Places to visit in Sri Lanka in 3 days

13 Places for Sri Lanka Safari and Beach Holiday

Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)

A Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday offers the best of both worlds – exciting wildlife encounters and blissful coastal relaxation. From tracking leopards in Yala to surfing the waves in Mirissa, this tropical paradise has something for every type of traveler.

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Sri Lanka Safari and Beach Holiday

A Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday offers the best of both worlds – exciting wildlife encounters and blissful coastal relaxation. From tracking leopards in Yala to surfing the waves in Mirissa, this tropical paradise has something for every type of traveler.

As you plan your adventure, remember to balance your itinerary between safari experiences and beach time. Allow yourself to fully immerse in the wonders of Sri Lanka’s national parks before unwinding on its picturesque shores.

Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a beach lover, or simply seeking a diverse and memorable vacation, Sri Lanka’s combination of safaris and beaches promises an unforgettable journey. So pack your binoculars and your swimsuit, and get ready for the trip of a lifetime in this jewel of the Indian Ocean!

Sri Lanka Safari and Beach Holiday is a very popular combination of activities among most foreign travellers in Sri Lanka. We get a lot of enquiries for Sri Lanka cultural trips, Sri Lanka tours to historical places, beach holiday packages and adventure trips from our foreign customers as well. Sri Lanka has earned a reputation as a holiday destination with a wide range of attractions.

Sri Lanka tour and beach holiday
Isolated beaches in Sri Lanka

Why Choose Sri Lanka for a Safari and Beach Holiday?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about what makes Sri Lanka the ideal destination for combining safaris and beach time:

  1. Diverse wildlife, including elephants, leopards, and endemic bird species
  2. Stunning beaches along the coast, from golden sands to hidden coves
  3. Compact size, allowing for easy travel between safari parks and beaches
  4. Rich cultural heritage and friendly locals
  5. Delicious cuisine to fuel your adventures

What are the most important places for Sri Lanka safari and beach holidays?

  1. Negombo beach is the nearest beach to the Colombo international airport and a popular one-day trip place in Sri Lanka. The main beach holiday season in Negombo starts in November and ends in April. Wilpattu national park is the most convenient destination for safari for tourists, who spend beach holidays here.
  2. Bentota Beach better known as golden mile Bentota beach is the most popular beach resort on the island. More than half of beach lovers choose Bentota as their beach holiday destination on the island. Bentota comes under monsoon rain from April to November means the beaches are coming under heavy rain during this period. Udawalawe national park and Yala national parks are the most convenient wildlife reserves for safari from hotels in Bentota.
  3. Nilaveli Beach, By far Nilaveli is the best beach on the east coast and is suitable for beach holidays from April to November. Minneriya national park is the best venue for safari from beach resorts in Nilaveli.
  4. Hikkaduwa beach also known as a hippie beach on the west coast of Sri Lanka is one of the most popular beach holiday destinations on the island and attracts a large number of beach holiday lovers. Udawalwe national park safari is the most convenient safari for travellers, who spend beach holidays here.
  5. Unawatuna beach is located just south of Galle and is one of the popular beach holiday destinations on the south coast. A Beach holiday in Unawatuna and Sri Lanka safari in Yala national park is the best combination for travellers, who choose Unawatuna for a beach stay.
  6. Mirissa beach is another popular beach holiday destination in southern Sri Lanka. However, Mirissa is most popular as a destination for snorkelling, diving, surfing and whale watching. Udawalawe safari and Mirissa beach holiday is a very popular combination and one of the best ways to do Sri Lanka safari and beach holidays.
  7. Tangalle is an emerging beach holiday destination on the island and developing fast as a destination for leisure holidays. The visitors at Tangalle beach have a very valuable opportunity to visit Rekewa turtle beach, which is only a few kilometres from Tangalle town. Rekawa beach is one of the best beaches on the island to spot sea turtles in its natural environment.
  8. Kalpitiya beach is the newest addition to the beach resort collection of Sri Lanka and is located just north of Katunayake international airport. Kalpitiya is an off-the-beaten-track tourist resort and you will not encounter hordes of tourists here. Sri Lanka safari in Yala and a beach holiday in Kalpitiya is the best option for travellers, who choose Kalpitiya for a beach stay.
  9. Arugam Bay beach is located on the east coast of Sri Lanka and is the most popular surfing destination in the country. Yala national park is the most convenient wildlife reserve for safari from beach resorts in Arugam bay.
  10. Yala national park is tucked away from Colombo and located at the southern tip of the country. Yala national is accessible to all beach resorts on the west coast, east coast and south coast. However, it is the most popular wildlife holiday destination among travellers on the east and south coast.
  11. Wilpattu National Park is the most convenient national park to visit for tourists, who spend their beach holidays in Negombo and Kalpitiya.
  12. Udawalawe national park is located on the west coast of Sri Lanka and is quite easy to reach from beach holidays on the west and south coasts.
  13. Minneriya national park Located in the north-central province near the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka is most popular for the Sri Lanak safari among tourists, who visit cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. Minneriya is the most convenient national park for safari for beach holiday lovers on the east coast.
  14. Gal Oya national park-Located in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka, on the east coast, gal Oya national park is well over 200km from Colombo. Travellers who plan their beach holidays based on east cats beaches such as Arugam bay would thoroughly consider Gal Oya national park as the venue for their wildlife tour because Gal Oya National is one of the closest wildlife reserves for hotels on the east coast.

Sri Lanka is one of the most popular destinations in Asia for sun, sea, and sand and is loved by most sun-worshippers around the world. Therefore most Sri Lanka trips include a beach stay allowing the guests to have peace and leisure, mostly towards the end of the tour.

When is the best time to travel to Sri Lanka? November to April best time to travel to Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka dry weather from November to April
The map shows the best beaches in Sri Lanka for beach holidays from November to April

When is the best time for a Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday?

The best time for Sri Lanka safari and beach tours is from November to April. The single most important factor that decides the best time to travel to Sri Lanka is the monsoon. Sri Lanka has 6 months of changing monsoon patterns E.g the South-west monsoon from May to October, during this period most parts of the country experience heavy rain except the east coast.

North-East monsoon from November to April considered being the best time to visit Sri Lanka. During these 6 months, most parts of the country have fair sunny weather and a large portion of the sea around the island provides the best settings for saltwater activities such as swimming, diving, snorkelling, fishing and many other watersports. During this period most national parks also have dry weather.

Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday

This tiny tropical island is a holiday destination to touch the rich historical past, diverse cultures, fascinating wildlife, an interesting collection of flora, and a destination to experience the Panchakarma Ayurveda holiday. Moreover, Sri Lanka attracts a large number of adventure holiday lovers to perform adventurous sports. Hiking, mountain climbing, trekking, white water rafting, walking, and caving are several of the lists of adventure activities available here.

Mirissa beach sri lanka

Sri Lanka as a wildlife holiday destination

Even though Sri Lanka a small island it is inhabited by a large number of animals. Bio-diversity of the island is estimated to be at a very high level compared to most countries in the region. Therefore, Sri Lanka has become a top-notch wildlife holiday destination in the world and a combination of Sri Lanka safari and beach holidays is on the radar of most foreign travellers.

Leopards, bears, elephants, crocodiles, and Buffalo are some of the noteworthy animals here. They all live in their natural habitat and roam freely within their allotted area. Following are four of more than dozens of wildlife parks that can be included in the Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday package.

Places for Sri Lanka beach holidays

Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the island possesses more than 1300 kilometres of pristine, palm-fringed beaches. The island attracts hundreds of thousands of beach holiday enthusiasts every year and it grows day by day. But some parts of the Sri Lankan beaches are uncrowned and lie in solitude, especially the south coast beach resorts of Sri Lanka.

It is partly due to the remoteness of the international airport, and another major reason is the underdeveloped tourism infrastructure.

With the rapid development in the tourism sector in the recent past, some of the beach resorts have been able to get the attention of travellers. Especially the emerging beach holiday destinations such as Kalpitiya on the north-west coast, Tangalle, Matara, and Hambantota on the southern coast and Kalpitiya, Pasikudah on the east coast.

  1. Negombo beach
  2. Bentota beach
  3. Nilaveli Beach
  4. Hikkaduwa beach
  5. Unawatuna beach
  6. Mirissa beach
  7. Tangalle
  8. Kalpitiya beach
  9. Arugam Bay beach

Emerging beach holiday destinations in Sri Lanka

Especially Kalpitiya and southern Sri Lanka beaches such as Hambantota have been able to attract a large number of beach holiday lovers in the recent past making new opportunities for people in the region.

These new beach holiday destinations have been able to attract a large number of foreign investments too and the tourism infrastructure is also considerably improved. The big players such as Anantara and Shangrila have set up their hotels in southern Sri Lanka while luxury beach resorts such as Divya lagoon popped up in Kalpitiya.

prisitne beaches of mirissa

With an ever-increasing number of foreign travellers in Sri Lanka, popular beach resorts such as Bentota beach, Hikkaduwa beach, and Unawatuna beach are getting more and more crowded. As the beach resorts get crowded the facilities (accommodation, transportation) are also becoming more expensive due to the high demand. Therefore the travellers are also in the quest for an uncrowded beach resort in order to have a peaceful beach stay at an affordable price.

Beach resorts such as Hambantota, Kalpitiya, Weligama, and Pasikudah not only enable travellers to have a peaceful Sri Lanka beach holiday but also make it possible to have an affordable Sri Lanka beach holiday.

In this article on Sri Lanka safari and beach holidays, we discuss mainly 4 wildlife reserves that can be easily combined with a Sri Lanka beach holiday package. These wildlife reserves are evolved around all major beach holiday destinations in Sri Lanka.

kaudulla
  1. Yala national park
  2. Wilpattu national park
  3. Udawalawe national park
  4. Minneriya national park

Yala and Wilpattu national parks are the 2 most important places to spot leopards in the country. Therefore it is highly advisable to choose either Yala national park or Wilpattu national park for your Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday if you wish to spot Sri Lanka’s biggest carnivore. If you have a long distance to cover from the beach hotel to Yala national park you need to book a 2-day Sri Lanka safari tour. 

Yala and Wilpattu national parks can be easily explored from any part of the island in 2 day Sri Lanka safari tour, which includes an overnight stay in a hotel near the park. The cost might goes-up due to the overnight stay but still, it is worth, it because you can have the best wildlife experience in Sri Lanka.

1. Yala National Park: Leopard Country

Yala is Sri Lanka’s most famous national park and for good reason – it boasts the highest leopard density in the world!

Highlights:

  • Leopard spotting opportunities
  • Diverse ecosystems, from scrub jungle to coastal lagoons
  • Large elephant herds
  • Ancient ruins within the park

Best time to visit: February to July for optimal wildlife viewing.

2. Udawalawe National Park: Elephant Paradise

If elephants are your main interest, Udawalawe is the place to be.

What to expect:

  • Guaranteed elephant sightings
  • Open grasslands reminiscent of African savannas
  • Diverse bird species
  • Visit to the Elephant Transit Home

Pro tip: Opt for a morning safari for the best chance to see active wildlife.

3. Wilpattu National Park: Off the Beaten Path

For a less crowded safari experience, head to Wilpattu in the northwest.

Highlights:

  • Leopard and sloth bear sightings
  • Unique “willus” (natural lakes)
  • Peaceful atmosphere with fewer tourists

Best time to visit: February to October for the driest weather.

4. Minneriya National Park: The Elephant Gathering

Witness one of the largest gatherings of Asian elephants in the world at Minneriya.

What to expect:

  • Hundreds of elephants during the dry season (June to September)
  • Beautiful lake scenery
  • Diverse birdlife

Don’t miss: The famous “Elephant Gathering” in August and September.

  1. One Day Crocodile Safari with Bentota Sightseeing
  2. Swimming With Sea Turtles and 100% Guaranteed Whale Sighting
  3. Sri Lanka Kandy Trip With Scenic Upcountry Train Journey-2 Days
  4. Adam’s Peak Sunrise
  5. Sri Lanka Southern Tour With Whale Watching
  6. One Day Madu river safari with Bentota Sightseeing Tour
  7. Cream of Sri Lankan Nature
  8. Sri Lanka Tour With Yala Safari And Galle
  9. Kithulgala Water Rafting Package
  10. Sri Lanka elephant safari from Colombo, Bentota and Kalutara

Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday on the east coast

Sri Lanka’s east coast is very popular for beach holidays. The beaches on the east coast are best for leisure activities from April to October. During this period the beaches of the east coast remain dry and the sea is very suitable for activities such as swimming, diving, and snorkelling. During these six months, the beaches on the south coast are under heavy rain resulting from the southwest monsoon and therefore entire tourist traffic heads onto the east coast. There are many national parks on the east coast of Sri Lanka and GalOya national park is one of the most popular wildlife tours on the east coast.

watching leopards on Sri Lanka safari, Sri Lanka Safari and Beach holiday
  1. Visiting Sri Lanka’s west coast beaches
  2. Exploring Hikkaduwa marine sanctuary
  3. Rainforest trek and bird watching in Sinharaja
  4. Udawalawe safari
  5. Spotting leopards at Yala national park
  6. Watching blue whales in Mirissa
  7. Visiting Pinnawala elephant orphanage
  8. Walking tour at Peradeniya botanical garden
  9. Trekking through the Udawattekele forest
  10. Exploring Gregory lake
  11. Madu River estuary boat trip
  12. Spotting turtles in Rekawa
  13. Visiting hill country waterfalls
  14. Exploring Pigeon island marine sanctuary
  15. Visiting Adams peak

How to choose the most suitable national park for my wildlife tour?

This blog post is written to give a more clear picture for travellers who wish to have a combined tour package of Sri Lanka Safari and Beach holiday. A Sri Lanka Safari and Beach holiday package creates an opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s rich wildlife while enjoying the Sri Lankan pristine beaches.

There are 4 major wildlife reserves to be considered if you plan a Sri Lanka Safari and Beach holiday, namely Yala, Wilpattu, Udawalawe and Minneriya. Depending on the beach resort you choose Safari could be at Yala national park, Udawalawe national park, Wilpattu national park or Minneriya national park. In fact,  these are major national parks popular for Sri Lanka safaris.

  • Udawalawe national park: If your beach hotel is on the west coast the most convenient national park for your wildlife tour is Udawalawe national park and you may also consider Yala. You can easily visit Udawalawe national park on a one-day trip from your beach resort. However, if you plan to visit Yala national park, it should be a 2 days tour in order to get the maximum out of your wildlife tour.
  • Yala national park: If you stay in a beach resort on the southern coast, the most convenient national park is Yala and you can reach Yala national park in a few hours’ time from your hotel.
  • Wilpattu national park: If your beach resort is located north of Colombo, Wilpattu national park is the most convenient location for your wildlife trip. Wilpattu national park can be visited on a one-day trip from beaches such as Negombo, Waikkal, and Kalpitiya.
  • Minneriya national park: Minneriya is the 4th national park that we discuss in this blog post, Wilpattu is located in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, there are a few other national parks such as Hurulu park, Kudulla in the same area. However, Minneriya is the most popular among them national park here and one of the best places to spot large gatherings of wild elephants. If you visit historical monuments in the cultural triangle it is best to choose Minneroiya national park for your wildlife tour. The national park is centrally located in the cultural triangle and provides easy access from leading monuments such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya.

All these national parks can be easily reached from any beach resort on the island. The island has a well-developed road network and all major roads are in very good condition. There might be traffic congestion in busy cities, however, the traffic moves very swiftly outside the cities. Choosing the best route (Eg: less crowded and without busy cities) is critical to the success of the Sri Lanka safari you start from the beach hotel. Especially when the return journey should be made on the same day.

It is highly advisable to start the journey very early from the beach hotel, thereby you can reach the national park before it is embraced by the heat. Making a safari in the early hours and late afternoon is recommended to have the best Sri Lanka safari experience. The animal reduces its movement making it difficult to spot animals during the mid-day.

Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday south coast- Yala national park

Yala can be chosen as the venue of the wildlife Safari if you choose a beach holiday destination on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Yala being one of the biggest national parks on the island is one of the most popular destinations for Sri Lanka safaris. Most travellers opt for Yala national park as the venue for Sri Lanka safari as it allows them to see a wide range of animals including the illusive leopard. In fact yala national park is the wildlife reserve that included in most Sri Lanka road trips due to its popularity for leopard sighting.

Spotting leopards in Yala national park

Yala is one of the two best destinations for Sri Lanka safari along with Wilpattu National park. The visitors will encounter a great variety of wildlife here. Due to its popularity as a safari destination, the tourism infrastructure is well-developed around the park. Yala can be recommended for people who wish to have an unforgettable Sri Lanka Safari and Beach holiday with a top-notch wildlife experience. Yala is famed for the frequent sight of the largest carnivore on the island, the Leopard.

Yala is ranked among the best places to witness leopards due to the large concentration of them in the park. The abundance of food, suitable habitat for its lifestyle, and less competition for survival are the leading reasons for the increasing number of leopards in the past. But the rate of multiplication of the big cat is considerably slowed in the recent past and poaching is identified as the main reason.

Yala is still the favourite location for spotting leopards. Yala can easily reach the most anchoring points for holidaymakers in Sri Lanka. Tour operators such as Seerendipity tours organize regular safari tours to Yala and you have the option to join one of their groups.

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How far is Yala national park from the west and south coast

The distance to cover to reach Yala national park from the hotels on the west coast is 320 km and it will take around 4 hours to reach the national park. Therefore the Yala safari is offered as a two-day tour from most hotels on the west coast. Even from the beach holiday resorts in the deep south of Sri Lanka such as Hambantota, Matara, and Tangalle, it takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach the park, hence it is offered as a 2 days tour from beach hotels with an overnight stay in Yala.

However, the Yala national park can be explored in a day tour from the surfing destination of Arugam bay on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka. The distance from Arugambe to Yala national park is 135 km and takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach the park.

Yala Safari 2 days tour can be booked through the booking engine for getyourguide and it is organized by Seerendioitytours. Yala safari 2 days tour with getyourguide

wild elephants sri lanka, Minneriya tank, Sri Lanka Safari and Beach holiday

Beach holiday with Sri Lanka safari in the west coast-Udawalawe safari

The Udawalawe national park is also a viable option to consider as the venue for the wildlife reserve of the Sri Lanka Safari and the Beach holiday package for travellers who are anchored in a beach resort either on the West coast of southern Sri Lanka. If you have planned a beach holiday based on a beach resort on the west coast Udawalawe national park is the best place for your safari. It gives easy access to travellers who spend the beach holiday on the west coast beach resort such as Bentota beach, Kalutara, Ahungalla, and Ambalangoda. Udawalawe national park safari is offered by many travel agents as a one-day tour from most hotels on the west coast.

Udawalwe national park – easy to reach from the west and south coast

The travellers, who stay in a beach hotel in southern Sri Lanka are also well positioned for a convenient safari from the beach hotel. Because not only Yala national park but also Udawalawe national parks are within easy reach of beach holiday resorts on the west and southern coast of Sri Lanka. Unlike Yala, Udawalawe is teaming with wild elephants. Udawalawe holds a reputation for being placed to see a large number of wild elephants within a short period of time.

Spotting elephants in Udawalawe national park

Udawalawe is the youngest national park in Sri Lanka and far smaller in size compared to Yala. Being a very suitable living habitat for elephants, it is a place to spot more than 100 wild elephants of varying sizes within a few hours of time. Leopards, bears, crocodiles, buffalo and many other animals can be spotted here, but the opportunity is rare compared to the chances of seeing wild elephants.

Distance from West coast to Udawalawe national park

The distance from the west coast beach hotels to Udawalawe national park is around 180km and it takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach the national park. The distance from Southern Sri Lanka to Udalawawe national park is around 125 km and it takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach the park from hotels in Galle, Unawatuna, Matar and other beach resorts in southern Sri Lanka.

Udawalawe Safari 1-day tour can be booked through the booking engine for getyourguide and it is organized by Seerendioitytours. Udawalawe safari 1-day tour with getyourguide

Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday

Sri Lanka safari in the cultural triangle

Minneriya National park is the most popular national park in the north-central province of Sri Lanka. If you choose a beach resort on the east coast such as Trincomalee, Nilaweli, Kalkudah or Pasikudah in your Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday package, Minneriya is the best place to spot wild animals.

If you have an overnight stay near Anuradhapura or other cities in the cultural triangle you have a good opportunity of visiting this national park, because the cultural triangle is not far from Minneriya, in fact, the cultural triangle is included in almost all of Sri Lanka tour and beach holiday packages. It can be easily reached from any of the hotels in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka.

Minneriya national park safari shows some similar conditions to Udawalawe national park safari mainly due to the large concentration of wild elephants at Minneriya. Therefore, if you are fascinated by seeing large herds of elephants, you are well on target to fulfil your wish at Minneriya national park.

Minneriya can be explored in the 1-day tour from east coast beaches such as Trincomalee and all other beach holidays on the east coast. The travelling time from Trincomalee to Minneriya is 2 hours while the distance is calculated to be is 87 km. The distance between Kalkudah, Pasikudah and Batticaloa is around 90km to 105km and the travelling time is around 2 hours.

Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday west coast- Wilpattu national park

Wilpattu national park is the best option to do the safari for travellers who choose a beach hotel in Negombo, Chilaw or Kalpitiya. Wilpattu is the nearest wildlife reserve for people who choose north-west Sri Lanka as the destination for the beach resort in their Sri Lank safari and beach holiday package. Travellers can easily explore the wildlife at Wilpattu in a short tour (one-day or half-day tour) from all the hotels in North-west Sri Lanka.

The extent of Wilpattu national park

Wilpattu is one of the biggest national parks, spread over 140,000 hectares. Wilpattu was declared a national park in 1938. It is located in the northwest of Sri Lanka; this secluded national park is one of the best national parks for leopard sightings.

One distinct characteristic of the national park is the large concentration of natural shallow lakes.  The number of shallow lakes within the park exceeds 40 and two of them contain salty water. Wilpattiu is the second most popular wildlife reserve for Sri Lanka safari and one of the best places for leopards sighting on the island.

The travelling time from Kalpitiya beach resort to Wilpattu national park is 1 hour 30 minutes and the distance is 80 km. while the distance from Negombo to Wilpattu national park is 136 km and the time taken to reach Wilpattu from Negombo is 3 hours.

Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday in east coast- Gal Oya national park

located on the east coast of Sri Lanka Gal Oya national park is one of theleast explore national parks in Sri Lanka. The lush green national park sandwictyh between east coast beaches and the central hills of Sri Lanka. Senanayake samudra or resoir is the main source of water for the evergreen forest and located withing the national park. GalOya national park is an important catchment area in the east coast and feed the reservoir. Gal Oya national park is home to a large number of animals species. The number of mammal species found in the forest is 32 and monkeys, water buffalkoe, crocodile and deer are some of the most seen animals during the safari. Leopard and sloth bear also can be seen during the safari, however, hot very often. Around 150 different species of birds are living in the park.

Apart from the above mentioned animals species, a large number of wild elephants also can be witnessed in Galoya national park. Shites of elephants is very common here due to a large number of elephants in the park. Unlike in most other national park, here the visitors can witness the elepphants that are swimming in the senanayaka samudra. There are many of islands in the senanyake samudar (reservoir) and elephants are swimming from one island to other in search of tender grass.

sri lanka crocodile, Galoya national park, Sri Lanka Safari and Beach holiday

How to book a Sri Lanka safari from the beach hotel?

Usually, every beach resort provides Sri Lanka tours and excursions through the in-house travel desk. The hotels maintain the travel desk only to serve the guests staying at the hotel.

Usually, the travel desk offers a Sri Lanka safari, which includes transportation, entrance fees to the wildlife park, guiding, a jeep for the safari and all taxes. Travellers can also book any Sri Lanka safari with local tour operators such as seerendipity tours as well. The travellers can book a part of the Sri Lanka safari or the complete package with a tour operator.

If you are not staying in a star-class hotel you might not be able to find a travel desk in the hotel. In case the travel desk is not available in the hotel, travellers can also organize a Sri Lanka safari on their own by contacting a local tour operator through the internet, by phone or by visiting their office.

One can also use public transport or private transport (taxi) to reach the national park. A transport mode such as a Taxi is highly recommended to go to the national parks due to the absence of public transport to most national parks on the island. Usually, the national parks are located in remote areas, where human habitation is very scarce.

How to buy entrance tickets for the safari?

If you travel your own entrance ticket for every national park should be obtained at the time of the entrance. Only the staff at the ticket counter located at the entrance of the national park is authorized to issue the entrance tickets. The entrance price for Sri Lanka safari differs depending on the national park and the per-person rates are between 2000 Rs to 3000 Rs.

Duration of Sri Lanka safari

Most travellers book the short Sri Lanka safari and it lasts for 2 to 4 hours depending on the national park. Safari at Minneriya and the Udawalawe national park might take around 2 hours and safari at Yala and Wilpattu might take up to 4 hours due to its vastness.

The drivers take you to the most number of animals during the trip by scratting most areas of the national parks. The jeep will be on the move almost all the time once it entered the wildlife park. It makes brief stops when there are animals to be seen and photographed.

The travellers have the possibility to book a full-day safari at national parks and they also can book bungalows located within the national park for the overnight stay.

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Finding accommodation for the Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday

Accommodation facilities are available in the suburb of most leading wildlife reserves. Travellers can find accommodation in places like Yala and Udawalawe without any inconvenience. The prices of accommodation are decided by the comfort level of the accommodation. The demand also makes a direct impact on the price (Eg: hotel rates increases during the peak holiday season due to the high demand), and the highest rates for accommodation facilities are recorded from November to April every year.

Holiday bungalows within national parks

The Bungalows are maintained by the wildlife department and advanced booking at their Colombo office is essential to reserve a bungalow. The wildlife department provides only accommodation and a ranger for the visitors, who book the bungalows. Meals are not provided by the administrators of the forest bungalow, however, the cook at the bungalow is ready to prepare the food for the visitors.

Camping holiday

Camping also can be done in the buffer zone of every national park. There is plenty of camping accommodation available particularly at Udawlawe and Yala national parks. These luxury campsites are maintained by private companies and accommodation is provided as a complete package with the conjunction of the Sri Lanka safari and all meals. Usually, the Sri Lanka safari with camping cost USD 400 per person and it includes accommodation with all meals and 2 safaris.

Where do I get a jeep for the Safari?

Jeeps are provided by individual jeep owners in the area. Even the tour operators are using jeeps belonging to these individual jeep providers. The visitors can get a jeep for the Sri Lanka safari at the specific National park.

Usually, jeep owners keep their vehicles in the parking area just in front of the national park. The travellers can make a direct booking with a jeep owner or a driver. With regards to Minneriya national park, jeeps can be obtained at the national park as well as at the Habarana junction, which is about 5km away from the national park.

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How much does it cost for the safari jeep?

In order to experience the best Sri Lanka safari, it is recommended to book a jeep with an experienced driver. Because these experienced drivers know where the animals are roaming in the park, by experience and therefore they are capable of showing you the most number of wild animals during the safari.

The cost of the jeep will be around 6000 Rs per trip. The price of the jeep is based on the number of trips and a jeep can accommodate up to 6 persons. However, the price may vary depending on the conditions of the jeep and the demand.

Packing Essentials

Don’t forget these items for your safari and beach adventure:

  • Comfortable, breathable clothing in neutral colors for safaris
  • Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
  • Insect repellent
  • Binoculars for wildlife spotting
  • Swimwear and beach essentials
  • Reusable water bottle

Responsible Tourism: Safaris and Beaches

As you enjoy Sri Lanka’s natural wonders, keep these responsible tourism practices in mind:

  1. Choose ethical safari operators that prioritize animal welfare and conservation.
  2. Respect wildlife by maintaining a safe distance and following park rules.
  3. Avoid single-use plastics and dispose of waste responsibly, especially on beaches.
  4. Support local communities by purchasing souvenirs and services from small businesses.
  5. Be mindful of water usage, particularly in coastal areas.

For more information on sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, visit the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance website.

Why you should choose Seerendipityt Tours for your Sri Lanka safari and beach holiday?

Serendipity Tour is an entirely locally owned travel company with a head office in Colombo. The highly experienced local staff is a key strength of Serendipity Tours, and they can plan your dream holiday to Sri Lanka.

The best price guaranteed for your Sri Lanka trip

When you book a tour with Serendipity Tours, you directly book the tour with the local company, which means there are no middlemen and therefore you can guarantee the best price. Simply get in touch with us and let us know when you travel and what you like to see.

Plan your best Sri Lanka trip with-expert

Our staff makes a personalised program for you, which you can change until you find the best Sri Lanka trip package for you. Visit www.sirilaktours.com to browse our existing tour packages, which you can customise to meet all your expectations. Write to us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, tel. 0094-77-440977, WhatsApp 0094-77-4440977.

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