4 safari tours for a dream trip to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has many facets. One of its must-sees: the wildlife parks. Here are 4 safari tours in Sri Lanka.

The pearl of the Indian Ocean, softer and more languid, faces India. From long Buddhist prayers to peaceful beaches and tea plantations clinging to round mountains: Sri Lanka offers a unique experience. Another feature of ancient Ceylon is its elephant population, which can be admired in the preserved reserves. Here is our selection of safari tours in Sri Lanka, designed by our partner and specialist in authentic travel.

Tour of Kandy, the religious star

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Your trip to Sri Lanka begins at Yapahuwa and its rock fortress. A fortunate survivor which today enjoys a peaceful and dazzling view over the whole countryside.

The landscape darkens in the 2,000-year-old caves of Dambulla, crumbling under paintings and statues that are guardians of history. On the horizon: Sigiriya. Your next destination. Its 370-metre-high Lion Rock, towering above the jungle and dotted with bluish lakes, promises a memorable climb. Leave this immense stone for other vestiges. In Polonnaruwa , the tuks-tuks are asleep. Bicycles reign supreme to visit the ruins and temples several thousand years old.

Departure for the Matale region for hiking. The first stretches between spice plantations and Tamil villages. The second traverses rice paddies clinging to rugged mountains. A landscape that removes any doubt: Sri Lanka is more mountainous than it appears.

Finally, there’s Kandy, the spiritual star. Its Temple of the Tooth is a spectacle of incredible fervour. Then there’s the botanical garden, with its bamboo hedges and cascading bougainvillea.

Finally, enter the Nuwara Eliya region and its dripping tea hills as far as the eye can see. A surprisingly « so British » town. But also an ideal starting point for boarding a mythical train. The carriages twist and turn through marvellous landscapes, and life is in full swing in the scrap metal caterpillar. A joyfully authentic experience and breathtaking panoramas!

The journey continues with several more hikes: to the Bambarakanda Falls and then to the tea plantations. Here, you’ll meet Tamil women who pluck the precious leaves with the expert gesture of thumb and forefinger… A deep immersion that continues with a night in a temple.

« A safari tour of Sri Lanka » we said. Then head for Uda Walawe Park. The jeep is your pass to enter the territory of buffalo, monkeys and, of course, Asian elephants. A short tour of Tangalle’s waterfront, a drink at sunset at Galle Fort and the trip is complete.

Immersion in an ecolodge, close to nature

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Organized in small groups to preserve the authenticity of the trip, the great interest of this itinerary is to offer travelers a responsible and natural trip. The ecolodges are located as close as possible to tranquil landscapes. They blend in with the humidity of the tropics, the cultivated fields, the bodies of water and the tea hills, without ever disturbing nature and its inhabitants.

Hello Sigirya, with its enigmatic damsels and famous Lion Rock. Also in the Cultural Triangle area, discover Polonnaruwa. By bike or on foot, under the watchful and laughing gaze of monkeys, this magnificent archaeological city defies time without flinching.

Then, green Sri Lanka quickly appears. You’ll discover the countryside, stone paths through the forest, the ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery buried in the jungle, and the unspeakably beautiful sacred caves of Dambulla, with their Buddha statues, incredibly well-preserved murals and Golden Temple.

Put on your hiking boots. One path cuts through fertile forest, bisected by a sparkling river that abounds in plantations of rubber, pepper, cocoa and well-known shrubs… tea. Another crosses rice paddies, Sinhalese villages dotted with colorful houses and alive with handicrafts. In the Wepathana region, rice growers invite you to visit their plantations.

Back to civilization in Kandy, a place of pilgrimage and home to Sri Lanka’s most sacred relic. The country’s religious capital, with its Buddhist temple and botanical garden, is well worth your time. Just one stop before hopping on the nostalgic local train to Ohiya and its valley. An ideal spot for a night in a lodge lost in the heart of the forest. Before experiencing a night in a temple…

The scenery changes again. The Haputale region traverses high mountains and rainforests lost in the clouds. A whirlwind of nature. Not forgetting the tea plantations, where women in saris and tikkas swarm from morning to night. Here, you can help restore the ecosystem of the village of Belipola.

For your safari in Sri Lanka – let’s not forget it – reach Uda Walawe via Ella and its openings onto exuberant nature. Meet the orphaned elephant calves at the Elephant Transit Home, then discover another side of the island, with its coves, small bays and turquoise sea. After a visit to the fortified town of Galle, return to France.

A summer to explore Ceylon

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This safari tour of Sri Lanka begins with a breath of fresh iodine in Negombo. A small, colorful fishing village. Explore the village and its canals aboard a kayak. On the way, visit Galle and its old streets evoking a colonial past.

The highlight is the Uda Walawe National Park, where birds, crocodiles, deer, buffalo and elephants play hide-and-seek with visitors. The region also offers great hiking opportunities in the tea plantations.

The next day, you’re aboard the rattling train to Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy the charming and photogenic town from an ecolodge nestled in a vast forest.

Kandy is just around the corner, impressively cohesive, fervent and exciting all at once. We take the pulse of the city at the Temple of the Tooth, in the paths of its botanical garden or on the stage of a Kandyan dance performance.

The tour then takes you to Mount Knuckles, rice paddies and rice farmers. « Lucky! » you think as you admire their daily view of mountains, jungle and valleys. Although the boldness of their work may make you bend your spine, with tenderness and admiration. Bid them farewell as you set off for Sigiriya. The ascent of its Lion Rock, a rocky peak converted into a fortress palace, is an exceptional challenge.

Ready for another Sri Lanka safari? Enter Minneriya National Park and admire the spectacle of jungle, forest and savannah animals all united here. In Polonnaruwa, the ruins have broken with centuries of solitude in the jungle and present themselves to you. Beware, however, of the guardians of the place: the indomitable monkeys.

To finish off this tailor-made itinerary accompanied by a private driver, accept the invitation to rest and laze: put down your roots in the sand on the beaches of Nilaveli and enjoy the pleasures of the seaside.

Travel and safari in Sri Lanka with your family

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Take a real breath of island air in Negombo. The fishing village here imposes a slow, unflappable rhythm. Enjoy it with a kayak or a leisurely stroll. Warm up your calves at Yapahuwa, a rock fortress enthroned in the mountains. Then you’re ready to cycle through the countryside and rice paddies. Farmers greet you, and the scent of cashew nuts and spices follows close behind.

Don’t lose your rhythm, because the very next day, you’re back on your bike to explore the mythical ruins of Polonnaruwa. The ride takes you through bush and along lakes to the north of Sigiriya. Watch out for the sunset… In the early morning, look up. The staircase climbs the mountainside. It’s the Lion Rock: a three-hour climb and an unforgettable view of the jungle floor await you. Continue on to Matale and the Sudu Ganga River. In the shade of gigantic trees, tea plants are greening up, delicately plucked by Tamil women, before returning to the rice paddies. Typical of the region, they offer ever-changing landscapes that are impossible to tire of.

Liminaire takes a detour to Kandy, as lively as it is solemn, deep and light at the same time. All its roads converge at one point: the Temple of the Tooth. Closely followed by the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where lovers gather. Finally, embark your whole tribe on some crazy activities: rafting, accrobranche, nostalgic train, bathing in waterfalls and caving. All set against a backdrop of emerald mountains, limestone caves and broad hills under tea trees.

But nothing beats the smile on your loved ones’ faces when, during a safari in Uda Walawe Park, an elephant approaches and casts their tender gaze upon them. End your stay in the salty breeze and golden sunshine of Dickwella. A small coastal village offering a wide range of seaside activities. A unique Sri Lankan experience for all the family! So, which of these dates will you be leaving on?

Want to discover other tours in Sri Lanka? Discover other 100% authentic tours offered by Nomade Aventure.