Safari Holidays – Option II (Summer) | Sri Lanka Wildlife, Culture & Safari Adventure

Safari Holidays – Option II (Summer) | Sri Lanka Wildlife, Culture & Safari Adventure

Safari Holidays – Option II (Summer) is a 6-night / 7-day safari adventure that blends wildlife encounters with cultural and natural landscapes. Starting in the cool Knuckles mountain range and moving through ancient Polonnaruwa, the journey offers safaris in Maduru Oya, Minneriya and Wilpattu National Parks, alongside iconic experiences such as climbing Sigiriya Rock Fortress, exploring Namal Uyana’s ironwood forest, and visits to historical temples and landscapes. The summer season enhances wildlife visibility and lush greenery across the parks, making this an unforgettable exploration of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and heritage.

What You Will Experience on This Safari?

This safari itinerary offers a rich combination of wildlife discovery, cultural heritage, and scenic exploration. Beginning with nature walks and birdlife in the Knuckles mountain range, you will encounter elephants and other wildlife in Maduru Oya, witness herds in Minneriya National Park, and experience full-day safari immersion in Wilpattu. Along the way, the climb to Sigiriya Rock Fortress reveals breathtaking ancient architecture, while visits to Namal Uyana’s geological formations and the Avukana Buddha statue add depth to your cultural experience. Every day balances natural beauty with wildlife engagement and local heritage, designed for travelers seeking both adventure and insight.

What wildlife can I expect to see on this safari?

This safari provides opportunities to observe elephants, deer, birds and a variety of wildlife across Maduru Oya, Minneriya and Wilpattu National Parks, each known for distinct animal behaviors and habitats.

Is summer a good time for safari tours in Sri Lanka?

Yes. Summer brings greener landscapes and excellent conditions for exploring multiple parks, with good chances of sighting wildlife drawn to water sources and open terrain. 

Does this itinerary include cultural experiences?

Yes. The tour includes a visit and climb to the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress, as well as exploration of historic Polonnaruwa and the Avukana Buddha statue, adding cultural depth to the safari experience. 

Is this safari suitable for families and first-time visitors?

Yes. The itinerary combines moderate activities like nature walks and cultural sites with wildlife safaris, making it suitable for first-time visitors and travelers of varying interests. 

Can this safari itinerary be customized?

Yes. All FantAsia Tours itineraries can be tailored to include different park stays, hotel categories, and preferred activity levels based on your travel needs. 

Explore all Sri Lanka Wildlife & Safari Tours

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Wildlife and National Parks of Sri Lanka
Best time to visit Sri Lanka for safari and cultural tours

Combine safari with Sri Lanka cultural tours


DAY 1 & 2 Riverston
DAY 3 & 4  Polonnaruwa
DAY 5 & 6 Wilpattu

from USD 952

Per person on double sharing basis

Tour Map

Key Highlights

  • Visit Knuckles – Mahiyanganaya – Maduru Oya – Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya – Minneiya - Wilpattu
  • Nature walks to explore birdlife and the wildlife in Knuckles mountain range
  • Visit Mahiyangana temple
  • Meet Vaddhs, the Sri Lanka Aborigines
  • Safari at Maduru Oya national park. 
  • Climb the Sigiriya rock fortress
  • Elephant watching safari in Minneriya national park
  • Visit Namal Uyana and famous Avukana Buddha statue
  • Safari in Wilpattu national park 

What's included

  • Accommodation for 6 Nights.
  • 6 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 Knuckles 
  • Nature trail to an area called Burnside in Knuckles mountain range
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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 7 Days and transfer you to Knuckles. Approximately 4 and a half hours’ drive. 
  • Check in to the hotel and relaxed for a few hours’ at the hotel.
  • Afternoon nature trail to an area called Burnside in Knuckles. It is a picturesque walk to a viewpoint that opens up to a valley through pine trees, tea plantations, and Eucalyptus trees. 
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Wild Glamping Knuckles
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Available Hotels

Wild Glamping Knuckles

Wild Glamping Knuckles

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night


  • Explore birdlife and the wildlife in Knuckles 
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Trekking through nature trails to explore birdlife and the wildlife in the Knuckles mountain range. 
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Wild Glamping Knuckles
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Available Hotels

Wild Glamping Knuckles

Wild Glamping Knuckles

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night


  • Transfer you to Polonnaruwa via Mahiyanganaya and Maduru Oya national park. 
  • Visit Mahiyangana temple, the place believed to be the Load Buddha first visited in Sri Lanka
  • Meet Vaddhs, the Sri Lanka Aborigines.
  • Afternoon safari at Maduru Oya national park
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transfer you to Polonnaruwa via Mahiyanganaya and Maduru Oya national park. Approximately 5 hours’ drive if you drive directly.
  • En-route visit Mahiyangana temple, the place believed to be the Load Buddha first visited in Sri Lanka and meet Vaddhs, the Sri Lanka Aborigines.
  • Afternoon safari at Maduru Oya national park. 
  • Large herds of elephants roaming in the Maduru Oya national park and the adjacent giant Maduru Oya reservoir. 
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa
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Available Hotels

Sudu Araliya

Sudu Araliya

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Giritale Hotel

Giritale Hotel

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Mahanuge Hotel

Mahanuge Hotel

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Hotel Sudu Araliya

Hotel Sudu Araliya

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Ekho Lake House

Ekho Lake House

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

The Deer Park Hotel

The Deer Park Hotel

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night


  • Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site
  • Afternoon elephants watching safari in Minneriya national park
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Visit Sigiriya and climb the Sigiriya rock fortress. 
  • Afternoon visit Minneriya national park.
  • The most number of Asian Elephants in a herd can be seen in Minneriya national park.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa.
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Available Hotels

Sudu Araliya

Sudu Araliya

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Giritale Hotel

Giritale Hotel

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Mahanuge Hotel

Mahanuge Hotel

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Hotel Sudu Araliya

Hotel Sudu Araliya

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Ekho Lake House

Ekho Lake House

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

The Deer Park Hotel

The Deer Park Hotel

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night


  • Cycling inside the ancient city of Polonnaruwa
  • Transfer you to Wilpattu
  • En-route explore the famous Namal Uyana and Avukana Buddha statue
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Cycling inside the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the 2nd capital of ancient Sri Lanka and Cultural World Heritage Site
  • Transfer you to Wilpattu. Approximately 2 and half hours’ drive
  • En-route visit Namal Uyana and the famous Avukana Buddha statue
  • Asia’s largest ironwood forest and pink quartz mountain is located in Namal Uyana.
  • The 5th-century Avukana Buddha statue has carved out of a large rock face and is 12 m in height. 
  • Dinner and overnight stay at The Backwaters, 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 wildlife safari, Wilpattu national park
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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. 
  • BBQ dinner around the campfire 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 a half hours’ drive.
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