Itinerary overview

12-Day Safari and South Coast Sri Lanka Itinerary

Wildlife-first route with park gateways and a recovery-focused beach finish. Designed for February travel with 2 traveler(s), 12 days, and a luxury 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

Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing
Beach walk and seafood-focused dinner options
Protect rest periods after long game-drive blocks

Stay area: Negombo

Simple lagoon-facing transit rooms (Budget)

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

Seaside hotel with practical transfer access (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Negombo.

Luxury beach resort with premium dining (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

Priority wildlife and adventure block centered around Wilpattu
Recovery block for photo curation and rest
Use coast nights as buffer and recovery days

Stay area: Wilpattu

Budget forest camp near Wilpattu access (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Wilpattu

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

Comfort forest hotel with practical logistics (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Wilpattu.

Premium wilderness camp with curated itineraries (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Wilpattu

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

Day 3

Transfer to Anuradhapura with focused highlights

Wilpattu -> Anuradhapura | Approx drive: 3-5 hrs

Activities

Ancient city circuit with early-start pacing
Anchor safari drives in early and late windows
Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing

Stay area: Anuradhapura

Affordable local inn with early breakfast options (Budget)

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

Mid-range heritage hotel with garden setting (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Anuradhapura.

Luxury garden resort near key archaeological routes (Luxury)

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

Transfer to Sigiriya with focused highlights

Anuradhapura -> Sigiriya | Approx drive: 1.5-2.5 hrs

Activities

Village lunch and produce-focused local stop
Protect rest periods after long game-drive blocks
Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing

Stay area: Sigiriya

Simple guesthouse with early departure support (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Sigiriya

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

Comfortable lodge for triangle sightseeing (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Sigiriya.

Luxury eco-resort with private experience desk (Luxury)

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

Day 5

Transfer to Yala with focused highlights

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

Activities

Naturalist briefing for habitat awareness
Use coast nights as buffer and recovery days
Photography-focused golden-hour planning block

Stay area: Yala

Budget safari camp near park gate (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Yala

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

Comfort wildlife hotel near key access routes (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Yala.

High-end parkside retreat with all-inclusive planning support (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Yala

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

Day 6

Explore Yala at a comfortable pace

Yala 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
Priority wildlife and adventure block centered around Yala

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)

Check safari lodges near Yala

Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Yala.

Premium wilderness camp with curated drives (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Yala

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

Day 7

Transfer to Udawalawe with focused highlights

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

Activities

Protect rest periods after long game-drive blocks
Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing
Elephant habitat-focused game drive

Stay area: Udawalawe

Simple safari rooms with transport support (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Udawalawe

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

Balanced nature stay with guide coordination (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Udawalawe.

Luxury safari retreat with premium drive options (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Udawalawe

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

Day 8

Explore Udawalawe at a comfortable pace

Udawalawe local exploration | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Use coast nights as buffer and recovery days
Photography-focused golden-hour planning block
Conservation center stop with family-friendly learning

Stay area: Udawalawe

Budget eco-lodge near Udawalawe entrance (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Udawalawe

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

Comfort safari hotel near elephant corridors (Mid)

Check safari lodges near Udawalawe

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 9

Transfer to Mirissa with focused highlights

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

Activities

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

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 10

Explore Mirissa at a comfortable pace

Mirissa local exploration | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing
Optional seasonal whale-watching slot
Protect rest periods after long game-drive blocks

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 11

Transfer to Galle with focused highlights

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

Activities

Photography-focused golden-hour planning block
Old-town dining shortlist for evening planning
Use coast nights as buffer and recovery days

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 12

Transfer to Bentota with focused highlights

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

Activities

Beach relaxation block with optional water activities
Anchor safari drives in early and late windows
Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing

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)

See beach resorts in Bentota

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 8395 - USD 15671

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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