Sri Lanka · NATIONAL PARK TRIPS IN COLOMBO
The 15 best national park trips in Colombo you can book right now, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Udawalawe elephant safari with an expert guide in a private 4x4 jeep. Spot herds, crocodiles, and endemic jungle birds from $30.
“I really enjoyed doing a group activity as a solo traveler. It was nice to chat and meet new people. I also enjoyed leaning about tea, tasting and picking the leaves too. Thank you 🙌🏻”
Private day trip from Colombo to Sigiriya and Dambulla, then Minneriya elephant safari, with hotel pickup and private transport.
“Our guide showed up on time but didn’t know what he was doing. Did not have water bottles as advertised and wasn’t even planning on returning us to our hotel! Guide blamed his friend that asked him to cover for him the night before. I would not use this tour operator.”
Full-day Wilpattu safari from Colombo with 4WD jeep, chance for leopards and elephants, hotel pickup, and lunch stop.
“The pickup was on time. The car was perfectly clean & comfortable. Our guide/driver, Milan, was a great companion for this long journey. We discussed SriLanka & life. A real pleasure. The 3h ride in the national park was pleasant, the nature there is very beautiful. Unfortunately we did not see many wild animals but at least, at the very very very end, an elephant crossed the road so that we can admire him/her in all his/her greatness😍.”
Private Udawalawe safari with hotel transfers, park entry, English guide, and a 3-hour jeep drive to see elephants and lots more for $83.
“We had an amazing afternoon safari in Udawalawe with our guide Koshala – highly recommended! He was super friendly, fast, and very knowledgeable. You can truly feel his passion for wildlife, especially elephants. He explained so much in a short time and really tried to tailor the experience to our wishes. Tip: Book the afternoon safari (around 3 PM) – the chances of seeing elephants are much higher. We saw several herds! Thanks again, Koshala – you made our safari unforgettable!”
Private 4WD elephant safari at Udawalawe from Colombo, plus Maha Saman Devalaya and Ratnapura Gemmological Museum.
“We werden afgehaald door een chauffeur met een mooie wagen”
Private Yala safari from Colombo and Negombo, with air-conditioned transfer, expert tracker, and 4x4 open-Jeep wildlife time.
“Phenomenal trip to Yala! Glen was a great driver and got us to the park in plenty of time. We were fortunate enough to see elephants (including a baby elephant!), cheetahs, iguanas, and crocodiles. The safari car itself was comfortable and had big seats and a cover to protect from the sun.”
Private Wilpattu leopard safari from Colombo or Negombo with park lunch, pickup, and private guiding, 10 to 12 hours.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Wilpattu! Their well thought-out schedule was customized to our tastes, guaranteeing an enjoyable and cozy trip. Our trip to Sri Lanka was made genuinely unforgettable by the team's rapid resRead more”
Udawalawa safari from Colombo for elephants and more, with a shared jeep drive, Elephant Transit Home stop, and optional lunch.
“Long road to reach the park from Colombo, but worth it! Seen a lot of elefants, buffalos, lizards, large variaty of birds, turtles and even a crocodile. The safari experience is not very crowded (as I heard Yala is) and there was enough time to admire the park and the animals. The driver from Colombo to the park was reallt skilled and the guide was nice, but needs to improve his english a little bit. All in all, don’t regret the money I spent, even though I paid double as solo traveler.”
Private day trip from Colombo to Yala with door-to-door transport, Galle Fort, Weligama fishermen, and a 4x4 jeep safari.
“We had the absolute pleasure of experiencing a truly unforgettable day trip from Colombo to Galle, culminating in an evening safari in Yala National Park—and we can’t recommend it highly enough. As two coworkers looking for a unique wRead more”
Private Udawalawe safari day from Colombo or Negombo with a 4x4 jeep, elephant-focused viewing, and a guided wildlife outing.
“Was an amazing trip. The driver was an excellent driver, Dilan was an excellent narrator and guide. He knew about all the animals and was alert to our needs. We saw elephants, crocodiles, mongooses, spotted deer, water buffalo, and dozens Read more”
Private Jeep safari to Wilpattu from Colombo with pickup, a dedicated guide, WiFi onboard, and wildlife viewing in a long day.
“It was a great experience. The drive was long, about 4 hours each way and 4 hours in the park. Our driver was excellent, and his knowledge of the road was outstanding. The park ranger did a great job in pointing out animals to us. I would do it again, but I would bring a lunch/dinner. There were very few western restaurants.”
Private Yala National Park safari from Colombo with A/C transfers, snacks, hotel pickup, and a stop at Sithulpawwa Rock Temple.
“Worst tour experience ever. Avoid at all costs if you are arriving by cruise ship. Our driver met us outside the ship at 8:30 AM as planned for a scheduled private tour of Yala National Park. We rode in his safari jeep for the next 6 1/2 hours, with only one bathroom break, and hRead more”
Kandy to Minneriya safari, Dambulla caves, and Sigiriya Rock by private tuk tuk, with WiFi, a guide, and a jam-packed full day.
“We had an excellent day on this tour. The cultural sites are stunning and we saw loads of elephants on the safari. The tour is flexible and we stopped at a wood carving place which we really enjoyed.”
Private 4am Yala jeep safari with lunch from Colombo, bottled water, and an English or German guide. Strong leopard odds.
“I had booked with Sammy for three days. All the tours were custom made for us . Sammy took extra care to make us comfortable. He accompanied us to all the places of interests on the first day. The other two days, his friend took us arouRead more”
Private full-day Yala jeep safari from Colombo with a licensed guide, lunch, and air-conditioned round-trip transfers, searching for leopards.
“great day, nice experience. Very cool and helpful person.Responsible, and honest. worm heart and great with kids”
Every kind of day on the island, and the best of each.
