Sri Lanka

Endemic Birds and Mammals

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A 13-day, small group birding tour covering all of Sri Lanka's distinct climatic zones in search of the island's considerable number of endemic birds and equally impressive array of iconic large mammals.

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Our tour of Sri Lanka, a global biodiversity hotspot, is a thorough exploration of the southern half of the island.  Our itinerary takes us through all of Sri Lanka's distinct climatic zones as we search for the impressive 34 endemic birds found here among a rich avian diversity and accompanied by a selection of mammals that include a number of endemics and some of Asia's most iconic species. We make our way up into the plateau grasslands of the central highlands before descending to the southwest through the lush tropical forests of the island's wet zone, and finally into the scrub jungle of the dry zone in the island's southeastern corner. Among others, we'll look for Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Crimson-backed Flameback, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush, Chestnut-backed Owlet and Serendib Scops Owl, plus Leopard, Asian Elephant and endemic mammals including Toque Macaque. We visit in the northern winter, when  the climate is comfortable in the tropical lowlands and when Sri Lanka's resident birds are accompanied by some enticing winter migrants, in particular Kashmir Flycatcher and Pied Thrush.

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Our post-tour extension visits the fishing port of Weligama on the island's southern shore. The narrow continental shelf here allows easy access to deep water, making this one of the best places in the world to see Blue Whale. This will be our focus during daily pelagic excursions where we'll also be looking for a host of other possible cetaceans and a small selection of seabirds. 

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