There is no better way to become immersed in a destination than by meeting and engaging with the locals. This purposeful journey through richly varied landscapes in Sri Lanka blends cricket, community-focused initiatives and a deep dive into authentic Sri Lankan culture and hospitality. Once described by Marco Polo as ‘the finest island of its size in all the world’, Sri Lanka is renowned for undulating mountain landscapes, extensive coastlines and a diverse range of wildlife. This is an ideal trip for travellers keen to build human connections during a transformative experience meeting Sri Lankan people and taking safari adventures across this beautiful island.
Begin your adventure in the sprawling capital of Colombo, where you’ll visit the MJF Charitable Foundation in Moratuwa and stay at the Shangri-La which boasts impressive views overlooking the Indian Ocean. You’ll have an opportunity to engage with students of the Empower Culinary School and take a hands-on approach in several community-led activities.
"Take a step back in time to learn about the history of Ceylon and how the former coffee plantations were transformed in the 1860s into the tea plantations that continue to flourish today."
Continue south to the beautiful Cape Weligama coastal cliff-edge resort located on the pristine south coast, and meet with students at the Weligama MJF Centre which supports the local community through its educational initiatives. An unmissable highlight is spending time at the famous Galle International Cricket Stadium surrounded by the Indian Ocean to see the scenic grounds and watch a friendly cricket match in this stunning location. Enjoy the culinary experiences on offer which include a traditional village lunch, and a gourmet six-course Sri Lankan meal in Cape Weligama’s renowned restaurant.
Next travel down to the southeastern coast to discover the beauty of Yala National Park, a vast landscape filled with deciduous forest, grasslands and lagoons. This protected area of nearly 130,000 hectares of land is a vital habitat for 44 varieties of mammals and 215 bird species including leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, and crocodiles. Explore the park on game drives before unwinding at Wild Coast Tented Lodge. Situated on a picturesque beach on the periphery of this beautiful park, the lodge offers a combination of luxury hotel comforts with safari-style tented ‘cocoon suites’. Learn about the resident rangers’ ongoing efforts to preserve ethical wildlife experiences and other ongoing conservation projects.
Your journey continues with a stop at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe National Park, funded by the Dilmah Conservation. This wonderful wildlife protection facility provides a lively and uplifting experience where you can help feed orphaned elephants in preparation for their release back into the wild.
The next destination on your journey is the stunning tea country of Hatton, where you’ll be staying at the atmospheric Ceylon Tea Trails. Presiding at an altitude of 1250 meters over the island’s panoramic tea region, this collection of beautifully preserved tea bungalows offers an enchanting location to take scenic hikes, biking tours and adventures to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Central Highlands. Take a step back in time to learn about the history of Ceylon and how the former coffee plantations were transformed in the 1860s into the tea plantations that continue to flourish today. Become immersed in life as a tea planter, before taking the signature-hosted tea tour. Other activities here include visiting a key child development centre at Dunkeld and playing a friendly cricket match with the locals whilst appreciating the landscapes blanketed with tea plants. After days spent exploring, enjoy the excellent hospitality of the hotel and the old-world charm of your historic bungalow, before dining on the Ceylon tea-infused gourmet cuisine.
Discuss with us which specialist philanthropic initiatives you’re keen to visit during your trip, and our experts will curate a private itinerary to suit. Meet with renowned experts and professionals who provide in-depth knowledge of the island to enrich your travels to this extraordinary island.
