Wild Sri Lanka, The Leopard

Photography Workshop from September 15th to 25th, 2026

Duration

11 Days / 9 Nights

Where

Sri Lanka

Price

2.850€

Participants

From 6 to 8 Participants

Sri Lanka: India’s teardrop

Sri Lanka, known as the “teardrop of India,” is a pearl of Asia boasting a wealth of wildlife biodiversity and a saturation of color that very few countries in the world can match. In a country that has yet to fully open its doors to mass tourism, you can experience the full authenticity and naturalness of unspoiled places.

Wildlife is widespread and abundant: Indian elephants, families of macaques, jackals, reptiles, birds of prey, ungulates, and much more. And of course, the leopard, the island’s crowned predator.

A photographic reportage beyond the safari

In this land that has successfully preserved its identity, my nature reportage takes place in an authentic and wild setting. I’ve crafted a specialized route that combines the rarity of the rainforest with the thrill of the savannah, offering an experience that goes beyond the typical photographic safari.

We will begin in Udawalawa, home to large herds of free-roaming Indian elephants, and then immerse ourselves in the Sinharaja Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in search of endemic birdlife, including owls and rare and often unseen species.

The heart of the photographic mission will be four intensive days in Wilpattu National Park, an area I consider among the best in the world for photographing the Sri Lankan leopard. This endemic predator, known for its calmer temperament than its African cousins, moves among red sands and natural lakes, offering extraordinary photographic opportunities.

My field experience

I’ve been visiting Sri Lanka since 2015. During my many travels, I’ve learned about its rhythms, seasonality, and secrets, which I share with each participant. Each day will be a true field reportage lesson, aboard private jeeps driven by expert local drivers, with the support of an Italian-speaking guide capable of interpreting tracks and signals often invisible to the uninitiated.

Price of the trip

2.850 €

Included

  • 9 nights with breakfast in a shared double room with private facilities in a lodge/ecolodge. Single-occupancy rooms and bungalows available (see ACCOMMODATION).

  • All park admissions and photography permits.

  • Private minibus/jeep transportation by local professional drivers for all scheduled excursions, all costs included. Double group airport transfers included.

  • All meals.
  • Professional local Italian-speaking tour guide.
  • Inputs, tours, excursions as scheduled.
  • Photographic workshop with accompaniment and support in the field and online post-production and viewing sessions.
  • Standard health and baggage insurance.
Not included
  • The international flight: cost from Italy from EUR 700, depending on the advance booking.
  • Entry visa.
  • Travel cancellation insurance (highly recommended)
  • Drinks with meals.
  • Single room supplement (see PERNOTTAMENTO)
  • Extra program activities and excursions
  • Tips and gratuity
  • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section.
More information

Itinerary

$

Day 1

The Beginning of the Adventure

Departure from Italy (airport of your choice) with an international flight to Colombo. Overnight stay on board or in a stopover, depending on the flight schedule.
$

Day 2

Arrival and First Contact with the Wild

Arrival at Colombo airport and customs formalities. Meet the photographer and local guides, and immediately transfer south (by private vehicle) to Tissamaharama. Depending on the arrival time, we’ll spend the afternoon doing a light local reportage, looking for sightings of owls and fruit bats. Overnight stay in Tissamaharama.
$

Day 3

From the Birds to the Giants of Udawalawe
The morning is dedicated to a village reportage to search for local avian species and hone our wildlife photography skills. After a local lunch, we move to Udawalawa National Park. The afternoon is dedicated to our first jeep safari in the park, known for its high concentration of great elephants: we’ll look for families and herds roaming freely in the waterholes. Overnight stay and dinner in Udawalawa.
$

Day 4

Udawalawa and the Sinharaja Forest
Morning safari at dawn in Udawalawe National Park (with picnic breakfast), a crucial time to capture the large mammals in the best light. We then visit the Elephant Transit Home, a significant reporting event on the recovery of the calves. Lunch and transfer to the Singharaja Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where a change of reporting and scenery awaits. Overnight stay and dinner in Singharaja.
$

Day 5

The Endemic Jewels of Sinharaja

The day is entirely dedicated to reporting on endemic avifauna. We rise before dawn to capture the rarest and most difficult-to-photograph birds at their peak activity. We return for breakfast and immediately set off again to search for unique species, focusing in particular on owls, the frogmouth, and the serandip scoop owl, a truly specialized reportage in the dense vegetation. Dinner and overnight in Singharaja.
$

Day 6

Towards the Kingdom of the Leopard
A morning dedicated to final shots of the endemic avifauna in the Singharaja Forest. After lunch, we move to Wilpattu, the designated area for our main mission. Arriving late in the afternoon allows us to settle in, prepare our equipment, and have an in-depth briefing with Daniele Dell’Osa, focusing on strategies for approaching the large predator. Dinner and overnight in Wilpattu.
$

Days 7-8-9-10

The Leopard Mission

Four full days are dedicated, with maximum flexibility, to reporting on the Sri Lankan leopard and other large mammals. Wilpattu is a vast park, characterized by red sand and its thousands of lakes, offering an ideal environment for intensive nature photography. Our local guides, expert in the tracks and movements of the endemic feline, will lead us on targeted hides to maximize the probability of sightings. Each day will alternate between dawn and dusk safaris, also focusing on sloth bears, herds of spotted deer, and the rich avian species. The goal is to create a masterful reportage that recounts the island’s entire fauna, culminating with a photograph of this jewel-like predator. Day 10 concludes with the last morning safari and, after lunch, the transfer to Colombo, in preparation for the return flight. Overnight in Colombo (or near the airport).
$

Day 11

Come back in
Return to Italy Based on the return flight times, group transfer to the airport in time for departure and end of services.

Frequently asked questions and travel information

Who is it aimed at?

The trip is aimed at photographers of all levels and skills, beginners or experts. For all participants, it will be a unique opportunity to refine various photography techniques and learn new ones. It’s also an excellent opportunity to have fun with friends who share the same passion.

Equipment

Digital camera body with interchangeable lenses: the most commonly used focal lengths will be between 24mm for panoramas and 300mm for wildlife. The most useful lenses could be 24-105/120mm zooms, 70-200mm zooms, and 100-400mm zooms. A superzoom beyond 400mm is useful for birdwatching but not strictly necessary. Optional tripod, spare batteries (power bank useful), and a camera backpack for carrying your equipment. Don’t forget to bring memory cards, a charger, and connection cables.

With us you will no longer need a laptop: all review shots will be carried out after the trip directly with the photographer on the Zoom platform.

Overnight stay

9 nights with breakfast in a shared double room with private bathroom in a lodge/ecolodge. Single-occupancy rooms and bungalows available, supplement to be quoted.

NOTE: Requests for shared rooms by single travellers are subject to availability and the possibility of finding a companion and cannot constitute a precondition or obligation.

Climate, documents and useful advice

A hot, humid tropical climate, even though it’s not the rainy season. Temperatures are quite high, with highs above 30°C, and humidity is present.

There are 12 hours of daylight (approximately 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Wonderful morning fogs and showers of rain are possible, so we recommend layered, lightweight, neutral-colored sportswear with a midlayer for the early hours. Sports shoes, preferably hiking boots, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are recommended. Mosquito and insect repellent are highly recommended.

How to book

Pay a registration deposit, fully refundable in the event of cancellation of the trip or inability to participate due to new, different and unforeseeable international restrictions at the time of registration. All bank details will be provided directly upon request.

For further information, fill out the form below.

Request more details or book your next photography trip

Sri Lanka Photographic Workshop, The Leopard - September 2026

Let yourself be inspired by the shots from your latest trip to Sri Lanka