Set off on a rewarding birdwatching journey through some of Sri Lanka’s best-known birding hotspots. This tour gives you the chance to spot a wide range of resident and migratory birds while exploring diverse habitats such as wetlands, forests, and national parks. Each location offers special opportunities to see rare and endangered species in their natural surroundings. Along the way, enjoy the beauty of Sri Lanka’s landscapes and the excitement of discovering birdlife tucked away in peaceful, scenic settings.
Many birds can be spotted in Sri Lanka throughout the year. From April to October, however, most migratory birds return to their native homes, so sightings of these visitors are less common. This period is perfect for birdwatchers hoping to see Sri Lanka’s unique endemic species in their natural habitats.
Perfect for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Arrive and transfer to Negombo, a coastal town known for fishing industry. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing by the beach or exploring the fishing village. Discover the bustling fish market, where you can witness the local fishermen bringing in their daily catch.
Transfer to Mannar and check-in at the hotel. Late afternoon, visit the lagoon and beach area where you would be able to see Waders, migratory birds and resident birds such as Terns, Ducks, Gulls, Great Frigate birds, Cormorants, boobies and eagles.
Visit the Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetlands which is one of the most important birding sites in Sri Lanka. Here you would be able to see birds types such as Cormorants, ducks, egrets, herons, storks, eagles, terns, swallows, swifts, kingfishers and other resident birds. You could also see Flamingos during the migratory season.
Transfer to Wilpattu National Park. In the evening, embark on a thrilling safari through the park’s wilderness, where you can spot a variety of wildlife, including the elusive leopard and the majestic elephant, amidst dense forests and serene lakes.
Start your day with a morning safari, where you’ll witness a diverse array of wildlife. As you transfer to Sigiriya, make sure to stop at some of the picturesque water bodies and lakes along the way, perfect spots to observe the resident and migratory water birds in their natural habitat.
Visit the Sigiriya Sancturary and also climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. In the evening, do a safari of Minneriya National Park to spot more birds and to see the larets land mamals in Sri Lanka.
Transfer to Kandy. Late afternoon walk in Udawatte Kale where you will be able to spot Sri Lanka yellow-fronted barbet, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, Sri Lanka hanging parakeet, Sri Lanka Layard’s parakeet, brown fish Owl, brown-capped babbler, common kingfisher, Oriental dwarf kingfisher, crested serpent eagle, white-bellied fish eagle, black-naped monarch, velvet-fronted nuthatch, Asian paradise flycatcher, Indian pitta and brown breasted flycatcher among others.
Transfer to Nuwara Eliya with a visit to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens in the late afternoon. Here you will be able to spot Sri Lanka white Eye, Sri Lanka Bush Wabler, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Dull Blue Flycatcher, Indian Blue Robin, Canary Flycatcher, Black Bird etc.
Lave early to visit Horton Plains National Park. A reliable site for the crepuscular Sri Lankan whistling Thrush Endemic endangered bird, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, Sri Lankan Hill Munia, Dull Blue flycatcher, Yellow eared Bulbul, Pied Bush Chat, Grey Tit, Black Bird, Sri Lankan Bush Wabler, Sri Lankan Wood Pigeon etc.
Transfer to Kitulgala, where the green landscape and rivers set the scene for your evening. Take a peaceful walk through a nearby forest and enjoy spotting various birds.
Early excursion in the Makandawa Forest. Here you would have the opportunity to spot Green billed Caucal, Grey Hornbill, Sri Lankan Spurfowl, Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot, Yellow fronted Barbet, Red faced Malkoha, Spot winged Thrush, Rofous Babbler, Ashey headed Laughingthrush, with lesser Yellow napped, Pygmy and Crimson backed wood peckers, Black Bulbul, Black napped Monarch and Ceylon frog mouth etc. Later transfer to Singharaja.
Leave early and visit the Sigharaja Rain Forest to see many of the endemics and mixed species birds. The endemic birds seen here include Ceylon Lorikeet, Layard’s parakeet, Jungle & Spur fowl, Sri Lankan Blue magpie, Spotted-wing thrush, Brown-capped babbler, Ceylon Hill mynah, Red faced malkoha, Legge’s flower-pecker Sri Lankan Grackle, Ceylon Hanging parrot, Ceylon Grey hornbill, Ashy-headed laughing thrush, amongst many others.
Transfer and relax. Late afternoon, do boat tour to explore Kalametiya Sanctuary. Along the way, you may get the chance to spot a number of nationally threatened varieties, such as the Indian reef heron, glossy ibis and Sri Lankan jungle fowl. You can also hope to see Eurasian spoonbills, common snipes and black-winged stilts, while the waters themselves provide a rich habitat for over 40 species of colourful fish.
Leave early for a safari in Bundala. The park boasts of nearly 200 species of birds, of which 150 are endemic and the rest migratory. Amongst the migratory birds are the Petite Blue Tailed bee-eaters, Brown Flycatcher, Sandpipers, Barn Swallow, Water Fowl, Common Redshank, the Lesser Sand Plover and Forest Wagtail. The complex wetland system within the park is declared a biosphere reserve by UNECO in 2005. It is possible to spot Ibis, Painted storks, Terns, Gulls and Ducks and the resident water birds such as Ppelicans, Herons, Egrets, Cormorants, Stilts and Storks.
Transfer to airport.