Sri Lanka Safari Trail
Sri Lanka's three signature national parks in one trip — elephant herds at Udawalawe, leopard tracking in Yala, and the extraordinary elephant "Gathering" at Minneriya.
Your Route
A loop from the south coast to the island's centre, covering roughly 600km across three national parks.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Three very different safari experiences — reliable elephant herds, the world's densest leopard population, and (season permitting) hundreds of elephants gathered in one place.
Colombo to Udawalawe
Pickup in Colombo and a drive south to Udawalawe, with an afternoon safari on arrival.
- Afternoon jeep safari through Udawalawe's open grassland plains — reliable elephant sightings year-round
- Visit the Elephant Transit Home, a rehabilitation centre for orphaned elephant calves
- Overnight near Udawalawe
Udawalawe to Yala
A short drive east to Yala National Park, home to the highest density of leopards anywhere on Earth.
- Check into a lodge on the edge of Yala National Park
- Afternoon jeep safari in Block 1, Yala's most productive leopard-viewing zone
Full-Day Yala Safari
Yala hosts 44 mammal species and over 215 bird species alongside its famous leopards — sloth bears, elephants, and crocodiles are also regularly seen.
- Early-morning jeep safari for the best wildlife activity and highest leopard-sighting odds
- Second safari in the late afternoon
- Overnight near Yala
Yala to Minneriya
A longer drive north (roughly 5-6 hours) to Minneriya, built around a 3rd-century reservoir near the Cultural Triangle.
- Afternoon safari at Minneriya — during the dry season (roughly August–September), several hundred elephants converge on the reservoir in "The Gathering," one of Asia's great wildlife spectacles
- Overnight near Minneriya or Habarana
Minneriya to Colombo
An easy final morning before the drive back to Colombo for your departure.
- Return drive to Colombo (≈3-3.5 hours) or drop-off at Bandaranaike International Airport
What's Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
- 4 nights' accommodation
- 4 jeep safaris (Udawalawe, 2x Yala, Minneriya)
- Elephant Transit Home entrance
- Park entrance fees
- Daily breakfast
- Fuel, tolls, parking, and driver accommodation
Not Included
- International flights
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal expenses and tips
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Dates, hotel choice, and stops can all be adjusted — send us your travel dates and we'll confirm availability.
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