Morning Bird Watching
5:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Start the day among Tissamaharama's birdlife.
LKR 15,000
Book Morning Bird Watching
Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka
Birds by Day. Wildlife After Dark.
Explore the remarkable birdlife and nocturnal wildlife of Tissamaharama with a specialist experience designed for birdwatchers, photographers, researchers and nature enthusiasts.
From LKR 15,000 per experience
Discover a Different Side of Tissamaharama
Tissamaharama is not only a gateway to Sri Lanka's famous wildlife parks. Its surrounding habitats offer fascinating opportunities for birdwatchers, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts to look for species that can be difficult to encounter during a conventional park safari.
National-park safaris operate within specific access times and park regulations. Our Tissamaharama experience offers a different style of wildlife observation, with a focus on birds, owls, fruit bats and nocturnal mammals.
Choose your experience
Bird watching runs morning or evening. The night wildlife experience is booked separately.
Evening Bird Watching
3:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Explore the birdlife as the day begins to cool and wildlife activity changes.
LKR 15,000
Book Evening Bird Watching
Night Wildlife Experience
8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Search after dark for owls, mammals, frogs and other nocturnal wildlife.
LKR 25,000
Book Night Wildlife ExperienceSpecies you may encounter
Target species vary with season, weather, habitat conditions and natural wildlife activity.
Owls
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Brown Hawk-Owl
Ninox scutulata
Jungle Owlet
Glaucidium radiatum
Brown Fish Owl
Ketupa zeylonensis
Indian Scops Owl
Otus bakkamoena
Birds
Egrets
Herons
Bitterns
Asian Openbill
Anastomus oscitans
Ibises
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis
Eagles
Kingfishers
Barbets
Woodpeckers
Weavers
Orioles
Fruit Bats
Indian Flying Fox
Pteropus giganteus
Nocturnal Mammals
Fishing Cat
Prionailurus viverrinus
Jungle Cat
Felis chaus
Asian Palm Civet (Indian Palm Civet)
Paradoxurus hermaphroditus
Ring-tailed Civet
Viverricula indica
Frogs
Frogs
Reptiles
Serpents
Large Colonies of Fruit Bats
One of the memorable sights around Tissamaharama is the spectacle of large colonies of fruit bats gathered in the trees.
After Dark: A Different World
When the sun goes down, Tissamaharama's nocturnal wildlife becomes the focus.
For photographers
Whether you're photographing owls at first light, colourful birds around the wetlands or nocturnal wildlife after dark, this experience gives you the opportunity to slow down, observe and photograph.
For researchers & naturalists
Looking for particular species or planning a wildlife-focused visit to Tissamaharama? Tell us what you're hoping to observe and we'll help you plan your experience.
Tell us what you hope to observeWhat to bring
Binoculars
Camera
Telephoto lens
Comfortable clothing
Closed shoes
Water
Mosquito protection
Torch or headlamp for night tours
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Tissamaharama bird watching experience?
- It is a specialist wildlife experience around Tissamaharama focused on birds, owls, fruit bats and nocturnal wildlife. Unlike a conventional national-park safari, it explores different habitats around the town and offers opportunities to observe species that can be difficult to encounter within standard safari schedules and park regulations.
- What time does the morning tour start?
- The morning bird watching experience runs from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
- What time does the evening tour start?
- The evening bird watching experience runs from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
- What time does the night tour start?
- The night wildlife experience runs from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
- What birds might we see?
- Species you may encounter include egrets, herons, bitterns, Asian openbill, ibises, little grebes, eagles, kingfishers, barbets, woodpeckers, weavers, orioles and other resident and seasonal species.
- Can we see owls?
- Target species include Barn Owl, Brown Hawk-Owl, Jungle Owlet, Brown Fish Owl and Indian Scops Owl. Sightings depend on season, weather and natural wildlife activity.
- Can we see fruit bats?
- Large colonies of fruit bats gather in trees around Tissamaharama and are often one of the most memorable sights of the experience.
- Can we see fishing cats?
- Fishing Cat is one of the target species of the night wildlife experience, along with Jungle Cat and civets. Nocturnal mammals are elusive and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- Are sightings guaranteed?
- No. Wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable and vary with season, weather, habitat conditions and animal activity.
- Is this suitable for photographers?
- Yes. The experience is paced for observation and photography, with time spent waiting quietly for species to appear.
- Can researchers join?
- Yes. Tell us which species or habitats you are interested in and we will help plan the timing and route of your experience.
- Can I choose morning or evening?
- Yes. Bird watching is offered as either a morning or an evening experience at the same price, and the night wildlife experience is booked separately.
- What should I bring?
- Binoculars, a camera and telephoto lens if you have them, comfortable clothing, closed shoes, water, mosquito protection, and a torch or headlamp for night tours.
- Can I combine this with a Yala safari?
- Yes. Many guests combine a Yala National Park safari with a Tissamaharama bird watching or night wildlife experience. Tell us your dates and we will plan the combination.
Wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable. Species availability varies according to season, weather, habitat conditions and animal activity. The species shown on this page are examples of wildlife that may be encountered and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Plan your Tissamaharama wildlife experience
Combine bird watching with a Yala National Park safari, or book a night wildlife experience on its own.