Sri Lanka - Whales & Leopards

Tour Code: LKA06

A 10-day holiday in search of whales off Sri Lanka's south coast, as well as the Leopards and other wildlife of Lunugamvehera and Yala National Parks.

10 days from
£2,995 (Inc flights)

Land only price from
£2,495

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Highlights

Summary

The Great Whales are a source of wonder and fascination to land-based humans as we struggle to comprehend their alien, unfettered existence roaming the mysterious depths of the world’s oceans. There is a seemingly insatiable desire to savour the experience of being close to these magnificent creatures and wherever feeding or breeding imperatives bring numbers of whales to congregate in a particular area there will invariably be local boatmen taking visitors to enjoy a few precious moments sharing the ocean with these leviathans. After observing the whales, and other cetaceans such as Spinner Dolphins, we conclude the tour at Yala National Park, one of the finest reserves in Asia where the resident Leopards frequently oblige visitors by offering viewing opportunities and a wealth of wildlife includes Asian Elephants, wild Water Buffalo, Spotted Deer, Sambar, crocodiles and many species of birds.

Cetaceans include Spinner Dolphins & Bryde's Whale
Leopards in Yala National Park
Plus Spotted Deer, Asian Elephant, Water Buffalo & crocodiles
Fabulous butterflies & reptiles including giant Water Monitors
Superb birdwatching
Very comfortable tourist hotels with swimming pools
Enjoy a wonderful selection of tropical fruits
Extend holiday to include additional cultural & wildlife sites, eg. Sinharaja Forest
Expertly guided by a top Sri Lankan naturalist

Grading

Easy day walks only.

The waters around Sri Lanka are a haven for an extraordinary variety of cetaceans, offering a rare opportunity to observe these magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat. Sperm Whales, Fin Whales, Bryde’s Whales, and the occasional Orca captivate with their power and presence, while Spinner Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins provide endless delight with their playful leaps and acrobatics alongside boats. Occasionally, the unmistakable silhouette of a Blue Whale emerges, adding an unforgettable highlight to the experience, and sightings of the elusive Orca or Pilot Whale lend an air of mystery to the encounters. Between November and April, the southern coastline becomes a prime location for observing these creatures, drawn to its nutrient-rich waters. This seasonal gathering offers a fascinating glimpse into their lives and makes Sri Lanka a truly special destination for marine wildlife enthusiasts.

After this ultimate in whale-watching experiences we return to dry land to seek another highly impressive mammal in Lunugamvehera and Yala National Parks. In recent years diurnal Leopards have been a regular attraction in these superb Reserves and we will travel full day by jeeps for game drives with the possibility of suddenly coming upon a Leopard adding an exciting frisson to every visit. Wildlife abounds in Lunugamvehera and Yala and each drive is likely to produce sightings of Indian Elephant, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sambar, mongooses, crocodiles and lizards as well as a stunning profusion of colourful bird life. No visit to these parks have ever disappoints but it is the sight of a somnolent Leopard draped across the branches of a tree or padding beside the track before disappearing into the undergrowth that creates a memory to last a lifetime. During the final three days of the tour we will be staying at a very comfortable hotel just outside the Park and with no fences to constrain the inhabitants it is by no means unusual to see a Wild Boar wander through the grounds or even an elephant browsing in the garden! Yala is a magical place and a perfect venue to complete a tour that combines the best of Sri Lankan wildlife, both marine and terrestrial.

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Depart London.

Day 2

Arrive Colombo; transfer Mirissa

Day 3/5

Whale-watching excursions from Mirissa.

Day 6/8

Lunugamvehera and Yala National Parks.

Day 9

Colombo.

Day 10

Fly London.

Download Full Itinerary

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation: Comfortable tourist hotels; all rooms have private facilities.
Food: All included in the price.

Reviews

We spent three days at Koggala Beach Hotel which was brilliant. We went out early each morning from Mirissa on boats to watch whales. We saw 4 blue whales, dolphins, turtles, flying fish and tuna fish flying out of the water. The bird life was amazing. We then went to Yala National Park and saw leopards, wild boar, elephants, water buffalo, and a mongoose catching a snake and eating it, lots of crocodiles, sloth bear, deer and incredible bird life including hornbill, painted stork and owls. Professional, helpful and charming in every way. We had two tour leaders, Saman Kumara and Dhanushka Samarasinghe. They were very knowledgeable... Nothing was too much trouble and all parties on the tour had a very enjoyable holiday, exactly as stated in the brochure.
L.O. Suffolk, Feb 20
From start to finish the holiday was brilliant. One hotel in particular was superb and everything ran like clockwork. The days were busy (which we loved) but there was also an opportunity to rest in between trips, should you need it. The two wonderful tour leaders went above and beyond to make sure our holiday was packed with wildlife and other experiences. Their knowledge of the area was second to none and their contact with local people meant we even ventured into people's back gardens to view birds! It was all done sympathetically and we were grateful for the generosity of the people of Sri Lanka. We were delighted to learn that their generosity offered them a little financial reward. The tour leaders even took into account the weather and changed the itinerary to suit, but not before consulting the group first.
S.W. North Yorkshire, Feb 19
A well organised visit that was conducted fluently by our excellent guides. Unfortunately the blue whales had left the area we visited far earlier than normal in persuit of their food the krill. Great efforts made by our guides and the boat crew to find the whales with greatly extended trips to sea. Despite the lack of whales the trips were extremely enjoyable and resulted in the sighting of whale sharks, hammerhead shark, various dolphins, a ray, flying fish and a turtle. Hotel at our base of Mirissa was very good and the staff efficient and attentive. An onward journey to Yala provided some interesting scenery and some bird spotting. The wildlife at Yala was more obliging than the whales and we saw a good range of mammals and birds; this did include a good long sighting of a leopard descending a tree, going for a short walk and then climbing another tree to have a cat nap. Wide selection of Sri Lankan and European food served up at Cinnamon Wild Lodge where we stayed. Onwards once again for about half our group and one guide to Sinharaja Forest and the Blue Magpie Lodge, the remainder of the group either doing their own extension or returning home. Blue Magpie Lodge may be described as small and simple, but the staff were superb and the food a wonderfully varied diet of typical Sri Lankan dishes, GREAT. Plenty of birds and wildlife on view from the roofed open air dinning room, although a Sri Lanka blue magpie did not visit us, we had to search the nearby Sinharaja forest for them and had some very good view of them and many other bird species. This was not exclusively a birding trip, so to see 25 of Sri Lanka's 33 endemic species seemed to be exceptionally good for a non-birder. Early start to get one last birding trip in started or final day and after a find last lunch at the Blue Magpie Lodge we were off on a scenic journey back to Colombo and a night at the Airport Garden Hotel. Another good hotel,great food and no noise from the nearby airport allowed a good nights rest before we started our journey home. A memorable holiday to a very welcoming country and people, very tempted to return and not just to see blue whales.
O.C. Oxfordshire

8 days in Sri Lanka with plenty of opportunities to see a wide range of wildlife. The main aim was to see blue whales and leopards but we saw so much more. The birds were too many to list, the boat trips delivered dolphins and turtles, and the safari days brought sightings of elephants, monkeys, water buffalo and sloth bear to name a few. Our guides were absolutely fantastic with knowledge of everything from history to butterflies and they knew the right places to visit for bird watching and unusual sights. The hotels we stayed in were very comfortable and the food was excellent. All in all it was one of the best holidays I have taken.
J.E. West Midlands

Wildlife great - saw lots of Blue Whales and a Leopard... many birds and other animals.
R.H. Buckinghamshire

One of the best holidays I've had - will need to return to Sri Lanka. We were fortunate enough to see in excess of 30 blue whales, and the other wildlife (including leopards) were most obliging.
J.Y. Nottinghamshire

This was my first wildlife holiday with an organised group. I cannot fault it in any way - the guides and drivers etc. in Sri Lanka were very accommodating and made us all feel like a team. I cannot imagine how this could be improved.
Mr & Mrs S. Rhondda Cynon Taff

Susanthe was amazing - so knowledgeable and also very accommodating of personal requirements. A really nice guy. Couldn't have asked for better. Fantastic holiday, from initial enquiry to return home service has been perfect.
D.S. Highlands

Fantastic wildlife plus some interesting cultural visits. Upul and Saman were both lovely, patient and knowledgeable guides.
E.R. Lincolnshire

It was well organised and our two very good guides ensured that everything ran smoothly.
D.W. Derbyshire

Both Upul and Saman were attentive, friendly, flexible, knowledgeable and great senses of humour which made the trip most enjoyable.
Mr & Mrs L. Hertfordshire

Without a doubt it was absolutely the best holiday we have ever had. The group was lovely and the two leaders Nick and Dhammi were superb. I was lucky enough to see several Blue Whales on my birthday and my birthday cake wish to see leopards too was amply rewarded. I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone at Naturetrek who worked together to make it such a memorable 50th birthday holiday for me. It was a long saved-for trip of a lifetime and worth every penny.
Mr & Mrs S. Hampshire

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Extensions

Sinharaja Forest Reserve extension

Over 80% of the island's endemic bird species occur in the forest and resident species include the spectacular Blue Magpie, Red-faced Malkoha and Orange-billed Babbler; 60% of the trees are found nowhere else in the world, and most of the other flora and fauna has a similarly high level of endemism. Its importance was acknowledged by recognition as a World Heritage Site in 1988.

3 days from £795

View Details

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Sat 1st Mar – Mon 10th Mar SPACES £3,495

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£2,995

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£795

Sat 8th Nov – Mon 17th Nov SPACES £2,995

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£2,495

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£795

2026

Departures Availability Cost

Sat 7th Feb – Mon 16th Feb SPACES £2,995

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£2,495

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£795

Sat 7th Mar – Mon 16th Mar SPACES £2,995

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£2,495

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£795

Sat 7th Nov – Mon 16th Nov SPACES £2,995

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£2,495

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£795

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Seeing whales in the wild is one of the top 10 things most people want to do during their lifetime. Scanning the water, waiting to hear a blow or see a dorsal fin, is one of the top wildlife experiences in the world, and it can get addictive! A sighting of whales in their natural habitat is consistently rated in the top 10 wildlife experiences in the world. These gentle giants of the ocean hold a special place in our hearts. Our dedicated small group tours offer the thrilling opportunity of an up-close-and-personal encounter in the wild; scanning the water, waiting for the sound of a blow or the sight of a dorsal fin is both thrilling and addictive.
Naturetrek Whale Watching Tours
Our dedicated small group whale-watching holidays encompass a range of destinations all over the world to offer the best chance of sightings on short trips or longer cruises. Whether it’s a day excursion in the UK or an extended 14-day cruise to an exotic far-flung location, we offer the chance to encounter these giant cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from the tropics to the Polar regions. 
Depending on the location, our itineraries can focus on one or several of the planet’s 86 key species, including Blue and Killer Whales, or form part of a broader wildlife-watching experience to encounter dolphins, birdlife and other marine species. Led by expert biologist or naturalist guides, our tours often allow participants to get thrillingly close to one of the most fascinating animals on Earth. We've been organising specialist wildlife tours for 32 years and our experience, passion and knowledge have earned us a reputation as the best in the business. Our range of whale-watching holidays is so popular that we are rapidly expanding our programme to include some of the most exciting, wildlife-rich places in the world.
Why book a Naturetrek whale & dolphin watching holiday?

Expert biologist-led & wildlife photographer-led holidays
Dedicated whale-watching tours focusing on one or a few key species
Many of our whale-watching tours offer the chance to see dolphins as well (and vice versa)
A range of tours from day trips out on small boats to week-long liveaboard cruises
A chance to look for cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from polar waters to the tropics
A wide range of the world’s 86 species are seen on our whale-watching holidays, including Blue Whales & Killer Whales
A wide range of the world's dolphin species have also been seen, from Bottlenose and Risso’s, to Spinner, Striped and Heaviside’s


Our specialist recommends...


"In the UK I'd recommend our full-day dolphin tours to look for White-beaked dolphins off Lyme Bay. Madeira offers a good variety of dolphins close to shore including Risso's, Atlantic Spotted and Common, while if you fancy warm tropical waters Sri Lanka or the Maldives offer a good range of acrobatic species in sunny conditions!" 

Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager

All Whale Watching Tours
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Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:

India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears 
A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert

Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.

Our specialist recommends...




"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager

  
All Mammal Watching Tours
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Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

Allow our experts to create a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices to suit you.

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Tour Reports

Tour report - February 2019

Tour report - December 2018

Tour report - November 2018

Tour report - March 2018

Tour report - February 2018

Tour report - December 2017

Tour report - November 2017

Tour report - February 2017

Tour report - December 2016

Tour report - November 2016

Tour report - March 2016

Tour report - December 2015

Tour report - November 2015

Tour report - March 2015

Tour report - February 2015

Tour report - November 2014

Tour report - February 2013

Tour report - November 2012

Tour report - March 2012

Tour report - February 2012

Tour report - April 2011

Tour report - March 2011

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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