PROGRAMME : Wild Life Tour. (Standard)
DURATION : 7 Nights / 8 Days.
PERIOD :01-May-2005 to 31-Oct-2005 (summer)

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 01 : Arrival & transfer to a hotel in Waikkala

WAIKKALA



Waikkala is located in the Puttalam District, which falls into the dry zone category. Waikkala is in the midst of marine, coastal, estuarine, mangroves, marshland and man made habitat systems. All of these have contributed to the avifaunal diversity visible in the immediate surrounding. Much of the avifauna is characteristically wetland. More than 60 species of birds can be observed here.

SCHEDULE

Arrival & transfer to a Hotel in Waikkala. At leisure in the evening. Night dinner & stay at Ranwali Holiday Village or similar.

Day 02 : Waikkala – Colombo – Singharaja Rain Forest (FB)

Leaving to the “Singharaja” forest after a bird watching trail in Waikkala

SINHARAJA RAINFOREST is a world heritage site, which can also be described as a Tropical Lowland Rainforest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest. Whatever its ‘technical’ name, it is undoubtedly a rich treasure trove of nature with a great diversity of habitats and a vast repository of Sri Lanka’s endemic species found no where else in the world. Bird watching in this ecosystem is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka! Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word ‘Sinharaja’ means, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it is popular belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest!



‘KUDAWA’ ECO TEAM CAMP is located on a peninsula in the forest and surrounded by two rivers (deep enough for swimming) and just beyond a tea plantation (where you will see the traditional tea pluckers in action). Even without leaving the camp itself, so much can be seen – so let the nature come to you! The peaceful camp is an ideal location for early morning bird watching before a fascinating nature trail through the forest. Forget any ideas about cramped tents and sitting on the ground for mealtimes – this is camping in style! The site is set up prior to your arrival, with everything from the kitchen sink, chairs and tables, toilets, showers and cold beer being transported in. On your return from the afternoon nature trail, you will be welcomed with a hearty barbecue meal in a magical setting – the whole area is lit up with traditional flame torches and a roaring campfire. So sit back, relax and let our experienced staff cater to your every need.

SCHEDULE

Early morning Bird Watching trail at Ranweli Holiday Village. After breakfast, guests will leave the hotel to Singharaja Rain Forest Guests will arrive at the Sinharaja Gate Office in time for lunch. From there the clients can walk to the Kudawa camp with the Eco Team, Team Leader (10 minute walk) or travel in their own vehicles for 200m which is very close to the camp. After the welcome drink is served, guests will be briefed on the campsite rules and what to expect in a rainforest. After lunch, leave for forest exploration. Evening back to the the camp and enjoy BBQ meal. Night stay at a fully serviced movable luxury camp.

Day 03 : Singharaja – Waulapane - Udawalawe National Park (FB)

Leaving Singharaja after breakfast to Udawalawe via Waulpanna cave.

WAULPANE CAVE

This cave is an isolated cavern set against the eastern slopes of the Rakwana range. It contains a large number of stalactites and stalagmites and is estimated to be approximately 500 million years old. You will journey Approx. 300mt underground to discover this prehistoric world. While there are few fossils visible in the caverns wall, the main building process is still continuing. The stream, which runs through this cave, becomes a beautiful waterfall at the center, giving you a mysterious and a thrilling experience.

UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK is located approximately 200 km south-east of Colombo city. The 30,821 hectares dry zone game park has an annual rainfall of 1524 mm and an average temperature of 29.40C. It is most famous for the many elephants that live there (about 400 in total). During a visit, it is not unusual to see whole herds of adults and young – feeding or bathing and playing in the water! In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard, as well as being an exciting location for bird enthusiasts. A 4WD open-top safari is the only way to see all the wonders that this protected reserve has to offer, and our experienced and knowledgeable nature guides will make this an unforgettable experience.
The ECO TEAM SAFARI CAMP is situated about 16 km inside the park next to the Walawe Ganga river (which feeds the nearby Udawalawe reservoir). The concept similar to Singharaja camp.

SCHEDULE

Guests will depart Singharaja with a packed breakfast to Waulpane cave. Cave exploration. Lunch will be provided at a suitable location there. After lunch guests will proceed to Udawalawe Gate Office in time for an evening safari. From there the clients will be driven in a open top 4WD jeep for a safari & then to the camp inside the park. (the camp is about 16km. From the gate entrance) After the welcome drink is served, guests will be briefed on the campsite rules and what to expect at Udawalawe. Dinner & night stay at a fully serviced luxury camp.

Day 04 : Udawalawe National Park (FB)

Full day safari

SCHEDULE Guests will go for a morning safari. Breakfast in the camp Engage in an evening safari. Dinner & night stay at a fully serviced luxury camp.

Day 05 : Udawalawe National Park – Bundala - Yala
Leaving to Yala via Bundala bird sanctuary after breakfast.

BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK, covering an area of 6216 hectares, is located about 250km southeast of Colombo in the Hambantota district. The park falls within the southeastern arid zone of Sri Lanka, with a general climate that can be classified as hot and dry. The terrain is generally flat with sand dunes bordering the coastline, and vegetation consists mainly of dry thorny scrublands and lagoons. A total of 383 plant species have been recorded from the park, including 6 endemics and 7 species that are considered nationally threatened. It is also home to 32 different species of mammal, 5 of which are classified as threatened. For keen bird-watchers, the complex wetland system harbours a rich bird life (approximately 197 species), including several species of migratory waterfowl. This has led to the declaration of the park as Sri Lanka’s first ‘Ramsar’ wetland – one of great international importance especially for migratory waterfowl.

YALA NATIONAL PARK lies 24km northeast of Tissamaharama and 290km from Colombo on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, spanning a vast 97,878 hectares over the Southern and Uva Provinces. The vegetation in the park comprises predominantly of semi-arid thorny scrub, interspersed with pockets of fairly dense secondary forest. Small patches of mangrove vegetation also occur along the coastal lagoons. The park is renowned for the variety of its wildlife (most notably its many elephants) and its fine coastline (associated with beautiful coral reefs). It also boasts a large number of important cultural ruins, bearing testimony to earlier civilizations and indicating that much of the area used to be populated and well developed.

SCHEDULE

Leaving Udawalawe after an early breakfast to Yala national park via Bundala Visit Bundala National Park. Evening safari at Yala. Dinner & night stay over at Yala Village hotel or similar.

Day 06 : Yala National Park
Full day safari

SCHEDULE

Guests will go for a morning safari after breakfast. Lunch back at the hotel Engage in an evening safari. Dinner & night stay over at Yala Village hotel or similar.

Day 07 : Yala - Colombo
Leaving to Colombo

COLOMBO

Like many capital cities in developing countries, the face of Colombo is quickly changing. Skyscrapers now tower over the streets where old buildings once stood and modern shopping malls attract locals and foreigners alike in search of a bargain. However, in some parts the ‘Old World’ charm is retained, such as the 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest include the Pettah markets, the old Parliament in the Fort district, the new parliament in Thimbirigasyaya, and a wide variety of churches, mosques and temples that are sentiment to the many different religions that dominate the country. In terms of shopping, there is a wide range of colourful fabrics, batiks, handicrafts and other souvenirs. Clothes are also especially good value and there are a number of specialized outlets sure to satisfy the most serious of shoppers!

SCHEDULE

After breakfast leaving to Colombo. Lunch on your way Evening at leisure. Dinner & night stay over at Grand Hotel or similar.

Day 08 : Colombo - Air port

Departure from Hotel to the air port.

- End of Programme -