Bird, Wildlife and Nature Photography Tours in Sri Lanka

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about Photographic Tours

1. How do we travel in Sri Lanka? 
   You travel by a comfortable air conditioned mini coach or a car. This is your primary vehicle. 
   In National Parks, we use four-wheel-drive jeeps for Safari. Transfer to Martin’s Lodge will be by a Jeep. Crossing the Kelani River at Kitulgala is by dugout canoe or narrow suspension bridge. 
2. Tell us a bit about our guide?
   Your tour guide will be an English speaking, experienced, friendly chauffeur guide from our team, with a Tour Guide License from the Tourist Board of Sri Lanka. He will have in-depth knowledge in birds, wildlife and flora in Sri Lanka as well as Sri Lankan culture and history. He will have prior experience in photographic tours and will helpfully cater to needs of a photographer.
3. Is there enough space for our cameras and equipment in the vehicle?
   Yes, of course. 
   We will let you know what our vehicle is. And you can also tell us how large your equipment and baggage are.
4. How about safaris inside jeeps?
   We provide one jeep for two photographers or clients. Therefore, there is enough space to handle long lenses and to take other equipment. 
5. Do I need to bring any protection for rain / rain covers?
   Yes. You need to bring rain covers for you and your equipment and baggage.
6. Do I need to bring sun protection cream / Sun Block / Sun Cream and insect repellants?
   Yes, please do bring them. These are hard to find in local shops.
7. Do I need to bring any protection for leeches? 
   There are leeches especially in Rain Forest areas. If you have your own leach-socks or leach-stockings please bring. If you do not have, let us know and we will provide local pairs. 
8. What are our walking distances? 
   Mostly short and easy. However, the going can be more moderate at times, along some forest trails. Sturdy waterproof walking shoes or boots are recommended. 
9. What type of climates do we go into and what type of clothes should we have? 
   Rain Forest areas like Sinharaja and Kitulgala: There is heavy sunlight at daytime and the nights are cooler. If you need extra blankets, the accommodation place will provide them. Rain can occur at any time and please be ready for this.
   Dry Zone Forest areas like Yala and Bundala: It is usually hot during daytime. In open areas, you should use your sun protection cream / Sun Block / Sun Cream.
   Highland areas like Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains: Normally daytime temperature is not so high. However, still we recommend using sun protection cream / Sun Block / Sun Cream. At night, it is very cool and you need to have suitable clothing.
10. While travelling in the vehicle, can I stop to take photos?
    While travelling if you want to take photos of a bird, animal or any other thing, please do not hesitate to ask the driver to stop the vehicle. He will stop at all possible places and will assist you. We have especially instructed our chauffeur guides regarding this.
11. What type of accommodation do I get? 
    All Accommodations are on half board (Breakfast and Dinner) basis at comfortable mid-grade or average tourist hotels and lodges. Martin’s Lodge in Sinharaja is more rustic and remote.
    In all accommodation places, you have en suite, private toilets and bathrooms. 

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Best bird, wildlife and nature photography locations in Sri Lanka

Yala National Park – This Park is situated in the Dry Zone in Sri Lanka, comprising of a range of habitats including scrub jungles, water reservoirs, brackish lagoons and riverine habitats. Yala has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Its elephant heard is of about 300-350.  This is the best park in the country to see and photograph leopards, elephants as well as mammals such as Sloth Bears, Black-naped Hare, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Hanuman Langur, Toque Monkey, Stripe-necked and Ruddy Mongooses, Wild Boar, Golden Jackal. You can see the reptiles, Land and Water Monitor and Marsh Crocodile.

Bundala wetland - This is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka and was the first wetland declared as a Ramsar Wetland in Sri Lanka. It comprises of a scrub jungle bordering the sea together with large shallow pools. It is a very good place to watch water birds & migrant waders during northern winter—October to March.

Sinharaja Rain Forest – This is a great place for bird watching and photography. This is the last remaining significant primary forest patch in the island. It is home to most endemic flora & fauna species. This is the single most important site in Sri Lanka in term of endemic birds. Here you can encounter spectacular mixed feeding flocks of birds.

Kitulgala Rain Forest - Kelani Valley forest reserve is established as a forest reserve to protect the watershed of Kelani River. It is home to many of Sri Lanka’s endemic fauna and flora. The forest is a secondary lowland rainforest on the lower slope with the forest extending up to the higher elevations, contiguous with the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. Kitulgala also has several waterfalls and caves of ancient times.
The Bridge on the River Kwai is a 1957 British World War II film by David Lean, of which the scene creation was done in Sri Lanka and many of them were at Kitulgala area including the bridge explosion

Horton plains cloud forest – This is undoubtedly one of the world’s best nature reserves and nature photography venues. This area is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many migratory birds. It also features many interesting attractions such as Bakers Falls, Chimney Pool and the famous World's End (a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous views of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline).
Sigiriya sanctuary – Situated in and around the famous Sigiriya Rock this sanctuary is adjacent to the Minneriya National park. It is mainly a dry evergreen forest also with shrub forests, and dry deciduous forest. This is an ideal place to photograph forest birds such as Peacocks, Eagles and beautiful migrant Indian Pitta. The fauna also includes an elephant population—which migrates to the area from time to time—Sambar Deer and two varieties of monkeys.

Anawilundawa wetland – Another Ramsar Wetland in Sri Lanka. Very good area for photographing butterflies and dragonflies. Today this area is very popular among bird watchers and nature lovers. During migration season, a large variety of birds can be seen using this area as feeding ground as well as breeding ground. Anawilundawa covers 1,397ha lying between the costal line and the Negombo - Putlam railway line. This wetland consists of six ancient man-made tanks and 3 peripheral tanks with paddy fields and village areas.

Wilpattu national park - This is the largest and one of the oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world renowned for its Leopard. In Wilpattu National Park mainly salt grass, low scrubs and monsoon forests are found. This national park is spotted with innumerable lakes.

Minneriya national park – The elephant gathering in Minneriya National Park is truly one of a kind. Large numbers of Sri Lankan elephants are attracted to grass fields on the edges of the reservoir in Minneriya national park during the dry season, which is a sight for the travelers that will not be found anywhere else on the planet. This has fast become a wildlife photographer’s attraction, for the sole opportunity to witness this amazing event.

Wasgamuwa national park - is one of protected areas where Sri Lankan Elephants can be seen in large herds. It is also one of the Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka too. Wasgamuwa National Park stands unique among most of the national parks in Sri Lanka. It is the only national park in the Central Province, where one could see elephants in their natural habitats.

Talangama wetland - This wetland, on the outskirts of Colombo, is bordered by motorable roads, which makes access easy for wildlife enthusiasts. The complex of ponds, canals and paddy fields make it a rich and varied wetland site. Over a hundred species of birds have been recorded in this area including Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys, an endangered endemic species. Talangama is also good for photographing butterflies and dragonflies.

Udawalawa national park – Udawalawe is a superb place to watch and photograph wild elephants in small herds as well as birds of prey such as all kinds of eagles in Sri Lanka. It lies South of the central hills of the island, and it surrounds the man-made Reservoir of Udawalawe, which is part of the park. Udawalawe is a mixture of abandoned teak plantations, scrub jungles & grasslands.

Knuckles Mountain Range – This mountain range (so-called because its appearance resembles a set of knuckles in a closed fist) is a major ecotourism venue of Sri Lanka and has been declared a conservation area, now known as the Knuckles National Heritage and Wilderness Area. The region stretches in an impressive 155 sq km that contains five major forest formations, a wide variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna and some breathtaking mountain scenery of Sri Lanka.

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