The 6 Safari Tours in Hikkaduwa That Earn Their Price

1.Hikkaduwa/Galle/Weligama/Mirissa/Tangalle: Yala Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 263 reviews · 9 hours · from $45Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned vehicle from Hikkaduwa, Galle, Weligama, Mirissa, or Tangalle to Yala National Park. A local driver such as Dilan, Sasanka, Chathura, or Tikiri takes you on a three-hour Jeep safari, looking for leopards, elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, deer, and birds. The listed price is $45, plus the park fee.

“Chathura is a best driver ever! We were not scared with him, so professional and friendly! Hello from Belarus. We wish you all the best!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Galle/Mirissa/Tangalle: Transfer to Ella & Yala Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 235 reviews · 4 - 9 hours · from $11Best value

Travel from Galle, Mirissa, Weligama, Matara, Hiriketiya, or Tangalle to Ella with a three-hour Yala National Park safari en route. Your air-conditioned transfer vehicle meets an open-sided safari jeep at the park. Guides such as Dilan, Sasanka, Tikiri, and Ishan are praised for spotting wildlife and sharing useful nature facts.

“Our guide Dilan was really nice. We could spot elephants, buffaloes and lucky enough to spot one leopard. I had a great safari.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Hikkaduwa/Galle/Weligama/Mirissa/Tangalle: Udawalawa Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 114 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $27

Travel by air-conditioned car from Hikkaduwa, Galle, Mirissa, or Tangalle to Udawalawe National Park. A local guide such as Pathum or Mahesh leads the 4x4 safari, where you may see elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, deer, and birds. Add the Elephant Transit Home feeding visit for a useful conservation stop.

“We were a bit unsure at first when booking this activity. The reviews were too good, almost too good to be true. After the activity I cannot find anything negative to say. Our driver Janaka picked us up from our Airbnb precisely at 12 and drove us to the park. He was very talkative and told us many interesting facts about the country as well as showing us many locations on the way. The drive was very comfortable with AC and water in a nice car! At Udawalawe the safari jeep was already waiting for us (no waiting time) and our guide Pathum showed us the best spots in the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Udawalawe Safari Private Day Trip with Lunch – All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 69 reviews · 6 - 12 hours · from $110

Join Bentota Travel Mart for a private Udawalawe day trip with hotel pickup, a 3 to 3.5-hour jeep safari, the Elephant Transit Home feeding session, and lunch. Drivers such as Dinesh and Ravin handle the road transfer, while a park guide helps you spot elephants, crocodiles, birds, monkeys, and smaller wildlife.

“Everything was excellent to the punctual pickup by Dinesh, smooth drive & handover to jeep & safari guide We saw loads of Elephants & even a 5 day old baby. Lots of other animals & birds seen & expertly pointed out to us. Would highly recommend Bentota Travel mart for this experience. Thanks to all!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Value Tour: One Day Safari Trip to Yala & Udawalawe w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 1 day · from $57

Leave your hotel before sunrise for Yala National Park, then stop for a local picnic lunch and feeding time at Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home. Finish with a 3 PM safari in Udawalawe. Guides such as Dilan, Ishan, Naja, and Sasanka have led recent trips, but the assigned guide can vary.

“Our tour was great! The tour guide Naja was fantastic and made sure we got everywhere we needed and that our lunch was provided. He took care to ensure we saw as many animals as possible which made the trip incredible! I would recommend for anyone wanting to see lots of animals as both parks combined satisfy that. Make sure you bring the money for the park entrances, in cash, for a smooth trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Shuttle to Down South Any Location w Yala Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 1 day · from $29Top rated

Travel by air-conditioned vehicle from Ella to Tangalle, Mirissa, Galle, or another southern stop, with a 3-hour open-jeep safari in Yala National Park. Guides such as Sasanka, Chathura, and Ishan help spot wildlife and explain animal habits. Bring food and allow a full day, since park fees cost extra.

“Ottimo safari, la nostra guida Ishan era super competente e gentile, ci ha spiegato le abitudini dei diversi animali. Il posto é spettacolare e pieno di specie diverse. Consigliato assolutamente!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review