Day 1
Arrival & Kandalama
Meet your private driver-guide and travel inland to Kandalama for two nights, with the afternoon free to settle into the landscape.
Remote landscapes & remarkable wildlife
Nature & Wildlife Sri Lanka
A less predictable wildlife journey combining ancient Polonnaruwa, elephant country, remote Gal Oya, highland tea scenery and two opportunities to explore Yala.
10 days / 9 nights
Private wildlife journey
Private driver-guide
Jump to itinerary
Our specialist view
Why this journey works
“Gal Oya is what makes this journey special. It feels quieter and more remote than Sri Lanka's headline parks, while the boat safari offers a completely different perspective on the landscape.”
Kandalama
→ Gal Oya
→ Nuwara Eliya
→ Weerawila
→ Negombo
Your journey, day by day
A considered pace, from arrival to departure
Day 2
Polonnaruwa & Minneriya
Discover the royal ruins and rock-cut Buddhas of Polonnaruwa. Later, take a jeep safari through Minneriya National Park in search of elephants and prolific birdlife.
Day 3
Into remote Gal Oya
Travel east to Gal Oya Lodge for three nights. The rest of the day is intentionally unplanned, giving you time to absorb the remote setting.
Day 4
Kiri Oruwa Lake
Walk with a naturalist through Rathugala village towards bird-rich Kiri Oruwa Lake, followed by an afternoon boat experience.
Day 5
Gal Oya National Park
Explore one of Sri Lanka’s least-visited wilderness areas by boat, watching the reservoir shores for elephants and other wildlife.
Day 6
The highlands
Leave the wilderness for Nuwara Eliya and a night at the characterful Heritance Tea Factory, high among the tea-covered hills.
Day 7
Towards Weerawila
Travel south to Flameback Eco Lodge for two nights. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure in this peaceful natural setting.
Day 8
Yala National Park
Set out before breakfast for a Yala jeep safari, return for time by the pool, then head back into the park later in the day for a second game drive.
Day 9
Negombo
Travel back towards the west coast for a final restful night in Negombo before your flight.
Day 10
Departure
Make the short private transfer to Colombo airport for your onward journey.
An idea, not a constraint
Keep what excites you. Change everything else.
Add a beach stay, slow the route down or upgrade a particular hotel. This is where the genuinely bespoke part begins.