15 Safaris in Colombo Worth the Early Start

Udawalawe National Park: Elephant Safari with Expert Guide - What a four-hour safari feels like

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 641 reviews · 4 - 10 hours · from $30Our pick

See Udawalawe’s elephants, crocodiles, jackals, and rare birds on a private 4x4 safari with an experienced local guide.

“Amazing experience, our guide Gimhana was amazing, he could drive safely over the bumps and also tell us where the animals were. He gave us information on the animals which we never knew and we loved, just a great experience would recommend with this guide. Very nice man, when we asked him how he knew so much he told us because he loved the animals, just great. Loved !!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Dambulla Cave Temple Tours, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Colombo: Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Tour with Safari

2.Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Tour with Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 189 reviews · 1 day · from $48

Climb Sigiriya, visit Dambulla Cave Temple, enjoy a village lunch, and spot elephants on a long but rewarding safari day from Colombo.

“This was such a great experience! We did a little of everything this area had to offer. We visited the temples, followed by an amazing village tour where we experienced different forms of transportation--oxen cart, motorized wagon and boat to get to a zen spot where we cooked with a very friendly couple. The food was flavorful and cooked with so much love and kindness. We wrapped up lunch with a soothing cup of tea, rode a tuk tuk to the spot where we got picked up by a driver in a jeep that took us to the elephant safari. It was amazing to see elephants in the wild with…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tuk Tuk Tours in Colombo, Tuk-Tuks

Colombo: Sightseeing Tour by Tuk Tuk Safari – All Inclusive

3.Sightseeing Tour by Tuk Tuk Safari – All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 175 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $21Best value

See Colombo’s mosques, temples, markets, colonial streets, and seaside sights by private tuk tuk, with tea, hotel pickup, and local guidance.

“Mr. Joseph was very kind, attentive and respectful to me and my two kids. We have learnt a lot about Colombo and Sri Lanka as he was answering a lot of our questions. Drive felt save, although traffic in Sri Lanka is busy compared to Europe. We certainly recommend this service. We had a great time with Mr. Joseph.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Tour Reviews, Tuk Tuk Tours in Colombo, Tuk-Tuks

“THE ORIGINALS” Tuk Tuk Safari Colombo, the first and the best.

4.“THE ORIGINALS” Tuk Tuk Safari Colombo, the first and the best.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · from $48Top rated

Explore Colombo by private tuk-tuk, from Gangaramaya Temple and Pettah Market to local tastings, a Sri Lankan lunch, beaches, and historic sites.

“It took some time to find someone that spoke English. 10 tuk tukson our tour. Finally had to use phone data to get information that was helpful. Didn't see all that was promised. However, the day was still enjoyable. Fantastic lunch with authentic Sri Lanka food.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Colombo Tours, National Parks, National Parks in Colombo, Private, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Day Trip to Sigiriya, cave and National park Safari Tour

5.Private Day Trip to Sigiriya, cave and National park Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 143 reviews · from $68

Review of a private Sri Lanka day trip to Sigiriya, Dambulla Cave Temple, and Minneriya safari, with costs, timing, guides, and practical advice.

“Safari tour seems expensive even they take me to eco park. Other places and tour driver were good!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Colombo Tours, Dambulla Cave Temple Tours, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours, Tour Reviews

From Colombo: Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip and Safari

6.Sigiriya and Dambulla Day Trip and Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · from $70

Review of Colombo’s Sigiriya and Dambulla day trip, with temple visits, rock climb, transport, costs, safari option, and practical tips.

“The tour provides transport to Dambulla and Sirigiya. Our tour was amended to also include a disappointing and expensive bumpy Safari tour (to only see elephants and peacocks) or a much better and cheaper village tour. The driver very was very helpful and provided some stops along the way as there was no lunch or dinner during this long day tour that started pre 5am and finished after 8pm. So take plenty of snacks and a comfy pillow.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Private, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tuk Tuk Tours in Colombo, Tuk-Tuks

Tuk Tuk Private Safari Tour Exploring Sri Lanka’s Capital Colombo

7.Tuk Tuk Private Safari Tour Exploring Sri Lanka’s Capital Colombo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 109 reviews · from $33

Explore Colombo by private convertible tuk tuk with Blaze, visiting temples, Pettah Market, colonial sights, and the Lotus Tower in 4.5 hours.

“Great to be picked up at cruise port with clear sign. Fantastic to do afternoon tour, great mix of daylight and night time sight seeing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Tour Reviews, Tours

Colombo/Bentota/Kalutara/Ahungalla: Yala Safari Tour

8.Colombo/Bentota/Kalutara/Ahungalla: Yala Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 50 reviews · 1 day · from $124

Review of a Yala Jeep safari from Colombo, Bentota, Kalutara, or Ahungalla, with leopards, elephants, guides, costs, and practical tips.

“Sasanka is a good guide. He communicates with other guides to get information of places where certain animals can be seen. Even though we couldn’t get to see leopards, still he tried his best to see them.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Colombo, Tour Reviews, Tours

UDAWALAWA SAFARI TOUR from HAMBANTOTA PORT (Shore Excursion)

9.UDAWALAWA SAFARI TOUR from HAMBANTOTA PORT (Shore Excursion)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 48 reviews · 1 day · from $51

Udawalawe safari from Hambantota Port with elephant sightings, birdlife, expert jeep guides, drinks, and a planned return to your ship.

“we had an awesome day with the guide Sasanka, who brought the best breakfast. He spotted the animals for us and overall we had a great day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Dambulla Cave Temple Tours, Private, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours, Tour Reviews

Private Trip to Sigiriya, Dambulla & safari from Colombo/ Negombo

10.Private Trip to Sigiriya, Dambulla & safari from Colombo/ Negombo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $67

See Sigiriya, Pidurangala, Dambulla, and Minneriya on a long private day trip from Colombo, with transport included and site fees extra.

“For a long trip, the car they sent was a small one. The driver didnot Go past 60km speed and talking over the phone always.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Dambulla Cave Temple Tours, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Colombo/Negombo to Sigiriya, Dambulla & Jeep Safari Day Tour

11.Colombo/Negombo to Sigiriya, Dambulla & Jeep Safari Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 41 reviews · 14 hours · from $60

Pack Sigiriya, Dambulla, village life, a Sri Lankan lunch, and a wildlife safari into one demanding but memorable day from Colombo or Negombo.

“We booked the standard tour and decided in Sri Lanka to book the options. The schedule change was no problem, and extended the tour to 17 hours. But not the whole tour itself was great, our driver Malintha created this tour into a wonderful day !! Malintha is incredibly warm, polite and courteous. With his wonderful calmness, nothing was too much for him. He took us safely and comfortably from one place to the next and provided us with lots of information. The highlight was the lunch in a local village far away from civilisation. This wonderful trip inspired me to propose to my wife for a second time. However,…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, National Parks, National Parks in Colombo, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wilpattu National Park Safaris

Wilpattu National Park Safari Tour from Colombo

12.Wilpattu National Park Safari Tour from Colombo

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 39 reviews · 12 hours · from $105

Spend 12 hours from Colombo searching for leopards, elephants, and other wildlife in Wilpattu National Park by 4WD safari jeep.

“Highly recommend this day tour. Be advised that it will be a long, hot and tiring day but it is such a wonderful beautiful experience seeing wildlife in their natural habitat. The safari guide was informative and did his best spotting different kinds of animals and helping with pictures. Tour guide Ranga ensured a safe and comfortable journey throughout.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tuk Tuk Tours in Colombo, Tuk-Tuks

Original Tuk Tuk Safari Afternoon Tour

13.Original Tuk Tuk Safari Afternoon Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $48

Ride Colombo by open-roof tuk tuk, tasting Sri Lankan food and drinks while visiting temples, markets, colonial sights, and local streets.

“This was the best guided tour I’ve ever done! We were picked up from our hotel by the amazing Donald, who greeted us with fresh coconut water and a flower garland. Such a welcoming touch. He drove us around Colombo in the coolest, open rooftop tuk tuk, showinRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Private, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Tour Reviews

Private Sri Lanka Transfers & Safari Adventures

14.Private Sri Lanka Transfers & Safari Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews

Review of Triple A Tours in Sri Lanka, covering airport transfers, private day trips, safari jeeps, pricing, planning tips, and one key caution.

“This 4 hour Colombo airport layover was booked and a local sightseeing tour requested, but there was some miscommunication between their office and the driver and he just wanted to do a one way transfer airport to hotel which was NOT what was booked. Very disappointing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Colombo Tours, Safari, Safaris in Colombo, Tour Reviews, Tuk Tuk Tours in Colombo, Tuk-Tuks

Colombo Tuk Tuk Safari

15.Colombo Tuk Tuk Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $65

See Colombo by private tuk-tuk at dusk, with temples, markets, landmarks, hoppers, chilled drinks, and hotel pickup included.

“Colombo is a very clean city the local people are very friendly & welcoming, we went to temples, a market that unfortunately wasn't very good but our guide & driver Chritopher made up for that by taking us to another place which Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review