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Un esclusivo tour fotografico in Sri Lanka attraverso il Wilpattu National Park, The Kumana National Park e la foresta pluviale primaria di Sinharaja, dedicato all’osservazione e alla fotografia della sottospecie endemica di leopardo asiatico che abita esclusivamente quest’isola, conosciuta anche come leopardo di Ceylon or leopardo kotyja, dell’imponente elefante asiatico, del raro orso labiato e dei gufi endemici di questa regione. Il viaggio include Safari, sessioni di macrofotografia And trekking naturalistici alla scoperta della straordinaria biodiversità tropicale dello Sri Lanka. Undici giorni immersi nella natura più autentica dell’isola, con guida privata e fotografo professionista sempre al tuo fianco.
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Lo Sri Lanka è uno scrigno di biodiversità nel cuore dell’Oceano Indiano, con una concentrazione eccezionale di specie endemiche rispetto alla sua superficie.
In questo viaggio andremo alla scoperta di tre delle aree protette più autentiche e affascinanti del Paese: Wilpattu, Kumana e la foresta pluviale di Sinharaja.
In the Wilpattu National Park, il più grande dell’isola, esploreremo foreste secche e lagune sabbiose, habitat ideali per il leopardo di Sri Lanka (Panthera pardus kotiya), sottospecie endemica presente solo qui. Insieme a lui, potremo osservare sloth bears, elefanti asiatici, Ceylon langur, toque macaques e numerose specie di uccelli rari.
Anche il Kumana National Park, più remoto e selvaggio, offre straordinarie opportunità fotografiche: leopardi, orsi e elefanti si muovono tra radure, rocce e zone umide, insieme a cervi, coccodrilli e a una ricchissima tropical avifauna, tra cui il maestoso gufo pescatore di Pel.
Entrambi i parchi vantano una delle densità più alte al mondo di leopardi, con una stima media di 20–25 individui ogni 100 km²: uno dei luoghi migliori per fotografarli in totale libertà.
Concluderemo nella foresta primaria di Sinharaja, Patrimonio UNESCO, dove ci dedicheremo alla fotografia macro, notturna e ornitologica. Un ecosistema unico che ospita oltre 20 specie di uccelli endemici, rettili, anfibi e piccoli mammiferi. Il luogo ideale per vivere la natura più segreta dello Sri Lanka.
All overnight stays in double tents
Just Explorers Team Member
This viaggio fotografico in Sri Lanka è pensato per chi desidera vivere un’esperienza naturalistica completa, con massima attenzione alla qualità fotografica, alla varietà di ambienti e al comfort. In 11 giorni esploreremo tre ecosistemi straordinari, alternando safari, escursioni a piedi e sessioni fotografiche notturne.
I primi tre giorni saranno dedicati all’esplorazione del Wilpattu National Park, il più esteso del Paese. Muovendoci tra foreste secche e lagune sabbiose, concentreremo le nostre sessioni fotografiche su leopards, sloth bears, elephants, toque macaques, Ceylon langur And uccelli endemici. Dedicheremo intere giornate all’interno del parco, ottimizzando la luce e il tempo sul campo grazie all’uso di veicoli privati e guide esperte.
Dopo l’ultima uscita a Wilpattu, ci sposteremo verso la costa sud-orientale, raggiungendo la zona remota di Panama, ai margini del Kumana National Park, dove resteremo tre notti. Kumana è meno frequentato rispetto ad altri parchi, ma offre avvistamenti eccellenti di leopardi, spesso visibili su affioramenti rocciosi o posati su grandi rami. Anche qui osserveremo sloth bears, elephants, deer, crocodiles and one ricca avifauna costiera. Tra le specie più interessanti: Black-necked Stork, Pel's Fishing Owl, Lesser Adjutant, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Paradise Flycatcher And Blue-faced Malkoha. Quando possibile, saranno organizzate anche uscite notturne alla ricerca di piccoli felini e fauna crepuscolare.
Gli ultimi due giorni saranno dedicati all’esplorazione a piedi della foresta primaria di Sinharaja, un santuario di biodiversità unico e Patrimonio UNESCO. Con il supporto di guide locali e tracker dei villaggi, andremo alla ricerca di oltre 20 specie di uccelli endemici, tra cui il raro Sri Lanka Frogmouth, l’elusivo Otus thilohoffmanni, The Jungle Owl, the Civetta barrata di Ceylon, the Chestnut-backed Owlet, The Red-faced Malkoha, The Sri Lanka Spurfowl, The Layard's Parakeet e numerosi passeriformi legati ai famosi “birdwaves”. Non mancheranno soggetti per la fotografia macro e notturna, come anfibi tropicali, rettili arboricoli And piccoli mammiferi notturni.
I trasferimenti tra le aree sono ottimizzati per garantire massimo tempo sul campo, con veicoli comodi, pasti inclusi e assistenza continua. I lodge selezionati offrono aria condizionata, camere private, ottima cucina e un servizio attento e affidabile.
Un tour esclusivo, pensato per chi vuole fotografare la vera natura dello Sri Lanka, accompagnato da guide esperte e un fotografo professionista, con un ritmo adatto all’osservazione, alla pazienza e alla qualità.
With Just Explorers avrai accesso a un’esperienza costruita per chi ama davvero la fotografia naturalistica. Ogni fase del viaggio è pensata per offrirti il massimo sul campo: uscite nelle ore migliori di luce, movimenti studiati sul comportamento animale, e assistenza costante di guide locali esperte e di un fotografo professionista al tuo fianco.
Wilpattu – Safari full day e libertà totale
In the Wilpattu National Park entreremo all’alba e usciremo solo al tramonto. Questo ci permetterà di esplorare aree remote, lontane dalle rotte turistiche, con ottime possibilità di fotografare leopardi, orsi labiati, elefanti e altri grandi mammiferi. Le jeep saranno private, aperte e a uso esclusivo del gruppo fotografico, with massimo 2-3 fotografi per veicolo per garantire piena libertà di movimento e composizione.
Kumana – Safari mirati e varietà di habitat
TO Kumana alterneremo safari mattutini e pomeridiani, concentrandoci su habitat spettacolari: lagune, radure, letti di fiumi e grandi alberi. Oltre ai mammiferi, sarà un’ottima occasione per fotografare uccelli iconici come il Pel's Fishing Owl, The Malabar Pied Hornbill, The Black-necked Stork e molti rapaci e limicoli. Quando possibile, aggiungeremo uscite serali alla ricerca di felini minori e fauna crepuscolare.
Sinharaja – Birdwatching, macro e fotografia notturna
TO Sinharaja, immersi nell’ultima foresta primaria dell’isola, ci dedicheremo alla fotografia di uccelli endemici, macro e soggetti notturni. Uscite al mattino e al tramonto ci porteranno a cercare specie come il Sri Lanka Frogmouth, theOtus thilohoffmanni, The Jungle Owl, The Malkoha facciarossa e altri passeriformi rari.
Ogni sera sarà possibile partecipare a sessioni macro notturne, in search of rane, anfibi e insetti tropicali, anche direttamente nei lodge gardens, dove le sorprese non mancano mai.
Durante il viaggio saremo ospitati in lodge di fascia media e alta, selezionati con cura per offrire comfort, tranquillità e un’accoglienza cordiale, sempre in posizione strategica rispetto alle attività fotografiche.
TO Wilpattu alloggeremo in una struttura nuova, ben curata e immersa nella natura, a pochi minuti dall’ingresso del parco. Le camere sono ampie e luminose, dotate di aria condizionata, bagno privato e arredi moderni. Al termine delle intense giornate di safari full day, sarà possibile rilassarsi nella splendida piscina panoramica circondata dal verde.
In the area of Kumana pernotteremo in un lodge di fascia media, semplice ma funzionale, tra i più vicini all’ingresso del parco. La posizione ci permetterà di essere operativi fin dalle prime ore del mattino. Le camere, tutte con aria condizionata e servizi privati, offrono un ambiente accogliente e silenzioso, ideale per recuperare le energie tra un’uscita e l’altra.
TO Sinharaja, chiuderemo il viaggio in un eco-lodge di fascia medio-alta immerso nella vegetazione tropicale. La struttura è il punto d’appoggio ideale per raggiungere le zone di esplorazione. Le camere sono spaziose, con aria condizionata, bagno privato e grandi finestre affacciate sul verde. A disposizione degli ospiti anche una bellissima piscina, perfetta per rilassarsi dopo le sessioni di birdwatching o fotografia macro.
Le sistemazioni previste sono in camere doppie con letti separati. Su richiesta è possibile optare per letti matrimoniali, oppure prenotare una single room with supplement, soggetta a disponibilità. Per richieste particolari è sufficiente contattare l’organizzazione in fase di iscrizione.
Find out how the days will unfold and what activities make up the tour
Arrival at the international airport of Colombo – Bandaranaike (CMB)After baggage collection and customs formalities, independent transfer or with our dedicated transfer (about 15 minutes) to the lodge located in the area of Katunayake, chosen for its proximity to the airport and the convenience for all participants arriving at different times.
This first day is entirely dedicated to post-flight rest. After checking in, you'll have time to settle in, relax, and prepare your photography equipment. In the evening, we'll meet directly at the hotel for the welcome dinner and an initial briefing with the team, during which the tour program, the local guides and the accompanying photographer will be presented.
You can arrive with your flight at any time of the day.
After breakfast, departure for the Wilpattu National Park, the largest on the island, located about four hours north. The transfer is on a paved road and passes through typical Sri Lankan rural landscapes. Upon arrival at the lodge, check-in and lunch are provided.
In the afternoon, the first photographic outing inside the park, amidst tropical dry forests, lagoons (the "villus"), and large clearings. The environment is quiet and uncrowded, ideal for immediately immersing yourself in the slow pace of nature observation. The first subjects to look for: Ceylon langur, toque macaques, spotted deer, wild buffalo and the first signs of the leopard's presence.
Two days entirely dedicated to photography inside the park, with exit at dawn (before 5:45) and return at sunset. Breakfast and a packed lunch are served in safe areas within the park.
Wilpattu is known for its very high density of leopards, but also offers excellent shooting opportunities for sloth bears, lonely elephants, sambar, muntjac and numerous birds of prey, kingfishers, storks, herons and endemic species such as the Junglefowl and the Red-backed Flameback.
Thanks to the extended time in the park, it will be possible to explore less frequented areas and take advantage of changing lighting conditions for atmospheric and creative shots.
Last outing at dawn in Wilpattu National Park, with the first light of day often offering the most thrilling sightings. After the safari, return to the lodge, have breakfast, and check out.
In mid-morning we will leave in a south-east direction to reach Habarana, a strategic location where we will spend the night break the long journey to Kumana National ParkThe journey takes about 2 hours, passing through villages and secondary forests.
Upon arrival, check in at the lodge and enjoy lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax, organize your photography equipment, or simply enjoy some peace and quiet before the second leg of the journey.
After breakfast, departure from Habarana in a south-east direction. The journey towards Panama, coastal village near the Kumana National Park, lasts approximately 5.5 hours, crossing cultivated fields, forests and more arid territories.
We will arrive at the lodge in the early afternoon. After lunch and a short rest, we will depart for our first photographic safari in Kumana National Park, discovering a completely different environment: lagoons, rocky outcrops, large trees and coastal habitats offer an ideal context for leopards, elephants, sloth bears, deer, crocodiles and numerous species of birds, including Pel's Fishing Owl And Black-necked Stork.
Two days dedicated to the intensive photography within Kumana National Park, one of the wildest and most photogenic corners of Sri Lanka. Every day we will carry out two photographic safaris, one at dawn and one in the late afternoon, following the rhythms of light and animal activity.
With ours private jeeps for exclusive use, we will explore varied and evocative environments: grassy clearings, coastal lagoons, wooded areas, rock outcrops And large isolated trees, habitats favored by the Sri Lankan leopard, which finds ideal conditions here for hunting and resting. In addition to leopards, we will be able to observe and photograph sloth bears, elephants, deer, crocodiles and an extraordinary avifauna: Pel's Fishing Owl, Black-necked Stork, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and various species of tropical raptors and passerines.
Each outing will be carefully planned to maximize photographic opportunities, seeking out creative compositions, natural behaviors, and unusual subjects. The accompanying photographer and local guides will actively collaborate to optimally position the vehicle and predict wildlife movements.
In the evening, anyone who wishes can participate in a optional short night out, in the surroundings of the lodge, with the possibility of meeting owls, small cats, nocturnal mammals and other crepuscular fauna.
After breakfast, departure for a long transfer to the Sinharaja Rainforest, in the heart of southwestern Sri Lanka. The journey takes approximately 7.5 hours, but will be interrupted by panoramic and refreshment stops.
Upon arrival at the lodge, surrounded by tropical vegetation, we'll have time to settle in and have lunch. In the afternoon, accompanied by local guides, we'll begin our first treks. birdwatching activities near the forest, with the possibility of spotting endemic species such as Red-faced Malkoha, Layard's Parakeet, Spurfowl and tropical passerines.
Today we will live a day full of photographic activities: in the morning and late afternoon we will go out with expert nature guides and local trackers in search of hard-to-find endemic species, such as the Sri Lanka Frogmouth, theOtus thilohoffmanni, The Jungle Owl and the Chestnut-backed Owlet.
We will walk along forest trails and plantation edges, following the birdwaves (mixed flocks feeding) and looking for favorable light points for ambient or effect photos.
After dinner, a session dedicated to the night macro photography, both along guided trails and in lodge gardens, often populated by endemic frogs, small reptiles, tropical insects and other subjects ideal for close-up shots.
Breakfast and check-out from the lodge. Transfer to theColombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)It will last approximately 3 hours, on an asphalt road.
We recommend booking return flights on departure not before 3:30–4:00 pm, to ensure a smooth and hassle-free transfer.
To participate in the tour, you must arrive and depart from Sri Lanka – Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), located near Columbus.
The tour is organized to comfortably accommodate participants from various countries. For this reason:
Arrival is recommended at any time during Day 1 of the program.No photography activities are planned that day, and the first meeting with the group will take place directly at the hotel in the evening. It is therefore possible to land late in the evening or during the previous night (with an extra night available upon request).
Departure is recommended in the afternoon of Day 11, after the transfer from Sinharaja. To ensure a smooth and uneventful return, We recommend booking flights departing from Colombo no earlier than 3:30–4:00 PM..
We are currently selecting the ideal tour leader for this expedition. As with all our trips, we entrust the guidance to highly qualified professionals, selecting photographers and tour leaders with in-depth knowledge of the local wildlife and environment. In this case, you will be accompanied by a professional photographer with expertise in the destination, who will support you during all field sessions. Our goal is always to ensure the highest level of assistance and photographic quality based on the specifics of each itinerary. Contact us for updated details on the team accompanying this tour.
Discover all the places and views that you can admire during this trip. All the material shown here comes from our trips
Signing up will be very simple!
Just follow the booking procedure by clicking on "Book now".
Once you have entered your personal data, you will only be asked to pay a deposit, not the full price. At the end of the operation the registration will be confirmed. You will then receive a confirmation email once the procedure is completed. The balance will then be requested according to the terms reported at the top of the page, usually 60 days before departure.
To best capture Sri Lanka's extraordinary biodiversity — from large mammals to tiny tropical amphibians — we recommend using reflex, mirrorless or bridge cameras, equipped with lenses between 300mm and 600mm.
During safaris in the Wilpattu and Kumana National Park, also objectives from 300mm or 400mm can deliver great results, but if you want to frame distant subjects or get tight, detailed portraits, longer lenses like 500mm or 600mm They are ideal. Objectives fixed wide-aperture (such as f/4 or f/2.8) are particularly effective during softer light hours, such as sunrise and sunset.
Goals versatile zooms such as 150–600mm, 200–600mm or 180–600mm are an excellent choice for those who want flexibility on the course, and are well suited to every phase of the tour. Teleconverters (1.4x or 2x) they can prove very useful, especially in the final part of the journey.
While exploring the Sinharaja Forest, where we will focus on birdwatching and nature photography on the move, it will be advantageous to have medium-long focal lengths (between 400 and 600mm), considering the different sizes and distances of tropical birds.
For the night macro photography sessionsWe will organize several dedicated outings in the lodge gardens and near the forest. Those who do not have macro equipment can take advantage of a rotating kit provided by the organization, which includes a macro lens, flash, diffuser, and trigger. However, to get the best results from these sessions, We strongly recommend bringing a personal macro lens (e.g. 90mm, 100mm, 105mm) and a flash with LED panel or dedicated continuous light.
🔧 Are you unsure about what equipment to bring? Our team will be happy to help. help you identify the most suitable kit to your needs and the type of photography you want to create.
Throughout the entire journey, you will be accompanied by a professional photographer, which will assist you in technical and creative managementof your equipment. You will have practical support on composition, light, settings, focus management, as well as personalized suggestions to improve every shot, from landscapes to naturalistic details.
During the tour, we'll traverse a wide variety of environments, from the arid landscapes of the north to the primary Sinharaja forest. It's therefore important to set out with practical, breathable clothing suited to the specific activities planned.
During the safaris in Wilpattu and Kumana, the weather will be hot and dry. We'll spend many hours in open jeeps under the sun, so shorts and a light T-shirt, short-sleeved or roll-up shirt, and a visor hat for sun protection are ideal. Sunglasses and a good sunscreen will be essential, as will a buff or bandana to protect you from the dust while traveling.
During the Sinharaja Forest stage, the climate becomes more humid, and hiking will be primarily on foot. For this part of the trek, we recommend wearing lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long, breathable pants, ideal for protecting yourself from insects and vegetation. Lightweight hiking shoes will be the best choice for safe movement along the trails, while a waterproof jacket or poncho can be useful in case of sudden showers or to protect your photography equipment.
In the lodges, you'll always be able to wash something and relax, so it might be helpful to bring a swimsuit and some comfortable clothes for resting.
All the more specific details on the equipment and recommended clothing will be communicated at a later date, once your trip registration has been confirmed.
Just minutes from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), it's easily accessible even if you're arriving in the evening or at night. The first meeting with the Just Explorers team will take place directly at the hotel.
For the return, the program is compatible with any flight departing from Colombo starting from 3:30–4:00 PM on the 11th, to ensure smooth transfer from the Sinharaja area.
As for the Sri Lanka tourist visa, in many cases it is possible to obtain it online via the official eVisa portal, or directly upon arrival at the airport. However, We always recommend checking the updated requirements at the embassy or consulate of your country of residence, as conditions may vary depending on the traveler's nationality.
Currently no mandatory vaccinations are required for entry into the country. However, it is good practice consult your doctor or the relevant health authorities to evaluate any personal precautions, such as malaria prophylaxis or recommended vaccines.
Throughout the trip, participants will be welcomed in safe, clean and well-kept environments, carefully selected based on their strategic location and quality of service. The lodges offer accommodations equipped with ventilation, mosquito nets and preventive measures against insects, to ensure tranquility and comfort even during moments of rest.
By booking by paying the deposit to the organizers you accept the following clauses:
1. Since this is a pre-registration, the organizer will endeavor to promptly communicate any possible change in the price of the tour, characterized by cost fluctuations. An annual price fluctuation of around 5% is highly likely if booking is made more than one year in advance. in relation to potential changes in prices of ground services (for example changes influenced by fluctuating costs of electricity, fuel and more).
2. The price of the entire workshop will be paid via the payment methods offered by the organizer, such as bank transfer, PayPal, credit card or cash according to the procedures and deadlines established by the organizers, taking charge of the transaction costs.
3. In the event that the tour does not take place due to the organiser, the entire amount paid will be refunded.
4. In case of cancellation for personal reasons of any kind and in any case not dependent on the organizer, the deposit and any other registration fees will be retained as a reimbursement of expenses.
5. In case of cancellation for personal reasons within 60 days of departure, the entire balance of the tour will be required.
By registering, paying the deposit and sending your personal data you again accept clauses 1,2,3,4,5.
We will reply to you by email as soon as possible
JUST EXPLORERS SRLS
VAT number: 01708500556
Address: Via G. Verdi 86 Castel Viscardo 05014
PEC: just.explorers@pec.it
+39 328 856 6896
info@justexplorers.com
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