Small-Group Sri Lanka Birding & Whale Watching
A small-group Sri Lanka birding circuit with two Mirissa pelagic outings for whales and seabirds, estimated at 235-275 bird species.
About this tour
This small-group extended Sri Lanka journey combines the standard southern birding circuit with a pelagic finish from Mirissa. The land route runs from Colombo through Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains to Kitulgala and Kelani Valley Forest Reserve. It then spends three days around Sinharaja before moving through Udawalawe, Yala and Bundala.
After the national-park section, the itinerary reaches Mirissa for two morning voyages beyond the edge of the continental shelf. These outings seek Blue Whale, Sperm Whale, other cetaceans and pelagic birds, while the afternoons allow additional local birding or the return to Colombo. The estimate is 235-275 bird species. Whale, seabird, Leopard and endemic-bird sightings all remain subject to conditions.
Pace and difficulty are moderate, with mostly level tracks plus some longer walks and two boat excursions. Send an inquiry through BirdWatch to discuss duration, seasonal timing, sea conditions, availability and final pricing.
Organizer
Itinerary ▼
Land in Colombo and prepare for the birdwatching route to follow. Tonight's stay is at a hotel in Colombo.
The initial field period is used to proceed to Kandy. Continue for the rest of the daylight with birdwatching there. The day finishes with accommodation at Lodge in Kandy.
Move onward to Nuwara Eliya Hill Station. Use the post-lunch period to spend time birdwatching around town. Overnight at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Explore Horton Plains National Park throughout the day. Accommodation for the night is at Lodge in Nuwara Eliya.
In the morning, travel to Kitulgala. The afternoon brings time to make a field stop at Kelani Valley Forest Reserve. The itinerary uses a hotel in Kitulgala for the overnight.
Continue fieldwork for the entire day at Kelani Valley Forest Reserve. The overnight base is a hotel in Kitulgala.
Open the day with time to continue to Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Keep the field program going through the remainder of the day with birdwatching there. Stay overnight at Lodge near Sinharaja Reserve.
Set aside the entire field day for Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Overnight at Lodge Near Sinharaja Reserve.
Use a complete day to explore Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The day finishes with accommodation at Lodge Near Sinharaja Reserve.
The first part of the day is used to proceed to Udawalawe. Use the remainder of the day for birdwatching at Udawalawe National Park. Tonight's stay is at a hotel in Udawalawe.
Begin the field day with time to explore Udawalawe National Park. At midday, travel to Tissa. In the afternoon, explore Yala National Park. The planned overnight is at a hotel in Tissa.
Use a complete day to explore Bundala National Park or Yala National Park. Overnight at a hotel in Tissa.
Allow a full day to work the habitats at Bundala National Park or Yala National Park. After midday, continue to Mirissa. The day finishes with accommodation at a hotel in Mirissa.
Begin the field day with time to take a pelagic voyage beyond the narrow continental shelf. In the afternoon, focus the field session around Mirissa. The itinerary uses a hotel in Mirissa for the overnight.
Open the day with time to take a pelagic voyage beyond the narrow continental shelf. The second half of the day is used to travel to Colombo. Accommodation for the night is at a hotel in Colombo.
The tour concludes at Colombo International Airport.
Locations & map
- Colombo - Sri Lanka
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: November-April