Ninja Sri Lanka Surface Interval Safari!
Sri Lanka, a beautiful tropical island country located just south of mainland India in the Indian Ocean. It is one of only 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world and boasts the highest biodiversity density in all of Asia! But not only that, it has a rich cultural history documented for as far back as 3000 years. Imagine staying in a gorgeous tented chalet with all the amenities and located on 6 acres of lush forest filled with wildlife. National parks only a short ride away with wild asian elephants, leopards, monkeys & more. As well as numerous ancient temples & palaces. The list goes on and on. In the true heart of Dive Ninjas, we want to take you exploring here.
Now you may have noticed already, this is going to be a little different than any other Dive Ninja trip you’ve seen before. For starters – there is no diving involved. This is a very special mini-trip meant as an add-on to our February 2020 Maldives Southern Hemisphere liveaboard expedition. But that doesn’t mean you can only join us for this special safari if you are attending the Maldives trip. Everyone is welcome on this special safari, even non-divers. So grab that friend you’ve always wanted to go on an adventure with and let’s go explore Sri Lanka.
Join Team Ninja February 11-15, 2020 for an extraordinary adventure that is sure to bring memories that will last a lifetime. This is a limited offer expedition with only 16 spaces only 1 space left! We recommend that you act fast as this trip will sell out quick. Scroll down for more details on the trip, then register online now to secure your space. Or contact your Ninja destination expert at [email protected] or +1-973-619-9007 with any questions or to reserve your space today.
The Tented Safari Lodge & Chalets
The Aggressor Tented Safari Lodge is located in northern Sri Lanka just outside Wilpattu National Park, the largest National Park in Sri Lanka. It is conveniently located near the Ancient City of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya Rock Palace National Heritage Site, and only a 90 minutes drive from Minneriya National Park – which is home to the largest Asian elephant gathering known to exist on the planet.
The lodge is a 5 star tented safari lodge tucked away on 6 acres of lush forest along the Kala Oya River, which is the 3rd longest river in Sri Lanka. It is home to a variety of native wildlife such as Mouse Deer, Star Tortoise, Sri Lankan Giant Squirrels, Red Slender Loris, Peacocks and a host of exotic birds and that’s just the beginning. The lodge has a main reception area and a large dining tent which is well stocked with refreshments. There’s also a beautiful pool as well as a pool side bar which is perfect for unwinding and relaxing after a long day of exploring Sri Lanka.
There are eight gorgeous air conditioned tented chalets. Each tented chalet is 27 feet x 17 feet, sits on a hard wood floor, has a private bathroom with shower/bathtub and sink and comfortable memory foam mattresses. It has government supplied water lines with high pressure hot and cold water throughout the property. Each chalet has large screened windows to let in lots of light and can be closed off for privacy with ceiling to floor curtains. They are beatifully furnished with high quality furnishings, luxury bedding and a safe. All furniture & furnishings are locally handmade. The ensuite bathroom has a large, inviting bathtub, 2 sinks, large towels, hair dryer, shampoo & conditioner, bubble bath & hand lotions.
You can expect 3 delicious meals a day plus snacks as well as soft drinks, local beer, and wine. In keeping with high standards, meals are prepared by top chef’s trained in a variety of cuisines. Many of the meals are prepared using fresh produce from the surrounding villages and farms. Meals include breakfast (cooked to order), picnic lunches, and an elegant dinner with tableside service. Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are complimentary while staying at the lodge.
The Itinerary
Our safari begins in Negombo, a beach town located just north of Colombo. From here we will travel north to the Safari Lodge arriving just before lunch time. After checking in and enjoying a delicious lunch will head out on an afternoon safari into Wilpattu National Park. Here we will have the opportunity to experience big game viewing; Leopards, Elephant, Bear, Buffalo, Deer, Crocodile, Jackal and many other animals and birds in their natural jungle habitat before returning to the Safari Lodge for dinner at night fall. The following day we’ll travel to the 5th Century AD Sigiriya Rock Palace in the morning. This ancient palace is awe striking from afar. Built atop a massive natural stone plateau, it can take a couple hours to climb to the top. But the view from the top is breathtaking. From there we will head to a local restaurant for lunch before going on an afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park. This national park is home to the largest Asian elephant gathering known to exist on the planet. Guests sit and watch as these huge animals drink, play and snack on the green, lush grasses that have been exposed by the receding water. Dinner follows at the Safari Lodge.
The next day we’ll head to the 3rd Century BC ancient city of Anuradhapura. It served as the capital city of the country for nearly 1400 years until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period, it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The city also houses the Jetavana, the Abhayagiri Dagaba and Ruwanwelisaya stupa’s that house many ancient Buddhist relics and remains of Buddhist monks and nuns. The Jetavana stupa, is the largest stupa in the Buddhist world in both its dimensions and its mass. It is 231 feet high up to its broken pinnacle and it has been calculated that it is made up of 160 million bricks. From here we will enjoy a picnic lunch at Wilpattu National Park in an area frequented by troupes of monkeys. The adventure continues with a second safari through Wilpattu National Park to experience more big game viewing.
After an early breakfast the next day, we will leave the lodge and travel to the Sri Lanka’s Primate Center for a full day excursion. Established over 50 years ago, the Primate Center is where Disney Studios filmed the movie “Monkey Kingdom”. It is home to 3 types of Sri Lankan monkeys, the Toque Macaque, the Gray Langur and the Purple Faced Langur. Here you will be able to observe them in their natural habitat and see their interactions with family, friends, enemies, and you.
Sounds amazing doesn’t it? But don’t just take our word for it, check out Ninja Guest, Sze Wei’s article on her recent visit to the safari lodge here.
What’s The Cost?
This 5 day/4 night safari package costs $1400 USD per person based on a shared occupancy basis. There are 3 types of chalets available, King Chalets (with a king bed), Double Chalets (each with 1 queen & 1 double bed), as well as 1 Family Chalet that sleeps 2 adults & 2 children (1 queen bed, 1 twin, & 1 roll-away bed). If you are traveling solo, no problem! We will match you with another solo ninja guest of the same gender. Or if you prefer your own private room a single supplement upgrade is also available for an additional fee. There is also an option to upgrade to a 7 day/ 6 night safari for a total cost of $1800 USD per person.
What’s Included
The safari package price includes all activities, 4 nights accommodation at the 5 star Sri Lanka Aggressor Safari Lodge, 3 delicious meals per day including an elegant meal at dinner with tableside service plus snacks, fresh juices, soft drinks, tea, coffee, local beer & wine, fresh towels in your room as needed, daily Jeep Safaris with private guide to Wilpattu National Park and Minneriya National Park and entrance fees to both. All transportation is in an air-conditioned coach/minibus or car with private driver. All excursions include an expert private local guide.
What’s Not Included
The price does not include flights, transfer fee ($175, this fee includes transportation to/from the host hotel in Negombo, to/from the Lodge), entrance fees to World Heritage sites (Anuradhapura $20, Sigriya Rock & Museum $30, Monkey Primate Center $25), rental equipment (binoculars, cameras, etc), Crew Gratuity (10%-15% of trip price is customary but is at your discretion), or credit card processing fees. All fees will be billed to the guest at the end of their stay.
Flights & Trip Information
This trip departs from Negombo, Sri Lanka. It is recommended that guests arrive a day early and stay at the Jet Wing Beach Negombo Hotel. We recommend arriving a day early to give you some time to relax and a little padding in case of any travel delays. We will leave from the Jet Wing at 8 am. Easy flights to Colombo can be found from many international airports in the US, Canada, and Europe as well as many other areas. From the US and Europe flights are very affordable and usually include a layover in Dubai, Doha, or east Asia. Some airlines to check out are Emirates (our personal favorite), Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific, but there are numerous others.
For those attending our Maldive Southern Hemisphere Expedition, we will fly out of Colombo (CMB) to Male (MLE) on February 15, 2020. We will spend 1 night in Male before heading on to Gan International Airport (GAN) the next morning to meet the ship. Our recommendation is to buy your international flight from/to home separate from your local flights from Sri Lanka to Male, as well as your flights within the Maldives to/from the ship. It usually works out much cheaper this way. You will need to leave 1 day of travel time between Sri Lanka and Maldives due to needing to arrive in GAN at 3.30pm on February 16 to meet the ship. But hey, spending an extra day in the Maldives doesn’t sound too bad does it? Have questions or need help with the travel details? Give us a shout and we’ll gladly point you in the right direction.
Watch: A Deeper Look
By Aggressor Safari Lodge
Watch: Aggressor Safari Lodge
By The Thai Group