I was also fortunate to have Roshan as my private driver for the entire trip. Having the same driver throughout made such a difference. He was friendly, reliable, patient and always made sure I was comfortable and ready for the next part of the journey.
And what a journey it was!
I visited Pinnawala, Kandy, Nanu Oya, Ella, Tissamaharama, Yala, Galle, Beruwala/Bentota and Colombo, with so many experiences along the way. Highlights included the cultural show in Kandy, visiting a tea factory, the incredible train journey through the mountains, Nine Arch Bridge, Ella Waterfall and a safari in Yala National Park, where I saw elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, deer, peacocks and countless birds.
The itinerary also gave me opportunities to experience everyday Sri Lankan life rather than just the major tourist attractions. I visited mosques, explored villages, met local people, learned about traditional cinnamon production and saw how freshly caught fish are dried. The river safari and turtle conservation project were particularly memorable, and being able to hold baby turtles was an unforgettable experience.
The hotels arranged by Lion Voyages were another highlight. Every one was excellent, and I was genuinely shocked when Wes surprised me with a 5-star beachfront hotel in Beruwala for the final part of my trip. After several busy days of exploring, it was the perfect place to relax.
One of the things I appreciated most was the personalised nature of the trip. Lion Voyages didn’t just provide transport and hotels; they put together an entire experience. Whenever something unexpected happened—such as the train being more than an hour late and subsequently taking 4.5 hours because of brake problems—Roshan was there to make sure everything else went smoothly.
If you’re considering visiting Sri Lanka, I would definitely recommend using Lion Voyages rather than trying to organise everything yourself. Sri Lanka has so much to see, and having someone who knows the country, understands the routes and can organise everything around your interests makes the experience considerably easier.
Thank you to everyone at Lion Voyages for an amazing introduction to Sri Lanka. I arrived as a visitor and left with a week full of incredible memories. I would absolutely use Lion Voyages again.
