Leopards and Beaches Safari

Leopards and Beaches Safari - From £1,900 per Person Sharing, Excluding International Flights

Day 1
Upon arrival into Colombo international airport you will be met by our representative who will present you with all your onward documentation. You will then set off on the short journey to the Wallawwa. The rest of your day is yours to relax. If you have time we recommend that you pre-book a session at the spa.
Overnight: The Wallawwa – Garden Suite – A former traditional manor house, this enticing boutique property is set is acres of beautifully manicured gardens. Its location, just 15 minutes from the airport makes it the perfect arrival destination.

Day 2
You will have an early start this morning so as to reach the gate at Wilpattu National Park by lunchtime. The journey takes you up the coast through fishing towns and villages before cutting into the heart of the Sri Lankan countryside. Wilpattu is the nation’s oldest and largest park, having been designated a protected area in 1905 and a national park in 1938. Despite having one of the highest population densities of leopard in the world, one does have to remain patient. The other significant animals in the park are elephant and sloth bear, also both endangered species.
Overnight: Mahoora Luxury Camp – Safari Tent – The camps consist of large safari tents with en-suite facilities (hot water shower and flushing WC), comfortable mattresses on bed frames and bed linen. There is a living area with deck chairs and a coffee table. Meals in camp are whipped up in the mobile kitchen and are feasts every time; evening meals may be a barbecue with tiger prawns or a five course set menu with waiter service; lunches are less formal and are usually Sri Lankan rice and curry; and breakfasts are taken when you get back to camp and are usually a choice of western or Sri Lankan. Game drives are taken in specially adapted vehicles that will enable you to have prime viewing positions from every seat. Moring game drives start at sunrise and you usually return to camp by 10am. Afternoon drives are from 3:30pm until sunset. (B/L/D)

Days 3, 4, 5
Enjoy three full days in Wilpattu National Park on the lookout for the local wildlife. Jeep safaris are the main activity of the day. However, there is simply nothing better than relaxing back at camp listening to the sounds of the wildlife. Should you fancy a more cultured distraction then the archaeological sites of Anuradhapura and Mihintale are about an hour’s drive away and your driver is on hand to take you there and back.
Overnight: Mahoora Luxury Camp – Safari Tent (B/L/D)

Day 6
After a final drive in the park you will exit the gate and rejoin with your driver. It is now a 2 to 3 hour drive to the coast at Kalpitya, an undeveloped spit of land separating the Indian Ocean from a brakish lagoon where salt production is the major industry.

Here you will spend three nights at the Bar Reef Resort set on a broad and seemingly endless stretch of golden sand. Food is Sri Lankan in the main with a few western dishes. There is a wonderful fibre optic lit swimming pool.
Overnight: Bar Reef Resort – Cabana – This is a very laid back resort in a very isolated spot. They offer a variety of accommodation options. We really like the simple mud cabanas. These are very much open to the air with a thatched room protecting you from any rain. Rattan blinds can be drawn down for extra privacy at night and mosquito nets cover the very comfy beds. Other options are wooden cabanas or a room in one of the simple villas. However, I think that you will find the mud cabanas, quirky, charming and romantic. All cabanas have outdoor bathrooms and all water is solar heated. (B/D)

Days 7, 8
Enjoy two full days at Bar Reef and the Indian Ocean. There are watersports available including snorkelling. Given the time of year it will only be possible to go out snorkelling when the weather is calm. Diving is only possible with 48hrs notice and with the weather being unpredictable this will not be an option. It is not the main Dolphin watching season but if reports are that they are out there then the hotel will let you know and offer you the opportunity to see these amazing animals. Kite surfing is still in season and this is one of the best locations in the world to do this sport.
Overnight: Bar Reef Resort – Cabana (B/D)

Day 9
It is a 2½ hr drive to the airport from Kalpitya so your driver will have made arrangements to pick you up at a specified time from Bar Reef to get you to the airport in good time to check in. We recommend a minimum of 2 hours at the airport to check in for your flight. Our representative will be on hand to escort you through the security checks to the check in desks. (B)