Uda Walawe National Park Holidays

Sri Lanka is a year round destination, but despite its small size there are regional differences with the weather. Therefore it’s important to know where to go and when. There are two very important monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka that dictates this.

The southwest ‘Yala’ monsoon

This brings rain to the west and southwest coasts, as well as the hill country from April/May to September. Generally the wetter months are April-June. During this period the northern part of the island, particularly around the ‘Cultural Triangle’ will be very dry and hot.

The northeast ‘Maha’ monsoon

This is less severe and hits the east coast from November to December. There’s also an inter-monsoonal period between October and November that can result in rainstorms across the island.

Put simply, the best time to visit the west, southern coasts and hill country is from December to March, while the best weather on the east coast is between April/May to September. March is a fantastic time to explore the whole island. Due to Sri Lanka’s proximity to the equator, the temperatures remain pretty steady year round. This generally varies between 26-30 degrees Celsius during the day. This cools considerably in the hill country so expect 18-22 degrees in places like Kandy.

Eating in Sri Lanka is wonderfully varied; the staple diet of Sri Lanka is rice and curry, but whilst travelling, you’ll be tempted with food found in many of the old colonies as well. Sri Lankan curries are usually fairly hot; they often feature chicken or vegetables, but mainly fish, and are very coconut-based, heavily influenced by Kerala in southern India. And you won’t go hungry! It’s not uncommon for tables to be filled with countless different curries and accompaniments. You’ll find string hoppers on many menus; these are made from hot water dough made from rice or wheat that are then pressed out into little wicker mats. These are the perfect accompaniment for the traditional curry. If you’re staying in fairly upmarket boutique hotels, dining is a real treat, and you’ll be able to choose from traditional food and more Mediterranean-inspired dishes. We generally find that most people eat inside their hotels, as they are mostly quite remote. Howeve,r you will find a selection of good restaurants in Colombo and Galle.

Sri Lankan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways all fly to Sri Lanka, although Sri Lankan Airlines is the only direct option from London, with the others transiting via the Middle East. The flights to Sri Lanka are all overnight, allowing you to sleep on the way, maximising your time on the ground.

We hold no allegiance to any particular carrier and have access to hundreds of different fares. Flights are always quoted on a case-by-case basis, allowing us to search for the best possible deal for you. Please let us know if you have a preferred option, or if you would like us to look at upgrading your flights to Business Class.

Airport taxes should always be included in the cost of your ticket, we will inform you if there are any changes.

A visa is required for UK passport holders travelling to Sri Lanka, which can be obtained for $50 USD per person online on http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa – note that this is the official website; do not use any other website.

It’s very important that you have at least one blank page in your passport and at least 6 months validity from your return.

As we’re not medical experts we feel it is essential that you contact your GP well in advance of travelling. It is possible that you may need vaccinations, as vaccinations against a range of diseases are required for much of South Asia. Anti-malarial medication is sometimes a necessity, depending on your itinerary.

A really useful source of extra info is The Travel Doctor, an interactive website providing specialist health information for travellers, plus customised lists of travel medicines, vaccines and malaria tablets.

We advise that you don’t drink tap water in Sri Lanka. Bottled water can be found throughout Sri Lanka at a very affordable price, and safe filtered water is often available in restaurants and hotels. Please be aware of the environmental implications of drinking bottled water and attempt to refill them with filtered water where possible.

Like in all developing countries, it’s worth being diligent and exercising a common-sense approach when travelling through the country. If you have any safety or security concerns, we recommend that you read the FCO Travel Advice.

Swimming

Swimming in the ocean around Sri Lanka is a wonderful pleasure, however in some areas the coastline is rocky and the sea can become rough due to strong currents. Remain cautious and if in doubt only swim if there’s a lifeguard nearby.

We only use experienced drivers that are professionally certified, who can moderate their driving to meet with our expectations. Remember, you are in charge. If you feel your driver is driving too quickly or is behaving in any way that makes you feel uncomfortable you must say something to your guide immediately. If the driving does not instantly improve, we will secure a different driver for you. Self-driving is not an option in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan currency is the Rupee (Rs). It is technically a ‘closed currency’ so you'll need to get this on arrival in Sri Lanka. Your chauffeur guide will assist you with this. There are plenty of ATMs throughout Sri Lanka, but mainly in the larger towns.

Tipping is a standard practice in Sri Lanka, but only as a reward for good service. We recommend approximately Rs1500-2000 per day / per couple for the chauffeur guide, Rs500 for a driver in the national parks, Rs200 for a tracker in the national parks and Rs50-100 per bag for hotel porters.

We believe travel should be a force for good. That means exploring with open eyes, treading lightly, and respecting the people and places that make the world so special. Our code of conduct isn’t about rules, it’s simply a guide to help you travel thoughtfully, ethically, and with care. Because every small choice makes a big difference.

• If you choose to trust us with your holiday, we’ll send you a “Travel Facts” document when confirming your booking. This includes useful facts and travel advice, such as restaurant recommendations, reading tips, basic language information, cultural traditions, climate information, brief historical overviews, and more. We feel that this offers a useful insight and can help you interact with local residents in a more sensitive, well-informed manner. Please do try to take the time to read this information before your visit, it’s worth the time!

• A number of the countries in which we operate holidays are religious societies with a widely observed set of customs. Always respect these norms, particularly when visiting religious buildings.

• To the best of our knowledge, all hotels, lodges, and camps within our portfolio operate stringent measures to minimise water usage. All of our destinations have issues with water supplies to a certain extent, so feel free to raise any possible wastage should you encounter it during your stay, either with the accommodation or with us upon your return.

• Please ask permission before taking photographs of people, and respect their wishes if they are not happy to be photographed. We find that friendly requests and a smile are usually met with a ‘yes!’

• Strive, where possible, to make your own contribution to environmental practices as you travel. This might include minimising your electricity usage, not smoking in protected areas, avoiding coral while snorkelling, and safely disposing of all litter (recycling where possible).

• Where possible, try to purchase from local suppliers. This includes shopping for souvenirs, dining out at restaurants, and booking additional excursions during your free time. In areas where haggling is an accepted part of daily life, don’t be offended if you’re unable to obtain what you perceive as a fair price for an item.

• We emphasise to local suppliers that our clients should never be taken on unsolicited shopping trips, but if this does happen, try to retain your sense of humour, provide a firm refusal to participate and do let us know about it on your return. We pass on all feedback from every trip undertaken with us to our relevant local suppliers, who all share our commitment to travelling with sensitivity.

• Please don’t remove any indigenous items from their natural habitat and attempt to bring them home as a souvenir. This particularly applies to everything from coral, shells, plants and food in the natural world, to cultural artefacts and antiques.

If you’re unsure about anything relating to the above, please feel free to chat to us. We’ve travelled extensively in the country and will be more than happy to offer our considered advice.