Chanaka Rathnayake
Sri Lanka's personal guide for wildlife safaris, birdwatching, photography and the Pekoe Trail — not an agency, not a call centre. You plan your trip directly with the guide who leads it.
Four Ways to Travel With Me
From Sri Lanka's ancient temples to its wildest national parks, and journeys further afield — every trip is built around what you actually want to see.
Wildlife Safaris
Leopards, elephants and sloth bears across Sri Lanka's best parks.
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Birding & Nature
Endemics, wetland birding and rainforest trails at a slower pace.
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Heritage Tours
Ancient temples, cave monasteries and centuries-old royal cities.
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International Journeys
Kenya, India and beyond, planned with the same field-first approach.
Explore international tours →Popular Sri Lanka Tours
Every tour is private and flexible. Choose a ready-made route or let me adjust it to your dates, pace and interests.
ClassicClassic Sri Lanka in 7 Days
Sigiriya, Kandy, tea country, Ella, a Yala safari and Galle in one week.
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BirdingSri Lanka Birdwatching Tour
Endemic birds from coastal lagoons to the rainforest of Kitulgala.
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PilgrimageBuddhist Heritage Tour
Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and the Temple of the Tooth.
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SafariWildlife Safaris
Leopards, elephants and sloth bears in Yala, Wilpattu, Udawalawe and more.
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TrekkingThe Pekoe Trail
Walk Sri Lanka's 300 km trail through tea estates and mountain villages.
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Tailor-MadeTailor-Made Tours
Your own mix of culture, wildlife, beaches and hiking — planned around you.
Plan my trip →The National Parks I Guide Across Sri Lanka
Each park has its own landscape, wildlife and best season. I'll match the right park to your dates and the animals you most want to see.
Yala
Highest density of wild leopards on earth.
02NorthwestWilpattu
Sri Lanka's largest wilderness, built around natural lakes.
03SouthUdawalawe
Open grassland and the most reliable elephant herds.
04North CentralMinneriya
Home of The Gathering — hundreds of wild elephants.
05North CentralKaudulla
The quieter elephant gathering, with fewer jeeps.
06Central HighlandsHorton Plains
Cloud forest and the sheer drop of World's End.
07UNESCO RainforestSinharaja
Sri Lanka's last major lowland rainforest, rich in endemics.
08SoutheastKumana
A remote bird sanctuary, Yala's wilder neighbour.
Birding & Nature Tours
Sri Lanka is one of Asia's premier birdwatching destinations — 34 endemic bird species, rare wildlife and extraordinary landscapes in a compact island. My specialist tours are built for wildlife photographers and passionate nature lovers, from endemic birds to the elusive Sri Lankan loris.
The Pekoe Trail — 300 km of tea country, on foot
Sri Lanka's first long-distance walking trail winds through the central highlands in 22 stages: tea estates, colonial-era hill towns, forest and the high open vista of Horton Plains. I guide select stages for travellers who want the hill country on foot, not from a car window.
International Safaris & Tours
Beyond Sri Lanka, I craft tailor-made journeys to some of the world's great wildlife and cultural destinations — Kenya's legendary Masai Mara, wildlife safaris in India, the golden deserts of Dubai and cultural adventures in China. Every trip is expertly guided and seamlessly arranged so you can focus on the experience.
Sri Lanka's Wildlife, Photographed in the Field
Leopards, sloth bears, wild elephants and the island's extraordinary birdlife — every image here was taken on safari by me, in the same parks and forests I guide my guests through.
All photographs © Chanaka Rathnayake
What Kind of Traveller Are You?
Every private tour is planned around your interests, pace and budget. Start with what matters most to you.
Wildlife Photographers
Safaris timed for light and positioned for the shot, led by a photographer.
Photography tours → 🪶Birdwatchers
All 33 endemics in reach, with the sites and calls that find them.
Birding tour → 🐆Safari Lovers
Leopards in Yala, elephants at Minneriya, sloth bears in Wilpattu.
Wildlife safaris → 🌺Honeymooners & Families
Private, flexible pacing — beaches, tea country and gentle wildlife days.
Plan a private trip → 🥾Hikers
Guided Pekoe Trail stages through misty highland tea estates.
The Pekoe Trail → 🛕First-Time Visitors
The classic island circuit — Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella and the south coast.
See all tours →Things to Do in Sri Lanka
Add any of these to your itinerary — river safaris, rafting, culture and wildlife, all arranged for you.
FROM $60Wildlife Jeep Safari
Leopards and elephants in the dry zone, led by an experienced tracker.
FROM $20White Water Rafting
Grade 2–3 rapids on the Kelani River, beginner-friendly with full safety gear.
FROM $15Madu River Boat Safari
Mangrove channels, a cinnamon island stop, and kingfishers along the way.
FROM $10Kandyan Cultural Show
Traditional drumming, dance and fire-walking on an evening in Kandy.
FROM $60Whale & Dolphin Watching
Blue whales, sperm whales and spinner dolphins off Mirissa.
Two Trips, One Guide
Why guests come back to Sri Lanka with me.
First trip. Chose me from a backpackers' hostel on a good reputation and toured Sri Lanka for several days.
Back with friends. A 9-day, semi-tailored group tour from airport pickup to drop-off, focused on wildlife and the island's key sights.
Last year I picked Chana, who had a great reputation, from a backpackers' hostel, and he took me around Sri Lanka for a few days. The experience was far better than I expected. This year I came back with a group of friends. Chana was still excellent. Both the itinerary and his explanations left the whole group thoroughly satisfied.
Read the original review in Chinese
去年從背包客棧挑選了口碑很好的 Chana 帶我玩了幾天斯里蘭卡，經驗出乎我意料之外的棒。今年和一群朋友再訪斯里蘭卡，九天的行程從機場接機開始最後送回機場。半客製化行程，以生態為主再加上該國最重要的景點。Chana 還是非常優秀，不管行程安排和解說都讓這群人非常盡興。兩次行程定案之後都給了一份正式的行程計劃，一點不馬虎。
Walking in the Footsteps of Theravada Buddhism
스리랑카 불교 성지 순례 · 상좌부 불교의 뿌리를 찾아서
I recently guided a group of Korean Buddhist monks and devotees on a seven-day pilgrimage across Sri Lanka — through ancient sacred cities, cave temples and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, sharing the history, culture and living Buddhist traditions behind every site.
- 01
Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka's first royal capital and one of Buddhism's most sacred cities, with its great stupas and ancient monasteries.
- 02
Mihintale
The hill where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka — the starting point of the island's Theravada tradition.
- 03
Polonnaruwa
The medieval royal city, home to the Vatadage and some of the island's finest ancient Buddha statues.
- 04
Sigiriya
The 5th-century rock fortress rising above the forests of the Cultural Triangle.
- 05
Dambulla, Nalanda Gedige & Aluvihara
Painted cave temples, an ancient stone image house, and the rock temple where the Pali Canon was first written down.
- 06
Kandy
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the heart of Buddhist Sri Lanka, plus an evening of Kandyan dance.
- 07
Kelaniya
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya near Colombo, a temple closely linked to the Buddha's visits to the island.
What Travellers Say About Their Sri Lanka Guide
Honeymooners, families and friends have toured Sri Lanka with me. These reviews were posted on the Tripadvisor page of Genuine Sri Lankans Tours.
“Chana was our guide for our Sri Lankan honeymoon and we cannot recommend him enough. He was thoughtful, knowledgeable and adaptable.”
“Our Driver/guide Chana was an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable, well informed, very efficient, prompt and yet very personable.”
“He was our personal tour guide, driver, photographer - you name it. There was nothing he didn't do and had a smile the whole time about it.”
“Our guide (Chana) was kind, patient and understanding for the whole family. He added additional points of interest to my plan.”
When to Visit Sri Lanka, Month by Month
Sri Lanka runs on two crossing monsoons, so there's rarely a bad time to visit — only a better park, coast or trail for your month. This is the timing I actually plan around.
| Month | West & South Coast | East Coast | Yala — Leopards | Minneriya / Kaudulla | Birding — Migrants | Hill Country / Pekoe Trail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Dry, high season | Wet | Good | Low | Peak | Good, cool & clear |
| February | Dry, high season | Wet | Best | Low | Peak | Good, cool & clear |
| March | Dry, high season | Transitional | Best | Building | Peak (tail end) | Good |
| April | Inter-monsoon showers | Transitional | Good | Building | Migrants departing | Wetter, showers likely |
| May | SW monsoon, wet | Dry, high season | Good | Building | Off-season | Mixed, often fine |
| June | Wet | Dry, high season | Good | Building | Off-season | Good |
| July | Wet | Dry, high season | Good | Peak Gathering | Off-season | Good |
| August | Wet | Dry, high season | Good, before closure | Peak Gathering | Off-season | Good |
| September | Wet (tail) | Dry | Typically closed* | Gathering tapering | Off-season | Good (tail) |
| October | Inter-monsoon showers | Transitional | Reopens mid-month* | Tapering | Migrants arriving | Wetter, showers likely |
| November | NE monsoon builds | Transitional | Good, reopened | Low | Building | Wetter, showers likely |
| December | Dry, high season begins | Wet | Good | Low | Peak begins | Good, cool & clear |
*Yala's annual closure: Blocks 1 & 2 typically close for around a month, most often mid-September to mid-October. Exact dates are set each year by the Department of Wildlife Conservation — I track the announcement and can route your safari to Wilpattu or Udawalawe instead. This table reflects long-run patterns, not a guarantee for specific dates.
Birds and Wildlife of Sri Lanka
Endemic wildlife, resident species and migratory birds — photographed in the field.
From the Field Journal
Real trips with real guests, plus honest local advice to help you plan your own journey.
Tour StoryA Theravada Pilgrimage With Korean Monks and Devotees
A seven-day journey to Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and the Temple of the Tooth.
Read the story →Tour StoryBirding and Wildlife With Taiwanese Naturalists
Sunrise birding on Pidurangala, Sigiriya and the highland endemics of Horton Plains.
Read the story →
Tour StoryHerping in Sri Lanka With Taiwanese Naturalists
Searching for snakes, lizards and frogs in Yala, Sinharaja and Kitulgala, by day and by torchlight.
Read the story →
Safari GuideA Full-Day Leopard Safari in Yala
Why a full day gives you the best chance of leopards, hour by hour, plus photography tips.
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Travel GuideKandy: A Local Guide's Travel Guide
The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake, the Esala Perahera and how long to stay.
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Travel GuideAnuradhapura: Where Theravada Buddhism Took Root
The sacred city's history, its great stupas and practical advice for your visit.
Read the guide →
Esala Perahera, Kandy
Held each year around July and August, ten nights of torch-lit processions, drummers, dancers and decorated elephants honour the Sacred Tooth Relic. Plan your trip around it and I'll secure the best viewing.
Plan Around the PeraheraQuestions Travellers Ask Me Most
Do I need a guide, or can I just hire a driver in Sri Lanka?
A driver gets you from place to place; a licensed guide adds context, timing and safety — knowing which entrance avoids the crowds at Sigiriya, when to be in Yala for the best chance at a leopard, or how to read a situation with wildlife safely. I'm SLTDA-licensed and have been guiding since 2010, with a focus on wildlife, birding and field-based travel.
Are you a licensed tour guide?
Yes — I'm certified by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the country's official tourism authority. Always check that any guide you book is properly licensed.
How is booking you different from booking through a tour agency?
You work directly with the person planning and often guiding your trip — not a call centre or a rotating pool of subcontracted guides. You can reach me on WhatsApp before and during your trip.
Do I need a visa to visit Sri Lanka?
Nearly all visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), applied for online before travel. Rules and fees change, so apply only through the official government portal, eta.gov.lk, and check the current conditions for your passport there.
When is the best time for wildlife and birdwatching?
Leopards in Yala are seen year-round, with stronger sightings in the dry season. The elephant Gathering at Minneriya peaks around July–September, and migratory birding season runs roughly December–March. Tell me your dates and priority species, and I'll suggest the best park.
Is Sri Lanka safe to travel with a private guide?
Sri Lanka is generally a safe, welcoming destination for solo travellers, families and first-timers. A private guide adds local road knowledge, cultural context and someone to handle the stressful parts of travel.
Do you speak languages other than English?
My English is fluent and I have basic conversational French. Fluent French-speaking guides are rare in Sri Lanka — if you need one throughout, let me know and I can help point you in the right direction.
How much does a private guide or safari cost?
It depends on trip length, group size and whether a private vehicle is included. Message me on WhatsApp with your dates and interests for a straightforward quote with no hidden fees.
Can you guide multi-day treks like the Pekoe Trail?
Yes — I guide select stages of the Pekoe Trail, the 300 km, 22-stage hiking route through the central highlands.
Do you arrange photography-focused safaris?
Yes — safaris timed and positioned specifically for photography, whether wildlife in the national parks or Sri Lanka's endemic and migratory birds.
How far ahead should I book?
For custom itineraries, 4–6 weeks ahead is a safe window, especially in peak season (December–March). Shorter notice is often still workable — just reach out.
Your Sri Lanka journey starts with one message.
Tell me your dates, interests and how many days you have — I'll build a private itinerary around exactly what you want to see.
I reply within a few hours · Available 7 days a week