Endemics within easy reach of Sri Lanka’s Other Highlights

Sri Lanka. That little speck on the world map has long been revered by the birding world. It’s an island that enthrals every visitor. The age-old natural wonders sit side by side with cultural sites, all within easy reach of the best bird watching hot spots to see the 33 endemic birds of Sri Lanka.

Yes, there are 33, in an area of 65,610 square kilometers. An unparalleled rate of species endemism per land area, higher than even Madagascar or Borneo.

Sri Lanka has been a favoured holiday destination for its magnificent Royal Kingdoms; for its wildlife; the luxury of Ceylon Tea inspired mountain holiday retreats in the windswept, even desolate Central Highlands; and where, a tailored itinerary can be curated to perfectly contrast awe-inspiring bird filled rainforests, kayaking on lakes, train rides hugging seas filled with marine life, mornings spent searching for waders, evening safaris in the southern wildlife parks, and day upon day of culinary pleasures.

Private Bird Watching Tours in Sri Lanka - for the Advanced Birders, and the not so avid.

Image© Brian Harrisberg

A pick of where to go to spot the 33 endemic birds, over 50 subcontinent endemics and a count of over 250 species on a two-week bird watching tour needs to be the preserve of a specialist travel agency with the right Naturalists. Ayu in the Wild Holidays, a 100% Sri Lankan, owner-run DMC was born out of the passion for all things outdoors that drives its founders, Chamintha and Rajindra to explore the incredibly diverse landscapes of their country of birth.

Ayu in the Wild, the inbound arm of Wild Island Safaris (Pvt) Ltd, has been operating insured and accredited tours in Sri Lanka since 2012 and curate private tours for advanced birders, and the not-so-avid amateur bird watchers, every season.

The Right Bird Watching Naturalist Makes A World of Difference

Tours for advanced birders are hosted by all-round natural history specialists qualified in wildlife conservation. Imagine exploring an island with a host specialised in Palaeobiodiversity, with over 20 years of experience in leading birding and wildlife tours in Sri Lanka. There’s some serious bird spotting and story-telling that make the habitats come alive. Tours for the serious bird watcher is where minute after minute of the itinerary is filled with an adventure across scenic bird rich landscapes. Where moments after you arrive, you are whisked off to a rain forest.

Some bird watchers prefer an easier pace.

Most bird watching tours with Ayu in the Wild are tailored for those who love quiet moments bridging the gap between birding and other essential highlights of Sri Lanka. Each one is hosted by an ex-wildlife ranger with decades of guiding experience on birding, mammals, ecology and biodiversity in Sri Lanka. These are tours where a visit to a beautiful World Heritage Site follows a birding trek with incredibly photographic landscapes before heading to a stunning villa which ups the ante in the comfort stakes.

All guides are Sri Lankan born, have extensive experience in field and scientific research on bird netting and ringing, elephant research and are friendly and flexible tour companions.

Ayu in the Wild’s bird watching holidays are hosted from arrival to drop off at the Airport. English-speaking chauffeurs navigate you from the dry-ever green forests in the Sigiriya Sanctuary to the Horton Plains cloud forests to the Sinharaja rainforests, seamlessly, while red buses whiz past horns blaring as they overtake farmers trundling on push bicycles laden with firewood. Beautiful hand-picked accommodation on the curated bird watching holidays with Ayu in the Wild makes eco-luxury travel in Sri Lanka, an absolute pleasure. Each tour is private, and tailor made with options.

Image© Brian Harrisberg

When To Go Bird Watching in Sri Lanka and Where

Bird watching on this incredibly super rich island for wildlife is best done between December to February. This season is also the best to see Blue Whales and other marine life on luxury boats – the most desirable way of seeing all that the island’s oceans offer.

Some of the best places for bird watching in Sri Lanka include Sinharaja, the last remaining virgin rainforest on the island where, 29 of the islands 33 endemic birds can be spotted. The national parks of Kumana, Yala, Wilpattu and Udawalawe yield a high bird species count and at the same time the best chances of spotting elephants and leopards on privately guided wildlife safaris.

The Vankalai Sanctuary, a RAMSAR site in Mannar and a perfect stop over en-route to a Northern Itinerary heading to Jaffna; and another RAMSAR Site Bundala National Park; are the thriving feeding grounds for hundreds of winter migrants that flock to their last outpost on the Asian route to escape the northern winter. The dry mixed evergreen forests around the Sigiriya lion rock and small lakes around the Sigiriya sanctuary are a perfect add on to spot Sri Lanka's endemics.

The Victoria Park in Nuwera Eliya, Horton Plains in the Central Highlands, lush rain forest tracts of Kitulgala and the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy easily connect onto each birding tour. The Kalametiya Sanctuary is perfect for the senses. Its shallow placid waters and deep silence pairs well with the sound of a paddle hitting water and fluttering wings of a startled water bird.

Wetland Walks are a must, be it in the deep southern heartlands of Tissamaharama or cosmopolitan Colombo, or our personal favourite, the remote eastern wildlife haven of Kumana that is yet another of the six RAMSAR sites in Sri Lanka. Ella, the favourite child of every guidebook, has been surprisingly bird rich too.

Sri Lanka’s Best Bird Watching Itineraries with Ayu In The Wild

Four sample itineraries given below can be tailor made as private bird watching tours between December to February which is the best bird watching season in Sri Lanka.

The Endemics - 12 day bird watching itinerary covering Colombo, Kitulgala, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains, Tissamaharama Wetlands, Yala and Bundala National Parks and Sinharaja rain forest. This fast-paced tour includes dawn to dusk birding across all climatic zones, a dedicated focus on 33 endemics and an enviable bird species count. You will be in the field for most of the day, with not much time for relaxation. Suitable for advanced birders with good fitness and mobility. Enquire about this tour.

Birds and more – 17 day bird and wildlife itinerary covering Colombo, Mirissa, Bundala, Yala, Udawalawe, Sinharaja, Kitulgala, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains, Kandy and Sigiriya. This is a wonderful itinerary suitable for all who enjoy birds and the island's essential highlights. You will need average to good fitness and mobility. You will search for birds, elephants, leopards, blue whales and more; enjoy culture, cuisine, local community interactions and Sri Lanka’s essential World Heritage highlights. Enquire about this tour.

Birding and Mammals - 14 day Tour covering the Colombo Wetlands, rainforests of Kitulgala and Sinharaja, Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains, and the Botanical Gardens in Kandy. This wildlife tour is more focused on birding at a few key sites, all 33 endemics and rare species, and mammals of Sri Lanka. World Heritage sites will be explored en-route and is ideal for those who enjoy birds, nature, culture, cuisine, immersive interactions with locals. The tour requires average to good fitness and mobility. Enquire about this tour.

Rainforests and Cloudforests - 9 day Tour covering the Colombo Wetlands, Kitulgala rainforest, Victoria Park in Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park and Sinharaja rainforest. A tour with a high chance of spotting all 33 endemics and perfect for those with limited time to explore. Its suitable for all birders with good fitness and mobility and explores Sri Lanka's best mountain and rainforest regions. Enquire about this tour.

Bird Watching Tours for the Disabled and Mobility Challenged

Flexibility and creativity have always been the hall mark of Ayu in the Wild. Alternate birding sites that offer flat walks, places to rest and supportive guides who are keen to ensure the species list keeps ticking at more accessible sites; are on offer in our inclusive tours for the mobility-impaired. Early morning starts are kept flexible. The plan for the day is discussed to suite each client’s needs, and ability. Transfers between locations factor in rest stops. Accessible accommodation is found and vehicles modified for wheel-chair access are secured for the tour.