the safari expedition with tristan phipps in sri lanka
the safari expedition with tristan phipps in sri lanka
13th - 20th february 2025
earlybird pricing!
£2,350 - shared room
£3,000 - private room
deposit £450 // payment plans available - click book now!
sri lanka is a place of natural wonder and thrilling wildlife encounters. this trip will be a journey into the wilderness of this island nation, finding elusive wildlife while taking in all the culture that Sri Lanka has to offer.
guided by intrepid adventurer tristan phipps you will experience safari expeditions, scenery to marvel at and ancient landmarks. from verdant jungles to azure blue waters and ancient fishing traditions. prepare to be captivated by the serendipity of this island nation.
itinerary
WELCOME you have arrived in Colombo
SETTLE IN to your luxury beach front hotel
CONNECT with your fellow travellers attending the expedition and meet Tristan
WELCOME dinner together sampling traditional Sri Lankan cuisine
BREAKFAST start the day with a nourishing Sri Lankan breakfast
DEPART for Wilpattu national park
STOP BY Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary on the way. Look out for herons, open-bills, great cormorants, white ibis, egrets, stalks, pheasant-tailed jacnas and the purple swamp hen as well as species of mammals such as the rusty-spotted cat, the Indian otter, the slender loris, the toque monkey and 74 species of butterflies
ARRIVE in Wilpattu and embark on an evening safari. Look out for deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears and leopards
AWAKE in your new accommodation
BREAKFAST start the day with a nourishing Sri Lankan breakfast
OBSERVE elusive wildlife on a morning safari in Wilpattu national park. Look out for deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears and leopards
DEPART for Anuradhapura
TOUR the grand ruins of Anuradhapura and the many archaeological sites. See the stupas, citadel and monasteries
VISIT the Bodhi Tree Temple – the second-most sacred site in Sri Lanka
BREAKFAST to start the day
DEPART for Dambulla
VISIT and climb the famous Lions rock
JEEP SAFARI in Minneriya National Park home to Sri Lankan elephants
LUNCH sample a traditional Sri Lankan meal with locals
ARRIVE in Dambulla for some free time
OPTIONAL visit to Dambulla cave temples
RISE AND SHINE with an energising breakfast
SAFARI in Wasgamuwa. The national park is home to Elephants, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Purple-faced Langur Monkey, Wild Boar, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer and Water Buffalo
LUNCH
LEARN about SLWCS Wasgamuwa, a conservation program highly committed to developing solutions that mitigate wildlife-human conflict, environmental damage, climate change, and biodiversity loss
FREE time to explore
BREAKFAST fill your plates with a nourishing Sri Lankan breakfast
DEPART for Kandy
PASS BY the city of Matale and visit a local spice garden, learn about the spices that have played such an important role in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage
ARRIVE in Kandy and take a guided tour of the city, including sights like the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
FREE TIME to try taste bud-tingling curry, wander around the glittering lake or enjoy an OPTIONAL cultural dance performance.
BREAKFAST fill your plates with a nourishing Sri Lankan breakfast
DEPART for Colombo
WALKING TOUR of Colombo. Visit the old parliament building, National Museum and the best spots for fairtrade souvenir shopping
FREE time to explore Colombo and nearby areas
FAREWELL DINNER
BREAKFAST for the final time
FAREWELLS
an invitation from tristan
Dearest Community,
I’m a firm believer that life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.
Adventure, discovery and travel are passions that have really shaped the direction my life has gone for the past decade.
Before my career in television, I worked as a Safari guide in Southern Africa for many years.
It was my time living and working in those remote and breathtaking natural environments that solidified my love nature and adventure, and now I want to share that passion with you.
I’m hosting a once in a lifetime adventure to Sri Lanka this coming February, and I’d love to have you there.
We will be exploring some of the countries stunning wilderness areas, discovering and engaging with the amazing culture and people, and sharing the memories with you! Our amazing community of inspired, like-minded and passionate travellers.
Please see the details on the trip, including the schedule, accommodations, and pricing. Space is limited, so please reserve your spot as soon as possible!
Time to step out and come on an adventure!
Tristan
meet your host
Tristan’s burning passion for conservation, and his love of nature and the wilderness led him to peruse a career in Southern Africa as a walking big game trails guide. He lived deep in the African bush for over 6 months training and finally qualifying as a registered walking safari guide. He then spent the next four years living and working all over Southern Africa leading clients on foot deep into the African wilderness for up to 5 days at a time.
Tristan joined the TV show ‘Made in Chelsea’ in the hopes of building his profile. Whilst on the show he has hosted his own photography exhibitions and spoken out about the importance of conservation. He has built up a strong online community of followers based on his passions for nature, travel and health and fitness. He is now an ambassador and works very closely with some of the world’s leading conservation charities, including TUSK and The Born Free Foundation of which he is the ambassador for challenges. He has used his love of fitness to raise money for these charities by undertaking extreme challenges including cycling the length of the UK on a static bike in one sitting during lockdown.
inclusions
7 Nights Accommodation
Anawilundawa - Bird Sanctuary
2 Wilpattu National Park Safaris
Anuradhapura - World Heritage Site
Lion's Rock
Minneriya National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
Wasgamuwa National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
SLWCS Program
Matale – Spice Garden Visit
Kandy - City Tour with a Visit to the Temple of the Tooth
Colombo City Tour
24/7 Local Aweventurer Guide
All Ground Transport
All Breakfasts Included
2 Lunches
2 Dinners
exclusions
Flights to and from Colombo
Visas
Travel Insurance
Optional Extras
Alcohol or Meals unless specified in itinerary
Transport to and from the Airport
Tips & Gratuities
locations
You will be staying at a range of hotels across Sri Lanka with a variation of experiences, from luxurious beach resorts to cozy hill country retreats.
In Negombo Jetwing Sea Hotel and Resorts or similar
In Anuradhapura Heritage Hotel or similar
In Dambulla Pelwehera Village Resort or similar
In Kandy Hotel Topaz Hotel or similar
** hotels are subject to change due to availability but will match the quality of the above hotels.
faq’s
how will we experience awe?
every day you will be inspired and exposed to stunning temples, history, culture, wildlife and nature. this itinerary is full of culture, exploration, and inspiration. you’ll climb famous landmarks, set of on wildlife safaris, all while we look after everything, so you have the trip of a lifetime.
how is the trip themed?
the trip is designed to expose you to as much nature and wildlife as possible. while our focus is wildlife, we will visit icons of religion, history and culture.
is the trip in GBP or USD?
as Aweventurer is an international company with trips and travellers all over the world, our booking system allows you to pay in your currency.
what are the optional experiences?
there are multiple opt-in experiences; so you can decide how active your trip is. Dambulla Cave Temple and the Kandy cultural dance show are optional add-ons, you will be able to add these on closer to the time.
how do I get there?
our journey begins and ends in Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) in Colombo. There are daily flights here from multiple international airports.
what is the rooming configuration?
The trip is priced on a twin share or private room basis, so you get to know your fellow travellers and have a bestie for the entire journey or opt for a little more personal space.
how do I pay?
click book now and you’ll be given an option to pay using a payment plan or in full.
how many people will be on the trip?
minimum ten and maximum group size will be sixteen.
will i need a visa?
obtaining a visa is the individual responsibility of the traveller. please note that entry requirements can change at any time. be sure to check with your government’s foreign travel advisories and consular websites to ensure you have the correct information.
what is the accommodation like?
we’ll be staying in a range of different hotels across Sri Lanka. think of riverside local landscapes, seafront views and cosy country resorts.
what are your health and safety protocols?
all our Aweventurer guides are trained in first aid, crisis management and altitude safety and our hotels, vehicles and activities are audited regularly to ensure they meet international standards. we operate with full public liability insurance and OH&S policies and have rigid risk mitigation and emergency procedures.
what should I bring?
comfortable walking shoes are a must. other than that, bring everything you’ll need for an adventure exploring the sights and sounds of Sri Lanka. it can get pretty warm during the day, so light, breathable clothing is recommended.
will I have downtime?
while our days are pretty packed to ensure you get the most out of your time, there are purposely days of leisure and relaxation. we have purposely designed this trip with more rest time so as you can recharge and really take in the incredible places you visit.
can i come solo or with friend or a partner?
both! if you're coming with a friend, and want to be roomed together, let us know in the rooming configuration box at purchase. if you're coming with a partner (or someone you're close enough to share a double bed with), let us know at operations@aweventurer.com
when should i book my flights?
we need to reach a minimum trip number to confirm this departure, so please hold off on booking flights until we send you a welcome email that confirms departure.
what do i pack?
we’ll be travelling to Sri Lanka in February temperatures with average temperatures ranging from 26ºC minimum to 30ºC maximum during the day.
bring everything you need for a cool down, swimmers, sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, and any other sun-protective gear you may need. a list includes:
day pack for carrying essentials.
comfortable walking shoes with good grip
sun protection - a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen
insect repellent and hand sanitiser
light layers for the daytime, including more modest clothing for visits to religious sites (clothing items that cover the shoulders, or skirts and trousers that go below the knee)
warmer layers for night time
sandals, flip flops, or any kind of water shoe
swimmers
international electrical adaptor
water bottle.