Sri Lanka
Luxury travel in Sri Lanka |Discovering Sri Lanka’s wild places and culture beyond the tourist hotspots
About Sri Lanka
Best known for its tropical palm-fringed beaches, age-old cities and tea covered hills, Sri Lanka is often overlooked as a wildlife destination. For us, it’s the additional diversity of natural wonders and abundant variety of species from elephants to blue whales that makes luxury travel in Sri Lanka so appealing.
Stunning landscapes, exotic wildlife and ancient treasures, Sri Lanka combines its tapestry of beauty with vibrant culture and luxury places to stay.
For families, Sri Lanka really comes into its own. It’s a relatively small country making it possible to pack in a variety of different experiences and places without spending half your time in the car.
You can track leopards in the jungle, clamber to hill forts, cycle through rice paddies, hike to remote waterfalls and marvel at swimming elephants. Then, you can explore friendly villages, visit ancient temples and relax on a beach.
The easy-going island culture and a fantastic choice of family-friendly luxury lodges and boutique hotels mean a holiday in Sri Lanka works for children and families of all ages. During the Christmas and Easter school holidays, weather conditions are near perfect, but we love the summer months too when an occasional shower freshens and cools things down.
Take a moment to explore our Sri Lanka consultant Gill’s blog, where she shares highlights from her recent journey through Sri Lanka: https://www.naturalhighsafaris.com/travel-guides/sri-lanka/
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- Exotic wildlife and ancient treasures
- Vibrant culture and unique accommodation
- Relax on tropical palm fringed beaches
- Age-old cities and tea covered hills
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A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.
Best Time To VisitSri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a year round destination
Sri Lanka’s tropical climate means it’s generally warm and sunny somewhere on the island each month, making it the perfect year round destination.
The best time to visit depends on where you want to go and what you want to see and do in Sri Lanka. The weather is fairly complicated for such a small island as it is dictated by two monsoon seasons. Rainfall patterns are also becoming increasingly unpredictable, but it helps to know which side of the island to focus on in a given month. It’s unusual for rain anywhere to last all day, with downpours tending to be heavy but short.
In short, the best time to visit the west and south coasts and hill country is from December to March, which coincidentally is also an ideal time for whale watching. The best weather on the east coast is from April/May to September.
Best Time To VisitSri Lanka
Talk to our Experts
They’ll be happy to let you in on their travel secrets, and help you plan a tailor-made trip that’s truly unforgettable.
Sri-Lanka’sParks & Areas
Search for endangered leopard in Yala National Park, make a boat safari to observe giant blue whales, or hike through the virgin rainforests of Sinharaja to spot rare birds and butterflies.
Yala National Park
Yala is Sri Lanka’s most popular national park and for good reason; it’s reputed to contain the highest density of leopards in the world.
– Greatest diversity of wildlife in the country
– Famous for large numbers of leopard
– Excellent birdlife with over 130 species
Gal Oya National Park
Little known Gal Oya is one of Sri Lanka’s finest reserves.
– Explore the reservoir by boat
– A park teeming with elephants
– Stay at the wonderful Gal Oya Lodge
– Wilderness safari with expert naturalists
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu is Sri Lanka’s largest and one of its oldest national parks. Its unique ecosystem of seasonal lakes is favoured by leopards and sloth bears which can be spotted on their shores.
– Spot wild Asian elephants
– Unspoilt rich forest
– Leopard and sloth bear safari
– Stay in a jungle camp
Kandy & The Cultural Triangle
The Cultural Triangle showcases Sri Lanka’s fascinating history with its ancient cities, richly decorated cave temples and logic-defying sacred sites.
– Climb the Lion’s Rock of Sigiriya
– Discover Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth
– Explore the cave temples of Dambulla
– Cycle the ancient city of Anuradhapura
Our Favourite Camps & Lodges
Positioned on the edge of the relatively untouched and least explored national park in the heart of Sri Lanka, this unique, sustainable lodge offers the chance to get back to nature.
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Leopard Trails offers the most luxurious and authentic wildlife experience in Sri Lanka and in Yala National Park – the small, tented camp is situated in the buffer zone at the quieter northern side giving guests a more relaxed safari.
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Leopard Trails offers the most luxurious and authentic wildlife experience in Sri Lanka; guests benefit from a more relaxed safari and the ranger guides are among the best on the island.
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Perched on a hill overlooking Castlereagh Lake, Camellia Hills offers one of the most spectacular vistas in the country. This luxurious and intimate lodge is contemporary in it’s aesthetics but with a strong nod to the historical tea planter homes
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Fort Bazaar has a superb location at the very centre of Galle’s 17th century fortress town. Ringed by the Indian Ocean, the granite ramparts and bastions of this UNESCO World Heritage site, constructed during the Dutch era, encompasses twisting streets alive with craft and art boutiques and restaurants.
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Kumu Beach is a truly intimate hideaway that weaves modern luxury into the relaxed beauty of Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. With just 10 sea-facing rooms, it feels like your own private slice of paradise.
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Set high on a tea-flanked hill above Demodara, Nine Skies is the perfect place to experience Sri Lanka’s Hill Country in all its glory. We loved its blend of colonial charm and modern luxury
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Positioned just 20 minutes from Sri Lanka’s main airport, The Wallawwa is a beautifully restored colonial manor that feels like an oasis of calm amidst lush tropical gardens
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Tucked away in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, Ulagalla offers an unparalleled luxury experience that combines eco-friendly living with rich cultural heritage
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Located within Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, The Kandy House offers a distinctive blend of luxury and cultural heritage, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance and historical charm.
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Aditya is a hidden gem on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, offering a luxurious, intimate setting with just 12 suites, each named after a Hindu sun deity.
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Ceylon Tea Trails offers the ultimate combination of luxury and history, nestled high in Sri Lanka’s stunning central highlands.
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Nestled amidst serene lakes and grasslands, Water Garden Sigiriya offers stunning views of the iconic Sigiriya Rock. Inspired by the ancient water gardens of the historic rock fortress, the boutique hotel combines nature, luxury, and heritage.
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Nestled between the ocean and the wildlife-rich landscape of Yala National Park, Uga Chena Huts offers a luxurious yet immersive safari experience. Each of the 14 private cabins combines natural elements with modern comforts, including a private plunge pool, spacious living areas, and stunning views of the surrounding wilderness.
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Located along the stunning beaches of Pasikuda on Sri Lanka’s east coast, Uga Bay offers a perfect blend of luxury and beachfront serenity. This stylish resort is renowned for its elegant design, with rooms and villas boasting breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.
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Hidden between the lush jungle and the pristine shores of Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast, Uga Jungle Beach offers a unique blend of luxury and nature. This eco-friendly resort features cabins that seamlessly blend into the surrounding wilderness, providing both privacy and comfort.
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Nestled along the untouched beaches of Sri Lanka’s southern coast, Kayaam House is a boutique retreat that embodies luxury and tranquility. This intimate property offers elegantly designed suites that open onto private terraces with stunning views of the Indian Ocean.
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SRI LANKA (FAQs) Need to Know
What are the best things to do in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a nature lovers’ paradise and the excellent road network means you can combine a number of wildly different experiences in a single trip. You could search for endangered leopard in Yala National Park, make a boat safari to observe giant blue whale, or hike through the virgin rainforests of Sinharaja to spot rare birds and butterflies. By early evening marvel at elephants swimming in the lake at Gal Oya, or make a vigil on the beach to spy marine turtles as they lay their eggs.
How many days do you need for a holiday in Sri Lanka?
This will depend on how much you want to see and how active you want to be, but we think around two weeks is ideal for a luxury tailor-made holiday to Sri Lanka. This will allow you to explore different national parks and habitats if your focus is on wildlife, or to discover some of the island’s fascinating culture too. It’s well worth including some time to a stay on one of the many gorgeous beaches if you’d simply like to relax.
Is Sri Lanka a suitable destination for children?
Sri Lanka is brilliant for families and really comes into its own. Sometimes referred to as being ‘India-light’, Sri Lanka is the perfect introduction to holidays in the region. Sri Lankans are incredibly warm and friendly and you’ll find your children are welcomed with big smiles wherever you go. Travelling in your own private vehicle with English speaking driver-guide means you have plenty of flexibility and can amend a day’s planned activities if needed.
How is Ceylon Tea Cultivated
Ceylon Tea is grown in Sri Lanka’s lush highlands, where the cool climate and rich soil create perfect conditions. The process involves hand-plucking tea leaves, which are then withered, rolled, fermented, dried, and sorted to produce the distinctive flavors that make Ceylon Tea world-famous. For more details, visit:
