Galle Fort and River Safari Private Tour
This private tour lets you discover the island's ancient sites and natural beauty: the Galle Fort and lighthouse, a beach with giant turtles, a turtle farm and a mangrove safari.
Quick facts
Itinerary
The tour starts with a visit to the historic Dutch Fort in Galle, with a walk along the walls and views of the Indian Ocean. The Galle Lighthouse offers stunning sea views. Then you visit the moonstone mine, the Tsunami Memorial, the turtle farm and the scenic Hikkaduwa beach.
The second half of the day is a river safari on the Bentota River, where you can spot wildlife. The tour ends at the large Buddhist temple Kande Vihara, a symbol of Sri Lanka's spiritual heritage.
Private tour "Galle Fort and River Safari"
Key route locations:
- Dutch Fort Galle
- Galle Lighthouse
- Secrets of the Moonstone
- Turtle Farm
- River Safari
- Turtle Beach
Your tour starts at the historic Dutch Fort in Galle, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will stroll through its old streets, walk along the fort walls and take in views of the Indian Ocean. Next is the famous Galle Lighthouse, which offers wonderful sea views.
Continuing on, you will visit a moonstone mine, where you learn how these unique gemstones are processed. Along the way, stop at the 2004 Tsunami Memorial, which honours those who lost their lives. Then you will visit a turtle farm and the scenic Hikkaduwa beach, where you can swim with giant sea turtles. Next comes the highlight: a river safari on the Bentota River. You will glide by boat through thick mangrove forests and spot exotic animals such as monitor lizards, crocodiles and monkeys.
The tour ends at the large Buddhist temple Kande Vihara, surrounded by sacred relics and statues of Buddha. This full route will give you plenty of memories and a true feel for Sri Lanka.
Private tour price: Fort Galle and River Safari
| Destination | Price per adult | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Fort Galle and River Safari | For 2 travelers | 300 $ | |
Fort Galle and River Safari | For 4 travelers | 400 $ | |
Fort Galle and River Safari | For 6 travelers | 540 $ |
For 2 travelers
For 4 travelers
For 6 travelers
Pickup, timing and practical details
What's included?
Transport, tickets and a guide are already included in the price.
English-speaking guide
Our guides know the island well and speak fluent English.
Great value
The best price on the island of Sri Lanka
Safety first
Comfortable cars, insurance and vetted drivers.
Real guest reviews
Hundreds of positive reviews.
Ongoing support
Our team is always reachable on messaging apps.
Comfortable transfers
All transfers are made in modern vehicles.
Guest reviews
Overall Rating
75 reviews
Ekaterina
19.09.2025
We got back yesterday from a two-day tour with an overnight stay at the Elephant bay hotel and a climb of Sigiriya (choose exactly this rock for the climb). It was AMAZING!!!! WONDERFUL!!! The best tour!!! Our guide Denis (Dinesh) is a genius. He kept us laughing the whole way, told us the history of Sri Lanka, answered all our questions, shared lots of interesting facts and helped with photos and videos! All the locations were chosen very well, and everything felt warm and personal! Special thanks to our driver Shalinda, who got us there safely and in style! Memories for a year ahead, maybe for a lifetime! These two days felt like we had travelled for a week through different countries, with different climates, nature and architecture, all in one place on a small island, Sri Lanka.
Sofia
11.09.2025
Absolutely thrilled with the Heart of Sri Lanka tour! It was a beautifully organized journey. We saw an incredible number of sights and felt immersed in the atmosphere of this amazing country. Special thanks for helping us with the most important moment of our trip: a marriage proposal at the top of Sigiriya! Your help in choosing the perfect moment and place among one of the wonders of the world made the day truly unforgettable. The night at the Mountain Heavens hotel was a special part of the trip. In the morning, stepping onto the balcony and seeing elephants wandering below was simply beautiful. What made the trip perfect was our guide Yasir, the soul of the tour :) He described every sight with great charm. He knew the best angles for photos and anticipated our wishes before we even voiced them. His care, attentiveness and wonderful sense of humour created a truly friendly and comfortable atmosphere. We felt completely safe and as if we were travelling with an old friend. Thank you to Yasir and the whole team! We will definitely recommend you to our friends!
Lisa
02.09.2025
Sharing our impressions on the way home from the wonderful two-day tour 'Heart of Sri Lanka'! Other reviews have already said everything about the tour itself, so we'd like to describe the impressions we got thanks to our guide Yasir and our driver Usama. A few words about the road: the car was comfortable and new, the air conditioning saved us the whole way, and the driver, despite the winding mountain roads, followed all the traffic rules like a European driver. But we're especially grateful to Yasir. He helped us with everything along the way, even the smallest questions. He is a very caring and attentive person. When someone tried to sell us something expensive, he took us to another place where the same thing was cheaper. At the tea factory, during the tasting, they offered us only one type of tea. Yasir stood up for us, and in the end we were offered all the varieties. Along the way he showed us many inexpensive places where we could get tasty food and fruit. Yasir also turned out to be a very interesting person. For two days we chatted about his country's culture and compared it with ours. His English is excellent, and he is a deeply knowledgeable man and a true polyglot. He even gets memes :) To our surprise, Yasir changed our programme. Towards the end of the second day we had time to visit a village where we were shown traditional village life and customs, and we were fed traditional food and sweets. We even got to smash a coconut 🥥 And I have to say Yasir is a professional photographer. The photos you see in this message are his. We are now nearly at our villa, to rest after such an intense and emotional programme. Thank you very much to the organizers, Yasir, Usama and the local people of Sri Lanka!
Vlad
09.08.2025
We are absolutely thrilled with the one-day SAFARI YALA + ELLA tour! It was an incredible adventure that left us with many vivid memories. We especially want to thank our guide Ishar. He was simply wonderful! Ishar is a true professional. He speaks English superbly and has deep knowledge of the history, culture and nature of Sri Lanka. Thanks to him, the tour was not just a sightseeing trip but an exciting journey into the world of this amazing country. The safari in Yala National Park impressed me most of all. Four hours flew by in a moment! We saw a huge number of wild animals: majestic elephants, a leopard (it was truly incredible!), deer, buffaloes, monkeys, crocodiles, monitor lizards and many beautiful birds. Ishar and the safari driver skilfully found the most interesting spots and told us about the animals' habits, which made the safari even more exciting. Ravana Falls, Adam's Peak viewpoint, the Nine Arch Bridge, the train ride and the tea plantation were all lovely, but the Yala safari was the real highlight of the tour. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the real Sri Lanka and have unforgettable experiences. And be sure to ask for Ishar as your guide (by the way, he's from Belarus)! You won't regret it. Thank you for a wonderful day!
Yulia
05.07.2025
We've just come back from the 🗿 Galle Fort + 🛶 River Safari tour! It was wonderful! I recommend it to everyone! Of course, a lot of the tour depends on the guide. Ours was beyond praise! His name is MANO. He speaks English excellently, knows the history of Sri Lanka inside out, answers all our questions, makes witty jokes at just the right moments and takes professional photos. In short, we are very happy with both the organization of the tour and how it was run! Special thanks to the driver too! The tour itself is fire! 🔥🔥🔥 We liked absolutely everything!!! THANK YOU!
Alyona
21.06.2025
Hello! We chose the one-day Kandy tour. It was very interesting and full, and it was led by a professional English-speaking guide, Denish. Denish is a very friendly, knowledgeable and conscientious guide with a great sense of humour. If you want unforgettable travel and lots of knowledge and impressions of Sri Lanka, we are sure you should definitely get in touch with this company! You won't be bored for a moment.
Reham
16.06.2025
Hello, I had an amazing 3-day tour in Sri Lanka, thanks to our fantastic tour guide and driver. Our tour guide, Mr Deshan, was incredibly knowledgeable, kind and caring. He did everything to make sure every part of the trip was enjoyable, informative and perfectly organized. The driver, Mr Jagath, was equally wonderful, always punctual and professional, and made us feel comfortable throughout the journey. Together, they made this trip truly unforgettable. I highly recommend them to anyone visiting Sri Lanka. You'll be in great hands.
How to prepare for a tour in Sri Lanka
Packed lunch from your hotel
If your hotel provides a packed lunch for tours, it's a convenient option for day trips and sightseeing.
Swimming gear
Pack swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes. Swimming at Hikkaduwa beaches will make your trip unforgettable!
Sun protection
Sri Lanka is a tropical country. Sunglasses and a cap will protect you from the strong sun.
Comfortable shoes
Wear comfortable, closed shoes so you feel at ease in any situation.
Chargers
Don't forget your chargers so you stay connected and can capture the moments of your tour.
Money for personal expenses
Although the main costs are included in the tour, it's useful to carry some cash for shopping and souvenirs.
Raincoat
During the rainy season in Sri Lanka, a light raincoat will keep you dry so you can enjoy your trip.
Prefer to travel at your own pace? Book a private driver
Set off on an exciting journey along a beautiful route with a professional English-speaking driver who will show you all the main sights, offering comfort and unforgettable experiences.
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Popular questions about the Galle Fort and River Safari tour
How long does the tour take?
The Galle Fort and river safari tour takes about 2.5 to 3 hours at Galle Fort and 1 to 2 hours on the river safari.
Is lunch included in the tour price?
Lunch is available for an extra charge at local restaurants.
What should I bring on the tour?
Don't forget a charger for your devices so you can stay connected and take photos along the way. A lunch box for snacks is also handy, especially if the tour lasts all day. Cash for personal expenses is always a good idea, as you may want to buy souvenirs or drinks.
What safety measures are in place during the river safari?
All safety measures are strictly followed, including life jackets and professional guides.
How should I prepare for Sri Lanka's climate?
Sri Lanka's weather can be hot and sunny, but sudden rain showers are also common and can affect your comfort on the tour. We recommend a light jacket or rain jacket, plus sunscreen to protect you from UV rays. Comfortable socks and shoes will help you feel at ease on any surface.