7 days – Endemic Bird Seekers

7 days – Endemic Bird Seekers

Sri Lanka is one of the world’s top birdwatching destinations, renowned for its remarkable biodiversity and exceptional number of endemic species. Although the island is relatively small, it is home to an incredible 523 recorded bird species. Therefore making it a must-visit destination for birders and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

From lush rainforests and misty highlands to wetlands, national parks and coastal lagoons. Sri Lanka offers an extraordinary variety of habitats that support an abundance of birdlife. Alongside its resident species, the island welcomes thousands of migratory birds each year, escaping the colder climates of Europe and Asia during the northern winter.

Our carefully crafted 7-day Sri Lanka birdwatching tour, Endemic Bird Seekers, takes you to the island’s most rewarding birding hotspots. Therefore giving you the opportunity to observe rare endemic birds, colourful tropical species and seasonal migrants in their natural habitats. As every Lanka4me tour is completely bespoke, we can tailor the itinerary to match your interests, preferred bird species and pace of travel.

This tour operates throughout the year, but for the greatest variety of migratory birds, we recommend visiting between November and February, when birdlife is at its most spectacular.

Birding Sites Covered

• Makandawa Rain Forest

• Victoria Park & Galway National Park

• Horton Plains National Park

• Sinharaja Rain Forest

Locations

• Kithulgala (Makandawa Rain Forest)

• Hortain Plains National Park – Nuwara Eliya

• Sinharaja Rain Forest

Itinerary

DAY 01 & 02 | ARRIVAL | TRANSFER TO KITHULGALA

Highlights

• Arrival at Colombo Airport

• Makandawa Rain Forest

Into the Wild: Your Birdwatching Journey Begins

• Ayubowan, A warm welcome to Sri Lanka!

• Meet your professional guide from Lanka4me at the airport

• Transfer to Kithulgala, a lush paradise for bird enthusiasts

• Enjoy an evening birdwatching session along the forest edges, spotting your first tropical species

Kitulgala (Makandawa Forest Reserve) is one of Sri Lanka’s finest birdwatching destinations and home to more than 50 rare and endemic bird species. As the country’s oldest forest reserve, it protects over 1,150 hectares of lush lowland rainforest filled with exotic wildlife and tropical plants. Crystal-clear rock pools, cascading waterfalls, scenic jungle trails and the beautiful Kelani River make Kitulgala a paradise for birdwatchers, photographers and nature lovers alike.

More than 20 bird species can be spotted here.

• Green-Billed Coucal

• Ceylon Lorikeet, Layard’s Parakeet

• Ceylon Grey Hornbill

• Oriental Honey Buzzard

• Red Faced Malkoha

• Ceylon Blue Magpie

• Ceylon Jungle & Ceylon Spurfowl

• Common Hill Myna

Targeted Endemic Birds

• Sri Lankan Junglefowl

• (Gallus lafayettii)

• Sri Lanka spurfowl

• (Galloperdix bicalcarata)

• Layard’s parakeet

• (Psittacula calthrapae)

• Sri Lanka hanging parrot (Loriculus beryllinus)

• Chestnut-backed owlet (Glaucidium castanotum)

• Sri Lanka hill myna (Gracula ptilogenys)

• Serendib scops owl(Otus thilohoffmanni)

• Green-billed coucal (Centropus chlororhynchos)

• Red-faced malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus)

• Crimson-fronted barbet (Psilopogon rubricapillus)

• Ashy-headed laughingthrush (Argya cinereifrons)

• Yellow-fronted barbet (Psilopogon flavifrons)

• Sri Lanka Crested drongo (Dicrurus lophorinus)

• Yellow Eared bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus)

• Sri Lanka blue magpie (Urocissa ornata)

• Orange-billed babbler (Argya rufescens)

DAY 03 & 04 | TRANSFER TO NUWARA ELIYA

Highlights

• Victoria Park & Surburbs

• Horton Plains National Park

Into the Highlands: A Day of Endemic Discoveries

• Early morning birdwatching around Kitulgala

• Journey towards the central highlands of Sri Lanka

• Scenic ascent into cooler mountain landscapes

• Arrival in Nuwara Eliya region

• After lunch, visit a quiet and less-traveled side road near the town

• Chance to spot rare and localized endemic bird species unique to these higher elevations

Victoria Park is one of Sri Lanka’s best birdwatching locations in the hill country. Situated in the heart of Nuwara Eliya, this beautifully maintained park is home to a rich variety of montane bird species, including several rare and endemic birds. Its peaceful woodland, open grasslands and mature trees provide the perfect habitat for colourful hill-country wildlife, making it a favourite spot for birdwatchers and photographers. A permit is required to enter the park, where visitors can enjoy leisurely walks while searching for some of Sri Lanka’s most sought-after bird species.

8 bird species can be spotted here.

• Black Bird

• Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

• Yellow-eared Bul Bul

• Dusky Blue Flycatchere

• Pied Thrush

• Ceylon White Eye

• Kashmir Red-breasted Flycatcher

• Asian Tit

Horton Plains National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s premier birdwatching destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stunning highland plateau is home to rolling grasslands, misty cloud forests and many of the island’s endemic hill-country birds. As you walk the scenic trails, you’ll have the chance to spot rare bird species while enjoying spectacular natural attractions, including the dramatic World’s End viewpoint and the beautiful Baker’s Falls. The park’s cool climate and unspoilt landscapes make it a must-visit for birdwatchers, hikers and nature lovers alike.

More than 18 bird species can be spotted here.

• Pied Bushchat

• Dark-fronted Babbler

• Blue-tailed Bee-eater

• Jerdon’s Baza

• Hill Swallow

• Barn Swallow

• Indian Blackbird

• Brahminy Kite

• Legge’s Hawk-Eagle

• Black-throated Munia

• Green Warbler

• Green Imperial-Pigeon

• Booted Eagle

• Square-tailed Bulbul

• Gray Wagtail

• Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher

• Little Swift

• White-rumped Munia

Targeted Endemic Birds

• Sri Lankan wood pigeon (Columba torringtoniae)

• Sri Lanka white-eye (Zosterops ceylonensis)

• Yellow-eared bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus)

• Dull-blue flycatcher (Eumyias sordidus)

• Black-capped bulbul (Rubigula melanictera)

• Sri Lanka bush Warbler (Elaphrornis palliseri)

• Sri Lanka whistling thrush (Myophonus blighi)

DAY 05 / 06 / 07 | TRANSFER TO WEDDAGALA

Highlights

• Sinharaja Rain Forest

• Departure

Experience one of the oldest rain forests in the world

• After Breakfast you proceed with your guide to the stunning Sinharaja Rain forest. The highlight of this tour.

• After arriving you first check-in to your hotel and have time to relax and settle down.

• You will spend two full days of bird watching in Sinharaja Rain Forest.

• On the last day it’s time to say good bye. Your tour ends at the Airport in Colombo.

• Hopefully see you soon again in Sri Lanka!

Sinharaja Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Sri Lanka’s last remaining primary tropical rainforest and one of the country’s most important wildlife sanctuaries. Renowned for its incredible biodiversity, it is home to the majority of Sri Lanka’s endemic bird species, along with rare mammals, reptiles, butterflies and amphibians. Sinharaja is especially famous for its spectacular mixed-species bird flocks, giving birdwatchers an excellent opportunity to spot many endemic birds during a single walk. With its lush rainforest, rich wildlife and unspoilt natural beauty, Sinharaja is an essential destination for every birdwatching tour in Sri Lanka.

Over 30 bird species can be spotted here.

• Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher

• Pale-billed Flowerpecker

• Sri Lanka Green-Pigeon

• Lesser Yellownape

• Common Iora

• Sri Lanka Frogmouth

• Orange Minivet

• White-bellied Drongo

• Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher

• Malabar Trogon

• Alexandrine Parakeet

• Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

• Ruddy-breasted Crake

• Tawny-bellied Babbler

• Brown-breasted Flycatcher

• White-browed Fantail

• Yellow-browed Bulbul

• Indian Blue Robin

• Slaty-legged Crake

• White-browed Bulbul

• Yellow-eyed Babbler

• Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker

• Black-headed Cuckooshrike

• Southern Hill Myna

• Stork-billed Kingfisher

• Black Eagle

• Sri Lanka Frogmouth

• Sri Lanka Bay owl

• Crested Serpent Eagle

• Brown Hawk Eagle

Targeted Endemic Birds

• Sri Lankan junglefowl (Gallus lafayettii)

• Sri Lanka spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata)

• Layard’s parakeet (Psittacula calthrapae)

• Sri Lanka hanging parrot (Loriculus beryllinus)

• Chestnut-backed owlet (Glaucidium castanotum)

• Serendib scops owl (Otus thilohoffmanni)

• Green-billed coucal (Centropus chlororhynchos)

• White-faced starling (Sturnornis albofrontatus)

• Sri Lanka whistling thrush (Myophonus blighi)

• Red-faced malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus)

• Crimson-fronted barbet (Psilopogon rubricapillus)

• Yellow-fronted barbet (Psilopogon flavifrons)

• Sri Lanka drongo (Dicrurus lophorinus)

• Yellow-eared bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus)

• Black-capped bulbul (Rubigula melanictera)

• Sri Lanka blue magpie (Urocissa ornata)

• Sri Lanka scaly thrush (Zoothera imbricata)

• Sri Lanka hill myna (Gracula ptilogenys)

• Ashy-headed laughing thrush (Argya cinereifrons)

• Orange-billed babbler (Argya rufescens)

• Sri Lanka scimitar babbler (Pomatorhinus melanurus)

• Brown-capped babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillus)

• Sri Lanka bush warbler (Elaphrornis palliseri)

• Legge’s flowerpecker (Dicaeum vincens)Spot-winged thrush (Geokichla spiloptera)

Included

• 6 nights accommodation at the mentioned resorts, eco lodges or guest houses with breakfasts.

• Arrival and departure assistance at the airport

• Transportation by A/C vehicle on private basis with passenger insurance.

• Service of the English-speaking professional guides having good experienced in birdwatching.

• A “Photographic Guide to Birds of Sri Lanka” by Gehan De Silva and two more guide books related to butterflies and dragonflies for every client as a complimentary gift.

• Preparing the Trip Report before the departure.

• Free water bottles, Wi-Fi (Sim Card).

• All government taxes are included for above all

Exclusions

• Air fares and visa charges.

• Sightseeing entrance charges (unless specified).

• Meals which are not mentioned in the itinerary

• Any expenses on private basis.