Crocodiles Blue Whales and Turtles a truly wild coastal experience

Crocodiles Blue Whales and Turtles a truly wild coastal experience

A wildlife safari like no other, this is a step into the wild side with a different twist. Safaris are not always by jeep and to see big game on land, but rather this is a wildlife experience to witness some iconic aquatic wildlife both in freshwater and in the ocean. Your naturalist guide is will trained and experience in wildlife, birding and natural history to give you insightful guidance throughout your experience.

Itinerary

Day 1: Matara

Stop At: Matara, Matara, Southern Province
Upon meeting with your naturalist guide at the pick up point, head towards the Nilwala River which meets the ocean in the town of Matara. Here you will meet with Chandika a former fisherman who now takes visitors in his customized boat along the Nilwala River on a crocodile safari. The river is teeming with Saltwater Crocodiles also known as Estuarine Crocodiles, the largest reptile on the planet. These awe inspiring reptiles are living remnants of the now extinct dinosaurs, and you will get up close with these amazing predators in their natural habitat. Chandika's intimate knowlege of the river will help you to get the best sightings of these amazing crocodiles as possible. Their sizes can vary from tiny hatch-lings to massive dominant males some reaching over 16-18 feet in length and truly a sight to behold. The further you journey upstream the more devoid of human habitation it becomes. The habitats are mainly mangroves and marshland and you will also come across many species of waterbirds.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Turtle Watch Rekawa, Rekawa Road, Tangalle 82200 Sri Lanka
After the crocodile safari, you will head to the nearby hotel for check in. After an early dinner, you will head towards Rekawa (1.5 hours drive from Matara), where you will head to the beach to observe the amazing natural spectacle of turtles coming to shore to lay eggs. Five of the world’s Seven species of sea turtles have been recorded coming ashore to lay their eggs at Rekawa. The Green and Olive Ridley Turtles are the most routinely encountered species, while the Hawksbill, Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtles are also seen intermittently. Afterwards head back to your hotel for your overnight stay
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3 star accommodation in Matara on half board basis

Day 2: Mirissa

Stop At: Mirissa, Mirissa, Southern Province
Early morning checkout from your hotel with a packed breakfast and head to Mirissa Fisheries harbor from where you will board a boat to head into the deep blue in search of the largest animal on earth the Blue Whale. Mirissa in southern Sri Lanka is regarded as the world’s top location for watching Blue Whales with sightings occurring on most mornings during the season which spans from November through to April. Pods of Spinner Dolphin are seen on most mornings while Bryde’s Whale, Sperm Whale, Orca, Risso’s Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin and Striped Dolphin are among the other species of cetaceans which are intermittently seen.
After reaching dry land, you will be dropped off at your desired location within a 20 KM distance from Mirissa to end the tour.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.