Bird Watching Tours – Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s premier bird-watching destinations, offering an extraordinary diversity of habitats within a compact area. From tropical rainforests and misty highlands to wetlands and coastal lagoons, the island supports over 400 recorded bird species, including numerous endemics found nowhere else in the world.With experienced local naturalists, well-established eco-lodges, and accessible travel distances between habitats, Sri Lanka provides an exceptional and educational bird-watching experience suitable for beginners, enthusiasts, and professional ornithologists alike. Sri Lanka’s compact geography allows birders to experience rainforests, wetlands, dry-zone scrub, and highland grasslands within a single week. This itinerary is designed to maximize endemic sightings and migratory bird opportunities with minimal travel time.
Group Discount Available
$1990.00 / Adult
$995.00 / Children under 7 years
- ✅ Accommodation, entrance tickets included
- ✅ Private & Group Tours
- ✅ Comfortable A/C Transport
Need help with booking? Send Us A Message
Number of cities covered by this tour
- Negambo
- Kandy
- Nuwara Eliya
- Yala
- Galle
- Colombo
Transport Mode
- Private Vehicle (Van/Car)
Accommodation Options
- 3-4 star BB
- 5 star BB + $75 pp per day (optional)
- Boutique BB (150 pp) per day
Pickup Details
Please mention the name of your hotel if you want us to pick you from a hotel in the area. If the pick-up is from the Airport, please let us know the flight number and the arrival time. If you are arriving to Sri Lanka by a cruise, please let us know the cruise name and the time we can expect you for the pick-up.
Day 01 - Arrival of Sri Lanka and Transfer to Negombo
1. Colombo | Wetland Birding (Muthurajawela)
Take a guided boat tour through the mangroves and lagoon — this is the most effective way to see birds in their habitat. Early morning (around sunrise) and late afternoon are particularly good for sightings.
Birdlife you might see includes
- Water birds like herons, egrets, cormorants, sandpipers and storks.
- Birds of prey such as Brahminy kites and sea eagles circling above.
- Often more than 100 bird species can be observed throughout the year.
1:30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2. Beach
Negombo is a beach city and visitors can enjoy it all year around. There are nice restaurants, shops,. pubs etc you will find as you walk around, Definitely you will require proper rest before starting the tour around Sri Lanka.Beautiful Negombo beach is ideal for relaxation. You hotel in located on the beach and you do not require extra effort or extra time to go to beach.
Overnight stay in Negombo
Day 02 kandy
1. Royal Botanical Gardens
This is one of the biggest and most beautiful botanical gardens available in Asia. Ideal place to relax for few hours while enjoying the beautiful and colorful trees and plants. Including some of the historical trees. The gardens are a pleasant place for bird watching alongside a botanical visit, with the opportunity to spot a variety of resident and endemic birds
Admission Ticket Included
Common birds and wildlife include:
- Sri Lankan green pigeon — an endemic species
- White-throated kingfisher and other kingfishers
- Barbets (such as yellow-fronted and brown-headed)
- Sunbirds (e.g., purple-rumped and Loten’s sunbird)
- Parakeets (including rose-ringed and—sometimes—hanging parrots)
- Bulbuls and minivets
- Indian flying foxes and other wildlife that add to the nature experience
3 Hours • Admission TicketIncluded
Overnight stay in Kandy
Day 03 kandy
1. Udawattakele Walk
Endemic and special species:
- Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
- Layard’s Parakeet
- Yellow-fronted Barbet
- Brown-capped Babbler
- Three-toed Kingfisher (rarer sightings)
Other common species:
- Common Hill Mynah
- Golden-fronted Leafbird & Blue-winged Leafbird
- Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher
- Emerald Dove & Spotted Dove
- Brown Fish Owl
- Crested Serpent Eagle
- Black-backed Kingfisher
4 Hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
2. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
This is considered as the most important Buddhist temple in the world. A beautiful place located over looking the historical Kandy lake. Temple and the museum are located nearby and you can visit both places from the same entrance pass.
60 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3. Kandy - Cultural Dance Show
Sri Lanka is rich in traditional and cultural activities. It has own way of entertainments including dancing and drumming etc. Kandy Cultural show is one of the best places to witness this. Show starts at 5.00 pm and continues for 1 hours. You will be amazed with some of the items including the walking on fire and fire dance etc.
60 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Overnight stay in Kandy
Day 04 Kithulgala
1. Kitulgala
The Academy Award-winning The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed on the Kelani River near Kitulgala, although nothing remains now except the concrete foundations for the bridge and, supposedly, the submerged train cars that plunged into the river in the climactic scene. Kitulgala is also a base for white-water rafting, which starts a few kilometers upstream. This activity is for anyone above the age of 10 years with safety gear, modern rafts, and a comprehensive safety briefing will be given by our white water rafting instructors beforehand. After the adventure enjoys a bath in the river.
120 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Overnight stay in Kithulgala
Day 05 Kithulgala
1. Makandawa Forest Reserve
lowland rainforest and watershed forest along the Kelani River near Kitulgala. It’s one of Sri Lanka’s older reserved forests and has excellent biodiversity for birds and other wildlife. Makandawa is considered a good spot for endemic and lowland rainforest bird species. It’s especially rewarding for birders who want to experience a secondary rainforest environment that’s less crowded than more famous reserves like Sinharaja.
Bird species you may see include:
- Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot and Layard’s Parakeet
- Green-billed Coucal and Yellow-fronted Barbet
- Chestnut-backed Owlet – small endemic owl
- Sri Lanka Red-faced Malkoha
- Ceylon Junglefowl & Spur Fowl
- Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill and Crested Drongo
- Serendib Scops Owl (heard and occasionally seen)
4-5 Hours • Admission Ticket Included
Overnight stay in Kithulgala
Day 06 Nuwara eliya
After breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya. Afternoon birding at Victoria Park. Victoria Park- Small park located in the center of Nuwara Eliya.
Highlights- Kashmir Flycatcher,
- Pied Thrush,
- Indian Pitta, Indian Blue Robin,
- Yellow Eared Bulbul,
- Sri Lanka White Eye,
- Dull Blue flycatcher.
2 Hours • Admission Ticket Included
Overnight stay in Nuwaraeliya
Day 07 Thissamaharama
After breakfast drive to Tissamaharama. In the evining birding around the water tanks in Tissamaharama.
2 Hours • Admission Ticket Included
Overnight stay in Thissamaharama
Day 08 Thissamaharama
Yala park includes resident species typical of dry-zone Sri Lanka and migratory visitors, especially during the dry season from November to March, making this time particularly rewarding for birding. Yala is considered one of Sri Lanka’s 70 Important Bird Areas (IBA) — a designation reflecting its importance for bird conservation and observation.
Endemic & Dry-Zone Birds
- Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill – iconic dry-zone resident
- Sri Lanka Junglefowl – national bird of Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon – local forest dweller
- Brown-capped Babbler & Crimson-fronted Barbet – forest understorey species
- Black-capped Bulbul – common in mixed woodlands
- Black-capped Bulbul – common in mixed woodlands
🦅 Waterbirds & Waders
- Painted Stork, Lesser Whistling Duck, Little & Indian Cormorants
- Grey Heron, Eurasian Spoonbill, Asian Openbill
- Spot-billed Pelican and occasionally Black-necked Stork (a rarer sighting)
Other Interesting Birds
- Crested Serpent Eagle and White-bellied Sea Eagle soar over open spaces.
- Various kingfishers, bee-eaters, flycatchers, and sunbirds add colour and acrobatics to your birding safari
5 Hours • Admission Ticket Included
Overnight stay in Galle
Day 09 Singharaja Forest The Birding Paradise
After breakfast drive to Sinharaja Rain Forest. one full day birding in Sinharaja Rain Forest. Sinharaja Rain Forest- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, for lowland endemics and mixed species flocks. The area has the richest biodiversity in Asia and is home to most endemic flora and fauna species .Over 140–150 bird species have been recorded here, including around 20 + endemic birds found only in Sri Lanka
Endemic & highlights species include:
- Sri Lanka Blue Magpie – one of the forest’s most prized sightings
- Red-fac ed Malkoha – shy but striking endemic species
- Green-billed Coucal – distinctive stealthy forest cuckoo
- Yellow-fronted Barbet – colourful and vocal
- Sri Lanka Junglefowl – national bird of Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Spurfowl – elusive ground bird
- Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, Brown-capped Babblers and more
- Spot-winged Thrush, Legge’s Flowerpecker, Layard’s Parakeet
- Occasional birds of prey overhead, like Black Eagle
- Many others heard and seen in the lush canopy and understory
- Plus, you’ll often experience the famous mixed bird flocks (“bird waves”) — huge movements of different species that feed and travel together — providing excellent group sightings.
5 Hours • Admission Ticket Included
Overnight stay in Galle
Day 10 Swim and relax on Galle
Whilst relaxing, swimming, and sipping on a king coconut slowly enhanced your daily ritual, it became clear why nothing equates to the palm-fringed coastline of Sri Lanka.Popular destination known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and opportunities for water sports like surfing, snorkeling, and diving. It offers a range of activities from relaxing on the sandy shores to exploring the diverse marine life, making it a great spot for both relaxation and adventure.
Today is your day to savor and indulge in the beauty of Galle
Overnight stay in Hikkaduwa
Day 11 End of the Tour - Departure for the Airport or Hotel in Colombo
1. Colombo
We can make a quick visit to Colombo city and cover the most important places including Gangarama temple, Independence Square, Colombo Fort, Red Mosque, Old Parliament complex etc All these can be adjusted as per the time available depending on your flight time.
2. Katunayake
You will be dropped at the Katunayake International Airport (Colombo Airport) or the hotel you have booked. This is the end of your 08 nights in Sri Lanka Tour
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Here you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions about our tours, services, and travel in Sri Lanka, designed to help you plan your journey with confidence.
We focus on offering personalized travel experiences that combine cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, wildlife, and authentic local interactions, ensuring you see the best of Sri Lanka in comfort.
While last-minute bookings are sometimes possible, we recommend reserving your tour in advance to secure the best itinerary, accommodations, and guides.
Light cotton clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), insect repellent, and swimwear are recommended. For temple visits, modest attire covering shoulders and knees is required.
Absolutely. We arrange airport pickups, drop-offs, and can recommend or book accommodations that match your preferences and budget.
Yes, Sri Lanka is generally safe for travelers. We ensure secure transportation, trusted guides, and 24/7 support during your trip.