Itinerary overview

10-Day Safari and South Coast Sri Lanka Itinerary

Wildlife-first route with park gateways and a recovery-focused beach finish. Designed for August travel with 2 traveler(s), 10 days, and a budget budget style. The plan keeps transfer pacing realistic while emphasizing wildlife and adventure.

Safari-first tripsNature photographyCoast plus parksWildlifeAdventureTea country

Day 1

Arrive and settle in Negombo

Arrival -> Negombo | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Use coast nights as buffer and recovery days
Photography-focused golden-hour planning block
Flexible recovery block after arrival travel

Stay area: Negombo

Affordable family-run stay near local eateries (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Negombo activities.

Mid-range beach hotel with pool access (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Negombo.

High-end coastal retreat with spa amenities (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Negombo stay.

Day 2

Transfer to Wilpattu with focused highlights

Negombo -> Wilpattu | Approx drive: 3-4 hrs

Activities

Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing
Priority wildlife and adventure block centered around Wilpattu
Recovery block for photo curation and rest

Stay area: Wilpattu

Simple safari rooms for early departures (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Wilpattu activities.

Balanced park-side stay with family options (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Wilpattu.

Luxury forest retreat with premium safari services (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Wilpattu

Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Wilpattu stay.

Day 3

Transfer to Sigiriya with focused highlights

Wilpattu -> Sigiriya | Approx drive: 2.5-3.5 hrs

Activities

Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing
Sigiriya rock entry window in cooler hours
Anchor safari drives in early and late windows

Stay area: Sigiriya

Budget safari lodge near Sigiriya access road (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Sigiriya activities.

Boutique Sigiriya stay near heritage sites (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Sigiriya.

High-end wilderness stay with curated dining (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Sigiriya

Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Sigiriya stay.

Transfer to Yala with focused highlights

Sigiriya -> Yala | Approx drive: 5.5-7 hrs

Activities

Photography-focused golden-hour planning block
Rest block between drive windows
Protect rest periods after long game-drive blocks

Stay area: Yala

Affordable eco-stay for safari-focused nights (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Yala

Practical value-focused base with easy access to Yala activities.

Mid-range safari lodge with practical game-drive logistics (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Yala.

Premium wilderness camp with curated drives (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Yala stay.

Day 5

Explore Yala at a comfortable pace

Yala local exploration | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Priority wildlife and adventure block centered around Yala
Naturalist briefing for habitat awareness
Use coast nights as buffer and recovery days

Stay area: Yala

Simple wildlife lodge with early departure support (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Yala

Practical value-focused base with easy access to Yala activities.

Balanced nature stay with local guide links (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Yala.

Luxury safari lodge with private guide options (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Yala

Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Yala stay.

Day 6

Transfer to Udawalawe with focused highlights

Yala -> Udawalawe | Approx drive: 1.5-2.5 hrs

Activities

Elephant habitat-focused game drive
Anchor safari drives in early and late windows
Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing

Stay area: Udawalawe

Budget eco-lodge near Udawalawe entrance (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Udawalawe activities.

Comfort safari hotel near elephant corridors (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Udawalawe.

Premium eco-resort with curated wildlife experiences (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Udawalawe

Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Udawalawe stay.

Day 7

Transfer to Mirissa with focused highlights

Udawalawe -> Mirissa | Approx drive: 2.5-3.5 hrs

Activities

Relaxed coastal dining and walkable evening route
Use coast nights as buffer and recovery days
Photography-focused golden-hour planning block

Stay area: Mirissa

Affordable coastal stay with local cafe access (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Mirissa activities.

Mid-range coastal hotel with pool (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Mirissa.

Premium Mirissa resort with curated dining (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Mirissa stay.

Day 8

Explore Mirissa at a comfortable pace

Mirissa local exploration | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Anchor safari drives in early and late windows
Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing
Beach recovery block and sunset viewpoint timing

Stay area: Mirissa

Simple surf-friendly rooms near bay area (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Mirissa activities.

Balanced beach property near main activity strip (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Mirissa.

Luxury oceanfront retreat with wellness amenities (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Mirissa stay.

Day 9

Transfer to Galle with focused highlights

Mirissa -> Galle | Approx drive: 0.5-1.5 hrs

Activities

Protect rest periods after long game-drive blocks
Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing
Sunset lighthouse and rampart route

Stay area: Galle

Budget fort-adjacent guesthouse (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Galle activities.

Comfortable fort-area property with practical location (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Galle.

High-end coastal estate with curated excursions (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Galle stay.

Day 10

Transfer to Bentota with focused highlights

Galle -> Bentota | Approx drive: 1-2 hrs

Activities

Use coast nights as buffer and recovery days
Photography-focused golden-hour planning block
Family-friendly downtime and sunset planning

Stay area: Bentota

Affordable coastal lodge for short beach breaks (Budget)

See beach resorts in Bentota

Practical value-focused base with easy access to Bentota activities.

Mid-range beach resort with activity desk (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Bentota.

Premium riverfront retreat with curated excursions (Luxury)

See beach resorts in Bentota

Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Bentota stay.

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Estimated Budget (USD)

USD 1540 - USD 2860

Budget range is directional guidance and changes by travel dates, inventory, and transport style.
Room categories and transfer method can materially change final totals.
Confirm live supplier availability before making payment decisions.

Important Disclaimers

Drive durations are estimates and can vary with traffic, weather, and road conditions.
Accommodation options and inclusions are examples for planning, not guaranteed inventory.
Use this itinerary as planning guidance and validate final logistics before booking.

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