Sri Lanka Leopards Track
This expertly curated wildlife photography tour is designed for passionate photographers seeking an authentic, immersive journey through Sri Lanka’s most iconic leopard habitats. Over the course of twelve days, we’ll explore the island’s top three big cat strongholds Wilpattu, Kumana, and Yala focusing on capturing the elusive Sri Lankan Leopard along with the region’s stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Our journey begins in Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest and most untouched wilderness. Known for its ancient forests, natural lakes (villus), and sense of raw remoteness, Wilpattu is a dream for wildlife photographers. With two full days inside the park, we’ll track and photograph leopards in their natural habitat, as well as other charismatic species such as sloth bears, mugger crocodiles, spotted deer, and a rich variety of raptors. Traveling in private safari vehicles with experienced local trackers, we’ll ensure maximum time in the field from early morning light to golden hour perfect for creating high-impact wildlife imagery.
Next, we travel to the eastern coast to explore the bird-rich and lesser-known Kumana National Park. This park, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, offers an exceptional mix of wetlands, lagoons, and dry zone forest, creating the perfect backdrop for both leopard and bird photography. With two full days dedicated to Kumana, you’ll have the rare opportunity to capture striking compositions of migratory and resident birds, as well as elephants, jackals, and the occasional big cat moving through its quiet corners.
Our final destination is Yala National Park, world-renowned for its high density of leopards and dramatic terrain. Here, we dedicate two full days to tracking and photographing these apex predators in the rich golden light of the park’s early mornings and late afternoons. Yala’s diverse landscapes, from rocky outcrops and scrub jungle to open plains and coastline allow for dynamic, storytelling images of not only leopards, but also elephants, wild buffalo, peacocks, and a variety of reptiles and raptors. Our experienced guides will help you interpret animal behavior, position for the best light, and develop creative approaches to wildlife composition.
Throughout the tour, we stay in well-appointed lodges and safari camps chosen for their comfort, location, and proximity to the parks. All logistics including airport transfers, meals, park permits, and photographic guidance are handled for you, so you can focus entirely on capturing the wild beauty of Sri Lanka through your lens.
This exclusive tour is ideal for photographers looking to build a focused portfolio of leopard and wildlife images in one of Asia’s most biodiverse destinations. With the support of expert trackers and a professional wildlife photographer, you’ll receive hands-on instruction and personal guidance in the field making this a rewarding and unforgettable photographic adventure.
- Leopard Photography: With two full days in each of Sri Lanka’s top leopard habitats Wilpattu, Kumana, and Yala this tour offers exceptional opportunities to photograph one of the world’s most elusive big cats in diverse, natural settings.
- Diverse Wildlife: Beyond leopards, you’ll have the chance to photograph a wide range of species including sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, jackals, wild boar, buffalo, and a spectacular array of birdlife — from raptors to waterbirds and Sri Lanka’s vibrant endemics.
- Expert Guidance: Led by a professional wildlife photographer and supported by skilled local trackers, this tour provides one-on-one field instruction to help you refine your technique and capture compelling, high-impact images.
- Small Group Experience: Limited to just 6 photographers, this intimate group size ensures a more personalized experience, more space in vehicles, and ample time for individual mentoring and image reviews.
- Private Safari Vehicles: Enjoy exclusive use of specially modified safari jeeps, allowing us to position optimally for wildlife photography and spend as much time as needed with key subjects without compromise.
Day 1: Arrive Sri Lanka
Upon your arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo), our representative will greet you and transfer you to the beachside town of Negombo. This laid-back coastal village offers the perfect environment to rest after your journey. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, preparing your gear, and getting acquainted with your photography companions.
Overnight: Negombo
Day 2: Negombo to Wilpattu National Park
After an early breakfast, we begin our journey north to Wilpattu National Park (approx. 4–5 hours). En route, enjoy Sri Lanka’s scenic countryside and rural villages. Upon arrival, check in to your wildlife lodge, nestled near the park’s entrance. In the afternoon, head out for your first safari — a warm-up session in Wilpattu’s vast landscape of scrub jungles, lakes, and forest glades. The park’s unique “villus” (natural water basins) are prime locations for photographing leopards, sloth bears, and water birds.
Overnight: Wilpattu
Day 3: Full Day Safari in Wilpattu National Park
Set out early with your camera gear ready. The soft morning light filtering through Wilpattu’s dense canopy makes for atmospheric photography. The goal is to photograph leopards along the forest roads or basking near the waterholes. The park is also rich with crested serpent eagles, mugger crocodiles, wild boar, and spotted deer, all offering compelling wildlife compositions. We will enjoy a packed lunch inside the park, allowing us to remain in the field and maximize photographic opportunities throughout the day. then head out for an afternoon golden hour safari — ideal for dramatic lighting and motion shots.
Overnight: Wilpattu
Day 4: Full Day Safari in Wilpattu National Park
Today is dedicated to tracking and photographing elusive species. Your guide and tracker will focus on leopard territories and known sighting spots. Explore deeper sections of the park to capture images that highlight the wilderness, using different techniques like panning, backlighting, and low-angle shooting. In the afternoon, revisit previous sighting zones or explore new landscapes. Wildlife activity increases towards evening, offering you opportunities for behavioral shots.
Overnight: Wilpattu
Day 5: Wilpattu to Kumana National Park
After breakfast, depart for Kumana National Park, located in Sri Lanka’s wild east (approx. 5–6 hours). The drive takes you through cultural towns, paddy fields, and eventually into the dry zone wilderness. Upon arrival, settle into your safari lodge or tented camp near the park boundary. In the late afternoon, enjoy a short introductory drive into Kumana to scout locations and capture the bird-rich wetlands, ideal for golden-hour reflections and minimalist compositions.
Overnight: Kumana
Day 6: Full Day Safari in Kumana National Park
Rise early and enter Kumana for a full day of exploration. The park is a bird photographer’s dream — from painted storks and black-necked storks to Brahminy kites and bee-eaters. Large mammals like elephants, jackals, wild buffalo, and leopards also roam these grasslands and forests. Capture wide-angle shots of animals in Kumana’s unique landscapes — from lagoons to sand dunes and dense riverine forests.
Overnight: Kumana
Day 7: Full Day Safari in Kumana National Park
Today is focused on target species — especially the leopard population known to frequent the rocky outcrops and waterholes. Use early morning light for motion and action shots of birds in flight and mammals moving through the misty grasslands. Take your time setting up near water bodies for behavior-focused photography, such as predation, feeding, or interaction. The afternoon session may include riverbank tracking for rare wildlife moments.
Overnight: Kumana
Day 8: Kumana to Yala National Park
After breakfast, drive south towards Yala National Park, the most iconic wildlife park in Sri Lanka (approx. 3 hours). Arrive at your safari lodge or boutique camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a light safari in Block I, famous for its high leopard density. The dramatic terrain, including rocky outcrops, scrub jungle, and coastal lagoons, sets the stage for powerful wildlife portraits and dynamic storytelling shots.
Overnight: Yala Tissamaharama near Yala National Park.
Day 9: Full Day Safari in Yala National Park
Start early to access less-visited parts of the park, maximizing chances to spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears, jackals, and crested hawk eagles. The photographic focus today is on capturing movement, interaction, and intimate wildlife moments in Yala’s diverse habitats. Utilize long lenses for isolated portraits and experiment with silhouettes and framing techniques during the golden hours. Return to camp for mid-day rest and editing before resuming in the afternoon.
Overnight: Yala
Day 10: Full Day Safari in Yala National Park
Today, go deeper into Block V or less-explored areas (subject to park permits) for a more exclusive experience. Yala’s reputation for leopard encounters makes this a critical day for your photography portfolio. Capture high-impact images — whether it’s a leopard stalking, resting on a rock, or drinking at a waterhole. As the light softens in the evening, focus on habitat-wide scenes, combining wildlife and landscape.
Overnight: Yala
Day 11: Yala to Colombo
After breakfast, begin the return journey to Colombo (approx. 6–7 hours). Along the way, you’ll pass fishing villages, salt flats, and coastal lagoons — perfect for some final roadside photography, especially for birds or unique local scenes. Arrive in Colombo in the evening and check into your city hotel. Spend the rest of the night relaxing or taking a short city photo walk if energy allows.
Overnight: Colombo
Day 12: Departure
Depending on your flight time, enjoy a relaxed breakfast before being transferred to Bandaranaike International Airport for your flight home. You’ll leave with an extensive portfolio of wildlife images and memories from some of Sri Lanka’s wildest and most photogenic landscapes.