Wild Wilpattu

Expedition dates from Dates – 19^th-July- 23^rd July 2025

About Ecotrailz

Ecotrailz is a boutique wildlife experience firm specializing in captivating wildlife photography expeditions across India and Africa. They offer immersive wildlife workshops and meticulously crafted bespoke expeditions, catering to nature enthusiasts and photographers. With a focus on providing unique and unforgettable encounters with nature’s wonders, Ecotrailz is a premier choice for those seeking exceptional wildlife experiences.

About Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park, located in northwestern Sri Lanka, is the country’s largest and one of its oldest national parks, spanning over 1,300 square kilometers. Known for its unique “villus” (natural lakes), the park features a diverse landscape of dense forests, scrublands, and wetlands that support a rich array of wildlife. It is a prime destination for spotting the elusive Sri Lankan leopard, along with elephants, sloth bears, mugger crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. Unlike other popular parks in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu offers a more secluded and less crowded safari experience, making it ideal for wildlife enthusiasts seeking an immersive and tranquil adventure in nature.

An Expert-Led Photography Expedition

1. In-Field Guidance on Composition and Framing:

• Expert Eye for Detail: Tips and tricks on how to position your subject within the frame, making use of natural light, and incorporating environmental elements for a compelling wildlife shot.
• Adaptive Framing Techniques: Learn how to adapt your composition on the fly as you track moving subjects, ensuring every shot tells a story.

2. Off-Field Sessions on Photography Concepts and Lightroom Processing:

• Foundational and Advanced Concepts: Workshops covering the essentials of exposure, depth of field, and focus techniques, progressing to advanced topics like shooting in RAW, bracketing, and HDR.
• Lightroom Mastery: Detailed tutorials on post-processing, including color correction, noise reduction, and sharpening to bring out the best in your wildlife images. This approach ensures a comprehensive learning experience, from the moment you set up your camera to the final touches in post-production.

3. Camera Settings Across Brands:

• Brand-Specific Adjustments: Tailored guidance on optimizing settings to capture wildlife in varied lighting and environmental conditions.
• Real-Time Calibration: On-the-spot assistance in adjusting ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and focus modes to match the dynamic nature of wildlife photography.

Itinerary [Arrival to Departure]

Day 1[Arrival]: 19^th July’25

• 7:00 am Transfer from Colombo Airport to Wilpattu.
• Arrival at Resort
• Assemble for lunch at 1.00 pm
• Rest and leisure time.
• 8:00 pm assemble for camera calibration exercise to get your cameras optimized to perform at it its peak
• Dinner and lights off!

Day 2, 3, 4 [Game Drives]: 20^th, 21^st & 22^tnd July’25

• 4:30 am Wakeup call with coffee / tea
• 5:00 am we will depart for our Full Day Expedition.
• Breakfast and Lunch on board during Expedition.
• 6:30 pm Return back to the resort.
• 8:00 pm assemble for an in-depth classroom session/ Image reviews/ Photography discussion.
• Dinner and lights off!

Day 5 [Departure]: 23^rd July’25

• Morning Breakfast between 7.00 am- 8.00 am.
• Checkout by 9.00 am and transfer to Colombo Airport.
• End of Expedition

Inclusions:

• Land Transfers- Colombo to Colombo
• Full-board stay at Claughton Wild Hotel
• 3 Full Day safaris
• Mentor Fees
• Forest Permits
• Vehicle charges

Exclusions:

• Flight tickets
• Visa Charges
• Camera fees if any
• Alcoholic/Non-Alcoholic beverages
• Tips, laundry, personal snacks etc.
• Participants are required to cover any expenses not specified in the ‘inclusions’ as additional costs.

Note: Any forthcoming increases in Government Taxes and Safari Fees imposed by the Forest Department are not included in the package, but we will promptly notify you and invoice you for these charges upon receiving communication from the authorities.