Go to content

Young girl watching elephants on a wildlife safari

Wildlife, nature and culture trips

Create your own ideal holiday

Despite its compact size, Sri Lanka is packed with exciting wildlife experiences and cultural adventures for families. From ancient temples to lush tea plantations and incredible wildlife, there’s something to spark curiosity in every age group. Whether your little explorers want to spot elephants and leopards on safari, discover historic fortress ruins, or learn how to pick tea, Sri Lanka is full of unforgettable experiences.

Whether you’re hiking in the cool hills, exploring ancient cities, sharing a home-cooked meal with a local family, or watching wildlife in the national parks, there’s always something to discover. Our bite-sized trips have been carefully designed to help families immerse in Sri Lanka’s incomparable culture, nature, and wildlife, at a pace that suits your family.

If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our full itineraries. Or simply get in touch and our travel specialists will talk you through the options.

Pick your favourite trips and add them to your basket
Go to 'My Travel Plan' to send us your enquiry
Your Travel Specialist will get back to you within 1 working day

Speak to our Sri Lanka family specialist, Emma

“Sri Lanka is full of amazing things to see and do for families. From climbing the huge Sigiriya Rock to visiting tea fields in Nuwara Eliya, there’s so much to discover. Watching elephants in the wild or visiting ancient temples is really exciting for my kids. Sri Lanka has everything we need for the perfect holiday, creating memories that we’ll treasure forever.”

Emma Family Travel Specialist

Home
Sri lanka with children
Bite-sized trips
Wildlife, nature & culture

Family in Yala National Park

Wildlife Encounters in Yala

Itinerary:
Yala National Park
Duration:
2 days / 1 night (flexible)
Price:
From £ 349.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 179, - per child (up to 11 years)

Elephants, monkeys, crocodiles and maybe even a leopard or two – this is how to persuade the kids that Sri Lanka is the place to go. Welcome to Yala National Park!

Elephants, monkeys, crocodiles and maybe even a leopard or two – this is how to persuade the kids that Sri Lanka is the place to go. Welcome to Yala National Park!

Family in Yala National Park

Child tea picking in Ella

Hike Through the Hills of Ella

Itinerary:
Ella
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 269.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 159, - per child (up to 11 years)

Ella is a small laid-back village located in-between tea plantations amidst the mountains. You and your family will spend a few days here taking in the beauty of the area, with stunning green landscapes with lush hilltop views all around you

Ella is a small laid-back village located in-between tea plantations amidst the mountains. You and your family will spend a few days here taking in the beauty of the area, with stunning green landscapes with lush hilltop views all around you

Child tea picking in Ella

Family overlooking Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka

Rock Up to the Lion Fortress

Itinerary:
Sigiriya
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 165.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 99, - per child (up to 11 years)

Climbing up to the top of Lion Rock will require quite a bit of effort, but it’s a fun walk up as you’ll pass cheeky monkeys, countless frescoes, and Buddha images.

Climbing up to the top of Lion Rock will require quite a bit of effort, but it’s a fun walk up as you’ll pass cheeky monkeys, countless frescoes, and Buddha images.

Family overlooking Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka

Girl looking at elephant herd in Yala National Park

Elephants and temples in Buddha’s garden

Itinerary:
Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Minneriya
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 279.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 229, - per child (up to 11 years)

This trip will take you on a discovery of Sri Lanka’s fascinating Cultural Triangle. You’ll climb Sigiriya’s mighty rock fortress, pedal around the ruins of Sri Lanka’s ancient capital – Polonnaruwa, and spot elephants on a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park.

This trip will take you on a discovery of Sri Lanka’s fascinating Cultural Triangle. You’ll climb Sigiriya’s mighty rock fortress, pedal around the ruins of Sri Lanka’s ancient capital – Polonnaruwa, and spot elephants on a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park.

Girl looking at elephant herd in Yala National Park

Child on bike

Cycle Through the Ancient Kingdom

Itinerary:
Polonnaruwa
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 249.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 169, - per child (up to 11 years)

Prepare to feel like a time-traveller in Polonnaruwa, where the time seems to have stopped centuries ago. Hop on bikes and peddle through the maze of crumbling temples and ancient ruins. Stop along the way to sample some freshly made local food if you are feeling peckish, the city is famous for its cuisine!

Prepare to feel like a time-traveller in Polonnaruwa, where the time seems to have stopped centuries ago. Hop on bikes and peddle through the maze of crumbling temples and ancient ruins. Stop along the way to sample some freshly made local food if you are feeling peckish, the city is famous for its cuisine!

Child on bike

Spotting wildlife in Wilpattu

Itinerary:
Wilpattu National Park
Duration:
2 days / 1 night (flexible)
Price:
From £ 295.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 235, - per child (up to 11 years)

This bite-sized trip will take you to Wilpattu, the largest national park in Sri Lanka. The kids will love heading out on an adventurous jeep safari in search of leopards and sloth bears. You’ll stay in an atmospheric safari tent and enjoy an evening BBQ at the campfire.

This bite-sized trip will take you to Wilpattu, the largest national park in Sri Lanka. The kids will love heading out on an adventurous jeep safari in search of leopards and sloth bears. You’ll stay in an atmospheric safari tent and enjoy an evening BBQ at the campfire.

Back to nature at The Mudhouse

Itinerary:
Anamaduwa
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 534.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 450, - per child (up to 11 years)

Immerse yourself in rural Sri Lanka and live amongst nature at The Mudhouse. It’s a unique property in an off-the-beaten track setting, with a dedicated sustainability ethos. It’s one for the more adventurous traveller, but a stay here is magical and kids will love it!

Immerse yourself in rural Sri Lanka and live amongst nature at The Mudhouse. It’s a unique property in an off-the-beaten track setting, with a dedicated sustainability ethos. It’s one for the more adventurous traveller, but a stay here is magical and kids will love it!

Girl stood in front of Udawalawe elephants

On safari in Udawalawe National Park

Itinerary:
Udawalawe National Park
Duration:
2 days / 1 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 265.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 215, - per child (up to 11 years)

If you love elephants then you need to include a visit to Udawalawe National Park in your Sri Lanka itinerary. As well as a jeep safari in the park you’ll also visit the nearby Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned elephant calves are cared for.

If you love elephants then you need to include a visit to Udawalawe National Park in your Sri Lanka itinerary. As well as a jeep safari in the park you’ll also visit the nearby Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned elephant calves are cared for.

Girl stood in front of Udawalawe elephants

Experience Local Life in Kandy

Itinerary:
Outskirts of Kandy
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 319.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 244, - per child (up to 11 years)

Immerse your family in local village life with a couple of nights in a homestay on the outskirts of Kandy. Explore village life, learn about tasty local ingredients and whip up a fragrant Sri Lankan curry.

Immerse your family in local village life with a couple of nights in a homestay on the outskirts of Kandy. Explore village life, learn about tasty local ingredients and whip up a fragrant Sri Lankan curry.

People on jeep safari Gal Oya

Wild elephants and emerald lakes

Itinerary:
Gal Oya National Park
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 644.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 495, - per child (up to 11 years)

Gal Oya is a real treat for wildlife lovers who want to venture off the beaten path. Set on the shores of the largest lake in Sri Lanka, this undiscovered paradise teeming with wildlife will give you a proper feel of the untouched jungle. Choose to stay in glamping accommodation or a comfortable eco-lodge.

Gal Oya is a real treat for wildlife lovers who want to venture off the beaten path. Set on the shores of the largest lake in Sri Lanka, this undiscovered paradise teeming with wildlife will give you a proper feel of the untouched jungle. Choose to stay in glamping accommodation or a comfortable eco-lodge.

People on jeep safari Gal Oya

Galle lighthouse and water

Uncover Galle’s colonial past

Itinerary:
Galle
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 199.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 169, - per child (up to 11 years)

A beautifully preserved port town sitting on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, Galle is well known for its multi-cultural heritage. Explore the Fort’s entangled, UNESCO-protected streets with a charismatic local guide, who keeps the kids engaged with a historical treasure hunt.

A beautifully preserved port town sitting on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, Galle is well known for its multi-cultural heritage. Explore the Fort’s entangled, UNESCO-protected streets with a charismatic local guide, who keeps the kids engaged with a historical treasure hunt.

Galle lighthouse and water

Colombo’s Tuk-tuks and Temples

Itinerary:
Colombo
Duration:
2 days / 1 night (flexible)
Price:
From £ 139.- per adult (excluding flights)
From £ 99, - per child (up to 11 years)

Colombo may not be the place you’re most excited about in Sri Lanka, but the country’s capital has plenty to offer and is a real eye-opener for kids to see daily life in a big working city. We’ll arrange a fun city tour by tuk tuk.

Colombo may not be the place you’re most excited about in Sri Lanka, but the country’s capital has plenty to offer and is a real eye-opener for kids to see daily life in a big working city. We’ll arrange a fun city tour by tuk tuk.