife can never be guaranteed, but multiple drives in different habitats give you the best possible chances. We choose jeep operators and drivers who respect distance rules.
Trip highlights
- Full-day safari in Wilpattu
- Elephant herds at Minneriya or Kaudulla
- Sigiriya Rock
- Udawalawe elephants and the Elephant Transit Home
- Morning and afternoon safaris in Yala
At a glance
- Starts / ends
- Colombo Airport (CMB)
- Best months
- February, March, April, May, June, July
- Transport
- Private air-conditioned car or van
- Guiding
- Driver or licensed chauffeur guide — your choice
- Meals
- Bed and breakfast (other meal plans on request)
- Ideal for
- Couples, Friends & small groups, Solo travellers, Repeat visitors
Route
Negombo – Wilpattu – Sigiriya – Udawalawe – Yala
Day by day
-
Day 1 · Negombo Arrive — Negombo Airport welcome and transfer to Negombo.
Airport welcome and transfer to Negombo.
- Travel:
- 30 min
- Overnight:
- Negombo
-
Day 2 · Wilpattu National Park To Wilpattu Drive north to the edge of Wilpattu National Park. Afternoon at your lodge, listening to the forest.
Drive north to the edge of Wilpattu National Park. Afternoon at your lodge, listening to the forest.
- Travel:
- 3 hr 30 min – 4 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Wilpattu National Park
-
Day 3 · Wilpattu National Park Full-day Wilpattu safari Enter at dawn for a full day among Wilpattu’s villus — shallow natural lakes where leopards, sloth bears, deer and water birds gather. A pac...
Enter at dawn for a full day among Wilpattu’s villus — shallow natural lakes where leopards, sloth bears, deer and water birds gather. A packed lunch in the park lets you reach the quieter interior.
- Travel:
- In the park
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Wilpattu National Park
-
Day 4 · Sigiriya Anuradhapura and on to Sigiriya Stop at the sacred city of Anuradhapura on the way to the Sigiriya area.
Stop at the sacred city of Anuradhapura on the way to the Sigiriya area.
- Travel:
- About 3 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Sigiriya
-
Day 5 · Sigiriya Sigiriya and elephant safari Climb Sigiriya early, then head out in the afternoon to Minneriya, Kaudulla or Eco Park, depending on where the herds are.
Climb Sigiriya early, then head out in the afternoon to Minneriya, Kaudulla or Eco Park, depending on where the herds are.
- Travel:
- Local
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Sigiriya
-
Day 6 · Udawalawe National Park To Udawalawe A long drive south through the hills, broken with stops. Arrive for an evening at your lodge near the park.
A long drive south through the hills, broken with stops. Arrive for an evening at your lodge near the park.
- Travel:
- 5 – 6 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Udawalawe National Park
-
Day 7 · Yala National Park Udawalawe safari and on to Yala Morning safari in Udawalawe among elephants and raptors, a visit to the Elephant Transit Home at feeding time, then continue to Yala.
Morning safari in Udawalawe among elephants and raptors, a visit to the Elephant Transit Home at feeding time, then continue to Yala.
- Travel:
- About 2 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Yala National Park
-
Day 8 · Yala National Park Yala — morning and afternoon safaris Two game drives in Yala, looking for leopards, sloth bears, elephants and crocodiles, with a rest at your lodge in the heat of the day.
Two game drives in Yala, looking for leopards, sloth bears, elephants and crocodiles, with a rest at your lodge in the heat of the day.
- Travel:
- In the park
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Yala National Park
-
Day 9 Depart Drive to the airport on the Southern Expressway.
Drive to the airport on the Southern Expressway.
- Travel:
- 4 hr 30 min – 5 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
What’s included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver or chauffeur guide
- Accommodation at your chosen level (twin/double sharing)
- Daily breakfast
- Airport meet-and-greet and transfers
- Fuel, highway tolls and parking
- Driver’s accommodation and meals
Not included
- International flights and Sri Lanka ETA/visa fees
- Entrance fees to sites and national parks (quoted separately)
- Safari jeeps, boat trips and train tickets unless stated in your proposal
- Lunches, dinners and drinks unless stated
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Practical details
Accommodation
We suggest hotels at the level you choose — good-value, comfortable, boutique or premium — and explain why each one suits the route. You can swap any hotel before anything is booked.
Transport & guide
You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle sized for your group and luggage, with the same driver or chauffeur guide throughout. Licensed site guides can be added at major heritage sites.
Best time to travel
Best roughly February to July. Yala usually closes for several weeks in the late dry season (often around September–October); Minneriya’s gatherings peak roughly July–October.
Add-ons for this route
Availability depends on season and your dates — we confirm before adding anything. Tick the ones you like in the form below.
The Cultural Triangle pairs ancient sites with village life and elephant country.
-
Village Experience near SigiriyaYear-round
Sigiriya area · 3 – 4 hours
-
Elephant Safari (Minneriya / Kaudulla)Year-round; largest gatherings roughly July – October
Minneriya, Kaudulla or Eco Park · About 3 hours
-
Pidurangala Sunrise ClimbYear-round
Sigiriya · 2 hours
-
Cycling in the Cultural TriangleYear-round
Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya or Anuradhapura · 2 – 4 hours
Ideal for a first or last day close to the airport.
-
Negombo Lagoon Boat RideYear-round
Negombo · 1 hr 30 min – 2 hours
A few special moments make a honeymoon itinerary.
-
Ayurveda & Spa TreatmentsYear-round
West and south coast · 1 hour to multi-day programmes
Also possible on this trip
- Private jeep with a naturalist guide
- Tented safari camp near Yala
- Birding extension to Sinharaja
Frequently asked questions
Will we see leopards?
Many travellers do, particularly with several drives in Yala and Wilpattu, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Is day 6 a long drive?
Yes, it is the longest day of the trip. We can break it with a night in Kandy or the hills if you prefer.
Make this trip yours
Adjust anything below, or just tell us your dates. A consultant replies personally — this is not a booking and nothing is charged.
Updated . Travel conditions change — we confirm details when we plan your trip.
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