Wings of Ceylon – Ultimate Bird Watching Tour of Sri Lanka

Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport and warm welcome by our representative and professional birding guide. Proceed to Negombo, located close to the airport and famous for its lagoon and wetland ecosystems. In the afternoon, enjoy bird watching at Negombo Lagoon and Muthurajawela Wetlands during a relaxing boat ride through mangroves. This rich habitat is ideal to spot Painted Stork, Purple Heron, Black headed Ibis, Asian Openbill, Little Egret, Pied Kingfisher and Brahminy Kite along with seasonal migratory birds. Evening at leisure by the lagoon or beach.

After early breakfast, proceed to Kitulgala, one of Sri Lanka’s best rainforest birding hotspots. The scenic drive passes rubber plantations, rivers and misty hills. In the afternoon, enjoy guided birding along forest trails and riverbanks where endemic species such as Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Red faced Malkoha, Chestnut backed Owlet, Spot winged Thrush, Green billed Coucal and Yellow browed Bulbul can be observed. Mixed species feeding flocks are commonly seen in this area.

Full day bird watching inside Kitulgala rainforest and riverine forest areas. Morning and afternoon sessions focus on endemic and canopy species including Layard’s Parakeet, Ashy headed Laughingthrush, Brown capped Babbler, Crimson backed Flameback, Scaly breasted Munia, Asian Paradise Flycatcher and Crested Drongo. Excellent opportunities for bird photography and mixed flock observation.

After breakfast, travel to Horton Plains, a unique high altitude grassland and cloud forest ecosystem. Afternoon birding around forest patches and grasslands to observe Yellow eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka White eye, Dull blue Flycatcher, Hill Swallow and Forest Wagtail. Cool climate and misty scenery provide a completely different bird habitat.

Early morning birding inside Horton Plains focusing on montane endemics such as Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, Grey headed Canary Flycatcher and Black throated Munia. After breakfast, descend to the dry zone and proceed to Udawalawe, famous for open grasslands and reservoirs attracting many water birds.

Early morning jeep safari inside Udawalawe National Park focusing on wetland and grassland bird species. Sightings may include Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Grey headed Fish Eagle, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Woolly necked Stork, Yellow wattled Lapwing and Blue tailed Bee eater. Afternoon birding around the Udawalawe reservoir.

After breakfast, proceed to Yala National Park, combining forest, scrub and lagoon habitats. Evening bird watching around lagoons and park buffer zones where White bellied Sea Eagle, Oriental Darter, Black necked Stork, Indian Peafowl and Orange breasted Green Pigeon are often seen.

Morning and afternoon bird focused jeep safaris inside Yala National Park. Bird highlights include Brown Fish Owl, Spot billed Pelican, Great Thick knee, Jungle Nightjar, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue faced Malkoha, Black headed Ibis and Crested Treeswift. Between safaris, relax at the lodge.

Proceed to Bundala National Park, Sri Lanka’s most important wetland bird sanctuary and Ramsar site. Evening birding around lagoons and salt pans where Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Heron, Black tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and Whiskered Tern are commonly observed.

Morning birding around Bundala wetlands to observe migratory waders and raptors including Marsh Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Gull billed Tern, Western Reef Egret and Osprey. Thereafter proceed to Colombo via coastal highway with scenic beach views and fishing villages.

After breakfast, enjoy light urban bird watching at Viharamahadevi Park and Beira Lake surroundings, where species such as Purple rumped Sunbird, Black hooded Oriole, Brahminy Kite, White throated Kingfisher and Asian Koel are commonly seen. Thereafter, visit Gangaramaya Temple, one of Colombo’s most important and architecturally unique Buddhist temples, offering insight into Sri Lanka’s cultural and religious heritage with its blend of traditional and modern design elements. After the temple visit, proceed to Bandaranaike International Airport for departure, concluding an enriching bird watching journey across Sri Lanka.