Birding in Sri Lanka
For an Island of its size, Sri Lanka has a high density of species of birds. A total of 462 birds have been recorded including migrants. No less than 34 species of birds are endemic, found nowhere else in the world. The mixed species birding flocks in Sinharaja (dubbed the ‘Rainforest Rainbow’) are the longest study in the world. The birds are also relatively tame and easy to watch.
14 days/ 13 nights
Kithulgala, Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Udawalawe, Sinharaja, Colombo
Plantation Hotel, Jetwing St.Andrew’s Hotel, Jetwing Yala, Grand Udawalawe, Rock View Motel, Villa Talangama
- Explore Sinharaja Rainforest
- Birding at Kelani Valley forest reserve
- Explore Victoria Park
- Explore Horton Plains
- Yala National Park
- Yala National Park
- ExploreTalangama Wetland
Day 01
On arrival in Sri Lanka and transfer to Plantation Hotel, Kithulgala for two nights. In the afternoon begin the birding tour around the forest areas. This tropical rainforest is rich in biodiversity comprising a large number of endemic fauna and flora. We look for the endemic Earless Lizard, which is found on the forest floor. The trip to Kithulgala particularly is an interesting and exciting experience for the birdwatchers to see many Sri Lankan endemic birds such as Yellow-fronted Barbet, Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie and Red-faced Malkoha.
Plantation Hotel
Super Deluxe
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Day 02
Cross the Kelani River in a dugout canoe and reach the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve, which is a lowland tropical rainforest rich in endemic fauna and flora. The Kelani Valley Forest Reserve is ideal for any missed lowland endemics such as Sri Lanka Myna, Green-billed Coucal, Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Brown-capped Babbler and Red-faced Malkoha. Also look for Hill Mynah, Lesser Yellownape, Crested Drongo, Greater and Black-rumped Flamebacks, Black-capped Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and Black Eagle. As the dusk falls look for the sub continental endemic Sri Lanka Frogmouth.
Plantation Hotel
Super Deluxe
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Day 03
After Breakfast, leave for Jetwing St. Andrew’s Hotel, Nuwara Eliya for two nights.
Afternoon visit Victoria Park for Himalayan migrants Kashmir Flycatcher, Pied Thrush Indian Pitta and Indian Blue Robin. Other highlights include Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka Hill White-eye and Dull blue Flycatcher. Also visit a nearby wetland for Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, endemic Black-throated Munia, Pied Bush Chat and Common & Pintail Snipes.
Jetwing St.Andrew’s Hotel
Superior
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Day 04
Morning, leave to visit Horton Plains National Park, Pre dawn start for the scarce endemic Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush. Also look for Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka Hill White-eye, and Dull-blue Flycatcher & Sri Lanka Bush Warbler. Afternoon, visit The Hakgala Botanical Gardens which was originally an experimental Cinchona plantation established in 1860. Cinchona is the plant from which the anti-malarial drug quinine is obtained. The gardens today enjoy reputations for its roses and ferns.
Jetwing St.Andrew’s Hotel
Superior
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Day 05
After breakfast leave for Jetwing Yala, Yala for three nights.
Spend the day at leisure
Jetwing Yala
Superior
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Day 06
Morning and afternoon safaris at Yala National Parl. According to the Leopard Research sponsored, under the Jetwing Research Initiative Yala Block 1 has one of the highest densities of Leopards in the world. Yala therefore offers one of the best chances in Asia to see Leopards. Other large animals you may see include Elephant, Sloth Bear, Mugger Crocodile, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Jackal, Grey Langur and Mongoose. Birding highlights include Malabar Pied Hornbill, Painted Stork, Lesser Adjutant and Black-necked Stork.
Jetwing Yala
Superior
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Day 07
Morning, another safari at Yala National Park. Afternoon, visit the Tissa wetland for another birding tour, Tissamaharama consists of a series of wetlands, which are excellent for birding. We first stop at the Yoda Kandiya wetland to Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Little Grebe, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Purple Heron and Cotton Pygmy Goose. Thereafter proceed to Debarawewa wetland. We look for Baya Weaver, Clamarous Reed Warbler, Black & Yellow Bitterns, Black-crowned Night Heron, Watercock and if lucky White-naped Woodpecker. After this we will proceed to Pannegamuwa wetland. We look for Black-capped Kingfisher, Plain Prinia, Ashy Prinia and if lucky Baillon’s Crake.
Jetwing Yala
Superior
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Day 08
After breakfast leave for Grand Udawalawe, Udawalawe for two nights.
Afternoon visit Udawalawe National Park for dry zone birds. Look for dry zone birds, which include Little Green Bee-Eater, Malabar Pied Hornbill & Blue-faced Malkoha.
Grand Udawalawe
Deluxe
Bed and breakfast
Day 09
After breakfast leave for a birding safari which will be continued in the afternoon too. The park is good for birds of prey and we will look for Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Shikra, Common Kestrel, Brown Fish Owl and Western Marsh Harrier. Also look for Malabar-pied Hornbill, Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Plum-headed Parakeet, Common Hoopoe, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha, Little Green Bee-eater, Barred Buttonquail (sub species leggei, which is one of the 18 sub species worldwide!), Indian Silverbill and Black-headed Munia. Also look for the migrants which include Black-capped Purple Kingfisher, Blyth's Pipit and Orange-headed Thrush.
Grand Udawalawe
Deluxe
Bed and breakfast
Day 10
After breakfast leave for Rock View Motel, Sinharaja for three nights.
Spend the day at leisure
Rock View Motel
Standard
Bed and breakfast
Day 11
Full day birding at Sinharaja (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) for lowland endemics and mixed species bird flocks. According to a study of the mixed species bird on average 42 individual birds occur in the flocks, which makes this world's largest mixed species bird flock. The mixed species Bird flock study of Sinharaja forest has been continuing since 1981 and is considered as the World's longest studied bird flock study. Birding highlights include Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, White-faced Starling and Scaly Thrush.
Rock View Motel
Standard
Bed and breakfast
Day 12
After breakfast Drive to Colombo and visit the Talangama wetland for birding
Villa Talangama
Standard
Bed and breakfast
Day 13
Transfer to International Airport for departure. Though it will be difficult to say goodbye, all good things come to an end. Hope to see you on your vacation with us. Until then have a pleasant stay.
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