Sri Lanka's Big Five

Traveler Reviews

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  Lela

  April 23rd, 2026
  When you picture an Asia landscape with abundant wildlife, sweeping plains, rich culture, an island vibe, great food...
  When you picture an Asia landscape with abundant wildlife, sweeping plains, rich culture, an island vibe, great food and restaurants, rolling hills, and beautiful beaches. you’re picturing Sri Lanka. Its outstanding beauty and breathtaking vistas are only enhanced by the warm, friendly people we met. Everything, from the landscapes and wildlife sightings to the accommodations, exceeded our expectations, and we can’t wait to return.Show more
  Traveled in April 2026
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  Sebastian

  April 21st, 2026
  We saw so many animals and birds in their natural habitat. We were able to get very close to many of them. Our guide,...
  We saw so many animals and birds in their natural habitat. We were able to get very close to many of them. Our guide, Kesara, was amazing, and the food served at the end was so delicious. This country not only has amazing wildlife, but the people are excellent. The culture is rich, the people are so kind, and they have such strong character with high morals and values. I fell in love with Sri Lanka, and it captured my heart. I will definitely be back!!!Show more
  Traveled in January 2026
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  Ann

  April 20th, 2026
  The safari was amazing. Everyone, from the driver to the hotel staff, was incredibly friendly and happy to chat about...
  The safari was amazing. Everyone, from the driver to the hotel staff, was incredibly friendly and happy to chat about what you had seen but also respectful if you preferred some quiet time. I was able to see 4 out of Sri Lanka’s Big Five, along with so much more that I wasn’t expecting, which made the trip even more special. I didn’t get the chance to see blue whales, but I did spot sperm whales off the coast of Mirissa. I also spent time along the coast, where I went snorkeling and scuba diving. I was able to swim with turtles and see colorful fish over the coral reef, which was an unforgettable experience. I would definitely recommend Sri Lanka as a destination, and Roar & Rove as a company to book with.Show more
  Traveled in December 2025
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  Sabine

  April 19th, 2026
  We had the best experience with Roar and Rove. From planning our two-week safari with Lahiru, who was very responsive...
  We had the best experience with Roar and Rove. From planning our two-week safari with Lahiru, who was very responsive and helpful, to the actual journey with our incredible guide, Kesara, everything was seamless. He truly made our experience unforgettable, knowledgeable, kind, and always attentive. We stayed at fabulous lodges and tented camps, each one unique and very cool. The accommodations were spectacular, and the food was excellent. We experienced some rain and a fair amount of overcast weather, which actually kept the temperatures pleasant. At times, the driving conditions were quite tricky and muddy. Many vehicles got stuck, especially in Yala but not us. Our safari driver was often the first to stop and help others, which really spoke to his character. I’d go back in a heartbeat and would absolutely choose Roar and Rove again.Show more
  Traveled in December 2025
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  Kerry

  April 16th, 2026
  We had a great time! We thoroughly enjoyed the people, the parks, the safaris, and the country. We saw some...
  We had a great time! We thoroughly enjoyed the people, the parks, the safaris, and the country. We saw some spectacular animals including elephants, sloth bears, leopards, deer, water buffalo, mongoose, crocodiles and birds to count. The weather was great. We will definitely be going back!Show more
  Traveled in April 2026
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  Courtney

  April 15th, 2026
  Sri Lanka was so beautiful. I am a wildlife photographer and this island blew me away. From the large number of...
  Sri Lanka was so beautiful. I am a wildlife photographer and this island blew me away. From the large number of elephants and sloth bears to the elusive leopards. Hands down the best experience of my life and I will be back!Show more
  Traveled in April 2026
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  Irina

  April 15th, 2026
  Sri Lanka is a naturally beautiful island. The people are warm, welcoming, mild-mannered, and very pleasant to be...
  Sri Lanka is a naturally beautiful island. The people are warm, welcoming, mild-mannered, and very pleasant to be around. The wildlife in the parks is incredible. the beautiful bears, majestic elephants, elusive leopards, playful monkeys, and more. Our guide, Kesara, who took us around, was fantastic and went out of his way to ensure we enjoyed the game drives and got the best possible views and photo opportunities, along with the safari drivers in each park. He was also always very punctual, polite, and neatly attired. The accommodation at the lodges was very comfortable, with all modern amenities and a wide variety of delicious food. Thank you, Sri Lanka. you have put a smile on my face!Show more
  Traveled in February 2026
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  Anna

  April 14th, 2026
  I absolutely recommend Roar & Rove as a tour company, and in particular Kesara as a guide. His knowledge of the parks...
  I absolutely recommend Roar & Rove as a tour company, and in particular Kesara as a guide. His knowledge of the parks and animal behaviour and that of the safari drivers we had in each park was extraordinary. We had wonderful accommodation, with excellent facilities and locations. There was a bit of a drive between each national park and our hotels, but I wouldn’t have missed either, so it was a small price to pay. Sri Lankans are super friendly, and at no time did we feel unsafe. Kesara took such great care of us. This is the first safari I have been on, but it is definitely not the last. Next time, I will take my children (16yo); however, some of the days are long, so I’m not sure younger children would cope. Next, we will be going to the home of safari, Africa to explore the animals we missed in Sri Lanka.Show more
  Traveled in March 2026
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  Samie

  April 12th, 2026
  We had a group of five and had an amazing experience. Our drivers were professional from pickup to drop-off. They...
  We had a group of five and had an amazing experience. Our drivers were professional from pickup to drop-off. They found four of Sri Lanka’s Big Five for us and got us amazing views. We did the whale-watching tour, but unfortunately had no luck with the whales. Still, we had a great experience from my first inquiry to the very end. We chose a mid-range option, and the resorts met our expectations. the staff was great, the food was good, and the lodging was very comfortable.Show more
  Traveled in April 2026
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  Simon

  April 12th, 2026
  Traveling to Sri Lanka fulfilled a lifelong dream. We spent two weeks on safari, waking up early each day to fresh,...
  Traveling to Sri Lanka fulfilled a lifelong dream. We spent two weeks on safari, waking up early each day to fresh, rich coffee before heading out for full days of wildlife viewing. We saw it all sometimes just sitting quietly, watching a leopard sleeping in a tree for over an hour as it shifted positions, looked at us, and groomed itself. We watched baby elephants wallowing in mud holes and even saw a hawk eagle eating a snake high up in the treetops. We visited local villages, met incredibly friendly and welcoming people, learned to cook rice and curry, and enjoyed fresh, delicious meals every day always served with fruit. Our tour operator, Roar & Rove, took care of everything from our first email to the moment we boarded our flight home. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back. As the saying goes, if you can only have two great vacations in your life, one of them should be Sri Lanka. We also spent five days in the south of the country, where the beaches were clean, with plenty of restaurants and a peaceful, calm environment, surrounded by beautiful blue waters.Show more
  Traveled in February 2026