Where to Go: the 4 Best Temple & Wildlife Days Around the World

1.Sigiriya, Dambulla Caves, & Wildlife Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 26 reviews · 14 hours · from $60Our pick

Travel from Colombo to Sigiriya, climb the 1,300 steps of Lion Rock, eat a fresh village lunch, visit Dambulla Cave Temple, and join a wildlife safari. English-speaking guides such as Malintha, Janaka, and Lakindu have earned praise, but confirm extra fees before booking.

“This tour was not so good. The start was delayed by 45 minutes and we were picked up. When driving to and from Sigiriya, we had to pay a separate fee for the highway, and the entrance fees for Dambulla Cave and Sigiriya Rock were separate fees. I was taken out of the car alone without a guide and made to see the tours without knowing anything. Even though I wanted to go to Sigiriya Rock quickly, I was forced to join unnecessary safari tours and buffalo tours, and I was forced to spend time, so I had little time to see Sigiriya Rock. I was also suddenly forced to…”

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2.From Anuradhapura:Wilpattu Full-Day Wildlife Safari.

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 19 reviews · 1 day · from $121

Set out from Anuradhapura in a private vehicle, then spend the day in Wilpattu National Park with a customized 4x4 safari jeep. English-speaking staff, breakfast, lunch, drinks, and hotel transfers are included. Drivers such as Prasanna have earned praise for careful driving and attentive service.

“We had an amazing day at Wilpattu 🙏🏻 Everything was well organised.”

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3.DAY TRIP TO Debre Libanos Monastery Cave Church Nature and Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · from $275

Travel privately from Addis Ababa over the Entoto Mountains to Debre Libanos, a major Ethiopian Orthodox pilgrimage site. Your guide explains the monastery, holy water tradition, Portuguese Bridge, wildlife, and local customs. The day includes hotel transfers, lunch, entrance fees, bottled water, and a coffee ceremony.

“I highly recommend this tour! A complete 10/10. My tour guide Melaku was professional and knowledgeable and as a plus he speaks perfect English, which was helpful as I am a U.S. traveler. Additionally, I am a solo female traveler and I felt 100Read more”

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4.1-Day Tour Old bridge, Monastery,water falls Wildlife,Birds,

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $148Top rated

Travel north from Addis Ababa with a local guide such as Yonas or Adisu to visit Debre Libanos Monastery, Tekle Haymanot’s cave, the Portuguese Bridge, waterfalls, and Jemma Gorge. The 7-hour trip includes transport, lunch, admissions, coffee, water, WiFi, and a maximum of six people.

“I had a two-day stop over in Addis and contacted Yonas to set up some tours. On Sunday, he arranged for a trip to the Blue Nile Gorge, a couple of hours outside Addis. My driver/guide, Adisu, expertly navigated the Addis traffic and in no timRead more”

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