A journey of 9 nights
The Wild South
Blue whales, wild elephants and leopards, from a bird island above a lake and a villa by the surf.
- Nights
- 9
- Stays
- 2
- Arranged
- 5
- For
- Wildlife, Nature
- Day 1
Arrive
Two hours from the airport to a hillside of suites above Koggala Lake.
- Day 2
Rainforest
Sinharaja with a naturalist, for the birds found nowhere else on earth.
- Day 3
The lake
Koggala Lake by boat, then yoga in the shala over the water.
- Day 4
Open water
Out from Mirissa at first light for blue whales and spinner dolphins, in season from December to April.
- Day 5
East
Along the coast road to Hiriketiya and a villa a few paces from the bay.
- Day 6
Elephants
Udawalawe by private jeep, among the wild herds on open grassland.
- Day 7
Leopard country
A full day in Yala, out before dawn for the best chance of a leopard.
- Day 8
The wetlands
Bundala's lagoons for flamingos and crocodiles, or the beach and nothing else.
- Day 9
The bay
Swim, surf, and the rooftop terrace at dusk.
- Day 10
Home
Two and a half hours back to the airport.
Where you stay
Ahangama, boutique hotel
Kurulu Bay
Bird island, above Koggala Lake.
Fourteen suites and cottages spread across a green hillside over the lake. Tree houses float above the view, cottages follow the local vernacular, and everything leans toward wellbeing.
- Suites and cottages14
- Pools2
- Galle Fort30 min
Hiriketiya, private villa
Ginger Palm Villa
Paces from Horseshoe Bay.
A boutique villa on the tree-clad edge of Dikwella, steps from the surf at Hiriketiya. An oversized pool for after the beach, and a rooftop terrace for jungle breezes and stars.
- Rooms4
- BeachA few paces
- From the airport2.5 hrs
Arranged along the way
- Whales off Mirissa. Blue whales, sperm whales and spinner dolphins pass close to this coast between December and April.
- Sinharaja rainforest. A guided walk in primary rainforest, home to most of the birds found nowhere else but Sri Lanka.
- Udawalawe elephants. Open grassland and wild elephant herds, by private jeep.
- Yala National Park. A full-day safari in leopard country, with elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles along the way.
- Bundala wetlands. Lagoons and salt pans full of birds, flamingos among them in the winter months, and crocodiles in the shallows.
- A car and driver throughout. From the arrivals hall to the last morning.