This specialized tour focusses on the amazing diversity of reptiles found on the island. From the moist and humid lowland rainforests, to the arid North in Mannar, this tour will take you on a journey to what makes this island a herpetological hotspot with a high rate of endemic species. Guided by a seasoned herpetologist this tour will showcase the magic that is Sri Lanka
IDEAL TRAVEL PERIOD
Sinharaja is the last remaining relatively undisturbed remnant of lowland tropical rain forest in Sri Lanka. Sinharaja Forest Reserve forms a sufficiently large conservation unit for the in-situ conservation of rare and endangered species. The Forest Reserve is situated in the south-west lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka. The forest is made up of five layers of mixed Dipterocarp forests, with a canopy that rises 30-45 metres above the ground. This lowland rain forest is dominated by families of Dipterocapaceae, Clusiaceae, Sapotaceae, and Myrtaceae. Plants with large leaves, drip tips on the leaves, a cauliflowery flavor, and a high endemicity
Kithulgala Forest is a part of the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve System. It is a lowland tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa province. It is located in close proximity to Kitulgala, which is a major ecotourism destination in Sri Lanka, and also near the Kelani River, the fourth largest river in the country. Kitulgala is one of Sri Lanka's wettest areas, a lowland valley facing the full force of both of the island's monsoons. Dipterocarp forests with five layers and a canopy reaching 30-45 m above the ground make up the forest. This lowland rainforest is dominated by the families Dipterocapaceae, Clusiaceae, Sapotaceae, and Myrtaceae: plants with large leaves, drip tips on leaves, a cauliflowery flavor, and high endemicity.
Nuwara Eliya includes areas of Sri Lankan montane rain forests considered a super-hotspot within the Western Ghats and the Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot. These montane forests feature exceptionally high numbers of threatened species, extraordinary levels of endemism, and high levels of species richness in a number of taxonomic groups. Twisted, stunted trees are a common sight in these forests, along with many varieties of orchids, mosses, and ferns. The trees of montane rain forests grow to a height of 10–15 metres. These high-altitude forests are the catchment area for most of Sri Lanka's major rivers.
Riverston is on the northern margin of the Knuckles Mountain range in Sri Lanka. A million years ago, the Knuckles Mountains were cut off from Sri Lanka's central highlands. The isolated Knuckles range harbours several relict and endemic species of flora and fauna that are distinct from those in the central massif. This is a moist forest with a low-level cloud cover where various endemic species of ferns, orchids, lichens, and mosses grow profusely.
Dambulla is a tropical dry mixed evergreen forest in the northern end of Sri Lanka's Central Province. With a canopy that often reaches 25 metres above ground, these forests are characterised by the trees Manilkara, Chloroxylon, Schleichera, and Pleurostylia. Unlike in the rain forests, the leaves are generally smaller, lacking drip tips, and the tree’s branches are lower down.
This ecosystem is found in the arid zone that is northwest and southeast of the island. Temperatures are very high (over 34 °C) and prolong the drought period from May to September; the rainfall is below 1250 mm annually. The vegetation is a low, open, thorny scrub with isolated patches of trees. thorny scrub in the arid areas, and mangrove swamps in the coastal areas. The common species in these types of forests are: Heen Karamba (Carissa spirarium), Eraminiya (Zizyphus), Maha Andara (Acacia leucopholea and Acacia planiformis), Andara (Dicrostachys cinera), The isolated patches of trees consist mainly of Maliththan (Salvador persica) and Palu (Manilkara hexandra).
In the dry lowlands, tropical mixed evergreen forests coexist with riverine vegetation. The vegetation is semi-deciduous. Deciduous trees are those where the leaves fall periodically and grow again. The strong seasonality in rainfall has prompted these forests to be referred to as monsoonal forests. The evergreen dry forests have no canopy formation, and trees seldom exceed 20 m in height.
Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be greeted by your herpetology guide and escorted to your transportation vehicle, thereafter journey for 3 hours towards the lowland rainforest eco system of Sinharaja.
Check into your lodging for lunch,
Thereafter commence exploring the surrounding habitats, waterways, and forests seeking the many wonderful species to be found in this rich eco system.
After dark is when the herping world truly comes alive. Join your naturalist guide as well as the local trackers to walk in forested paths at night to explore the many frog and reptile species which can be found here.
Ceylon Caecilian, Kotagama’s Toad, Common House Toad, Nollert’s Toad, Nagao’s Ramanella, Indian Skipper Frog, Indian Green Frog, Kirtisinghe’s Frog, Common Paddy Field Frog, Corrugated Water Frog, Sri Lankan Rock Frog, Golden Frog, Bronzed Frog, Golden Shrub Frog, Hollow-snouted Shrub Frog, Sharp-snouted Shrub Frog, Ferguson’s Shrub Frog, Leaf Dwelling Shrub Frog, Anthropogenic Shrub Frog, Whistling Shrub Frog, Common Shrub frog, Cheeky Shrub Frog, Muller’s Shrub Frog, Sinharaja Shrub Frog, Schneider's shrub frog, Sri Lanka petite shrub frog, Orange-canthal Shrub Frog, Common Hourglass Tree Frog, Long-snouted Tree Frog.
Whistling Lizard, Rough-horned Lizard, Hump-nosed Lizard, Sri Lanka Kangaroo Lizard, Common Garden Lizard, Green Garden Lizard.
Spotted Bowfinger Gecko, Spotted House Gecko, Common House Gecko, Scaly-finger Gecko, Sinharaja Bent-toed Gecko.
Daignan's Lanka Skink, Common Lanka Skink , Gan's Lanka Skink, Taylor's Lanka Skink, Common Sun Skink, Sri Lanka Bronze Skink, Three-toed Snake Skink, Catenated Lanka Skink.
Land Monitor, Water Monitor
Günther's Rough-sided Snake, Schokar's Bronzeback, Sinharaja Bronzeback, Sri Lankan Keelback, Sri Lankan Wolf Snake, Flowery Wolf Snake, Templeton's Kukri Snake, Streaked Kukri Snake, Sri Lankan Blossom Krait, Deraniyagala's Shieldtail, Lowland Hump-nosed Viper, Sri Lankan Green Pitviper, Chithrasekara’s Bridle Snake, Green Vine Snake, Olive Keelback, Barne's Cat Snake, Beddoms Cat Snake, Sri Lanka Cat Snake, Forsten's Cat Snake, Sri Lanka Wolf Snake, Ornate Flying Snake, Rat Snake, Sri Lanka Checkered Keelback, Checkered Keelback, Lowlands Hump-nosed Pit Viper
AccommodationSpend today as well going deeper into this eco system seeking the herpetological wonders this habitat has to offer
AccommodationToday after breakfast, checkout from your lodge and journey towards Kitulgala. Another lowland rainforest habitat. (4 hours drive)
Begin exploring this habitat soon after lunch.
Ceylon Caecilian, Kotagama’s Toad, Common House Toad, Nollert’s Toad, Nagao’s Ramanella, Indian Skipper Frog, Indian Green Frog, Kirtisinghe’s Frog, Common Paddy Field Frog, Corrugated Water Frog, Sri Lankan Rock Frog, Golden Frog, Bronzed Frog, Golden Shrub Frog, Hollow-snouted Shrub Frog, Sharp-snouted Shrub Frog, Ferguson’s Shrub Frog, Leaf Dwelling Shrub Frog, Anthropogenic Shrub Frog, Mittermeier’s Shrub Frog, Whistling Shrub Frog, Common Shrub frog, Cheeky Shrub Frog, Reticulated-thigh Shrub Frog, Muller’s Shrub Frog, Sinharaja Shrub Frog, Schneider's shrub frog, Sri Lanka petite shrub frog, Orange-canthal Shrub Frog, Common Hourglass Tree Frog, Long-snouted Tree Frog.
Spotted Bowfinger Gecko, Spotted House Gecko, Common House Gecko, Scaly-finger Gecko, Sinharaja Bent-toed Gecko
Daignan's Lanka Skink, Common Lanka Skink , Gan's Lanka Skink, Taylor's Lanka Skink, Common Sun Skink, Sri Lanka Bronze Skink, Three-toed Snake Skink, Catenated Lanka Skink.
Land Monitor, Water Monitor
Schokar's Bronzeback, Sinharaja Bronzeback, Sri Lankan Keelback, Sri Lankan Wolf Snake, Flowery Wolf Snake, Templeton's Kukri Snake, Streaked Kukri Snake, Sri Lankan Blossom Krait, Deraniyagala's Shieldtail, Lowland Hump-nosed Viper, Sri Lankan Green Pitviper, Günther's Rough-sided Snake, Green Vine Snake, Olive Keelback, Barne's Cat Snake, Beddoms Cat Snake, Sri Lanka Cat Snake, Forsten's Cat Snake, Sri Lanka Wolf Snake, Ornate Flying Snake, Rat Snake, Sri Lanka Checkered Keelback, Checkered Keelback, Merrem's Hump-nosed Pit Viper, Lowlands Hump-nosed Pit Viper
Today after breakfast, checkout and journey towards Nuwara Eliya, with an en-route stop over at Nawalapitiya to explore some unique reptile species (4 hours journey)
Boie's Rough-sided Snake, Black-spined Snake, Schokar's Bronzeback, Sinharaja Bronzeback, Sri Lankan Keelback, Sri Lankan Wolf Snake, Flowery Wolf Snake, Templeton's Kukri Snake, Streaked Kukri Snake, Sri Lankan Blossom Krait, Deraniyagala's Shieldtail, Lowland Hump-nosed Viper, Sri Lankan Green Pitviper, Green Vine Snake, Buff-striped Keelback, Olive Keelback, Barne's Cat Snake, Beddoms Cat Snake, Sri Lanka Cat Snake, Forsten's Cat Snake, Sri Lanka Wolf Snake, Ornate Flying Snake, Rat Snake, Sri Lanka Checkered Keelback, Checkered Keelback, Russell's Viper, Merrem's Hump-nosed Pit Viper, Lowlands Hump-nosed Pit Viper
Thereafter journey towards Nuwara Eliya.
Once you check into your hotel, and as dusk approaches begin exploring the mountains in this region for endemic frog and reptile species. This region consists of montane cloud forests which hosts its own unique range of species.
Sri Lanka narrow mouthed Frog, Parker’s Ramanella, Indian Skipper Frog, Sri Lanka Frog, Common Paddy Field Frog, Horton Plains Shrub Frog, Asanka’s Shrub Frog, Leaf-nesting Shrub Frog, Frankenberg’s Shrub Frog, Small-eared Shrub Frog, Schmarda’s Shrub Frog, Dull-green Shrub Frog, Mountain Hourglass Tree Frog.
Crestless Lizard, Black-lipped Lizard, Rhino-horned Lizard, Pygmy Lizard, Common Garden Lizard, Green Garden Lizard
Smooth Lanka Skink.
Common Rough-sided Snake, Sri Lankan Hump-nosed Pit Viper.
AccommodationSpend the day exploring the wonders of these misty highlands, which include areas such as Horton Plains National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biodiversity hotspot.
After dark head to nearby habitats which are excellent for frogs
Return back to your bungalow afterwards for your overnight stay.
AccommodationAfter an early breakfast head towards another unique montane eco system in the Knuckles Mountain Range which hosts its own unique set of frog and reptile species.
The journey will take you approximately 4.5-5 hours.
Reach your hotel for a late lunch and thereafter proceed to explore this unique habitat with your naturalist guide.
Common House Toad, Ornate narrow mouthed Frog, Obscure Ramanella, Indian Skipper Frog, Indian Green Frog, Kirtisinghe’s Frog, Common Paddy Field Frog, Dumbara Corrugated Frog, Marbled Rock Frog, Sri Lanka Wood Frog, Bronzed Frog, Asanka’s Shrub Frog, Ferguson’s Shrub Frog, Knuckles Shrub Frog, Bigfoot Shrub Frog, Moore’s Shrub Frrog, Common Shrub frog, Hanken's shrub frog, Muller’s Shrub Frog, Steiner’s Shrub Frog, Stuart’s Shrub Frog, Common Hourglass Tree Frog, Mountain Hourglass Tree Frog.
Manamendra-Arachchi's Whistling Lizard, Pethiyagoda’s Crestless Lizard, Leaf-nosed Lizard, Knuckles Pygmy Lizard, Sri Lankan Kangaroo Lizard, Common Garden Lizard, Green Garden Lizard,
Spotted Bowfinger Gecko, Spotted House Gecko, Common House Gecko, Knuckles Bent-toed Gecko
Common Lanka Skink, Taylor's Lanka Skink, Common Sun Skink, Sri Lanka Bronze Skink, Four-toed Snake Skink, Smith's Snake Skink
Land Monitor, Water Monitor
Black-spined Snake, Desilva’s rough-sided snake, Green Vine Snake, Buff-striped Keelback, Olive Keelback, Schokar's Bronzeback, Templeton's Kukri Snake, Streaked Kukri Snake, Sri Lankan Blossom Krait, Lowland Hump-nosed Viper, Gunasekara's Shieldtail, Buff-striped Keelback, Barne's Cat Snake, Beddoms Cat Snake, Sri Lanka Cat Snake, Forsten's Cat Snake, Rat Snake, Sri Lankan Hump-nosed Pit Viper
AccommodationSpend the day and night exploring this unique eco system.
AccommodationToday after breakfast, checkout from your hotel and journey towards Habarana which is a Intermediate Zone- Moist- Mixed Monsoon Forest Habitat
Explore the forest habitats of this region
Common House Toad, Sri Lankan Bull Frog, Ornate narrow mouthed Frog, Mihintale narrow mouthed Frog, Rohan’s Ramanella, Marbled Balloon Frog, Indian Skipper Frog, Indian Green Frog, Common Paddy Field Frog, Jurdon’s Bullforg, Common Shrub frog, Common Hourglass Tree Frog, Spotted Tree Frog.
Lowland Kangaroo Lizard, Common Garden Lizard, Green Garden Lizard
Blotched Bowfinger Gecko, Four-claw Gecko, Spotted House Gecko, Kandyan Gecko, Common House Gecko, Termite Hill Gecko
Common Lanka Skink, Dotted Garden Skink, Common Sun Skink, Sri Lanka Bronze Skink, Tammanna skink
Land Monitor, Water Monitor
Hard-shelled Terrapin, Star Tortoise
Green Vine Snake, Brown Vine Snake, Buff-striped Keelback, Olive Keelback, Beddoms Cat Snake, Sri Lanka Cat Snake, Striped Flying Snake, Trinket Snake, Bridal Snake, Green Keelback
Common Kukri Snake, Wolf Snake, Rat Snake, Checkered Keelback, Russell's Viper, Merrem's Hump-nosed Pit Viper
AccommodationToday after checkout journey far North towards the island peninsula of Mannar (3 hours drive)
This is an arid thorny scrub habitat consisting of coastal mud flats, mangroves, and lagoons, which a host of unique species.
After lunch commence exploring this unique dry zone habitat
Common House Toad, Sri Lankan Bull Frog, Ornate narrow mouthed Frog, Rohan’s Ramanella, Marbled Balloon Frog, Indian Skipper Frog, Indian Green Frog, Common Paddy Field Frog, Jurdon’s Bullforg, Common Shrub frog, Spotted Tree Frog.
Common Garden Lizard
Four-claw Gecko, Spotted House Gecko, Common House Gecko, Bark Gecko, Scaly Gecko, Termite Hill Gecko
Common Lanka Skink, Dotted Garden Skink, Common Sun Skink, Sri Lanka Bronze Skink, Tammanna skink
Land Monitor, Water Monitor
Hard-shelled Terrapin, Star Tortoise
Gamma Cat Snake, Dog-faced Water Snake, Rat Snake, Checkered Keelback, Common Krait, Russell's Viper, Saw-scaled Viper.
Mugger Crocodile.
AccommodationSpend the day exploring the many amazing reptiles found in this habitat, especially the Saw Scaled Viper which is found uniquely in this area.
AccommodationToday once you checkout, journey downwards towards Wilpattu National Park (3 hours drive)
After lunch begin exploring the many cultivations and habitats which are excellent for many of the dry zone snake species.
Common House Toad, Schneider’s Toad, Sri Lankan Bull Frog, Mihintale narrow mouthed Frog, Rohan’s Ramanella, Marbled Balloon Frog, Indian Skipper Frog, Indian Green Frog, Common Paddy Field Frog, Jurdon’s Bullfrog, Short-headed Burrowing Frog, Common Shrub frog, Spotted Tree Frog.
Lowland Kangaroo Lizard, Common Garden Lizard, Green Garden Lizard
Blotched Bow finger Gecko, Four-claw Gecko, Spotted House Gecko, Common House Gecko, Bark Gecko, Termite Hill Gecko
Sri Lanka Chameleon
Common Lanka Skink, Dotted Garden Skink, Common Sun Skink, Sri Lanka Bronze Skink, Tammanna skink, Shark-head Snake Skink
Land Monitor, Water Monitor
Mugger Crocodile
Sri Lanka Soft-shelled Terrapin, Hard-shelled Terrapin, Star Tortoise
Indian Rock Python, Green Vine Snake, Brown Vine Snake, Buff-striped Keelback, Olive Keelback, Beddoms Cat Snake, Sri Lanka Cat Snake, Forsten's Cat Snake, Striped Flying Snake, Trinket Snake, Bridal Snake, Green Keelback, Common Kukri Snake , Wolf Snake, Rat Snake, Checkered Keelback, Common Krait, Russell's Viper, Merrem's Hump-nosed Pit Viper.
AccommodationExplore the outskirts of the park, as well as journey towards the rear entrance area of Eluwankulam to explore the habitats seeking unique reptile species
You can also opt for a game drive inside Wilpattu National Park which is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to encounter Leopards, Sloth Bear and Asian Elephant.
AccommodationToday after breakfast checkout from your hotel and journey back towards the airport (4 hours drive) for your flight back home
End of Services
USA
Thank you so much, I appreciate all of your hard work helping us find great snakes...
USA
Had a wonderful, great tour with many highlights each day. Thanks for working overtime...
USA
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and helping us find some fantastic wildlife...
USA
Thank you so much, I appreciate all of your hard work helping us find great snakes...
Canada
Cannot thank Rajiv and Classic Wild enough for the two trips (and more planned)...
I went on the last weekend Yala tour with Rajiv Welikala and had a great trip, great organization...
I am writing this review to thank 'Rajiv Welikala for organizing the most memorable tour to Habarana...
Had a wonderful 3 night excursion to Sinharaja arranged by Rajiv and his team at Classic Wild...
We did a safari tour of Yala National Park with Rajiv Welikala and thoroughly enjoyed it...
I've been to Yala National Park countless times and never truly experienced...
Took part on a birding tour to Sinharaja with Classic Wild, it was a very well organized tour...
USA
Took part on a birding tour to Sinharaja with Classic Wild, it was a very well organized tour...
