Wild parks in Sri lanka

Red Dot strives always to support conservation efforts and seeks to plan itineraries with this in mind. We have put together several itineraries that take you across the island’s diverse landscapes and its natural wilderness in search of endemic as well as migrant bird species, numerous species of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.

Sri Lanka Elephant Pilgrimage:  Our Sri Lanka Elephant Pilgrimage has been designed for nature-loving families. The Asian elephant has been an important part of Sri Lanka’s culture and ecology for thousands of years (10 per cent of the world’s elephant population is concentrated here). This fascinating animal provides the central focus of this holiday, but there is plenty more packed in besides. (More)

Birds of Sri Lanka:  This journey begins at the Talangama wetlands, then on to the magnificent Sinharaja rain forest, the deep south and the jungles of Yala, and on to the Horton Plains National Park in the hill country and finally to the plains of the Cultural Triangle. (More)

Butterflies of Sri Lanka:  This is an adventurous journey through Sri Lana’s wetlands and forest reserves in search of the island’s butterflies - from the largest Ceylon Birdwing with the wing span ranging from 95 to 135mm, to the smallest - the Grass Jewel which measures only 8-13mm. We have selected eco friendly bungalows and hotels that have special butterfly gardens or grow flowers which attract many butterfly species. (More)

Dragonfly Trail:  This tour takes you through Sri Lanka’s diverse landscapes and untouched wilderness to spot Sri Lanka’s dragonflies as well as the exotic birds and butterflies found on the island.  The journey also includes a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s rural life and the ancient heritage. (More)

Tailor made Birding Holiday:  This holiday takes you to a range of fascinating locations, including coastal wetlands, rainforests and the soaring peaks of the hill country. Whether bird watching is your passion, or you merely fancy a dabble, pick up a pair of binoculars, a guidebook and a notepad and join us in this birdwatcher’s paradise. (More)

Sri Lanka’s Wilderness:  This wilderness journey takes you through the marshes and lagoons of the west coast, to a camping safari in Uda Walawe National Park famous for its elephant herds.  Journey to the hill country’s mountain peaks through tea estates, followed by the tropical rainforests and the sun-kissed southern beaches where Whale and Dolphin spotting is a must in the season. (More)

Sri Lanka Nature Trek:  This Sri Lanka Nature Trek is specially designed for ramblers, nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. We’ve hunted down eco-retreats and hotels in the most picturesque locations and created an itinerary that takes you to the cultural triangle, the impressive Hunnas Giriya Mountains, the pristine tea-growing highlands, Yala’s rolling plains and the virgin rainforests of Sinharaja. (More)

Wildlife & Beach Explorer:  This journey let’s you experience some of Sri Lanka’s best wildlife locations and the south coast beaches in luxurious comfort. An adventurous safari through the wilderness ends with five days of relaxation on the beautiful south coast beaches of Tangalle.  We have selected secluded private villas, eco-retreats, and luxury camping in the wilderness to ensure a memorable journey. (More)

Birds of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a birder’s delight. The island’s isolation and a tropical climate are responsible for the amazingly diverse bird life that attracts more than 400 species. Almost 200 migrant species descend on the country having flown south for the winter. Within a fortnight’s trip you can easily see all 33 endemic birds along with at least 200 species. Join us in this birdwatcher’s paradise.  (More)

Butterflies of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has 245 species of Butterflies recorded in the island of which this 21 are endemic, ranging from the largest -- the Ceylon Birdwing with the wing span ranging from 95 to 135mm – to the smallest -- the Grass Jewel, which measures only 8-13mm.  The migration in April/May of the Lemon Emigrants to the top of the sacred Adam’s Peak, also known as `butterfly mountain’, is an awe- inspiring experience.  It is commonly believed that these butterflies travel up hill along with the pilgrims to pay homage to Lord Buddha, who preached about kindness to all animals. Scientists put it down to the changing of seasons and the mating season.  (More)

Dragonflies of Sri Lanka
Dragonfly watching in Sri Lanka is getting increasingly popular among nature lovers.   Sri Lanka has 117 species of dragonflies and damselflies and of these a staggering 53 species are endemic to the island, 20 of them under threat. (More)

Sri Lanka’s Amphibians & Reptiles
Sri Lanka is one of the global ‘hotspots’ for high biodiversity and this is especially relevant to Amphibians. New species of frogs and lizards are still being discovered in the small protected forests. Both the wet and dry zones of the country consist of many species of reptiles including snakes, crocodiles, lizards, turtles & terrapins. (More)

Mammals of Sri Lanka
Unless you spot a rare leopard, the sight of a wild elephant will probably be the highlight of a journey into Sri Lanka’s wilderness. The elephant population has dropped from 20,000 to 3,500 since the 1800s, but the level has stabilised with the establishment of corridors, national parks, reserves and the charming elephant orphanages at Pinnawala and Uda Walawe. Whether seeing them in the wild or with their mahouts (keepers), the elephants leave a lasting impression. (More)

Sri Lanka’s wildlife & wilderness:  Sri Lanka is an all-year destination for wildlife making this a nature lover’s dream escape. If you visit our wildlife calendar you will see that there is a wildlife spectacle in this small island all year around. Though the island does receive rain fall from two monsoons, it does not affect the whole of the island at the same time. Sri Lanka has a forest cover of approximately 14 per cent, although this is diminishing due to human encroachment.

The Butterflies of Ceylon by Bernard D’Abrera (1992). Wildlife Heritage Trust, Colombo. 224 pages.

A Selection of Butterflies of Sri Lanka by John & Judy Banks (1985). Lake House Investments, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Butterflies of Sri Lanka by Aritha & Aresha Wickramanayake (2007).

Gehan’s Photo Booklets – Butterflies of Sri Lanka & Southern India by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. A5 size, 32 pages (2005).

Butterflies of Sri Lanka for Children by Sriyani Mithapala (2006). Colombo. 152 pages.  ISBN: 955-99378-0-4.

The 2007 Red List of Threatened Fauna and Flora on Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka (2007).

IUCN Sri Lanka & Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources. 148 pages. ISBN: 978-955-8177-63-1.

A Photographic Guide to the Snakes and other Retiles of Sri Lanka by Indraneil Das and Anslem de Silva.

New Holland (UK) 2005.

The Amphibian Fauna of Sri Lanka by Sushil K. Dutt & Kelu Manamendra-Archchi. Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka 1996.

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka by G.de Silva Wijeyeratne, Deepal Warakagoda & T.S.U De Zylva (2000). New Holland (UK). Revised edition (2008).

A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka by John Harrison & Tim Worfolk. Oxford University Press (1999).

A Guide to the Birds of Ceylon by G.M Henry. Third revised edition. Oxford University Press, India.

Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide by P.C Rasmussan & J.C. Anderton. 2 Volumes. (2005). Lynx Edition, Barcelona.

The Dragonflies of Sri Lanka by T. De Fonseka (2000). Wildlife Heritage Trust. Colombo. 304 pages. ISBN 955-9114-19-0.

Gehan’s Photo Guide – Dragonflies of Sri Lanka by M. Bedjanic, Karen Conniff & Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne (2007). Jetwing Eco Holidays. Colombo. ISBN 978-955-1079-15-4.

Gehan’s Photo Booklets – Dragonflies of Sri Lanka & Southern India. A5 size, 42 plates (2006).

The 2007 Red List of Threatened Fauna and Flora on Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka (2007). IUCN Sri Lanka & Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources. 148 pages. ISBN: 978-955-8177-63-1.