SRI LANKA - WILDLIFE PHOTO TOUR
Leopards, Sloth Bears, Asian Elephants, Bee-eaters, Hornbills & Much More
Dates: 22nd January to 7th February 2028
Group Size: Minimum of 4, maximum of 6.
Meals: Full Board.
Cost: £4,295 per person (Single Supplement: £850)
Deposit: A non-refundable £1,000 deposit required at the time of booking.
Sri Lanka is one of the premier locations in Asia for big mammals and birdlife, but the popular national parks can become incredibly crowded with standard tourist traffic. To give us the best possible photographic opportunities, this tour completely avoids rushed, single-day itineraries. We focus on multi-day stays in key habitats, including the primary rainforest of Sinharaja, the quiet plains of Panama, the remote waterways of Gal Oya, and the tracks of Wilpattu. This slower pace gives us the necessary time to observe natural behaviours and wait for the best light.
To keep your shooting angles clear, I have booked two private 4x4 safari jeeps for every single game drive. With our group strictly capped at six guests, this means you will only ever share a vehicle with two other photographers. Everyone is guaranteed a dedicated outside seat, providing unrestricted 360-degree shooting positions and ample physical space to manoeuvre heavy telephoto setups and beanbags without compromise.
Itinerary:
Days 1–3: Sinharaja Rainforest – We start the tour tracking endemic bird species on foot inside Sri Lanka’s last remaining primary lowland rainforest, working alongside specialist local guides.
Days 3–6: Tissamaharama, Yala & Bundala – A mix of environments. We will run morning and full-day safari drives in Yala (Blocks 1 and 5) targeting leopards and sloth bears, alongside dedicated sessions for fruit bats & wetland birds..
Days 6–9: Kumana NP – Moving to the less-visited eastern sector of Yala. We will use private 4x4 jeeps across two full days to photograph leopards, elephants, and large waterbird colonies away from the standard tourist crowds.
Days 9–11: Gal Oya NP – We switch gears to explore Gal Oya by boat and jeep, tracking nesting white-bellied sea eagles, grey-headed fish eagles, and Asian elephants foraging along the water's edge.
Days 11–13: Wasgamuwa NP – A full-day safari tracking large herds of Asian elephants moving through the tall grasslands, focusing on environmental portraits.
Days 13–16: Wilpattu NP – Two full days exploring Sri Lanka's largest national park. We will use our private jeeps to systematically work the sand tracks and natural lakes for leopards, sloth bears, and barking deer.
Days 16–17: Negombo & Departure – An afternoon transfer to the coast for a group farewell dinner, followed by a short transfer to the international airport for return flights to the UK.
What’s Included:
Accommodation: 16 nights in hand-picked hotels and eco-lodges chosen for their proximity to the reserves.
Jeep Logistics: Exclusive use of two private 4x4 safari jeeps on every drive (maximum 2–3 guests per vehicle).
Meals: Full board coverage throughout the trip, plus unlimited bottled water during activities.
Tuition: Full 1-on-1 photographic guidance from me in the field, alongside voluntary evening image reviews and editing support.
Guides & Fees: Professional local naturalist guides, park trackers, and all national park entry fees.
Transport: All in-country travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, including airport transfers.
Pre-Trip Prep: A group video briefing call one month before departure to discuss packing, gear, and logistics.
What’s Not Included:
Flights - International flights to and from Colombo (CMB).
Drinks - Soft drinks (excluding water) and alcoholic beverages.
Visas - Sri Lankan Visa fees.
Gratuities - Tips for the local guides, drivers, and lodge staff.
Insurance - Personal travel and equipment insurance (mandatory).
What You Will Need:
Camera Gear
Camera Body – Your preferred DSLR or mirrorless body. A secondary backup body is highly recommended for a multi-week trip to protect against dust or unexpected gear failure. While a bridge camera can work for static subjects, you will likely struggle with fast-moving action.
Telephoto Lens – A lens with a focal length of 500mm or above is ideal for birdlife and mammals. A versatile telephoto zoom (such as a 100-400mm or 200-600mm) is perfect for reframing quickly from the seat of a moving safari vehicle.
Support & Care – A sturdy beanbag is the most effective way to stabilise long lenses against the frame of the safari jeeps. Bring a basic sensor cleaning kit, cloth, or blower to manage the inevitable dust thrown up by the dry-zone tracks.
Power & Storage – Plenty of fast memory cards and spare batteries. A laptop and external hard drives are optional but useful for daily file backups and our evening image reviews.
Field Clothing
Lightweight Layers – Breathable, loose-fitting clothing in neutral, earth-toned colours (khakis, greens, or tans). This helps keep you cool during midday heat and blends into the environment during our forest walks.
Sun & Dust Protection – A wide-brimmed hat, polarised sunglasses, and a lightweight scarf or buff to protect your face and gear from trail dust.
Footwear – Sturdy, well-worn walking shoes or hiking boots with good grip for our excursions into the rainforest.
Fitness & Suitability
Safari Endurance – The majority of our photography is conducted from the safari jeeps, so you must be prepared for long, early-morning, late-afternoon and all-day sessions on bumpy, unpaved dirt tracks.
Terrain Stability – Our time in the Sinharaja rainforest involves light-to-moderate walking on uneven, damp, and potentially slippery forest trails. You should be steady on your feet and comfortable carrying your own basic gear.
Book Here:
Financial Protection & ABTOT Booking Terms
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Wild Ethos Photography Tours Ltd (Member Number: 5710), and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:
· Non-flight packages
ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package.
Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Wild Ethos Photography Tours Ltd.
In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.
You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made
You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/