Hambantota Port Shore Excursions
A private car and driver waiting at the port, a day planned around your ship's hours, and back on board in good time.
Cruise shore excursions
Your Day Ashore from Hambantota
Hambantota Port puts cruise passengers within easy reach of some of Sri Lanka's best wildlife. Bundala's wetlands are close by, Udawalawe and Yala are an hour or more away, and the temple towns of Tissamaharama and Kataragama are on the way to Yala.
We are based about 20 minutes from the port, so a shore day is a short run for us. Send us your ship's arrival and all-aboard times, and we will plan a private excursion that fits the hours you have, with the driving time worked out honestly so you are back with a comfortable margin.
- Back before all-aboard
We plan the day backwards from your all-aboard time, with a margin built in, and keep an eye on the clock for you.
- Just your group
No coach and no waiting for other passengers — your own car or van and driver for the day.
- One price for the whole vehicle
Agreed on WhatsApp before you travel, with fuel, the driver, tolls and parking in it. Four of you pay what one of you would.
Shore Excursion Ideas
Every excursion is private, so any of these can be combined or shortened to fit your time in port.
Yala safari — leopards, elephants and sloth bears. Best on a long port day, as the park is about an hour and a half away. Udawalawe safari — the most dependable elephant sightings on the island, about an hour and a quarter from the port. Bundala National Park — wetland birds, crocodiles and elephants, the closest national park to the port. Walawe river boat safari — a gentle boat ride through the mangroves at Ambalantota, close to the port. Tissamaharama and Kataragama — ancient stupas, Tissa's lake and one of Sri Lanka's great pilgrimage towns. Hambantota highlights — the Martello tower, the Mirijjawila botanical garden and the Madunagala hot springs.
How It Works
Tell us your ship, the date and how many are in your group. We suggest two or three plans that fit your time in port and agree one price for the vehicle. On the day, your driver meets you as you come out of the port and brings you back with time to spare.
Safari jeeps are required inside the national parks; we arrange one for your group, and park entry tickets are quoted separately so you know the full cost before you book.
Questions
Good to Know
We follow your arrival and adjust the plan on the day. Every plan leaves a margin before all-aboard, and a shorter trip is always better than a rushed return.
On a long enough port day, yes — the park is about an hour and a half away and a game drive takes several hours. On a shorter day, Bundala or Udawalawe is the better choice.
Park tickets are quoted separately and depend on the park and the number in your group. We tell you the exact figure before you book.
No — per vehicle, including fuel, the driver, tolls and parking.