Panthera
Tour at a glance
Panthera plan specially designed to do leopard safari in Srilanka but not only leopard but also other mammals such like elephants, sloth, jackals, birds, reptiles and much more. this is a fully fledge wild life tour & this is the longest plan we have, it consisted 13 nights & 14 days in Srilanka. There are 10 game drives & 5 trekking included in this itinerary. Meal plan is BB ( bed & breakfast ) means your room in the hotel as well as breakfast is included. apart from that 2 lunches and 5 dinners are included. No beverages are included. You are going to stay on beautiful eco friendly properties such as 3 star or equivalent hotels, standard campsites & guest houses.
Apart from the included activities, there are free slots where you can utilize to do some optional activities. you can always talk to our guide & get his recommendations to plan your optional activities & we will mention some activities you can do in the optional activities section. Even though this is a wildlife tour we have given some space to experience the different aspects of srilanka just like, adventure, cuisines, history & culture.
Tour in detail
Day 01 Wilpattu
Welcome to Srilanka the paradise island. today you will meet our representative at the airport or at your hotel in Negombo. You will drive towards wilpattu national park – 4 hours of drive 160 km – you can engage in the afternoon game drive ( 3 pm to 6 pm ). After the safari you will be checked in at the hotel & overnight stay at the hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Included activities
- Afternoon game drive (Leopard safari) – 3 hours
Day 02 Wilpattu
Today our guide will meet you early in the morning and you will be heading to do Morning safari in Wilpattu national park ( 6.00 am to 9.00 am ). Wilpattu is famous to see Srilankan leopard “panthera pardus kotiya.” After the safari you will be heading back to the hotel for breakfast. You can enjoy the property and surrounding until we meet back in the afternoon. You will be heading back to national park to do the afternoon game drive ( 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm ). After the safari you will come back to the hotel & overnight stay at the hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Included activities
- Morning game drive (Leopard safari) 3 hours
- Afternoon game drive (Leopard safari) 3 hours
Day 03 Habarana
Today we are going to check out from the hotel after the breakfast and go to Habarana. it is 100km of ride will take 2 hours. There are some optional activities listed if you like to do today you can always get the recommendation from your tour guide. In the afternoon you can engage in afternoon game drive to see the giants in wild that is elephas maximus maximus – Srilanka Elephants. After an enjoyable day you will check in at the hotel at Habarana & overnight stay at the hotel
Meals
Breakfast,
Accommodation
Hotel
Included activities
- Afternoon game drive (Elephant safari) 3 hours
Optional activities
- Experience an authentic Spa treatment at Habarana 30 USD onwards
- Visit Anuradhapura ancient kingdom 25 USD
Day 04 Wasgamuwa
Today we are going to check out from the hotel after the breakfast and go to Wasgamuwa. it is 120km of ride will take 2 hours. There are some optional activities listed if you like to do today you can always get the recommendation from your subject expert, your tour guide. Wild ceylon has arranged a farmer’s lunch for you to get an authentic lunch experience in Srilanka. After an enjoyable day you will check in at the hotel at Wasgamuwa & overnight stay at the hotel
Meals
Breakfast, Farmer’s lunch
Accommodation
Hotel or Guest house
Optional activities
- Visit Lion’s rock ( sigiriya ) 35 USD + tax
- Visit Polonnaruwa ancient kingdom 25 USD
- Extra game drive in Minneriya NP – 30 USD entrance – 70 USD Jeep hire ( maximum 6 person per jeep )
Day 05 Wasgamuwa
Another exciting day is waiting for you. you will meet the guide early in the morning & you will be heading to wasgamuwa national park for the morning game ride from 6.00 am to 9.00 am. wasgamuwa is famous for Elephants. after the safari you will come back to the hotel and have your breakfast. after some free time again your guide will take you back to the national for the afternoon game ride. 3.00pm to 6.00 pm. After the safari you will be heading back to hotel & overnight stay at the hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel or Guest house
Included activities
- Morning game drive (Elephant safari) 3 hours
- Afternoon game drive (Elephant safari) 3 hours
Day 06 Nuwaraeliya
Welcome to Day 06 of the trip. today will checkout from the hotel and heading to Nuwara eliya (hill station) via Kandy. Nuwara eliya is the winter of srilanka, make sure you have appropriate clothing to get protected from the cool climate. Today wild ceylon will give you a complementary lunch from a local place where local women cook Srilankan traditional cuisines as a part of women empowering project of the government. wild ceylon always looking to promote community development through travel & tourism. There are some optional activities we have listed if you like to do. will be checking at the hotel in Nuwara eliya later in the evening & overnight stay at the hotel
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation
Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit the sacred temple of tooth relic of Buddha in Kandy 7 USD
- Visit Royal botanical garden in Kandy 10 USD
- Visit a Tea factory & tea plucking experience 3 USD
Day 07 Yala
Another exciting super cool day and you will be around 1900 meters above sea level. early morning you will start to heading to Horton plains national park. your hotel will arrange a packed breakfast. once you reach the national park – 32 km – 1 hour drive – before start the walk you can have your breakfast. after 3 hours of a walk – 9 km you will come back to the car park and will heading back to hotel. After checkout you are saying good bye to winter and here you are back in the summer. There are some optional activities listed as always to give you some different travel experience in Srilanka. Check in at the Hotel in Yala in the late evening & overnight stay at the Hotel.
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Included activities
- Morning trekking at Horton plains NP – 3 hours
Optional Activities
- Visit nine arches bridge & Mini adam’s peak – No entrance fee
Day 08 Yala / Bundala
Today our guide will meet you early in the morning and you will be heading to do Morning safari in Bundala national park ( 6.00 am to 9.00 am ). Bundala is famous to see birds & it is closely located to Yala. After the safari you will be heading back to the hotel for breakfast. You can enjoy the property and surrounding until we meet back in the afternoon. You will be heading to Yala national park to do the afternoon game drive ( 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm ). After the safari you will come back to the hotel & overnight stay at the hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Included activities
- Morning game drive (Bird watching) at Bundala NP – 3 hours
- Afternoon game drive (Leopard safari) at Yala NP -3 hours
Day 09 Udawalava
Today you are going to check out from Yala and heading to udawalava 2 hours of drive – 100 km. before checkout you will do a morning safari in Yala national park and come back to the breakfast. once you reach Udawalave you will do the afternoon game drive from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm and check in at the campsite in udawalave. Your dinner is included at the campsite with some live music and a bonfire
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation
Campsite
Included activities
- Morning game drive (Leopard safari) in Yala NP – 3 hours
- Afternoon game drive (Elephant safari) in Udawalave NP – 3 hours
Day 10 Singharaja
Welcome to the day 10 of the tour. you will check out from the campsite after the breakfast. if you like you can go for an optional safari in the morning before the breakfast consult your tour guide. today you are heading to singha-raja tropical rain forest – 70 km – 2 hours of a drive. check in at the hotel and relax for the day. your dinner is included at the hotel and overnight stay at the hotel
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation
Guest house
Optional activities
- Extra game drive in Udawalave NP – 30 USD entrance – 70 USD Jeep hire ( maximum 6 person per jeep )
- Milk feeding at Elephant transit home – 5 USD
Day 11 Singharaja
Today our guide will meet you early in the morning and you will be heading to do Morning bird watching trekking in Singha-raja rain forest ( 6.00 am to 9.00 am ). After the trekking you will be heading back to the hotel for breakfast. You can enjoy the property and surrounding until we meet back in the afternoon. You will be heading back to the forest to do the afternoon bird watching trekking ( 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm ). After the trekking you will come back to the hotel to have a nice dinner & overnight stay at the hotel
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation
Guest house
Included activities
- Morning Bird watching trekking at Singharaja – 3 hours
- Afternoon Bird watching trekking at Singharaja – 3 hours
Day 12 Kitulgala
Welcome to the Day 12 of the tour. today we are going to check out after the breakfast around 9.00 am and heading to Kitulgala ( 4 hours of a drive ). we can reach the kitulgala camp site around 2 pm and check in at the campsite. rest of the evening is free. if you like you can allocate the free time for an optional activity. BBQ dinner is included at the camp site and overnight stay at kitulgala campsite.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation
Camp site
Optional activities
- White water rafting and adventure water sports
Day 13 Kitulgala
Today our guide will meet you early in the morning and you will be heading to do Morning bird watching trekking in kitulgala forest ( 6.00 am to 9.00 am ). After the trekking you will be heading back to the hotel for breakfast. You can enjoy the property and surrounding until we meet back in the afternoon. You will be heading back to the forest to do the afternoon bird watching trekking ( 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm ). After the trekking you will come back to the hotel to have a nice BBQ dinner & overnight stay at the hotel
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation
Guest house
Included activities
- Morning Bird watching trekking at Kitulgala forest – 3 hours
- Afternoon Bird watching trekking at Kitulgala forest – 3 hours
Day 14 Departure
You have come to the end of the trip. today our guide will take you to the airport or the destination that you need to go. if you need a further stay you can talk to us before the end day of the trip
Meals
Breakfast
Important notes
- Some travelers have reported being approached by locals / Hotels offering optional excursions. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by us. These guides are in no way connected to wild ceylon and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We advise customers against joining any tour offered by the unauthorized guides/suppliers
- As an optional activity if you wish to visit a temple there are few things to keep in your mind. Traditionally we remove our shoes & hats before entering to a temple. your dress must cover your shoulders & up to your knees. Do not take selfies with buddha statues & don’t turn your back to buddha statue when you take a picture
Inclusions & activities
Meals
13 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 5 Dinners
Transport
Private vehicle
Accommodation
3 star or similar Hotel, Campsite, Guest house
Included activities
- 3 Game drives (Leopard safari) at Wilpattu NP
- 1 Game drive (Elephant safari) at Minneriya NP
- 2 Game drives (Elephant safari) at Wasgamuwa NP
- 1 Trekking at Horton plains NP
- 3 Game drives (Leopard safari) at Yala NP
- 1 Game drive (Elephant safari) at Udawalava NP
- 2 Trekking (Bird watching) at Singharaja rain forest
- 2 Trekking (Bird watching) at Kitulgala forest
Optional activities
- Experience authentic Spa treatment at Habarana 30 USD onwards
- Extra game drive in Minneriya NP – 30 USD entrance – 70 USD Jeep hire ( maximum 6
- Visit the Lion’s rock 35 USD + tax
- Visit Anuradhapura ancient kingdom 25 USD
- Visit Polonnaruwa ancient kingdom 25 USD
- Visit the sacred temple of tooth relic of Buddha in Kandy 7 USD
- Visit Royal botanical garden in Kandy 10 USD
- Visit a Tea factory & tea plucking experience 3 USD
- Visit nine arches bridge & Mini adam’s peak – No entrance fee
- Extra game drive in Udawalava NP – 30 USD entrance – 70 USD Jeep hire ( maximum 6 person per jeep )
- Milk feeding at Elephant transit home – 5 USD
- White water rafting – 30 USD
Why you would love this trip
Srilanka is a small island in the Indian ocean with 65,000 sqkm2 where we can travel north to south within 8 hours and east to west within 6 hours. specialty is every 100 km you travel the vegetation changes. travel time of this trip is very limited up to maximum 2 & 1/2 hours per day.
In this tour Wilpattu, Minneriya, Wasgamuwa & Yala national parks are located in the dry zone of the country and you can see the dry evergreen forest, thorn forest, shrubs, lagoons, marshy lands and sand dunes. Wilpattu & Yala famous to see Leopards & Minneriya & Wasgamuwa famous to see the gentle giants – Elephants
Horton plains national park is located 2000 meters above sea level and temperature will be around 18 Celsius with less humidity you will feel like 12 Celsius. Horton plain is a protected area and you can see wet mountain forest.
Yala national park is located in the dry zone of the country and you can see the dry evergreen forest, thorn forest, shrubs, lagoons, marshy lands and sand dunes. Yala is famous to see Leopards
The Bundala National Park considered the most important birding destination in Sri Lanka was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and thereafter advanced to a National Park in 1993. It is located 251 km southeast of the capital city of Colombo, and can be reached from various tourist destinations around the country.
Udawalave national park is located in the intermediate zone and park is very famous to see elephants & you can see evergreen forests.
UNESCO nominated the Sinharaja rain forest in Srilanka as a Natural World Heritage Site in 1988. It has also been nominated by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve since 1988. This is the only low lying primary tropical rain forest in Sri Lanka and is one of the few virgin forests of the world. on the final two days of the tour you will have a trekking tour in the magnificent rain forest and this is a paradise for bird watchers.
Kitulgala is a very beautiful village located in the western slop of the central mountain and receive lots of annual rain fall. the area is very famous to see lots of birds including Sri Lanka’s most recently discovered bird, the Serendib scops owl was originally heard calling by Deepal Warakagoda in these forests. The hills above the rubber plantations also have mountain hawk eagle, crested treeswift and Layard’s parakeet.
Is this the correct trip for you?
- The summer months in Sri Lanka are very hot with short, sharp monsoons in the southwest of the country. Please consider your suitability to the time of year you wish to travel and be sure to use adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water.
- There are lot of wildlife safaries are included and you must have the compatibility get in and ride on a Toyota Hilux modified double cab. Safari is always off road and you will experience a bumpy ride. but don’t worry it is safe and comfortable
- Most of the accommodation will be located really close to the national parks to give you the real wildlife experience therefor continuous broadband and electricity supply is not fully guaranteed.
- Hotels, campsites & guest houses are not full luxury but with standard amenities with good comfort level. since it is closer to the wild you will experience the animal sounds, wild animal movements, insects like mosquitos etc. usage of a repellent is highly recommended
Walking difficulty level
Safari difficulty level
Hotel comfort level
Pace of the itinerary
Itinerary disclaimer
ITINERARY CHANGES
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this page may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It’s important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your tour guide or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn’t an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised.
Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.