Wildlife Expeditions · Sri Lanka
Private wildlife experiences led by naturalists, across Sri Lanka between the 5th and 10th northern parallels.
We design private wildlife experiences across Sri Lanka, guided by experienced naturalists and trained wildlife professionals.
Our approach pairs field knowledge with thoughtful guiding, giving guests time to understand the landscape as well as the wildlife within it.
In navigation, mapping and field research, a waypoint marks a precise position along a route. For us, it represents the point where careful observation guides the journey.
Sri Lanka lies roughly between the 5th and 10th northern parallels. Those coordinates define the island we explore and give Waypoint 5•10 its name.
These are the landscapes we cover, from dry-zone forests and mist-covered highlands to wetlands, lagoons and deep ocean waters. Choose a habitat or place to explore it.
Photograph: Arran Sivarajah
Map geometry: SimpleMaps. Mercator projection.
Three natural cycles shape wildlife across Sri Lanka: the southwest and northeast monsoons, the annual arrival of birds along the Central Asian Flyway, and the seasonal movement of whales through the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka's central highlands divide the island into contrasting climatic zones. The traditional agricultural calendar recognises two cultivation seasons: Yala, the shorter season, and Maha, the main season. Each follows a different monsoon. When rain reaches one side of the island, parts of the other enter a dry phase, drawing wildlife towards rivers, reservoirs and the water that remains.
Yala, the shorter season (May – September)
The southwest monsoon replenishes Sinharaja and the western slopes of the central highlands while the northern and southeastern dry zones lose water. Elephants, leopards, sloth bears and other wildlife gather more often around waterholes. Between July and October, hundreds of elephants congregate along the receding shores of Minneriya and neighbouring reservoirs during the Elephant Gathering.
Maha, the main season (December – February)
Rain-bearing winds from the Bay of Bengal return water to the dry-zone parks. Rivers flow, seasonal wetlands refill and fresh vegetation supports breeding mammals, reptiles and birds. The same landscapes become greener, wetter and markedly different to explore.
Photograph: Arran Sivarajah
At the southern end of the Central Asian Flyway, Sri Lanka provides a winter refuge for birds travelling from the Russian Arctic, Siberia, Central Asia, northern Europe and the Himalayas.
Arrival (October – November)
The first migrants arrive as temperatures fall across the northern hemisphere. Shorebirds, waders, ducks, raptors and woodland species spread through the island's wetlands, lagoons, forests and coastal mudflats.
Winter residence (December – March)
Bundala, Mannar and Jaffna become busy feeding grounds where migratory birds live alongside Sri Lanka's resident and endemic species. These months offer some of the year's best birdwatching, often with large numbers of both migrants and residents present.
Departure (April)
As spring returns to the northern hemisphere, the migrants begin their journey north. Many adults take on breeding plumage before they leave, after which resident and endemic birds again become the focus of the island's forests and wetlands.
Photograph: rhythmicdisapora
Deep water lies close to much of Sri Lanka's coastline, bringing whales within sight of shore. Seasonal changes in wind and sea conditions influence where whales and dolphins are encountered around the island.
South coast (December – April)
The calmer waters off Mirissa offer opportunities to observe blue whales from the southern coast. Sperm whales, Bryde's whales, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and occasional orcas may also be encountered.
Eastern waters (May – September)
When the southwest monsoon changes conditions along the south coast, whales move through eastern waters, including the deep offshore canyons near Trincomalee. Blue whales and sperm whales occur seasonally in this region, along with large pods of spinner dolphins and other marine life.
We plan around conditions, not fixed promises. Monsoons, migration cycles and marine movements guide where and when we travel, whether the focus is elephants at the Gathering, leopards in the dry zone, migrant birds along the coast or blue whales offshore. We also create specialist birdwatching, wildlife photography and marine itineraries led by experienced field naturalists.
Waypoint 5•10 grew from our shared passion for Sri Lanka's wildlife and wild places, and our belief that good nature experiences depend on knowledge, thoughtful guiding and respect for the places we explore.
We came to nature tourism by different routes. Anjallee studied Wildlife Conservation Biology at Deakin University in Australia before returning home to pursue her own wildlife research and conservation work. She also drew on her experience in guiding and education to help others understand Sri Lanka's wildlife and the environments it depends on. Arran trained as a professional field guide in Southern Africa before bringing that field experience back to Sri Lanka, where he has worked to improve the standard of nature guiding and support conservation through education.
Together, these complementary backgrounds shape the way we guide: informed, personal and relaxed.
Through Waypoint 5•10, we share Sri Lanka's biodiversity in a way that encourages curiosity, understanding and a lasting respect for the natural world.
Every experience is shaped by patience, humility and the understanding that the wild sets the terms. Our job is to read them well.
Before setting out, we discuss the terrain, the species we may encounter and how to move through the landscape with minimal disturbance. Each briefing reflects the place, season and interests of the group.
We limit each group to six guests per guide. Small groups leave room for questions, give everyone a clear view and help us keep our presence low-impact.
Our guides are professional naturalists with extensive field experience. They read the landscape, interpret behaviour and explain what they see without theatrics or exaggeration.
Wildlife does not follow a schedule. We adjust routes and timing according to conditions, recent sightings and what the landscape is telling us. The best moments are often unplanned.
Photograph: Anjallee Sivarajah
Photograph: Anjallee Sivarajah
Photograph: Arran Sivarajah
Photograph: Arran Sivarajah
Photograph: Arran Sivarajah
Photograph: Arran Sivarajah
Photograph: Arran Sivarajah
Photograph: Anjallee Sivarajah
Reflections from guests who have explored Sri Lanka's wild places with us.
We had separate guided walks through Diyasuru Park and Beddegama Wetland Park. They were an absolutely exceptional experience, entirely transformed by our incredible guide, Anjallee. Her profound knowledge, tracking skills, and infectious enthusiasm made this urban wetland ecosystem come alive in ways we never expected.
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Anjallee's expertise across the flora and fauna of the wetlands is truly remarkable!
Botanical Insights: She effortlessly identified a vast array of plant species, detailing their traditional medicinal uses, their functions as natural water purifiers, and their vital roles in supporting the local habitat.
Avian & Wildlife Identification: With a remarkably sharp eye, she spotted and identified numerous bird species—sharing fascinating details about their migratory patterns and distinct calls and feeding habits. Anjallee gave us insight into endemic endangered species like the giant land snail and identified several insects and a frog for us. We were fortunate to spot the elusive mongoose slinking through the wetlands.
Rather than just listing facts, Anjallee wove the science and history of the ecosystem into a captivating discussion, patiently answering all our questions and tailoring the pace perfectly to our interests.
We cannot recommend Anjallee highly enough. Her professionalism, deep passion for conservation, and warm personality make her an invaluable guide.
Colombo’s wild spaces have so much to offer and we are grateful for the knowledge and passion Anjallee shared with us.
Booking a walk with Anjallee is an absolute must for an unforgettable, educational adventure.
I had an absolutely wonderful safari experience with Anjallee and Arran. Their knowledge and passion for the wildlife and varying habitats made every moment special. We even saw a leopard, elephants and a sloth bear! We will be back and I’ll be recommending them to all my friends in the UK.
Our 3 days with Arran were a pure delight. Everything worked a treat and the time we spent with Arran and his team was our best ever Yala wildlife experience. They are so knowledgeable, understand perfectly that the best way to enjoy wildlife viewing is to take your time and be patient, and were wonderful company at all times. I have recommended Arran and team to others visiting Sri Lanka and will continue to do so.
I have had the pleasure of being guided by Arran and Anjallee on several occasions now and each time, they have blown me away by their professionalism, passion for the natural world, and knowledge about the flora and fauna of Sri Lanka.
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Their curiosity and enthusiasm to impart knowledge is infectious. All that they do is carried out with the utmost respect for the fact that, as humans, we are visitors in nature and that our time there should be as minimally invasive as possible.
Their commitment to preserving and restoring a home for the wildlife of Sri Lanka is truly inspirational. I cannot recommend them enough and will be certain to use their services again on any future trips.
I moved back from London to Colombo in 2020 and have used my time in Sri Lanka to discover the jungle. My first discovery was Arran, whose guiding is exceptional and made me go back many times.
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Arran has an extraordinary ability for storytelling—he imparts his knowledge of the jungle, flora and fauna in a way that is easily accessible to kids and adults alike.
He is interesting, intelligent and charming—and luckily, he is lucky too, which is needed in the jungle. But I believe Arran makes his own luck by focusing on the signs of the jungle.
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Tell us what draws you to Sri Lanka's wild places, and we will shape the experience around your interests.