Tailored to your travel dates, group size & hotel preferences
RAMSAR Wetland Birding at Anawilundawa & Bundala National Park
Historic Willus Wildlife Safaris in Wilpattu National Park
Minneriya Reservoir Birding & Asian Elephant Gathering
Lowland Endemics Tracking in Kitulgala Makandawa Rainforest
High-Altitude Montane Birding & Cloud Forests at Horton Plains
UNESCO Biosphere Rainforest Mixed-Species Bird Waves in Sinharaja
Sri Lanka is internationally celebrated as a top-tier ornithological paradise, sheltering over 400 recorded bird species and 33+ endemics within an easily navigable tropical island. This 16-day birdwatching expedition is carefully planned across the island’s primary bioclimatic zones—connecting the ancient RAMSAR-listed wetland tanks of Anawilundawa and natural “willus” of Wilpattu National Park with the lowland evergreen canopies of Kitulgala Makandawa and high-altitude montane cloud forests of Horton Plains.
Progressing southward, the journey sweeps across the international migratory sanctuaries of Bundala and Kalametiya before culminating in the UNESCO World Heritage rainforest of Sinharaja, famed for its dynamic mixed-species “bird waves” featuring the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie and Red-faced Malkoha. Accompanied throughout by a dedicated English-speaking naturalist driver-guide in a private air-conditioned vehicle, this comprehensive journey balances rigorous fieldwork with handpicked eco-lodges and concluding oceanfront relaxation in Bentota.
Handcrafted circuit across Sri Lanka's cultural citadel, emerald tea hills, and wildlife savannahs.
Arrive at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, where you will be warmly met and assisted by your Overa Tours representative. Take a short, comfortable transfer to your coastal hotel in Negombo. Spend the afternoon unwinding after your flight, strolling along the ocean shore, or observing coastal fishing craft against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean sunset.
Following breakfast, travel north to the Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary, a celebrated 12th-century human-made wetland along the western migratory flyway. This internationally recognized RAMSAR site comprises six large and three secondary interconnected tanks supporting over 150 bird species. Spot breeding colonies of herons, Asian openbills, great cormorants, ibises, egrets, purple swamphens, and pheasant-tailed jacanas. Look out for endemic residents including the Sri Lanka junglefowl and Sri Lanka swallow, alongside winter visitors like the garganey and whiskered tern. Continue onward to check in to your eco-lodge near Wilpattu National Park.
Embark on an early morning safari into Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's largest and oldest wildlife reserve. Renowned for its unique sand-rimmed natural rainwater basins known as "willus," Wilpattu combines dense dry forest, riverine belts, and coastal scrub. Scan for forest endemics such as the Sri Lanka grey hornbill and white-rumped shama, as well as painted storks, oriental darters, purple swamphens, and Malabar pied hornbills. In winter months, migratory waders and ducks congregate around the basins, alongside leopards and sloth bears. In the afternoon, proceed to your hotel in Sigiriya.
Set out early for a game drive in Minneriya National Park, centered around the ancient Minneriya Reservoir constructed by King Mahasen. Home to approximately 160 bird species, the park's grasslands and open waters host prominent endemics including the Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, crimson-fronted barbet, and black-crested bulbul. Wetland margins draw lesser adjutants, painted storks, and spot-billed pelicans, while the open plains provide opportunities to witness wild elephant herds. In the afternoon, journey south into the hill country to Kandy for your overnight stay.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel followed by morning sightseeing around historic Kandy, the island's former royal capital. Take in the cultural sights around Kandy Lake and scenic hills before driving westward into the lush Kelani River valley and rainforest foothills of Kitulgala. Check in to your riverside eco-hotel and enjoy a tranquil evening immersed in nature.
Dedicate the day to birding within the Makandawa Rainforest Reserve in Kitulgala, one of the island's premier lowland rainforest ecosystems. Cross the Kelani River to trek along protected trails beneath towering evergreen canopies. This biodiversity hotspot shelters rare avian treasures including the Sri Lanka woodpigeon, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, yellow-fronted barbet, and white-faced starling. Keep your binoculars ready for black-throated munias, chestnut-backed owlets, Sri Lanka blue magpies, dollarbirds, and the elusive ashy-headed laughingthrush. Return to your hotel for an evening of relaxation.
Take a morning nature walk around the forest fringes and riverbanks of Kitulgala to record early dawn bird calls and forest species. Afterward, begin the scenic ascent into the central highlands, ascending past cascading waterfalls, deep gorges, and tea plantations into the cool colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya. Check in to your highland hotel and relax in the crisp mountain air.
Rise before dawn for an expedition to Horton Plains National Park, situated on an undulating plateau above 2,100 meters. This high-altitude habitat combines montane grasslands with cloud dwarf forests shrouded in mist. Discover highland avian specialists including the Sri Lanka whistling thrush, Sri Lanka bush warbler, yellow-fronted barbet, and orange-billed babbler. Horton Plains is the exclusive home to four montane species including the Sri Lanka magpie, dull-blue flycatcher, Sri Lanka white-eye, and Sri Lanka wood pigeon. Marvel at Baker's Falls and the sheer 880-meter precipice at World's End before returning to Nuwara Eliya.
After breakfast, depart the central highlands, traveling southward as mountain contours transition into the sun-drenched southern dry zone. Check in to your hotel near Yala and Tissamaharama. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, resting up for the wetland and scrubland expeditions to follow.
Set out on an early morning safari into Bundala National Park, Sri Lanka's inaugural RAMSAR wetland sanctuary and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Spanning 6,218 hectares of coastal lagoons, salt pans, scrublands, and dunes, Bundala accommodates nearly 200 bird species. Between September and March, up to 150 migratory species arrive here from Eurasia, including greater flamingos, blue-tailed bee-eaters, and forest wagtails. Resident wetlands support painted storks, spot-billed pelicans, Eurasian spoonbills, and breeding waterbirds. Return to your hotel for a restful evening.
Enjoy an unhurried day in the Yala and Tissamaharama region. Relax by the pool at your resort or explore the margins of ancient Tissa Wewa, where massive lakeside rain trees serve as communal roosts for flying foxes, egrets, night herons, and cormorants. Recharge before heading west toward the coastal sanctuaries.
Take an early morning birdwatching excursion to Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary, a coastal lagoon sanctuary comprising the Lunama and Kalametiya lagoons and brackish marshes. Home to around 151 bird species—including 54 migratory species—the reserve is refuge to Asian openbills, Eurasian spoonbills, purple swamphens, black-winged stilts, Indian reef herons, glossy ibises, and the black-capped purple kingfisher. Following the morning excursion, drive inland to the virgin tropical rainforest perimeter of Sinharaja for your overnight stay.
Venture early into Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka's premier UNESCO World Heritage primary tropical rainforest. Home to over half of the island's endemic wildlife, Sinharaja is globally celebrated for its mixed-species foraging bird waves, where up to 50 individual birds across diverse species move and feed together through the canopy. Led by the orange-billed babbler and greater racket-tailed drongo, the wave often unveils the Sri Lanka blue magpie, red-faced malkoha, brown-capped babbler, and Ceylon hanging parrot. Afterward, drive to the golden coastline of Bentota for check-in.
Savor a leisurely breakfast at your beachfront resort. Spend the entire day unwinding along Bentota's wide palm-fringed sands, listening to the rolling waves of the Indian Ocean, or enjoying optional coastal boat rides along the tranquil Madu Ganga mangroves. Overnight stay in Bentota.
Continue your coastal retreat in Bentota at an easy, self-guided pace. Stroll the shoreline, sample fresh tropical fruits and seafood, or take in the golden twilight over the sea, reflecting on the dozens of endemic and migratory bird species logged over your journey. Overnight stay in Bentota.
Enjoy your final tropical breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, your private chauffeur-guide will transfer you along the Southern Expressway directly to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport in time for your onward flight, marking the conclusion of your 16-day birdwatching expedition with Overa Tours.
This comprehensive itinerary covers all primary avifauna zones across Sri Lanka, giving birdwatchers the opportunity to record key endemics including the Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Sri Lanka Woodpigeon, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka White-eye, and Orange-billed Babbler.
The tour incorporates two world-renowned RAMSAR wetland sites—Anawilundawa along the western flyway and Bundala on the southeastern coast—as well as the Kalametiya lagoon complex. Between October and April, thousands of migratory shorebirds, waders, ducks, terns, flamingos, and forest migrants from Eurasia and the Himalayas winter in these protected habitats.
A bird wave is a fascinating tropical rainforest phenomenon where multi-species flocks travel and forage together through the forest canopy. In Sinharaja, flocks numbering 30 to 50 birds move through the trees, typically organized around leader species such as the Orange-billed Babbler and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, presenting an extraordinary viewing opportunity for birders.
This route travels through warm coastal wetlands (Negombo, Anawilundawa, Bundala, Kalametiya) as well as the chilly mountain climate of Horton Plains (temperatures 5°C to 15°C). Bring lightweight, neutral-colored clothing for rainforest treks and safaris, a warm fleece jacket for Horton Plains, sturdy waterproof walking shoes, rain gear, leech socks for rainforest trails, binoculars, and a camera with a telephoto lens. Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required when visiting cultural sites.
Cancellations made 30 days or more before the scheduled departure incur no cancellation fee. Cancellations between 29 and 14 days prior to departure incur a 50% fee; cancellations between 13 and 8 days prior incur a 75% fee; and cancellations within 7 days or no-shows incur a 100% cancellation fee.
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