10 Safari Tours in Galle Worth Booking

1.Galle/Mirissa/Hiriketiya: Drop to Ella & Udawalawa Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 186 reviews · 7 - 8 hours · from $48Our pick

Leave your hotel in Galle, Mirissa, Hiriketiya, Tangalle, or nearby coastal towns for Udawalawe National Park. After the air-conditioned transfer, switch to a 4x4 jeep for a 2.5 to 3 hour safari with guides such as Pathum, Mahesh, Prasad, or Koshala. Continue to your hotel in Ella, with possible stops along the way.

“We had so much fun, it was so cool, Pahum was really good driver and guide! Thanks for having us!”

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2.Bentota River Safari By BTM (Mangrove & Wildlife Encounter)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · from $32Top rated

Cruise the Bentota River and lagoon in a private boat for about two hours. Guides such as Sumal, Hari, and Harindra point out eagles, bee-eaters, cormorants, monkeys, lizards, and crocodiles. Pickup is offered from many nearby river locations, and departures are available until 4pm.

“Excellent service, on time, friendly, knowledgable, a once in a lifetime experience. We booked just a few hours before and they showed on time. They were really helpful i poiting out things to see and even took us to a herb garden free of charge”

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3.Galle Private Day Tours with Sea Turtles visit & Boat Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 69 reviews · 6 - 10 hours · from $45

You’ll visit Galle Fort, a turtle conservation project, turtle beach, and Madu River by private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking guide. Guides including Hasantha, Sakun, Nuwan, and Rusiru are praised for safe driving, personal care, photos, and flexible stops. Budget extra for the turtle project and boat safari fees.

“We really enjoyed our private tour. The whole experience was even better because of Hasantha, our guide. He showed us all beautiful places along the coast and made sure we enjoy every moment. I sincerely recommend this tour, it was a pleasure !!”

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4.Udawalawe Safari – Private & Customize Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · from $110

You leave from Galle, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Mirissa, or nearby towns at 8 am for a private Udawalawe National Park safari. A local jeep driver leads a three-hour wildlife drive, with lunch, bottled water, air-conditioned transfers, and hotel drop-off included. Park entrance fees are extra.

“Great trip, guide and driver excellent. Saw a lot of wildlife and would thoroughly recommend. Delicious lunch and a lovely day out.”

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5.Yala Safari Private Day Trip with Return Transport -All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 54 reviews · from $140

Travel by private vehicle to Yala National Park, then spend about four hours in a private Japanese safari jeep searching for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, birds, and more. Pickup reaches Galle, Ella, Colombo, and many south-coast towns. Lunch, park entry, bottled water, and return transport are included.

“Bentota travel mart were so great! Sam had 10/10 communication and Rahul was the best driver! Unfortunately heavy rains meant that Yala wouldn't be as accessible, Sam gave us a few options to ensure we didn't miss out. Thanks for making our trip to udawalawe so memorable.”

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6.ELLA to TANGALLE/MIRISSA/GALLE Shuttle & YALA Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 49 reviews · from $31Best value

Travel from Ella to Yala, Tangalle, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Weligama, or Galle, stopping for a Yala National Park safari. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, then switch to an open-sided safari jeep. Guides including Sasanka, Vishwa, and Tikiri are praised for spotting leopards, elephants, crocodiles, birds, and more.

“Had a great early morning safari! Vishwa was a good guide and had a good eye out for multiple animals, saw a crocodile, a leopard, 2 chameleons, and more! Would highly recommend”

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7.Mirissa/Weligama/Galle/Tangalle: Drop to Ella & Yala Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 27 reviews · 10 hours · from $43

Travel from Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa, Matara, Hiriketiya, or Tangalle to Ella by air-conditioned vehicle, with a Yala National Park jeep safari in the middle. Guides such as Sasanka and Naja explain animal behavior and help with photography. Allow 10 hours, plus about $40 for park fees, which are not included.

“It was a great way to maximize time between Weligama and Ella! Naja was great on the safari and Hansa was a great driver”

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8.GO WILD! Double Safari Day Trip (Yala & Udawalawe) – Private & All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $280

Travel by private vehicle from Galle and nearby south-coast towns to Udawalawe and Yala National Parks. You get two jeep safaris, a 30-minute Elephant Transit Home visit, lunch, park entry, bottled water, and an experienced driver-guide. Expect a 13 to 16-hour day with strong elephant sightings and a chance, never a promise, of seeing leopards.

“We had a wonderful, albeit long day to visit Udawalawe and Yala- trip was well organised and pick up with Dinesh was on time from our hotel. He took us safely to both parks and both of our guides in the parks were friendly and knowledgaRead more”

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9.Bentota River Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews

Take a private two-hour boat safari through Bentota River’s mangroves with a local guide. Morning and afternoon departures are available, with pickup in Bentota and nearby towns. Watch for crocodiles, water monitors, monkeys, fruit bats, snakes, and birds. Guides such as Gimhana and Gayan are praised for careful boat handling and sharp wildlife spotting.

“We loved these guys and experienced two great fishing trips during our stay in Bentota. Super friendly and accommodating for our kids. Hotel pick up and drinks included! We did an early morning trip and an evening one too. HigRead more”

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10.All Inclusive Galle Dutch Fort & Madu River Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 6 reviews · 8 hours · from $80

You’ll travel by private vehicle from Bentota, Beruwala, or nearby coastal towns to Galle Fort, the Madu Ganga wetlands, and Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery. An English-speaking guide is included, though guide quality can vary. Mr. Supun has been praised for careful driving and kind service. Lunch is not included.

“It was excellent, from the river cruise to exploring the fort and to top it off with the turtle conservatory.”

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