Sri Lanka is a critical stronghold for feline conservation, hosting four distinct species of wild cats. While the iconic Leopard draws global headlines, the island’s three smaller felines are masters of the shadows, often living on the margins of human settlements and protected wilderness alike. All four species are currently considered nationally threatened in Sri Lanka, facing challenges from habitat fragmentation and urbanization. This expedition offers a rare opportunity to track these secretive predators alongside specialist naturalists.
Note: These felines are exceptionally elusive. Sightings require patience, expert tracking, and often the cover of night. While we cannot guarantee sightings, this tour maximizes your chances by visiting the island’s most productive “hotspots.”
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon your arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by your specialist chauffeur-guide, who will be your dedicated expert throughout this feline-focused expedition. This is a private tour designed for you to enjoy the wilderness at your own pace. You will immediately set off for Wilpattu, arriving in the afternoon in time to freshen up, enjoy a local lunch, and take a quick nap before your first foray into the wild.
Afternoon: Set out for an afternoon safari within the park. Wilpattu is world-renowned for its Villus (natural lakes) and remains one of the most rewarding places for mammal watching. As the sun begins to dip, observe the transition of the park’s inhabitants. Your guide will help you spot the Sri Lankan Leopard and Sloth Bear, which often emerge as the heat of the day dissipates.
Evening: Upon your return to camp, the evening revolves around a rustic campfire and a candle-lit dinner served under the vast canopy of stars. The highlight of the night begins after dinner: a specialized night drive through Wilpattu’s neighborhood and buffer zones. These areas are prime habitats for nocturnal hunters that are difficult to see during the day.
Nocturnal Highlights: Our primary target tonight is the Fishing Cat, an elusive wetland predator at the top of our bucket list. We will also scan the scrub and canopy for:
Accommodation & Meal Plan: Big Game by Eco Team Safari Camp, Wilpattu / Half-Board
Morning: After the excitement of the previous night’s late-prowl, enjoy the luxury of sleeping in. These mornings are dedicated to rest and recovery, allowing you to recharge for the intensive tracking ahead. After a relaxed brunch and a short rest, prepare for the transition back into the deep wild.
Afternoon: Each afternoon, set out for a private Jeep safari within Wilpattu National Park. As the island’s largest protected area, its complex landscape of coastal scrub, dense forest, and unique natural lakes (Villus) provides the ideal sanctuary for the Sri Lankan Leopard and the Sloth Bear. During these hours, we focus on the park’s predators as they move toward the water’s edge. Keep a sharp eye on the thickets for the Jungle Cat, which is known to hunt during the cooler late-afternoon hours.
Evening: Return to the campsite to unwind with a couple of glasses of wine as the fire is lit. A traditional BBQ dinner is served around the campfire, providing a true bush-safari atmosphere. Following dinner, the night remains active. Join our naturalist for a moonlight walk or drive through the camp’s borders.
The Night Prowl: Using specialized torches to catch the reflection of unblinking eyes, we search for the rarest residents of the dry zone:
Accommodation & Meal Plan: Big Game by Eco Team Safari Camp, Wilpattu / Full-Board
Morning: Following breakfast, bid farewell to the lakes of Wilpattu and travel southeast toward the Cultural Triangle. Your destination is the historic precinct of Sigiriya, an area where ancient royal history and wild nature coexist in a unique ecological corridor. Arrive in the early afternoon and settle in before the heat begins to break.
Afternoon: By early evening, prepare for the ascent of Sigiriya, one of the most significant landmarks in Sri Lankan tourism. This massive rock fortress, rising abruptly from the plains, served as the 5th-century royal capital for King Kasyapa. As you climb, you will be greeted by the remains of the colossal Sigiriya Lion Rock paws, which mark the start of the final ascent.
Evening: Tonight’s primary focus is a night drive through the Sigiriya countryside. The mix of secondary forest and agricultural land makes this one of the best locations on the island for small feline spotting. With the help of your specialist naturalist, you will search the bushes for the Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, and the tiny, elusive Rusty-spotted Cat.
Accommodation & Meal Plan: Boutique Eco-Lodge in Sigiriya / Half-Board
Morning: After breakfast at your hotel, pay a visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic spiritual landmarks in Sri Lanka. This vast cave monastery is the largest and best-preserved temple complex on the island. Inside, you will discover five separate caverns housing 157 exquisite statues and over 20,000 square feet of vibrant mural paintings. The centerpiece is a magnificent 47-foot-long reclining Buddha carved directly into the living rock, surrounded by frescoes that have been a site of pilgrimage for over 2,000 years.
Evening: Late in the evening, you will be taken to Sam Popham’s Arboretum in Dambulla. This unique “man-made jungle” was established decades ago as a sanctuary for indigenous trees and has since become a vital haven for local wildlife. The highlight of the visit is the specialized Night Walk. Led by an expert guide, you will navigate the wilderness trails in silence, using low-intensity light to search for the rare Grey Slender Loris.
Nocturnal Discovery: The arboretum’s dense canopy is arguably the best place in the country to observe the Loris as they forage for insects. For the passionate nature lover, this walk offers an intimate look at a delicate ecosystem where you may also encounter:
Accommodation & Meal Plan: Boutique Eco-Lodge in Sigiriya / Half-Board
Morning: Today, swap the Jeep for a more intimate mode of travel. Get onto a bicycle and explore the Sigiriya countryside at your own pace. This slow-travel approach allows you to navigate the quiet backyards and less-inhabited fringes of the jungle where small mammals often hide. Your ride will take you through a mosaic of rural villages, emerald paddy fields, and fragrant spice gardens. These transition zones between cultivation and forest are prime habitats for spotting Jungle Cats and Mongoose during the daylight hours.
Afternoon: Your ride through the local trails will be rewarded with a truly authentic experience—a hearty Sri Lankan lunch served in a remote village house bordering the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy traditional curries prepared over a wood fire while overlooking the wild buffer zones.
Optional Excursion: If you are feeling adventurous, you may choose an optional trek up Pidurangala Rock. Located directly opposite Sigiriya, this ancient monastic site offers a more rugged climb and provides the most iconic 360-degree view of the Lion Rock itself, framed against the vast horizon of the dry zone.
Evening: As the sun sets, return to your lodge or continue exploring the village tanks (reservoirs) where Fishing Cats are known to prowl the banks under the cover of dusk. This day is about immersing yourself in the “intermediate zones” where humans and these secretive felines coexist.
Accommodation & Meal Plan: Boutique Eco-Lodge in Sigiriya / Half-Board
Morning: After a late breakfast, begin your journey toward the wet zone, traveling via Kandy, the revered hill capital. Though its days as a royal seat have passed, Kandy retains a serene, timeless atmosphere. Your first port of call is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa). Built in the 16th century, this golden-roofed temple houses the tooth of the Buddha. As you explore the complex, admire the artistic murals and intricate carvings that capture the profound history and journey of Buddhism through the centuries.
Afternoon: Continue your descent into the lush landscapes of Kitulgala, a small town nestled in the heart of the wet zone rainforest. Famous as the filming location for The Bridge on the River Kwai, Kitulgala is a biodiversity hotspot defined by the rushing waters of the Kelani River and its dense, emerald flora. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and soak in the humid, life-filled air of the tropical forest.
Evening: Tonight, prepare for a deep-forest experience with a night walk in the Makandawa Forest Reserve. Kitulgala is a premier destination for spotting nocturnal mammals and many of Sri Lanka’s endemic owls. Guided by the calls of the jungle, you will search for:
Accommodation & Meal Plan: Eco-Lodge in Kitulgala / Half-Board
Full-Day Trek: After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, set out for a comprehensive exploration of the Makandawa Rainforest alongside your expert local guides. Established as a forest reserve in 1903, Makandawa is one of the oldest and most vital rainforests in Sri Lanka. Its ancient canopy and undisturbed ecosystem make it a sanctuary for some of the island’s most elusive residents.
Avian Wonders: For birdwatchers, this day is a dream come true. The forest provides a rare opportunity to observe an array of endemic and threatened species. Keep your binoculars ready for:
The Wetland Predator: Geographically, Makandawa’s unique blend of hilly terrain and wetland marshes makes it a premier hotspot for the Fishing Cat. While these felines are notoriously secretive, the rainforest’s network of streams provides the ideal hunting ground. With patience and the expert tracking skills of your guides, today offers a significant chance to witness this aquatic predator in its natural habitat.
Night: As the jungle transitions to its nocturnal rhythm, a night walk around the vicinity will be conducted. This is the time to search for specialized rainforest species that only appear under the cover of darkness, including unique amphibians and the wet-zone race of the Slender Loris.
Accommodation & Meal Plan: Eco-Lodge in Kitulgala / Half-Board
Morning Adventure: Today, you have the choice between deepening your wildlife search or embracing the adrenaline of the river. You may opt for another specialized trail in the Makandawa Rainforest Reserve to track the elusive Fishing Cat, but for those seeking a change of pace, we recommend the ultimate Kitulgala experience: White Water Rafting on the Kelani River.
Afternoon Exploration: To conclude your stay in this vibrant region, consider an optional cycling trail to Beli Lena Cave. This journey through rubber plantations and rural hamlets leads you to one of the most important prehistoric sites in South Asia.
Accommodation & Meal Plan: Eco-Lodge in Kitulgala / Half-Board
Morning: Enjoy your final breakfast amidst the sounds of the Kelani River and the Kitulgala rainforest. After checking out, your dedicated chauffeur-guide will begin your safe transfer to the airport. As you leave the lush wet zone behind, take this time to reflect on the incredible variety of wildlife—from the smallest wild cats to the largest leopards—and the adventures you’ve experienced over the past ten days.
The Journey Home: The drive to Bandaranaike International Airport typically takes under 3 hours. We ensure you arrive well in advance for a relaxed, unhassled check-in before your flight back home or to your next onward destination.
Reflections: You depart having explored the deepest lakes of Wilpattu, the ancient rocks of Sigiriya, and the prehistoric caves of Kitulgala. More importantly, you have walked the trails of some of the world’s most elusive felines.
Sri Lanka bids you farewell… wishing to see you again soon!
Meal Plan: Breakfast
You may see the hotels which we have handpicked for you under each accomodation style. However, there are hundreds of other alternative properties for you to select if you wish to and you may mix and match hotels in different categories as well.
If you’re looking for a no-frills stay that’s easy on the wallet, and love to spend time with locals and explore the surroundings at your own pace, this is the perfect choice for you. This hotel style is wonderfully cosy, unique, mostly owner-run and provides you with a more personalised service.
Sri Lanka is a nation where religion and culture occupy an important place in the day-to-day lives of the local people. It is important to be aware of the customs and practices that are particular to the location you are visiting, so here are a few general tips to keep in mind during your travels. Your chauffeur will assist you with more detailed information.
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