Safari Holidays – Option V (Winter) | Sri Lanka Wildlife Safari, Camping & Cultural Adventure

Safari Holidays – Option V (Winter) | Sri Lanka Wildlife Safari, Camping & Cultural Adventure

Safari Holidays – Option V (Winter) is an 8-day / 7-night immersive safari and nature journey through Sri Lanka’s rich wildlife and scenic landscapes. Beginning in cultural Kandy, the adventure moves into high-country trails in Riverston, followed by luxury camping safaris in Wasgamuwa National Park and full-day game drives in Wilpattu National Park – a top destination for leopard and elephant sightings. Along the way, the tour includes iconic cultural highlights such as Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Namal Uyana’s rose quartz formations, and the Avukana Buddha statue. Winter offers ideal weather for trekking, safaris, and outdoor exploration amid lush forests and historic sites.

What You Will Experience on This Safari?

This winter itinerary blends wildlife discovery, nature trekking, luxury camping, and Sri Lankan cultural immersion. Starting with forest walks and heritage visits in Kandy and Riverston, you’ll enjoy scenic trekking paths, mist-clad mountain views, and waterfall trails. In Wasgamuwa National Park, experience multiple safari drives from a mobile luxury campsite with morning and evening wildlife monitoring. Your journey then heads to Wilpattu National Park for full-day game drives where leopards, elephants, deer, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife roam natural lakes and jungle terrain. Cultural highlights such as Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple deepen your understanding of Sri Lanka’s ancient past.

What wildlife can I see on this safari?

This safari includes sightings of elephants, deer, leopards and diverse bird species in Wasgamuwa and Wilpattu National Parks — two of Sri Lanka’s most scenic wilderness areas. 

Is winter a good time for safaris in Sri Lanka?

Yes. Winter brings drier conditions and clearer visibility, making wildlife sightings more frequent and trekking more comfortable. 

Does this itinerary include camping and outdoor experiences?

Yes. Two days in Wasgamuwa National Park include luxury mobile camping with morning and evening safari activities. 

What cultural sites are visited?

The tour includes visits to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Namal Uyana, and the Avukana Buddha statue, connecting you with Sri Lanka’s historic heritage. 

Is this itinerary suitable for adventurous travelers?

Yes. The combination of treks, camping safaris, national park drives and cultural sites makes it ideal for those seeking both nature and culture.

See Safari Holidays – Option I (Winter)

See Safari Holidays – Option II (Summer)

Explore Safari Holidays – Option III (Winter)

Best time to visit Sri Lanka for safaris and trekking

Explore Sri Lanka cultural & heritage highlights


DAY 1 Kandy
DAY 2 & 3 Riverston
DAY 4 & 5 Wasgamuwa (luxury camping)
DAY 6 & 7 Wilpattu

from USD 1,590

Per person on double sharing basis

Tour Map

Key Highlights

  • Visit Kandy – Riverston – Wasgamuwa – Sigiriya – Dambulla – Wilpattu
  • Trekking through Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
  • Visit Sri Dalada Maligawa
  • Visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden
  • Explore Bambarakiri Ella waterfall
  • Trekking trip to Riverston peak via Pitawala Pathana
  • Hike to Manigala Peak
  • Camping and wildlife safari in Wasgamuwa national park
  • Visit Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple and Avukana Buddha statue 
  • Full day safari in Wilpattu national park 

What's included

  • Accommodation for 7 Nights.
  • 7 Nights’ accommodation sharing Double Room on HB (breakfast and dinner) basis as per itinerary. 
  • Services of TLJ’s English speaking accredited chauffeur-guide accompanying throughout the tour.
  • Travel in a late model mid-sized air-conditioned car.
  • Local transfers
  • Government tax and service charges
  • Entrance and activity charges directly pay at the site as per itinerary 

What's Not included

  • All activities not detailed in inclusions are Pay As You Go. 
  • International airfares.
  • Lunch, snacks & beverages.
  • Personal travel and medical insurance
  • Tips for guide / driver / assistant
  • Visa fees
  • Expenses of a personal nature.
  • Video camera and still camera fees
  • Permits at some locations
  • Welcome to Sri Lanka. Transfer you to Kandy
  • Trekking through Udawatta Kele  Sanctuary
  • Afternoon visit Sri Dalada Maligawa in the secret city of Kandy, a world heritage site
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  • At the arrival lounge of Colombo Airport, you will be received by your chauffeur guide who will take care of you for the next 8 Days and transfer you to Kandy – approximately 3 and half hours’ drive
  • Check in to the hotel and relax for a few hours.
  • Walking through Udawathekele sanctuary, a historic forest reserve. It has a variety of plant species including 135 species of trees with nine endemic species and is a hotspot for bird enthusiasts.
  • Afternoon visits the Dalada Maligawa, the temple where the two surviving Relic of Tooth of Lord Buddha is placed and an object of veneration for Buddhists.
  • Do some shopping in Kandy.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Heritage, Kandy
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Available Hotels

Oak Ray Heritage

Oak Ray Heritage

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Oak Ray Regency

Oak Ray Regency

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

390 VILLA VISTA

390 VILLA VISTA

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Queens Hotel Kandy

Queens Hotel Kandy

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Amaya Hills

Amaya Hills

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Tea Heights

Tea Heights

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Mahaweli Reach Hotel

Mahaweli Reach Hotel

US$ 176 - US$ 230 per night

Ellerton Bungalow

Ellerton Bungalow

US$ 231 + per night

Santani Resort & Spa

Santani Resort & Spa

US$ 231 + per night


  • Visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden
  • Then Transfer you to Riverston. En-route explore Bambarakiri Ella waterfall
  • Trekking trip to Riverston peak via Pitawala Pathana
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, a beautiful garden with amazing plants. It has separate areas for each of the types of plants.
  • Then transfer to Riverston. Approximately 2 and a half hours’ drive through the picturesque countryside.
  • Afternoon trekking trip to the mist-clad Riverston peak via Pitawala Pathana. It is about 2.5km.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Sir. John's bungalow, Riverston.
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Available Hotels

Sir John's Bungalow, Riverston

Sir John's Bungalow, Riverston

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night


  • Hike to Manigala Peak, one of the peaks belong to Knuckles Mountain Range
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  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Nature trail to Sera Ella waterfall or Manigala Peak.
  • Manigala Peak, one of the peaks in the Knuckles Mountain Range is an 8 Km trail which offers majestic sight seen of the range.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Sir. John's bungalow, Riverston
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Available Hotels

Sir John's Bungalow, Riverston

Sir John's Bungalow, Riverston

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night


  • Transfer you to Wasgamuwa 
  • Camping and wildlife safari in Wasgamuwa national park
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transfer you to Wasgamuwa. Approximately 1 hours’ drive.
  • Check in to the Camp and lunch at an outdoor location in the campsite.
  • Afternoon safari in the Park.
  • BBQ Dinner, with a Campfire and overnight in one of the luxury mobile camp.
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  • Camping and wildlife safari in Wasgamuwa national park 
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  • Wake up early morning and proceed with the morning safari with picnic breakfast.
  • Afternoon safari in the Park.
  • BBQ Dinner, with a Campfire and overnight in one of the luxury mobile camp.
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  • Transfer you to Wilpattu 
  • En-route visit Sigiriya and the Sigiriya Museum, Dambulla cave temple, Namal Uyana and Avukana Buddha statues.
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transfer you to Wilpattu national park. Approximately 3 and half hours’ drive
  • En-route visit Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla cave temple, Namal Uyana rose quartz mountain and World famous Avukana Buddha statue 
  • Dinner and overnight stay at The Backwaters Lodge, Wilpattu
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Available Hotels

The Backwaters Lodge

The Backwaters Lodge

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Wilpattu Safari Camp

Wilpattu Safari Camp

US$ 231 + per night


  • Full day safari in Wilpattu national park for wildlife and hidden cultural treasures of the ancient port city.
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  • Full day safari in Wilpattu national park for wildlife and hidden cultural treasures of the ancient port city. 
  • Wilpattu National Park, world-renowned for Leopard watching, is featured with 42 natural lakes believed to be formed by the fallen of a meteor. In the western border of the park, the area called “Kudiramalai”, was a famous ancient Port City,  has a unique terrain with red colour soil not been found anywhere in the country is a wonderful sighting.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at The Backwaters Lodge, Wilpattu
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Available Hotels

The Backwaters Lodge

The Backwaters Lodge

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Wilpattu Safari Camp

Wilpattu Safari Camp

US$ 231 + per night


  • Transfer you to Airport to say goodbye to Sri Lanka 
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Checkout and proceed to Airport for the departure - approximately 3 and half hours’ drive
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