SRI LANKA

This special endemic-focussed tour visits the tropical paradise island of Sri Lanka in search of some of the most exciting birds in the Indian Subcontinent. There are currently 34 endemic species, with several other potential ‘splits' pending and numerous distinctive races that may one day be elevated to full-species status and we shall focus our efforts on finding as many of these as possible. This tour will also give us the very best chance of seeing the recently discovered Serendib Scops-owl. Our tour concentrates on the tropical rainforests of Kitulgala and Sinharaja and the higher areas around Newera Eliya, plus a visit to the bird-filled Udawalawe, where it is possible to see over 100 species in a day.  An optional extension will take us to the south of this wonderful island where we will take a pelagic out into the Indian Ocean where we have an outstanding possibility of seeing Blue Whales and a number of other cetaceans including Sperm Whale and Spinner Dolphins, plus a few seabirds as well!. Join us on this endemic rich, and as usual fun-filled, ZOOTHERA tour that will leave you longing to return!

Main tour: Sun 1st - Weds 11th Nov

Extension: Weds 11th - Sat 14th Nov 

KEY SPECIES

Here are just a few of the key species we will be targetting on this tour:

  • Sri Lanka Spurfowl
  • Slaty-legged Crake
  • Serendib Scops-Owl
  • Collared Scops-Owl
  • Chestnut-backed Owlet
  • Sri Lanka Woodpigeon
  • Blue-faced Malkoha
  • Sirkeer Malkoha
  • Red-faced Malkoha
  • Green-billed Coucal
  • Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot
  • Layard's Parakeet
  • Yellow-fronted Barbet
  • Crimson-fronted Barbet
  • Crimson-backed Flameback
  • Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill
  • Malabar Pied Hornbill
  • Malabar Trogon
  • Sri Lanka Drongo
  • Indian Pitta
  • Sri Lanka Swallow
  • Spot-winged Thrush
  • Sri Lanka Scaly Thrush
  • Pied Thrush
  • Sri Lanka Woodshrike
  • Kashmir Flycatcher
  • Dull-blue Flycatcher
  • Yellow-eared Bulbul
  • Sri Lanka Bush Warbler
  • Ashy-headed Laughingthrush
  • Sri Lanka Whistling-Thrush
  • Orange-billed Babbler
  • Brown-capped Babbler
  • Sri Lanka Blue Magpie
  • White-faced Starling
  • Sri Lanka Myna
  • Legge's Flowerpecker
  • Blue whale
Serendib Scops Owl copyright Indika Jayatissa

Leaders: Nick Upton and Local guides.

Ground Price (Main Tour):   £2250.00 - Colombo/Colombo

Ground Price (Extension):  £850.00 - for a group of 4 or more

Airfare: £675.00 (Approx) - UK/UK

Single supplement (Main): £300.00                  

Single supplement (Extension): £250.00

Deposit: £500.00

Group size: Minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 with 2 leaders.

Included in cost: Accommodation in twin rooms en-suite, all meals including picnic lunches where necessary, all entrance fees to National Parks, transport throughout in air-conditioned coach, jeep safari, bottled water, 2 whale-watching pelagics (if taking the extension), and services of leaders. 

Not included: International airfare, insurance, departure tax, drinks, tips and items of a personal nature. 

Accommodation: The hotels used during this tour range from good to standard, all with en-suite facilities. We will stay in the best available lodges/guest houses as close to the birding sites as possible. 

Tour Code: This is a relatively standard birding tour with early starts quite normal as this is when bird activity is at its best in the tropics. Walks are usually at a slow birding pace and along well worn trails but can be a little slippery in places if it has rained recently. The weather is warm to hot at this time of the year, and in the rainforests the humidity is sometimes high. On Horton Plains it is quite cold early in the morning. Some light showers are possible at this time of the year.

All photos copyright Nick Bray/Zoothera Birding unless otherwise stated. Hover your cursor over each image for info.