Sri Lanka Birding with Nature Travel Birding

Discover Sri Lanka -One of Asia’s Top birding destinations .

This 12-day Sri Lanka Birding Tour has been designed for birders who want to experience the island's finest birding locations while enjoying its spectacular scenery, fascinating history and remarkable wildlife. Travelling through the wet-zone rainforests, central highlands, cloud forests, dry-zone national parks, wetlands and coastal plains, the tour targets Sri Lanka's endemic birds while also producing an impressive list of widespread Asian species. Comfortable accommodation, expert guiding and carefully planned birding sessions ensure the best possible opportunities throughout the journey.

The adventure begins in the rainforest around Kitulgala, one of Sri Lanka's classic birding destinations. Here, lush forest and riverine habitat provide excellent opportunities to find sought-after species including Sri Lanka Blue Magpie (E), Serendib Scops Owl (E), Sri Lanka Frogmouth (E), Red-faced Malkoha (E), Green-billed Coucal (E), Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill (E), Crimson-backed Flameback (E), Yellow-fronted Barbet (E), Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot (E), Sri Lanka Drongo (E), Sri Lanka Hill Myna (E) and Sri Lanka Spurfowl (E). Mixed feeding flocks often include colourful minivets, flowerpeckers, bulbuls and babblers, making every walk through the forest rewarding.

From Kitulgala the journey climbs into the cool highlands of Nuwara Eliya, surrounded by rolling tea estates, forests and botanical gardens. Birding in Victoria Park, Hakgala Botanical Gardens and the famous Horton Plains National Park offers excellent chances of finding high-elevation specialities such as Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush (E), Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon (E), Sri Lanka White-eye (E), Sri Lanka Bush Warbler (E), Yellow-eared Bulbul (E), Sri Lanka Thrush (E) and Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler (E), together with migrants including Kashmir Flycatcher and Pied Thrush. Horton Plains is also one of the island's best places to encounter mammals such as Sambar, Toque Macaque, Purple-faced Langur and, with luck, the elusive Sri Lankan Leopard.

The tour then heads south to the wetlands around Tissamaharama and the dry-zone reserves of Lunugamvehera and Udawalawe National Parks. These rich habitats support an outstanding variety of waterbirds and raptors, including Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, Black-necked Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Oriental Darter, Eurasian Spoonbill, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and White-bellied Sea Eagle. Dry-country specialties such as Blue-faced Malkoha, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Sirkeer Malkoha and Indian Peafowl add further excitement. Mammal viewing is equally rewarding, with outstanding opportunities to observe Asian Elephant, Golden Jackal, Wild Boar, Chital, Water Buffalo, White-spotted Chevrotain, Southern Red Muntjac and, on fortunate days, Sloth Bear or Sri Lankan Leopard.

The final stage of the tour explores the magnificent Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sri Lanka's last extensive primary rainforest. This internationally renowned birding destination is the stronghold for almost all of the island's rainforest endemics and is famous for its spectacular mixed-species feeding flocks. Highlights include Ashy-headed Laughingthrush (E), White-faced Starling (E), Sri Lanka Blue Magpie (E), Orange-billed Babbler (E), Brown-capped Babbler (E), Spot-winged Thrush (E), Legge's Flowerpecker (E), Sri Lanka Green Pigeon (E), Sri Lanka Junglefowl (E), Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon (E) and Chestnut-backed Owlet (E). Evening walks may also provide opportunities to search for Sri Lanka Frogmouth (E) and Serendib Scops Owl (E). Purple-faced Langur and Grizzled Giant Squirrel are regularly encountered in the forest, adding to the outstanding wildlife experience.

Beyond the exceptional birding, the tour showcases the remarkable diversity of Sri Lanka, from emerald tea plantations and pristine rainforest to historic towns, ancient temples and scenic mountain landscapes. As one of the world's recognised biodiversity hotspots and an Endemic Bird Area, Sri Lanka offers an unrivalled combination of endemic birds, memorable wildlife encounters and breathtaking scenery. This carefully crafted itinerary delivers a once-in-a-lifetime birding experience in one of Asia's premier birdwatching destinations.

This BirdWatch review draft is based on Marc Cronje's approval and Nature Travel Birding public tour information. Final dates, prices, spaces, route details and inclusions should be confirmed by Nicolette before booking.