What You Say

"Our tour was exceptional, extremely well organized. We hit all the good spots in southern Sri Lanka for birding. Our guide Sunil was very good with excellent birding skills and experience. He always make sure that everything was good for us. We saw 222 bird species including 30 + endemics, Including the Bay owl and the Serendib Scops Owl, Chestnut- backed Owlet. We will be back next year for sure. " - Paul Maury and Emilie Fournier, Chonas l'Amballan, France. February- March, 2024.

"We had fantastic time in Sri Lanka thanks to Ornithvacations. Very well organized from the first email throughout the planning process and excellent organizations & smooth running throughout the trip. Managed to see all endemics & other important species without too much trouble. I have been with many guides across the world & Tharanga is surely one of the best I've known. Excellent knowledge about birds & birding locations with many alternative sites for the most important species. A great person & a good friend :) Highly recommended ! Sri Lanka was a really pleasant surprise ! " - Nicholas Galea, Birkirkara, Malta. February, 2024.

"The tour was very well organized and we enjoyed every moment of it. Wildlife and Birds of Sri Lanka are gorgeous. Will recommend ORNITHVACATIONS to my friends. With ORNITHVACATIONS you will SEE THEM ALL " - Silvana Galea, B'kara, Malta. February, 2024.

"Very well organized, good guide and overall a very good Birding Holiday. Enjoyed it very much all over. ORNITHVACATIONS- THE BEST. Will recommend it for sure. " - Raymond Galea, Birkirkara, Malta. February, 2024.

"A wonderful holiday/ Birding experience. Will come again to see more birds. " - Kristabel Galea Enriquez, Birkirkara, Malta. February, 2024.

"What a great experience was my private Birding & Wildlife trip (8 days + 1 relaxing day). I felt very welcome from the first online contact with Mekhala, followed up by meeting Dammi and Sunil. They complemented each other very well and showed me all (!) the endemic birds, a lot of different mammals and much more. We even bought a cricket bat on the way. All accommodations were well-suited, but the very basic Martin’s Forest Lodge stole my heart. Privileged to be there and have breakfast with the birds. And speaking about food, the meals were delicious and plentiful. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but if I could go back now, I would. I am very grateful that I was able to make this trip and get to know the fantastic people at Ornithvacations. Will never forget!. " - Lydia van Deursen, Rotterdam, Netherlands. January, 2024.

"Thank you for carefully organising our Sri Lanka birding tour. It was a trip of a lifetime and we were fortunate to see and experience so much of Sri Lanka's natural, cultural, historic and scenic beauty. We had excellent guides (Dammi) + driver/guide (Sunil) and thoroughly enjoyed the food + hospitality as well. Sri Lanka is truly a jewel and we are fortunate to have experienced it with your company. Wishing you all the best. Keep up your good work. " - Joel Alphonso & Lolita Dsouza, Queensland, Australia. January, 2024.

"Very good feedback and prompt answers/ feedback when booking the trip. Very knowledgeable guide and good lodging. A really nice vacation seeing the birds and all other wildlife in Sri Lanka." - Fredrik Rudzki, Sweden. September, 2023.

"Would highly recommend OrnithVacations to serious birding enthusiasts and even people keen on just finding out about the flora and fauna of this beautiful country. We were made to feel like friends from the moment they met us at our hotel. Tharanga has immense knowledge of the avifauna found in Sri Lanka and just as keen an eye. A wonderful trip by a great company." - Geraint Isitt & Sarah Calderwood, Abu Dhabi, UAE. April, 2022.

"Perfect services were provided to ensure that everyone's needs were met. We were very impressed by the itinerary which had been carefully planned. All the hotels were comfortable and we particularly liked the last place for it's location, comfort and excellent cooking. Dammi was a truly wonderful leader, extremely knowledgeable about the birds with an impressionable ability to locate and identify all the species. He also made sure that everyone was involved and able to view all the species. Drivers & vehicle- Both were excellent. We felt very safe in the vehicle which was very comfortable." - Carolyn & Philip Hall, Gresham, Norfolk, UK. January, 2022.

"We have had a birding experience to remember, it has surpassed all our expectations. We are particularly pleased to have connected with all of the island's endemics, especially the hard- to find Serendib Scops Owl. Perfect itinerary covering all major habitats. Outstanding service !." - Jane Williams & Trevor Williams, Cromer, Norfolk, UK. January, 2022.

"Itinerary was excellent. All 34 endemics were seen ! Hotels were all good as was the food. Tour leader- (Dammi) Outstanding. Excellent knowledge, calm, considerate, always available, personable. Drivers & vehicle- very good. Vehicle was clean and tidy. Driver was always punctual and attentive. " - Neil Parker & Nicola Johnstone, Whitbourne, UK. January, 2022.

"First rate support & back-up (Tour operator services). Itinerary was ideal. Especially for a first timer to birding in Southern Asia. Hotels were a lovely mix (I preferred the eco-style to the big hotels). Tour leader- (Dammi) Excellent- in every respect. Drivers & vehicle- Again excellent. Overall, a great introduction to Sri Lanka and a superb holiday. Thank you !" - John Groom, Crowthorne, UK. January, 2022.

"It was a perfect package. There is not a single thing to complain about. Guide (Chamil)- Great ! Very motivated but empathic, 'never too much'. Tons of valuable information. I can hardly imagine a better tour leader. Thank you for everything " - Rebecca Ballstaedt, Heligoland, Germany. Feb, 2022.

"Everything was well organized, always quick actions. I really liked the tour. It was a good birding tour with a lot of other highlights. Itinerary and hotels- both wonderful, also the local food :). Chamil was a very friendly, charming and kind guide. We had a wonderful time and nice discussions about birds. " - Elmar Ballstaedt, Heligoland, Germany. Feb, 2022.

"Dammi was excellent- attentive, very good at finding birds & giving clear instructions. Drivers & vehicle- Driver was superb- especially down bendy mountain roads- I felt very safe. Vehicle was comfortable & a good size for our group.Tour operator services- Excellent- no critisism at all." - Danny Chesterman, Faversham, Kent, UK. January, 2022.

"The itinerary got us to all the endemic birds, quite a feat! The hotels were on the whole were awesome and much better than most trips I've been on. Very professional and knowledgeable (Tour operators service). Thanks for all the extra natural history and history info. I'd recommend you and your company easily to any "keen" birder. I also was very impressed by Sri Lanka." - Carol Beardmore, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Feb, 2020.

"The best ! great guide. Expert on birds, animals and Sri Lankan history and culture. Also very generous and easy to be with (Tour leader- Tharanga). Vehicle was comfortable, clean and modern. Drive was excellent, very safety conscious (Driver & Vehicle). Each hotel was comfortable and best in area. Good food and service at each location. Excellent, Always willing to help.(Tour operator's service)"- Ted Ross, New Jersey, USA. Feb, 2020.

"Excellent, top notch- can't imagine anyone better ! (Tour leader- Tharanga). Adequate to excellent hotels; great addition of food, itinerary very well planned out"- Jim Rowoth, Stockton, CA, USA. Feb, 2020.

"Tharanga was a really great, professional guide and had created a good itinerary. All of the hotels were excellent and so was the bus and driver. Big thanks to him and the participants for making it such a memorable trip!" - John Sterling, Woodland, CA, USA. Feb, 2020.

"As a tour of endemic birds, we covered a wide range of habitats and saw nearly all of the nation's endemics. The time spent at each location was enough. The hotels were good, as was the food. I was surprised at how opulent some hotels were !. Thank you Tharanga for your guide skills and gracious personality. I learned a lot on this trip. 157 lifers ! Amazing !"- Craig Swolgaard, Georgetown, CA, USA. Feb, 2020.

"Tharanga is an expert at finding the endemic bird species of the island. We atleast saw all of them plus lots more along the way. He knows all the birds by song as well."- Rebecca Smith, Archaeopteryx birding, FL, USA. Mar, 2020.

"We had a great trip. Sunil did a good job driving and a great job finding the birds. By the end of day 8 we'd seen 195 species and 30 endemics !! of course we're hoping for more tomorrow. You were very accomodating picking us up in Colombo and dropping os off in Unawatuna. Thanks for a great trip."- Lance & Faye Allin, Ontario, Canada. Feb, 2020.

"Had an amazing experience! Both Guides, Tharanga and Charminda, are very professional and knowledgeable. Even our very first contact, Mekhala, was extremely helpful, efficient and professional. It was a wonderful and well planned tour!"- Patricia Tiang, Singapore. Feb, 2019.

"Very happy & satisfied. Most of our expectations have been met !" - Roger Boey, Singapore. Feb, 2019.

"This tour was unique and I really appreciated it. Tharanga is a very Professional Tour Leader and his knowledge is remarkable ! Thank you for all !!"- L'Hoir Patrick, Belgium/ France. Dec, 2018.

"They are a very professional, knowledgeable and eco friendly birding tour company. My wife and I can not recommend them highly enough! Our guide to Sinharaja Forest, Chamil Uddika was excellent! Superb spotter and very attentive to our needs and our physical restrictions . Thank you all at OrnithVacations."- Mike Harper, UK. Dec, 2018.

"Very very professional expertise in birding & butterflies. Energetic and active guidence. Take good care of us and responsive to even trouble-some demands...very good team work & team spirit..Finally very impressed by variety of birds in Sri Lanka"- Ka Leung Chau, Hong Kong. Mar, 2018.

'Tour leader- Knowledge of birds and butterflies is 5 stars. Driver & vehicle- Good condition van with polite and skillful driver. Itinerary & hotels- well planned. Service by the operator- Great.'- Ang Soh Hoon, Singapore. Mar, 2018

“Tharanga Herath- was Brilliant ! A Real Star. I have birded with guides in dozens of countries and can honestly say that Tharanga is One of the very best. An Excellent bird spotter, friendly, kind, helpful & good fun to be with.” - John Clark, Sussex, UK. Feb, 2012.

Tour Leader- “ Tharanga- Outstanding! One of the best guides we have had. Nothing was too much trouble and his knowledge and information was just class.”- Mr + Mrs Nigel + Jayne Jones,UK. April, 2015

Tour Leader- “ Tharanga- The Best Guide We’ve Had. (We’ve Travelled Extensively). Tharanga was so professional and accommodating. His knowledge of the Bio- diversity was outstanding. A talented man.”- Andrew Hoare, South Wales, UK. April, 2015

“Tharanga Herath was a quite exceptional guide –brilliant at finding our birds & patient with a sometimes noisy group !.We would unreservedly recommend Tharanga to other friends wanting to find Sri Lanka’s endemics-he was one of the best bird guides we have had, & worked extremely hard in finding really hard- to- see birds. Thank you for a lovely holiday.” -Mary Ward- Jackson, Raglan, UK. Feb, 2012

Tour Leader –“ All exceptionally good. Tharanga was top class”- Fran Chasbe, UK. April, 2015

“Another excellent trip. Tharanga is a fine leader/guide and helped enormously with arrangements”- Brian Small, Limosa Holidays, UK.Nov, 2015.

Tour Leader- “Excellent. it was a priviledge to be guided around by Tharanga- His knowledge of Butterflies and birds is Brilliant ! ”- Christine Tracey, Peter Hajbukiewicz, UK. Oct, 2013

"We would highly recommend Tharanga."- Simon Gawn, Canada- Feb, 2012

Tour Leader- “Tharanga Herath- couldn’t have been better ”- John Ellis, UK, April, 2015

“Dear Tharanga, We both want to say a big thank- you for all you have done for us during our trip to make it so interesting and enjoyable. having someone as our guide with such a wealth of knowledge and expertise was very important to us. we really do appreciate all you have done ”- Bev. and Geoff. Randall, UK. Nov, 2010

“Tharanga was excellent .His knowledge of birds and the Sri Lankan culture is superb and so helpful and his spotting abilities amazing. he was always cheerfull & helpful ”- Helen Pearce, Cheshire,UK. Feb, 2012

Tour Leader- “Tharanga- an excellent guide, very informative experienced, an excellent organizer, very aware of the needs of all within the group and a delightful person too !! ”- Diane Hoare, South Wales, UK. April, 2015

"Thank You for such an informative and thoughtful naturewalk. we really enjoyed your company. Good luck with your career you deserve to go far ”- Jenny and Jaden Russell.August, 2005.

“We spent a very nice time in the Yala Park Village. and also 3 interesting trips with Tharanga as guide. A very interesting and knowledgeable birdwatching trip, a trip on the sea side and a trip by jeep to a lagoon and forward to a lake (freshwater) where we watched as new birds on a little island (Bird Island). Tharanga, thank you very much for your excellent guiding and wish you the best..”- Tina & Beat Hug (Switzerland), December, 2005

“We were lucky enough to arrive on the same day as Tharanga started his new job as resident naturalist at yala Village. he took us on several walks and introduced in to many different species of birds in this beautiful area. his in-depth knowledge of every aspect of bird-life is surely exceptional. nithing was too much trouble for him and a made a major contribution to our enjoyment of our time in this magic place. he even managed to show us the Indian Pitta ! Thank You so much Tharanga. ”- David & Liz Jones, England. April, 2005

“A really interesting walk in the amazing nature of Sri Lanka. The two hours passed too fast in moment of fun, amazed surprise and breathtaking landscapes. Thanks to the conpetance of Tharanga we learned to love the nature of this lovely country. keep the good work ! ”- Amiy, Italy. June, 2005

“Tharanga, Thank You for adding so much to our stay at Yala- I look forward to seeing a book of your sketches !- Your knowledge of birds is truly astounding.”- The Wrights, UK. August, 2005

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