Tour on Leopards Trails in Sri Lanka
Leopards are among the most captivating big cats in the wild and they have own way of stealing hearts. They are stunningly beautiful, elusive and one of a kind. With their golden coats dappled in rosette-shaped spots, they move through the wild like living art and also making every sighting feel like a rare privilege anyone.
Wildlife lovers and specially the wildlife photographers are drawn to their graceful movements as well as powerful hunting skills in their natural habitats.
Sri Lanka is lucky to call a rare subspecies its own: the Sri Lankan leopard, Panthera pardus kotiya. You won’t find them anywhere else on Earth. They roam freely here, unchallenged by lions or tigers, making this island one of the finest places in the world to see leopards in the wild.
Here’s the exciting part – Sri Lanka isn’t just good for leopard sightings, the island has earned global recognition as one of the top places on earth to see these majestic cats in the wild.
What makes Sri Lanka truly special is that its leopards reign supreme. With no lions or tigers to compete with, they roam with ease and confidence, often appearing more relaxed and visible than in other parts of the world.
Yala National Park is leading being home to the highest leopard density in the world. That means your chances of spotting one – especially during daylight hours are better here than anywhere else, but again depending on the twist of your luck.
The numbers speak for themselves, as around 800 mature leopards are estimated to live across the island while major national parks boast numbers as Yala’s Block 1 alone boasts up to 21.7 leopards per 100 km². Wilpattu follows with 16.2 and Horton Plains with 11.7. Kumana, Sri Lanka’s rising star – now ranks second globally in leopard density.
For this itinerary, we have handpicked four of the best national parks where you will have the highest chances of spotting leopards;
- Wilpattu National Park
- Yala National Park
- Kumana National Park
- Horton Plains
Best time to see leopards in each park:
| National Park | Best Time to Visit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yala | February to August | Closed in September–October due to monsoon |
| Wilpattu | February to September | Dry season draws wildlife to waterholes |
| Kumana | May to September | Active around swamps and estuaries |
| Horton Plains | Year-round (esp. dry spells) | Sightings near World’s End Road |
Do not hesitate to speak to one of our Travel Designers to start planning your customized Leopard journey in Sri Lanka, that brings you face-to-face with the elusive beauty of Sri Lanka’s leopards, and the magic of the island’s untamed wilderness.
1
BIA to Negombo
- Pickup and Assistance at the Airport
- Transfer to Negombo
- Check-Into The Hotel and Relax
- Overnight stay in Negombo
2
Negombo to Wipattu
- Morning Transfer to Wilpattu
- Check-Into The Campsite and Refresh
- Afternoon Jeep Safari in Wilpattu National Park
- Overnight stay in Wilpattu
Wilpattu
- Morning Jeep Safari in Wilpattu National Park
- Relax at The Campsite
- Evening Enjoy a Guided Bush Walks
- Experience Private Bush Dinner
- Overnight stay in Wilpattu
Wilpattu to Dambulla
- Transfer to Dambulla
- Experience a Sri Lankan Village Tour
- Evening Visit the Cave Temple of Dambulla
- Overnight stay in Dambulla
5
Dambulla to Kandy
- Morning Climb and Explore Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Transfer to Kandy
- En Route Visit to Nalanda Gedige
- Evening Witness Cultural Dance Show
- Overnight stay in Kandy
6
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
- Morning Pay a Visit to Tooth Relic Temple of Kandy
- Transfer to Nuwara Eliya
- En Route Stop at Ramboda Waterfall for Photographic Opportunities
- Visit a Tea Plantation and a Tea Factory and Experience Tea Tasting and Tea Plucking with Local Tamil Tea Workers
- Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
7
Nuwara Eliya
- Morning Trek to Horton Plains and World’s End
- Discover the Diverse Collection of Flora and Fauna Endemic to the Region
- Relax at The Hotel Enjoying the Facilities
- Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
8
Nuwara Eliya to Yala
- Morning Train Ride to Ella from Nanu Oya
- Visit to Nine Arch Bridge
- Transfer to Yala
- En Route Witness Ravana Waterfall (Sightseeing Only)
- Pay a Visit to Buduruwagala Temple
- Overnight stay in Yala
9
Yala
- Full Day Safari in Yala National Park
- Enjoy an Authentic Rice and Curry Lunch at a Shady Place Inside the Park
- After The Safari, Refresh and Relax at The Campsite
- Overnight stay in Yala
10
Yala to Udawalawe
- Transfer to Udawalawe
- En Route Visit to Elephant Transit Home
- Afternoon Jeep Safari in Udawalawe National Park
- Indulge in a Mouth-Watering BBQ Dinner by a Roaring Campfire
- Overnight stay in Udawalawe
11
Udawalawe to Galle
- Morning Jeep Safari in Udawalawe National Park
- Transfer to Galle
- Check-Into The Hotel and Relax
- Enjoy Hotel Facilities
- Overnight stay in Galle
12
Galle
- Spend the Morning Chilling Out by The Beach
- Enjoy Hotel Facilities
- Evening Explore the Ramparts of Galle Fort and City
- Overnight stay in Galle
13
Galle to BIA
- Transfer to the Maritime City of Galle in the South
- Explore the Galle Dutch Fort and Old Colonial Town
- Overnight Stay in Galle
Journey Highlights
- Trip length: 13 Days
- Get ready to explore Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest national park – Wilpattu.
- Step off the beaten path into Wilpattu’s wild heart to appreciate the hidden wonders of nature, with a naturalist.
- Spot leopards in Horton Plains, which is a rare, but if you’re lucky enough to catch even one, it’s breath-taking and utterly unforgettable moment.
- Spend two full days in Yala national park, where tuskers roam and leopards’ reign.
- Discover Kumana – a haven where silence speaks through paw prints and migratory melodies.
- Unwind after your safari in Yala, with a cozy bonfire – under a starlit sky.
Places you will stay
Kotugoda
Insightful Tips
- Early morning safaris are recommended, as they do offer the best chances of spotting wildlife like leopards and birds. Avoid loud noises for better opportunities.
- At Horton Plains, trekking is involved – so be sure to trek while keeping an eye out for signs like paw prints.
- Pack light, but smart! It is wise to include binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellent, and neutral-colored clothing in your luggage.
- Properties like Wild Edge in Panama are rustic, and be ready to accept it, as the prime plan of this tour is following leopard trails.
- Spice Alert! Sri Lankan food can be fiery. If you are sensitive, ask for “mild” or “less spicy” when ordering food, even at hotels or outside eateries.
- Don’t forget to get a local SIM card when you arrive, as signal can be weak near national parks or remote areas you will be exploring with this plan.
FAQ
Q: Are there any precautions clients should take regarding leeches at Aranya Trails in Wilpattu?
Due to the lush and forested terrain in the that area, leeches can be present, but not all the time and there are leech protections available in case required.
Q: Do any of the properties, such as Galle Fort Hotel or Taru Villas Maia, offer laundry services?
Yes, laundry services are available for stays of two nights or more.
Q: Could you please confirm whether Leopard Trails, Aranya Trails, and Wild Edge Panama have a pool?
Both Aranya Trails and Leopard Trails offer select tents with private plunge pools. However, Wild Edge Panama does not have swimming pool facilities.
Q: How about the network availability at the properties or national parks proposed in this itinerary?
You will have to expect limited connectivity when you are on safaris inside the national parks. But the chosen properties do have Wi-Fi or mobile coverage, so it’s best to have a Mobitel or Dialog SIM with you before starting the tour.
Q: What is the best time of day to see wildlife in the suggested national parks?
Early mornings and the hours preceding sunset are ideal times to view wildlife. Usually, we call them as golden hours.