The Perfect Family Holiday to Sri Lanka

16 days from £9,240 for 2023 per person

• Galle
• Tangalle
• Yala National Park
• Gal Oya National Park
• Kandy
• Anuradhapura
• Negombo

This itinerary features in our Top 10 Family Holidays.

Sri Lanka’s cultural charms, gorgeous looks and laid-back vibe make her the perfect island for a family holiday. This tour takes in Sri Lanka’s many highlights – the Dutch walled fort town of Galle, leopard safaris in Yala National Park, lake safaris in Gal Oya National Park, the stunning central Tea Country and Cultural Triangle – whilst staying in family-friendly villas and boutique hotels with room configurations that are perfect for a family.

Start in Galle at 20 Middle Street, a beautifully styled private villa with a swimming pool and lots of space to stretch out and relax, plus a great team of staff to take care of you. Formerly a Dutch merchant’s house built in 1750, the villa is perfectly located for sightseeing the galleries, shops and restaurants within the fort by foot. Other family activities include mangrove safaris in Balapitiya or whale watching trips – Sri Lanka has some of the best whale sightings in the world (December to April). Next head to the beautiful beaches of Tangalle and The Last House, a breezy 5-bedroom boutique hotel which was the last villa legendary Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa designed.

Next it’s time to head into the jungle… Nothing compares to getting close to nature on a safari and Leopard Trails is the most exclusive safari camp in Sri Lanka. Sharing an elegant canvas tent will make it all the more fun! Yala is an enchantingly beautiful National Park teeming with wildlife, including about 35 leopards, 400 wild elephants, as well as wild buffalo, musk deer, mongoose, pangolins, black bears, macaques, jackals and an incredible number of bird species. From here, you’ll head to one of Sri Lanka’s most undiscovered beauties, Gal Oya National Park, to enjoy boat safaris on lakes where you can spot swimming elephants! Next, head to the staggering mountain topography of Sri Lanka’s Tea Country to cosy up at Clingendael, a luxurious home built in a Dutch Sri Lankan style with old-world decor and superb staff.

Finally, experience some of the most extraordinary temples in the world at Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Ulagalla Resort is an eco-friendly luxury resort within reach of the Cultural Triangle and the family activities range from cookery courses, archery, cycling, kayaking, horse riding and swimming in the enormous swimming pool. Enjoy day trips to visit the legendary sky citadel of Sigiriya, dubbed the “Lion Rock”, the Dambulla Cave Temples, the ancient city of Anuradhapura, the huge granite monoliths of Ritigala and the impressive temple complex of Mihintale.

This is purely a suggested itinerary so can be booked as it is, or used as a starting point for creating your own luxury tailor-made tour of Sri Lanka. If you'd like to see similar trips, take a look at our Epic Journey and Family Holiday collections; as well as our favourite itineraries for Active, Beach, Boat, Surfing and Fly & Flop holidays.

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson