Secrets of the Jungle
Sri Lanka’s Wildlife and Cultural Treasures
February 22 to March 12, 2027
Private Trip Available Safari Overview
Journey across one of the most wildlife-rich islands on Earth—Sri Lanka, where ancient forests, dry-zone plains, and turquoise coasts create a mosaic of ecosystems teeming with life. Over 19 days, explore habitats that hold everything from tiny tree frogs to blue whales, and from forest elephants to the island’s legendary leopards. In Wilpattu, search for leopards among shimmering forest pools. In Gal Oya, watch elephants swim between lake islands—a sight seen in only a few places on Earth. Along the southern coast, head out to sea in search of blue whales, the planet’s largest mammals. Each day is guided by seasoned naturalists whose deep field experience and enthusiasm help you see—and understand—the connections that sustain these wild places. This adventure is designed for travelers who value authentic encounters with nature, small group experiences, and the chance to support meaningful conservation in the process.
WHY CHOOSE THIS TRIP?
- Remarkable Wildlife Encounters: Seek leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and an extraordinary range of birdlife in one of the planet’s most concentrated areas of biodiversity.
- Small-Group Safaris: With no more than four guests per vehicle, enjoy quiet, unobstructed viewing and the flexibility to follow wildlife behavior as it unfolds.
- Knowledgeable Naturalist Leaders: Your guides combine extensive field experience with academic backgrounds in ecology and ornithology, offering context that enriches every sighting.
- Explore Lesser-Visited Parks: Venture beyond the typical safari routes into protected areas like Gal Oya and Bundala, where wildlife still thrives in relative solitude.
- Conservation-Focused Travel: Your participation helps support local communities and projects dedicated to preserving Sri Lanka’s wildlife and wild spaces.
- Comfort in the Wild: Stay in eco-lodges and mobile camps that reflect the beauty of their surroundings, offering warm hospitality, local cuisine, and a genuine sense of place.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I loved the trip! I thought staying in one place for the time we did was perfect. I could have stayed longer! The country is beautiful, the wildlife is remarkable, and the people blew me out of the water with their kindness and hospitality. The local guides varied in knowledge and experience, but all were really very wonderful. There were some that were exceptional, and I will be happy to name them. I did make sure that the camps or lodges we stayed at were aware of their excellence.” – Leslie Valentine |
ENHANCE YOUR TRIP
- Continue your journey on our Ceylon Tea Trails Extension or our Hikkaduwa Snorkeling Extension, both from March 11 to 14, 2027. Complete your Sri Lanka experience with a luxurious excursion to the verdant hills of Hatton or an ocean escape exploring coral reefs of the Indian Ocean.
TRIP MAP
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NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
Itinerary Updated: October 2025
Safari Options
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 22-23 | Travel to Sri Lanka. Begin your wild adventure to Sri Lanka. | ||
| Feb 24 | Touch down in Colombo and transfer to Negombo. Arrive in Colombo and step into tropical warmth as you transfer to peaceful Negombo, where lagoon views and a gentle sea breeze welcome you. | Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo | B, L, D |
| Feb 25 | Head North to Wilpattu. Journey to Sri Lanka’s oldest national park, Wilpattu. Enjoy your first game drive in leopard territory in the afternoon. Feel the thrill of spotting elusive leopards and hearing the calls of exotic forest birds. | Mahoora, Wilpattu | B, L, D |
| Feb 26-27 | Two Full-days of Wilpattu Safaris. Immerse yourself in the wilderness on two full-day safaris. Explore lakes, forest trails, and grasslands, searching for elephants, sloth bears, and vibrant birdlife. | Mahoora, Wilpattu | B, L, D |
| Feb 28 | Climb the Lion Rock. Travel to Sigiriya, the “Lion Rock”, and ascend the iconic fortress for panoramic views and rich cultural history and architecture. | Water Garden, Sigiriya | B, L, D |
| Mar 1 | Ancient Ruins and an Enchanting Night safari. Discover Polonnaruwa’s historic grandeur and join a guided evening safari in search of nocturnal wildlife. | Water Garden, Sigiriya | B, L, D |
| Mar 2 | Pidurangala Rock and Minneriya National Park. Enjoy a morning birding session and an afternoon catamaran ride on Thakoltay Lake, a renowned hotspot for birding. Then witness spectacular nighttime gathering of herds of elephants at Minneriya National Park. | Water Garden, Sigiriya | B, L, D |
| Mar 3-5 | Journey to Gal Oya. Travel to the remote jungle haven of Gal Oya where elephants roam and ecosystems flourish undisturbed. You will experience a boat safari on Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir, looking for swimming elephants and finding a wide range of bird species. In the evening you can do a leisurely bicycle ride or join resident naturalists for night walks. On another day, a jeep safari will get you into the park, looking for extraordinary wildlife encounters, including elephants, four species of deer, as well as many bird species. | Gal Oya Lodge, Gal Oya | B, L, D |
| Mar 6 | Travel from Gal Oya to Yala. Drive south to the famous Yala and its abundant leopard population. The afternoon brings a game drive through scrub forests and coastal lagoons. | Jetwing, Yala | B, L, D |
| Mar 7-8 | Explore Yala in Depth. Spend two days immersed in Yala’s varied landscapes, where the rustle of brush may reveal a leopard on the move or a herd of elephants at a quiet waterhole. | Jetwing, Yala | B, L, D |
| Mar 9 | Birding and Travel to Galle. Head south to Galle, stopping for some amazing wetland birding at Bundala National Park, searching for flamingos and migratory species. Arrive in the later day to Galle’s colonial coast. | The Fortress Resort, Galle | B, L, D |
| Mar 10 | Whale Watching and Fort Exploration. Set sail in hopes of spotting dolphins and whales, including the mighty blue whale, then stroll the historic ramparts of the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort. | The Fortress Resort, Galle | B, L, D |
| Mar 11 | Depart for home or join the Ceylon Tea Trails Extension or the Hikkaduwa Snorkeling Extension. Return to Colombo for flights home or continue on a peaceful tea country retreat on our Ceylon Tea Trails Extension or an ocean getaway on our Hikkaduwa Snorkeling Extension. | B | |
| Mar 12 | Arrive home. |
Get the Full Daily Itinerary
Our Trip Leaders
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Krishan Fernando
Krishan FernandoKrishan Fernando is a Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority–certified National Tourist Guide Lecturer with over 15 years of experience leading birdwatching and wildlife tours. Trained in ornithology at the University of Colombo, he specializes in rare and endemic species while also showcasing the island’s broader biodiversity. A skilled wildlife photographer and long-time member of the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka, Krishan blends scientific expertise, engaging storytelling, and a passion for conservation into unforgettable nature experiences..
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Flights
Conservation- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, double occupancy | $10,200 |
| Single Supplement | $3,800 |
Share the Experience – Earn Travel Credit
Know someone who would love this trip? Refer a friend and you’ll both benefit—you get credit toward a future adventure, and they receive a discount on their first trip with us. See how our Referral Program works ›
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
If you are a single traveler, we will try to find a roommate for you, but if we cannot pair you with a roommate, we will charge you a single supplement. Single rooms cost extra and are subject to availability.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $500 |
| Final | August 15, 2026 | Remaining Balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Cancellations
Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person, which can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferrable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Included
- Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
- Silk Route / Fast track service at the airport on arrival with meet and assist service (clients will be paged at the aerobridge and fast-tracked through immigrations/custom formalities. Baggage clearance will be done by lounge staff while clients enjoy a light snack with tea or coffee in the Silk Route Arrival Lounge.
- All leaders, transport, park entry fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
- Accommodations (double occupancy) for 15 nights.
- Meals from dinner on Feb 24 through breakfast on Mar 11, except meals listed in Not Included section.
- Transfers on Feb 24 and Mar 11 between lodging and the Colombo airport.
- Gratuities – all tipping is included in your cost.
- Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
Not Included
- Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
- All airfare, airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Lunch and dinner on Mar 11th.
- Divergent airport transfers (arranged by us) and extra hotel nights.
- Optional trip cancellation insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.
Climate
Temperatures in most of Sri Lanka stay the same year-round. In February, Colombo and Gal Oya experience highs of around 90°F and lows around 75°F. In Galle and Sigiriya, average highs are around 86°F, and lows of about 66°F.
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness levels are required for long days in nature with a combination of vehicle transportation and walking. If you wish to climb to the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress (not required), there are approximately 1,200 steps to navigate to the top. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Please wait to book your flights until you receive confirmation from your Coordinator that the minimum number of participants has been met to operate the trip. If you choose to book flights before receiving this confirmation, we strongly recommend purchasing flight cancellation insurance to protect your investment.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB) by 4:00pm on Feb 24.
- Depart from Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB) after 2:00pm on Mar 11. If you are continuing on our Ceylon Tea Trails Extension or our Hikkaduwa Snorkeling Extension, see the Flights section in its itinerary for departure information.
FAQ
Accommodations
Motion Sickness
Transportation
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Ecotourism and Conservation Sri Lanka.
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.