In both India and Sri Lanka, you search for iconic mammals and excellent bird life. Expert naturalist guides in each destination will help you to compare, contrast and importantly enjoy the remarkable wildlife of each country.
Your tour takes you first to India, where you explore the picturesque hills and valleys of Nagarhole National Park. Tigers, leopards, and Asian wild dogs are frequently seen. Chital deer, Indian giant squirrels, stripe-necked mongooses, and elephant tuskers support the majestic cast of wildlife on parade through this park.
You then journey across the ocean divide to Wilpattu National Park. In this lowland forest, you navigate through ebony, mahogany and teak trees in search of leopard and sloth bear which are recognisable from your first week as well as plenty more mammals and birds.
This two week itinerary gives you the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic number of dedicated safari drives. In both India's Nagarhole and Sri Lanka's Wilpattu, you search for iconic mammals and excellent bird life.
Suggested Itinerary
Day1: Depart from London Heathrow to Bengaluru
Day2: Transfer to lodge & first safari
On arrival into Bengaluru, you're met by a representative and transferred the short distance to the Goldfinch Retreat Hotel for breakfast before continuing your drive to Kabini River Lodge.
Once you've settled into your lodge and enjoyed some lunch, you head out on your first safari of the tour. In an open-sided jeep you search for tiger, leopard and much more of the sensational wildlife the park has to offer.
Accommodation: Kabini River Lodge, 5-nights
Days3-6: Safaris in Nagarhole National Park
For four full days, you explore the exquisite Nagarhole National Park, typically following a programme of morning and afternoon game drives. Using four-wheel-drive safari vehicles, these drives usually last between three and four hours, allowing you time in the middle of the day to relax and unwind back at the lodge
Day7: Morning safari & transfer to Bengaluru
This morning you have a final safari in Nagarhole. Depending on what you've already seen on the previous five days, your guide may focus on seeking out any unseen species, or settle into a gentle paced final drive.
Following lunch, it's time to say farewell to Kabini River Lodge, as you return to Bengaluru.
Accommodation, Taj Yeshwantpur, 1-night
Day8: Transfer to Sri Lanka & Wilpattu National Park
This morning, you're collected from the hotel and transferred to the airport for your direct flight to Sri Lanka.
On arrival in Sri Lanka, you're met at the airport by your guide and transferred north up the west coast to Wilpattu National Park.
For three full days, you follow a series of morning and afternoon safari drives to explore Wilpattu and its wildlife. This part of Sri Lanka is much less visited by tourists, which tend to focus on the south of the island, but it's by no means less spectacular.
Wilpattu is perhaps best known for its population of leopards. In the absence of tigers, Sri Lankan leopards have become the largest leopard subspecies in Asia and perhaps the boldest. These stunning cats have a darker coat colour than leopards in much of India and appear almost burnished in evening light.
The second headline animal in Wilpattu is the sloth bear. Though the Sri Lankan population of this fascinating, shambling animal is critically endangered, Wilpattu is one of the most important parks for its survival and is among the best places to see a bear.
Day12: Morning safari
This morning you enjoy a final safari in Wilpattu before returning to the lodge for lunch.
Following lunch and farewells to the Mahoora Tented Camp team, you return south along the coast from Wilpattu to your Negombo beachside hotel for your final night of the group tour.
Accommodation: Jetwing Beach, 1-night
Day13: Depart Sri Lanka
Today you're collected from the hotel for a short transfer to the airport.
Day14: Arrive UK
Key info
Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 14 daysfrom £4,995 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 12 daysfrom £4,595 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Nagarhole is a mixture of forests and rolling hills, criss-crossed by streams, waterfalls and swamps. Formerly a Maharaja’s hunting reserve, it is now dedicated to saving wildlife, and is considered one of the best places in India to see elephant. In the summer months they congregate in large herds along the river.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Where: Karnataka State
Ideal for viewing: Asian elephant, tiger, leopard, wild dog, gaur
Situated in the northwest of Sri Lanka, Wilpattu National Park was closed for over a decade but is now fully open again and is one of few places on the island to provide an authentic wilderness experience. Wilpattu remains undisturbed and uncrowded making it a superb location for watching wildlife.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Where: North Western Province
Ideal for viewing: leopard, Asian elephant, sloth bear, Malabar pied hornbill, Sri Lankan junglefowl
This is a typical Indian safari lodge, formerly the hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore. It accommodates up to 50 guests in spacious rooms or cottages, and a wealth of wildlife can be found in nearby Nagarhole National Park, such as elephant, sambar, gaur and even sloth bear.
Find Out More about Kabini River Lodge
Surrounded by pristine wilderness, this intimate and exclusive safari camp is an excellent base for safaris in Wilpattu. All tents have private verandahs and en suite. Evenings around the campfire may be interrupted by a nearby slow loris, and you wake to the morning alarm of birds and monkey.
Find Out More about Mahoora Tented Safari Camp - Wilpattu
