Yala & Galle 3-Day Private Tour: Wildlife, History and Mangroves
From orphaned elephants and leopard country to Dutch colonial streets and tranquil river mangroves.
This Yala and Galle private tour takes you through three of Sri Lanka's most rewarding destinations, combining close wildlife encounters, a UNESCO World Heritage city, and a peaceful boat journey through one of the island's most biodiverse coastal ecosystems.
Each day is structured to balance activity with discovery. You begin at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, where orphaned elephants receive care before being released back into the wild, then head into Yala National Park for an afternoon safari across grasslands, scrub forest, and ancient tank landscapes.
The second day shifts to the southwest coast, where Galle Fort's 17th-century Dutch ramparts enclose a living community of offices, churches, and colonial-era streets still in daily use. The afternoon transitions to the calm waters of the Madu River, a labyrinth of mangrove islands rich in birdlife, reptiles, and Buddhist heritage.
The final morning offers a relaxed return to your beach hotel, closing a journey that covers wildlife conservation, architectural history, and coastal ecology across southern Sri Lanka.
Tour Highlights
Watch the milk feeding session at the Elephant Transit Home, a Born Free Foundation-supported facility that rehabilitates orphaned elephants for release into Uda Walawe National Park.
Safari through Yala National Park, covering 1,259 km2 of grasslands, scrub, and coastal dunes that support one of the world's highest densities of leopards alongside elephants, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species.
Explore Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Dutch colonial architecture from the 17th century stands alongside functioning courts, churches, and residential streets.
Cruise the Madu River by boat and navigate a network of 64 mangrove islands, visiting a Buddhist monastery where monks preserve a 150-year-old palm-leaf manuscript.
Travel as a private group throughout, with a dedicated vehicle and guide ensuring flexibility and personal attention at every stop.
Track wildlife from an open-roof jeep inside Yala, where the rugged terrain and dense scrub create ideal conditions for spotting elusive species at close range.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Depart early from your hotel and travel to the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, where injured and orphaned elephants are cared for before re-release into the wild. Observe the feeding session from the dedicated viewing platform and learn about the rehabilitation process during an approximately three-hour visit.
Lunch follows in Tissamaharama before an afternoon jeep safari through Yala National Park. The park's varied terrain of tanks, grasslands, and coastal dunes supports leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and a wide range of resident and migratory birds. Check in to your hotel in Tissamaharama for the night.
After breakfast, drive to Galle for a two-hour guided walk through the fort. The Old Gate carries the British coat of arms, while the adjacent Zwart Bastion and the Point Utrecht Bastion with its lighthouse mark the perimeter of an urban heritage site that has been continuously inhabited for over 350 years. The Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex offers a selection of local crafts and souvenirs.
Lunch in Galle is followed by a transfer to Balapitiya, where a three-hour boat journey through the Madu River estuary introduces the region's mangrove ecosystem, diverse bird species, and island communities. One island stop includes a Buddhist monastery where young monks maintain traditional practices and ancient manuscripts. Overnight in Galle.
After breakfast at the hotel, you are transferred to your respective beach hotel, marking the conclusion of the tour. No further activities are scheduled, allowing for a relaxed handover to your next accommodation.
What Is Included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout
- English-speaking guide
- Elephant Transit Home entrance and viewing
- Yala National Park jeep safari
- Galle Fort guided city tour
- Madu River boat ride (approximately 3 hours)
- Lunch on Day 1 in Tissamaharama
- Lunch on Day 2 in Galle
- Overnight accommodation in Tissamaharama (Day 1)
- Overnight accommodation in Galle (Day 2)
- Hotel-to-hotel transfers including final drop-off
Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Entrance fees not listed above
- Any activities of a personal nature
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Spaces on this private tour are limited. Secure your itinerary across Yala, Galle, and Madu River with a confirmed booking today.
Book Now
