Bird Watching Tour 16 Day

Arrival & Assistance at the Airport. Proceed to Negombo. Relax & Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

After breakfast at the Negombo Hotel, proceed to Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary.
Anawilundawa is a man-made wetland constructed in the 12th Century AD and is located on the western migratory bird route and is a RAMSAR-listed wetland notable for its mix of coastal areas, mangroves, and freshwater tanks. The sanctuary’s interconnected system of six major and three secondary tanks supports irrigation and provides vital habitats for over 150 species of water birds, 20 mammal species, 74 butterfly species, and several threatened fish, amphibians, and reptiles. It is famous for breeding colonies of herons, open-bill storks, Great cormorants, ibises, egrets, pheasant-tailed jacanas, and purple swamp hens. Endemic birds like the Sri Lanka Junglefowl and Sri Lanka Swallow can be seen year-round, while migratory birds such as the Garganey, Whiskered Tern, and Indian Pitta visit between October and April.

After the bird watching at Anawilundawa, Transfer to the hotel at Wilpattu. Relax & overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning visit Wilpattu National Park Safari.
Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest sanctuary. Famous for its unique “Willus” (natural lakes), Dry forests, rivers, and coastal scrublands, the park offers rich habitats for diverse birdlife, making it a top destination for birdwatchers. It hosts many endemic species such as the Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, and White-rumped Shama, along with other notable residents like the Painted Stork, Oriental Darter, Purple Swamphen, and Malabar Pied Hornbill. During the winter months (between December and February), the park becomes a haven for numerous migratory birds, especially waders and ducks, offering an exceptional birdwatching experience year-round.

After the Safari experience, proceed to Sigiriya. Relax & overnight stay at the Sigiriya Hotel.

Early morning visit to the Minneriya National Park Safari.
Minneriya National Park, located in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province near Polonnaruwa, is renowned for its iconic man-made Minneriya Tank built by King mahasen and its spectacular “Elephant Gathering” during the dry season. Beyond elephants, the park is a thriving birdwatching destination, home to around 160 bird species, including notable endemics such as the Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Brown-capped Babbler, Sri Lankan Grey Hornbill, Black-crested Bulbul, and Crimson-fronted Barbet. The Minneriya Reservoir also attracts impressive waterbirds like the Lesser Adjutant, Painted Stork, and Spot-billed Pelican, along with numerous migratory species, making it a haven for bird enthusiasts throughout the year.

After the Safari experience, proceed to Kandy. Relax & overnight stay at the Kandy Hotel

After breakfast, sightseeing in Kandy. Evening, proceed to Kitulgala. Relax & overnight stay at the Kitulgala hotel.

Breakfast at the Kitulgala Hotel.
Makandawa Rainforest Reserve in Kitulgala is a hidden ecological gem in Sri Lanka, offering a serene retreat into nature’s raw beauty and rich biodiversity. This lush lowland rainforest is a paradise for bird lovers, home to an impressive variety of endemic and rare bird species. Among the remarkable sightings are the Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Woodpigeon, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, and Yellow-fronted Barbet. Other avian highlights include the White-faced Starling, Black-throated Munia, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Blue Magpie, Dollarbird, and the elusive Ashy-headed Laughingthrush. The best season to visit Kitulgala’s Makandawa Rainforest Reserve to see migrant birds is during the northern hemisphere winter months, specifically from November to March.

After the bird watching, return to the Kitulgala Hotel.
Relax & overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit the bird watching at the Kitulgala area. Transfer to Nuwara Eliya. Relax & overnight stay.

Early morning proceeds to Horton Plains National Park.
Horton Plains National Park was called ‘Maha-Eliya Tenna. It was renamed during British rule and declared a national park in 1988. With a unique ecosystem comprising montane grasslands and subtropical montane cloud forests. Home to around 750 plant species and diverse fauna, including 24 mammals, 87 birds, 15 amphibians, and several endemic reptiles, its most iconic residents include the Sambar deer, Sri Lankan Leopard, and the endangered Red slender loris.
Horton Plains is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, featuring 21 endemic bird species, including the Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Orange-billed Babbler, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, and Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, with four species the Sri Lanka Magpie, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka White-eye, and Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon found only in Horton Plains. There are also a variety of migrant birds such as the Alpine Swift, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain-hawk Eagle, and Black-winged Kite. The park's misty climate, varying between 5°C and 27°C, enhances its ethereal charm, particularly at natural landmarks like the sheer precipice of World’s End and the scenic Baker’s Falls, making it a prime destination for trekking and wildlife tourism.
Relax & Overnight Stay at Nuwara Eliya Hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to Yala. Relax & overnight stay at Yala Hotel.

Early morning proceeds to Bundala National Park.
Bundala National Park is Sri Lanka’s first Ramsar wetland site and an internationally acclaimed birding destination. Originally declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and upgraded to a national park in 1993, Bundala spans 6,218 hectares of diverse landscapes including thorny scrublands, lagoons, marshes, dunes, and waterways. This unique ecosystem supports nearly 200 bird species, including around 150 migratory birds such as flamingos, blue-tailed bee-eaters, and forest wagtails, making it a critical wintering ground for long-distance migrants from Eurasia. The park is also home to resident birds like pelicans, herons, cormorants, and Sri Lanka junglefowl. Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2005, Bundala’s biodiversity includes 383 plant species, 32 mammals like elephants, leopards, and sloth bears, and five species of sea turtles that nest along its coastal stretch. It’s a hot, dry climate from May to September, and peak birdwatching season from September to March, attracting nature lovers and
wildlife enthusiasts year-round.
Relax & overnight stay at Yala

Full day of relaxation at Yala. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning visit to Bird Watching at Kalamatiya Bird Sanctuary.
The Bird Sanctuary in Kalametiya was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1938 (2,500 hectares), but this was abolished in 1946 due to opposition from local residents. A considerably reduced area was once again declared a sanctuary in 1984. The sanctuary includes the Lunama and Kalametiya lagoons, Karukalli Saltern, and the surrounding marshy areas. The Kalametiya area
records about 151 species of birds, of which 54 are migratory. Notable bird species include the Asian Openbill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Egrets, Purple Swamphen, and Black-winged Stilt, along with many winter migrants. There are four nationally threatened birds found within the sanctuary — the Indian Reef Heron, Glossy Ibis, Sri Lankan Junglefowl, and Black-capped Purple Kingfisher, with the Sri Lankan Junglefowl being the only endemic species. The sanctuary also hosts 38 species of reptiles, many of which are nationally and globally threatened, 41 species of fish, about 20 species of mammals, including 4 endemic ones, as well as many plant species.
After bird watching, proceed to Sinharaja. Relax & overnight stay at Sinharaja Hotel.

Early morning visit to Bird Watching at Sinharaja Rain Forest.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve, meaning "Lion Kingdom," is Sri Lanka's most renowned tropical rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its exceptional biodiversity. Home to nearly 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species, Sinharaja shelters a diverse range of wildlife including the Purple-faced langur, Toque macaque, Rusty Spotted Cat, and the elusive Leopard. The reserve is also famous for its "bird waves," where 30–50 birds of mixed species feed and travel together, led by species like the Orange-billed Babbler and Crested Drongo. Among the 154 bird species recorded, endemics such as the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Red-faced Malkoha, Brown-caped Babbler, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, and Ceylon Hanging Parrot captivate birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike, making Sinharaja a living treasure trove of flora and fauna.
Transfer to Bentota hotel. Relax & overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day of relaxation at the Bentota beach. Relax & overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day of relaxation at the Bentota beach. Relax & overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed to the airport.
Goodbye from Overa Tours.