Dates & Prices

Dates: 2nd – 15th May 2023 Places available

Price: £1,995

Single Room Supplement: £375

Deposit: £300 per person

Price Includes: All meals, accommodation with private facilities, ground transport, services of the guides, holiday report

Not Included: Flights, travel insurance, drinks and any other personal items

Leader: Indika Jayatissa (local guide) + Greenwings guide for larger groups

Group Size: Minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12 guests plus 1-2 leaders.

Grade: Gentle and slow pace

Holiday Highlights

A special dragonfly tour led by an expert Sri Lankan guide
Sri Lanka has 129 dragonfly species, and 56 of those are endemics!
We should be able to find 70-80+ species during this 2 week exploration of the island
Explore the best areas for dragonflies including Sinharaja, Kitulgala, Sigiriya, Newara Eliya
Lots of other fascinating wildlife, including numerous endemic butterflies, birds, reptiles & mammals

A leisurely 2 week tour focusing on the rich diversity of dragonflies of Sri Lanka!

BOOK HOLIDAY NOW

A new and exclusive 2 week dragonfly watching & photography tour in Sri Lanka!

The tropical island paradise of Sri Lanka is astonishingly rich in wildlife and contains a wide variety of habitats ranging from misty highland forests and lush rainforest to arid, scrub-filled plains and an abundance of fresh water lakes. Over a tenth of the land mass is designated as protected areas for wildlife and the principal reserves are among the best in Asia.

Although geographically close to India the zoology of the island displays many affinities to Indonesia and there is a marked degree of endemism, particularly in the remaining tracts of lowland forest to the south of the island where many of the birds, plants and insects are unique to Sri Lanka. Over 27 species of endemic birds is a high total for a country only a little more than a quarter the size of the United Kingdom, and the large number of endemic insects, plants, trees and reptiles is further evidence of the island’s long isolation from the mainland.

129 species of dragonfly have been identified and 56 of those are endemic to the island – and amazing degree of endemism! The aim of this tour is to visit some of the very best areas to observe them and identify the species encountered. In the course of our excursions we are sure to see a variety of other wildlife, but the focus will be very much on the dragonflies.

Local guide – Indika Jayatissa

Indika is a young Sri Lankan naturalist who discovered his passion for wildlife at the age of 14 when he started to photograph the insects and butterflies of his local area using a Sony Powershot. Since then he has become an expert on Butterflies and their habitat. Indika originally started work as a wildlife guide in nearly all of Sri Lanka’s major reserves. He is the administrator of the Sri Lankan Butterflies Facebook page and a Member of the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle, Sri Lanka Butterfly Conservation Society and has done many research projects for these societies. Indika’s talents are much broader and he is also an expert birder and will satisfy any birder with the hard to find endemics and other resident and migrant species of the island. He is also an active member of the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka. His recent pursuit in search of the islands nocturnal mammals has made him a sort out guide for many specialized tours.

He is a specialist all-round naturalist who is as passionate about the conservation of Sri Lanka’s terrestrial mammals, birds, butterflies and whales as he is about documenting the natural world around him. His pleasant personality and wealth of knowledge makes him a sought out travelling companion.

Day 0 (1st May)

We depart London in the evening on a direct Sri Lankan Airlines scheduled flight to Colombo (20:40 departure time). We will be in flight overnight.

Day 1 (2nd May) ARRIVAL / TALANGAMA

A.M. Arrival and drive to Talangama.

P.M. Visit Talangama Tank.

Possible species: Elusive Adjutant (Aethriamanta brevipennis), Pied Parasol (Neurothemis tulia), Wandering Wisp (Agriocnemis pygmaea), Orange-faced Sprite (Pseudagrion rubiceps ceylonicum) and Stripe-headed Threadtail (Prodasineura sita), Yellow Featherleg (Copera marginipes) Some wetland damselflies Malay Lilysquatter (Paracercion malayanum), Yellow Waxtails (Ceriagrion coromandelianum).

Lunch/Dinner/Overnight in Tamarind Tree Hotel Katunayake.

Day 2 (3rd May) COLOMBO/BEDDAGANA WETLAND/PADUKKA

A.M. After breakfast with packed lunch full day excursion to Beddagana Wetland

Marsh Dancer (Onychargia atrocyana), Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens), Sociable Glider (Tramea limbata), Variegated Flutterer (Rhyothemus variegate), Malabar Sprite (Pseudagrion malabaricum), Blue Sprite (Pseudagrion microcephalum).

P.M. Ingiriya

Sri Lanka Forktail (Macrogomphus lankanensis), Sri Lanka Adam’s Gem (Libellago adami), Sri Lanka Two-spotted Threadtail (Elattoneura oculata), Sri Lanka Red-striped Threadtail (Elattoneura tenax), Sri Lanka Jungle Threadtail (Elattoneura caesia), Crimson Dropwing (Trithemis aurora), Oriental Greenwing (Neurobasis chinensis).

Dinner/Overnight in Kahanda Kanda Padukka

Day 3 (4th May) INGIRIYA / SINGHARAJA

A.M. After breakfast excursion to Bodhinagala.

Sri Lanka Two-spotted Threadtail (Elattoneura oculata), Sri Lanka Red-striped Threadtail (Elattoneura tenax), Sri Lanka Jungle Threadtail (Elattoneura caesia), Sri Lanka Shining Gossamerwing (Euphaea splendens), Painted Waxtail (Ceriagrion cerinorubellum), Sri Lanka Nietnner’s Shadowdamsel (Ceylonosticta nietneri), Sri Lanka Brinck’s Shadowdamsel (Ceylonosticta brincki) Spine-tufted Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysis), Sri Lanka Black-tipped Flashwing (Vestalis apicalis).

P.M. After lunch in hotel proceed to Sinharaja.

Evening explore around the hotel garden. Possible species here include Spine-tufted Skimmers (Orthetrum chrysis), Indigo Dropwings (Trithemis festiva), Sapphire Flutterer (Rhyothemis triangularis), Painted Waxtail (Ceriagrion cerinorubellum)

Dinner/Overnight in Blue Magpie Lodge Sinharaja.

Day 4 (5th May) SINGHARAJA

After breakfast full day excursion to Sinharaja World Heritage Wilderness Area.

Possible Species: Pale-faced Forestskimmer (Cratilla lineata calverti), Fiery Emperors (Anax immaculifrons), Spine-tufted Skimmers (Orthetrum chrysis), Indigo Dropwings (Trithemis festiva), and Sri Lanka Cascaders (Zygonyx iris ceylonicus), Asian Pintail (Acisoma panorpoides), Green Skimmer (Orthetrum Sabina), Crimson Dropwings (Trithemis aurora), Sinhalese Shadow Damselfly (Drepanosticta sinhalensis), Blury Forest Damsel (Platysticta maculata) and Sri Lanka Serendib Forestdamsel (Platysticta serendibica), Sri Lanka Vermilion Forestor (Lyriothemis defonsekai), Sapphire Flutterer (Rhyothemis triangularis), Sri Lanka Ebony Gem (Libellago corbeti), Painted Waxtail (Ceriagrion cerinorubellum).

Lunch/Dinner/Overnight in Blue Magpie Lodge Sinharaja

Day 5 (6th May) SINGHARAJA

After breakfast full day excursion to Sinharaja World Heritage Wilderness Area.

Lunch/Dinner/Overnight in Blue Magpie Lodge Sinharaja

Day 6 (7th May) SINGHARAJA / GILIMALE / BELIHUL OYA

A.M. After breakfast, drive to Gilimale forest and surrounding area.

Sri Lanka Red-striped Threadtail (Elattoneura tenax), Sri Lanka Jungle Threadtail (Elattoneura caesia), Sri Lanka Shining Gossamerwing (Euphaea splendens), Sri Lanka Adam’s Gem (Libellago adami), Sri Lanka Ultima Gem (Libellago finalis), Sri Lanka Dark Forestdamsel (Platysticta apicalis), Sri Lanka Wall’s Grappletail (Heliogomphus walli), Sri Lanka Brook Hooktail (Paragomphus henryi), Sri Lanka Cascaders (Zygonyx iris ceylonicus), Sri Lanka Jungle Threadtail (Elattoneura caesia), Crimson Dropwing (Trithemis aurora), Oriental Greenwing (Neurobasis chinensis)

P.M. Lunch in a restaurant in Ratnapura.

Proceed to Belihul oya and if time permits excursion around the hotel garden and river.

Sri Lanka Green’s Gem (Libellago greeni), Sri Lanka Yerbury’s Elf (Tetrathemis yerburii), Pink Skimmer (Orthetrum pruinosum), Marsh Skimmer (Orthetrum luzonicum), Blue Persuer (Potamaracha congener), Sri Lanka Dark-glittering Threadtail (Elattoneura centralis), Asian Skimmer (Orthetrum glaucum), Scalloped Spreadwing (Lestes praemorsus), Sri Lanka Black-tipped Flashwing (Vestalis apicalis), Sri Lanka Shining Gossamerwing (Euphaea splendens).

Dinner/Overnight in Belihuloya Rest House Belihuloya

Day 7 (8th May) BELIHULOYA

After breakfast with packed lunch we will explore the surrounding area including Nonparaeil Estate and the Hiriketioya stream including a visit to Samanala Wewa if time permits.

Possible Species: Sri Lanka Yerbury’s Elf (Tetrathemis yerburii), Sri Lanka Drooping Shadowdamsel (Ceylonosticta lankanensis), Sri Lanka Jungle Threadtail (Elattoneura caesia), Sri Lanka Ultima Gem (Libellago finalis), (Vestalis apicalis), Sri Lanka Wall’s Grappletail (Heliogomphus walli), Asian Slim (Aciagrion occidentale).

Dinner/Overnight in Belihuloya Rest House Belihuloya.

Day 8 (9th May) BELIHULOYA / THANGAMALE SANCTUARY / NUWARA ELIYA

A.M. After breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya en-route visiting Thangamale sanctuary.

Sri Lanka Smoky-winged Threadtail (Elattoneura lecucostigma), Sri Lanka Dark Knob-tipped Shadowdamsel (Ceylonosticta montana).

P.M. Afternoon walk to the Hakgala Gardens located about 7 miles outside Nuwara Eliya. Established in 1860, Hakgala Botanical Gardens is the second largest garden in Sri Lanka. Noteworthy species include Mountain Reedlings (Indolestes gracilis) and Common Bluetails (Ischnura senegalensis), Triangle Skimmer (Orthetrum triangulare), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and Dark-shouldered cornuted Shadowdamsel (Ceylonosticta tropica).

Lunch/Dinner/Overnight in Heaven Seven Hotel Nuwara Eliya.

Day 9 (10th May) NUWARA ELIYA / KITHULGALA

A.M. After breakfast visit Horton Plains National Park.

Sri Lanka Dark Knob-tipped Shadowdamsel (Ceylonosticta montana), Mountain Reedlings (Indolestes gracilis) and Common Bluetails (Ischnura senegalensis), Triangle Skimmer (Orthetrum triangulare), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Dark-shouldered cornuted Shadowdamsel (Ceylonosticta tropica)

P.M. After lunch proceed to Kithulgala and birding around the village if time permits.

Dinner/Overnight in Plantation Hotel Kithulgala.

Day 10 (11th May) KITHULGALA

After breakfast full day excursion around rivers and streams in the Kithulgala area Possible Species: Threadtails (Elattoneura caesia, E. centralis, E. tenax), Ultima Gem (Libellago finalis), Nietner’s Shadowdamsel (Drepanosticta nietneri), and Rivulet Tiger (Gomphidia pearsoni). The fast flowing water include Iris Cascader (Zygonyx iris ceylonicus) whose larvae cling to stones in waterfalls.

Lunch/Dinner/Overnight in Plantation Hotel Kithulgala.

Day 11 (12th May) KITHULGALA / SIGIRIYA

A.M. After breakfast another excursion to the Kithulgala village area.

Oriental Greenwing (Neurobasis chinensis), Asian Groundling (Brachythemis contaminate), Green Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina), Marsh Skimmer (Orthetrum luzonicum), Sombre Lieutenant (Brachydiplax sobrina), Oriental Scarlet (Crocothemis servilia), Spine-legged Redbolt (Rhodothemis rufa).

P.M. After lunch proceed to Sigiriya.

Dinner/Overnight in Kassappa Lion Rock Hotel Sigiriya.

Day 12 (13th May) SIGIRIYA

Belihuloya. After Breakfast with picnic lunch, we will enjoy a full day excursion to Samanalawewa Reservoir.

After breakfast stroll around Sigiriya Sanctuary.

We look for Elephant Emperor (Anax indicus), Scalloped Spreadwings (Lestes praemorsus decipiens), White-tipped Spreadwings (Lestes elatus) and the elusive Asian Slim (Aciagrion occidentale), Indian Rockdweller (Bradinopyga geminate), Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens), Sociable Glider (Tramea limbata), Keyhole Glider (Tramea basilaris), Light-tipped Demon (Indothemis canatica).

Lunch/Dinner/Overnight in Kassappa Lion Rock Hotel Sigiriya.

Day 13 (14th May) SIGIRIYA / KATUNAYAKA

A.M. After breakfast on the lookout for some more species. Walk around nearby Wilderness.

Elephant Emperor (Anax indicus), Scalloped Spreadwings (Lestes praemorsus decipiens), White-tipped Spreadwings (Lestes elatus) and the elusive Asian Slim (Aciagrion occidentale), Indian Rockdweller (Bradinopyga geminate), Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens), Sociable Glider (Tramea limbata), Keyhole Glider (Tramea basilaris), Light-tipped Demon (Indothemis canatica).

P.M. After lunch proceed to Katunayake.

Dinner/Overnight in Tamarind Tree Hotel Katunayaka

Day 14 (15th May) DEPARTURE

After breakfast proceed to Airport in time for our flight to London or elsewhere.