Into the Wild: Your Birdwatching Journey Begins

• Ayubowan, A warm welcome to Sri Lanka!
• Meet your professional guide from Real Lanka Holidays at the airport
• Transfer to Kithulgala, a lush paradise for bird enthusiasts
• Enjoy an evening birdwatching session along the forest edges, spotting your first tropical species

Kithulgala (Makandawa Forest Reserve): Over 50 rare species of birds can be seen, The Makandawa Forest Reserve is one of Sri Lanka’s richest and most unspoiled rainforests. And the oldest forest reserve in Sri Lanka. It covers an area of 1155 hectares and lies close to the village of Kithulgala, one of Sri Lanka’s centers for adventure sports. The reserve hosts a plethora of rare and endemic flora and fauna. This secondary lowland rainforest has several interesting geographical features; such as crystal-clear natural rock pools, waterfalls, wonderfully challenging trails that meander through the thick tropical rainforest, and of course the Kelani River running right through the jungle.

Birds can be seen here

Targeted Endemic Birds 

Into the Highlands: A Day of Endemic Discoveries

• Early morning birdwatching around Kitulgala
• Journey towards the central highlands of Sri Lanka
• Scenic ascent into cooler mountain landscapes
• Arrival in Nuwara Eliya region
• After lunch, visit a quiet and less-traveled side road near the town
• Chance to spot rare and localized endemic bird species unique to these higher elevations

Victoria Park – This is a small but well-preserved patch of montane forest that has been preserved which offers a habitat for many species of hill birds.  A permit is required to walk into the park.

Birds can be seen here

Horton Plains Park – Having been protected as a nature reserve from December 1969 this park was upgraded as a National Park in March 1988. The park covers an area of 3,160 hectares of montane grassland fringed and interspersed with patches of dense montane cloud forests. This park and the adjoining peak wilderness form the most important catchment area for almost all the major rivers in the country. This is also the highest plateau of the country, being above 5000 feet, and the western slops of the park supports the most extensive area of montane cloud forests surviving in the country. There are motorable roads as well as footpaths to different locations in the park including the locality referred to as the  “worlds end” which is a near vertical drop of 884m, and the picturesque Bakers Falls etc. Most of the hill species of birds can be easily seen here during any walk in the park which is through forested areas, grasslands and streams. A walk to the “world’s end” is also through pristine hill bird habitat.

Birds can be seen here

Targeted Endemic Birds 

Experience one of the oldest rain forests in the world

• After Breakfast you proceed with your guide to the stunning Sinharaja Rain forest. The highlight of this tour.
• After arriving you first check-in to your hotel and have time to relax and settle down.
• You will spend two full days of bird watching in Sinharaja Rain Forest.
• On the last day it’s time to say good bye. Your tour ends at the Airport in Colombo.
• Hopefully see you soon again in Sri Lanka!

Sinharaja Rain Forest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) – an area of 18900 acres is located within southern provinces of Sri Lanka. It is home to over 95% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians. Sri Lanka’s tropical lowland rain forest has over 60% of the trees endemic and many of these are rare; there are 21 endemic bird species, and a number of rare insects, reptiles and amphibians. Sinharaja is biologically the most unique wet ever green rain forest in the country with an exceptionally high degree of endemism. Sinharaja is famous for its mixed feeding bird flocks and a high degree of endemic birds can be observed during the bird walks.

Birds can be seen here

Targeted Endemic Birds