Tour Reviews, Testimonials from Australia

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We probably weren’t the typical guests. Really enjoyed our short tour

2 Mar 2023
Imogen Smith & Mike Blewilt with

Imogen Smith & Mike Blewilt with Dhammika

Imorgen and I really enjoyed our short tour. We probably weren’t the typical guests you have, as we opted for a short, custom tour, instead of 15 or 21 days.

Nevertheless, we felt that we saw so much!

We was varied wildlife and ****** between Yala NP and up to Sinharaja Forest. Dhammika was an excellent guide, full of knowledge on birds and Sri Lanka’s history. He was also a safe driver and readily adapted our ways  to suit conditions and our needs.

We had a fantastic & memorable trip.

Thank you Dammika, Jith, Chandana!

We say 127 species including 21 endemics in 3 days with some weather interruptions & couldn’t be happier!

Dammika is an incredible guide – we highly recommend him and encourage all birders to use Walk With Jith.

Possibly even better than last time! 3rd tour.

24 Oct 2022
Tony Wilson with guide Indunil and driver Thilina at Ella

Tony Wilson with guide Indunil and driver Thilina at Ella

First, my apologies for my very slow response with these thoughts after my recent tour. 

As always it was a delightful tour with many highlights. Some great birds, wonderful dramatic landscapes, comfortable accommodation, and excellent meals. (Possibly even better than last time!) This was my third Walk With Jith Sri Lanka wildlife tour and I'll be back for more. There are many places in Sri Lanka I have not been to yet, and old favourites to return to. 

My expert guides Thillina and Indunil were kind, thoughtful, and good company. Their ability to find difficult birds is second to none, and I want to make special mention of Indunil's smooth, careful driving: I always felt safe and comfortable. 

DESTINATIONS: 

Saw all 34 endemics with ease!

15 Feb 2020
Corey and Diane Callaghan with Athula

Corey and Diane Callaghan with Athula

Diane and I are sitting at the airport now waiting for our flight. I wanted to email you and thank you (and Athula) for the amazing experience and trip we had. Feel free to copy and paste any or all of this commentary onto your website, and especially onto Athula's reviews.

From the very beginning, the experience was great as the response to our initial inquiries was very quick and professional. The trip was organized well with a great itinerary.

Wonderful experience. We will come back!

30 Jan 2020
Christine tea plucking

Christine tea plucking

Walk With Jith tours was a wonderful experience for us. Our driver Dammika was a wealth of information in every aspect. His calming, friendly manner made every part of our journey wonderful. We have nothing but praise for him and are very thankful that he was our guide for our tour of Sri Lanka.  

We will come back!

Christine and Terrence

Christine Rutar
Melbourne
Australia

30th January – 10th February 2020

Itinerary was well thought out & planned. Thilina, went above and beyond

28 Oct 2019
Tony Wilson's Tour

Tony Wilson's Tour

An Excellent tour which covered all our requests and needs. The itinerary was well thought out and planned. The tour guide, Thilina, went above and beyond to make sure that we were always comfortable, happy, fed and that good service was provided by our accommodation and drivers.

Thilina’s knowledge of birds and his ability to see them in all types of light and vegetation was impressive!

Looking forward to planning our next trip. ​

Tony Wilson
Australia

28th October – 20th November 2019

Birds and other wildlife -- we got everything and much more from our tour.

21 Sep 2019
Robb Dunn and Barbara Liddle

Robb Dunn and Barbara Liddle

As two people interested in birds and other wildlife, we got everything and much more from our tour. While the national parks were amazing, walk with Jith’s contacts with local villages were equally memorable. The knowledge and enthusiasm of our expert guide and friendliness of all the special jeep drivers made for a wonderful experience in a beautiful country. Go to Sri Lanka for your own walk with Jith! You wont be disappointed!

Guide Thilina recommended especially of bird photographers -- outstanding!

7 Apr 2019

Tony and Christine with Thilina
Tony and Christine with Thilina

We could not have wished for better.

Our guide Tilly (Thilina) was outstanding and we would recommend him to anyone- especially bird photographers. Accommodation was very good and the gardens around Hibiscus and Blue Magpie were “dripping” with birds.

We had a great holiday and would definitely use WWJ again. These guys really know their birds and where to find them.

Tony and Christine

Australia

Guide Dhammika - very knowledgeable, affable and fun to be with

18 Feb 2019

Jon Wilson - Lynne Martin
Jon Wilson - Lynne Martin

We had an excellent trip.

Our guide Dhammika was very knowledgeable, affable and fun to be with.

The care and attention and emphasis on meeting our individual needs was always a priority. Sri Lanka is a treasure house for birding, and we were guided wonderfully well to see all we wanted to see. In addition, the driving, drivers, tracker, hotels and extra activities were fabulous. Overall, we would highly recommend walk with Jith and Dhammika.

Thank you.

Jon Wilson - Lynne Martin
Jon Wilson - Lynne Martin

 

Jon Wilson - Lynne Martin
Jon Wilson - Lynne Martin

Understanding, attentive, punctual, v. good sense of humor -- decided to come back!

12 Feb 2019
Christine and Carole with Chameera

Christine and Carole with Chameera

Dear Jith,

Thank you so much for a wonderful holiday!

We thought we would give detailed feedback in email form and enclose a photo or two.

GUIDE

Our guide Chameera was just perfect. He quickly realised in early conversations what we wanted from our holiday and tailored it to be just right for us. He was quietly attentive, punctual and had a very good sense of humour, coping very well with us! He also introduced us to a bit of bird watching and despite this being a non-birding holiday, we saw ten endemics which gave us a lot of pleasure.

We had such a good experience with Cham and enjoyed Sri Lanka so much that we have decided to come back next year and would very much like Cham to be our guide. We have already discussed a rough itinerary with him for next year.

HOTELS

Kingsbury Hotel  - 5 Stars from us.

Sorrowa Resort - 3 stars from us.

For a combined wildlife and cultural trip, the bird list exceeded my expectations

24 Jan 2019
Murrya Lord and Family

Murrya Lord and Family

“Organising the trip could not have been any easier. It only took a couple of emails to agree the plan and then we got pricing which made clear what was and was not included. Quick turnaround on questions gave a very positive impression.

Dhammika was a good, professional guide and a safe driver. He was always good humoured and worked hard to make the holiday work smoothly yet flexibly. For a combined wildlife and cultural trip, the bird list exceeded my expectations. We all enjoyed the variety of interesting activities, good accommodations and good wildlife sightings.

As a suggestion for how to improve things, it would have been good if we had a more detailed briefing of what was happening in advanced each day, and sometimes being given a few more options to choose from would be helpful.

For example:

-if we’d known in advanced that the Yala safari included a two-hour lunch break we could have bought a book to read or activities for children.

20 day trip, great mix, loved Hetti

18 Dec 2018

Superb and well organised 20 day trip, loved hetti who is an expert wildlife guide. We learnt the names of many Sri Lankan birds and animals. Our trip was a great mix of different experiences from safaris and walks to ancient cultural sites. We would recommend walk with ith to others.

Our driver Sumudu had a lovely manor and kept the van very clean.
We were also appreciative of the efforts to reduce plastic water bottle waste so we bought our own water bottles and a sterilizer pen and the company provided 5 litre bottles to refill our bottles when needed.

Thank you very much Susantha. Extremely happy with everything.

14 Dec 2018

Susar gave us a feedback form to fill out but instead we’re emailing it to you as we didn't get time to fill it in by hand.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Susar for driving us around for the week. It has been the absolute best way for us to get around and see beautiful Sri Lanka.

We loved how much history Susar knew and told us about as we was passing all off the lovely landmarks. Nothing was ever too much for him and he took us wherever we needed or wanted to go.

Thank you very much, we are extremely happy with everything.

- Skjetten, Norway

Phenomenal ability to spot a difficult bird, endless patience, and a ton of energy

28 Nov 2018
Tony Wilson with Thilina at Lunugamvehera National Park

Tony Wilson with Thilina at Lunugamvehera National Park

I have nothing but praise for Walk With Jith. From the moment I emailed Jith to enquire about a tour, I felt that I was in safe hands, dealing with people who understood just what I wanted and were happy to provide it. I soon learned that Jith runs a very professional operation, with kindness, expertise, and thoughtful attention to detail.

My main driver Thilina was fair dinkum amazing: I reckon I’ve met some pretty good birders over the years, and I’m no beginner myself come to that, but Thilina takes the cake. Nice bloke, cheerful, easy going, phenomenal ability to spot a difficult bird, endless patience, and a ton of energy. We did an eclectic mixture of bird photography, hard-core birding, landscape photography, and various other things as the fancy took us. Perfect.

Thank you for an awesome Honeymoon experience

2 Oct 2018
Matt Nobes with Athula

Matt Nobes with Athula

My wife and I have spent a week with Athula and its been amazing. Sri Lanka is a beautiful Country but without Athula as our guide, we wouldn't have learn’t half as much as we have and it wouldn't have been as easy to get around and see everything we have seen.

The suggested hotels have been great with some great locations and the itinerary that was put together for us has been excellent for us. We’ve enjoyed the adventure that Sri Lanka has offered with the luxury element that walkwithjith provides organizing the trip was easy with jith. Hes got great knowledge and was always fast to reply or change elements of the plan for us.

Thank you for an awesome Honeymoon experience Jith and Athula. 

 

Matt Nobes

Sydney, Australia

Thilina - best bird guide we have ever encountered

7 Aug 2018

Yolande Cozijn Warren Wilson and Guide Thilina
Yolande Cozijn Warren Wilson and Guide Thilina

Take a look at there Photo Book here: https://my.album.works/2NFFcyG

Bookings, itinerary, airport reception all very good.

All hotels very good except hotel “Leisure Village” hotel, Nuwara Eliya. Much below standard for our company clients. Must be better standard in future.

For us, the full day at Yala National Park was too long. Emphasis for us – perhaps OK for others.

Vehicle always clean, comfortable and felt safe.

6th visit since 2007 - 10 Years of memories

16 Jun 2017

Australian + Irish Group
Australian-Irish Group - June 2017

Thanks again Burgher brother
Like a bad smell I’ll be back.
Next time 35 people!
Dave

***

We really do appreciate your earnest attention to detial in planning the itinerary and selection of hotels. Your selection of Sri Lanka’s flora & fauna and your patience in assisting with all the details to ensure that once again we have had a wonderful holiday.
Many thanks.
Trish & Kichard Groom.
Melborne, Australia

***

To my Dear friend Jith,
Many years of tours with you and many pleasurable memories. Thank you yet again for all your attention to detail and company. I am getting ideas for our next tour. 
Another success. 
Thanks Jenn xx.
(your co-guide).
Melb. Australia.
P.S. look forward to a visit from you to Melbourne.

Birding, architecture, culture, wildlife - excellent all the way!

24 Apr 2017

Simon and Andrew with Athula
Simon and Andrew with Athula

Excellent in every way. During the planning stages Jith was prompt, responsive and always full of suggestions. Once in Sri Lanka, both our guides were excellent – they knew their birds and where to find them, and they were just as helpful in other ways (this was as much an architectural / cultural trip as a wildlife trip). What was most impressive was the way everything was handled when a close relative of our guide, Saman, passed away overnight in the middle of the trip. Everything was seamless – a new guide was there in the morning, allowing Saman to go home and us to continue without a hitch, and despite having driven half the night to get to us with almost no notice, our new guide was chirpy, happy and on the ball from the outset.

Absolutely Love all the birds & animals we observed

6 Feb 2017

Carol Hopkins  Graeme Munro-tour-Walk-With-Jith-2017
Carol Hopkins Graeme Munro-tour-Walk-With-Jith-2017

It ws a fantastic tour, Jith. Absolutely Love all the birds & animals we observed. Comments by email when we return to Australia in 1 weeks’ time. Thank you for the gift.

Carol Hopkins

6. FEB 2017

===

Hi Jith
As promised, here is my review of our 11-Day birding and wildlife tour, completed on 6 Feb 2017.

Overall Summary
This was a well organised tour, tailor-made to our requests, which provided a fabulous opportunity to see a huge variety of birds and animals with the help of a very knowledgeable and efficient guide and staying in comfortable accommodation with good service and meals.

Knew where most species possible and also to get the best photographic opportunities

3 Dec 2016

Damon Ramsey
Damon Ramsey bird watching

hi Prasanjith

Yea, sorry for the delay in replying, I meant to email you a few days ago, but I am back at work already and busy again!

As you can see I have put in half a dozen pages on various Sri Lankan spots so feel free to link to whatever you want.

I tried to get as many reports and images done while at mirrisa, but now I have left the country, I probably won't add to much more at this stage, maybe just a little tinkering..

It was good to be guided to see all the endemics in 10 days

18 Apr 2016

peter_marsack_and_janet_gardner_with_saman_02_.jpg
Peter Marsack and Janet Gardner with Saman

An excellent tour, and Saman was an excellent guide – very knowledgeable about the birds but also other wildlife and culture. Having two teenagers with little interest in birding could have made it difficult, but Saman did well to involve them sometimes and keep them interested.

With our particular interest in the birds, it was good to be guided to see all the endemics in 10 days – we would certainly not have found them all without help. We also got to see the pride Sri Lankans have in their wildlife and natural heritage, something other countries could aspire to.

Best things about Sri Lanka; friendliness and welcoming attitude of the people

8 Jul 2015
cath-errington-magan-michael-with-manju.jpg
Manju, Megan, Cath Errington and Michael
 
We had a very enjoyable time travelling around Sri Lanka with Manju. Manju was able to tell us lots of interesting facts and found local guides for us at major sites. He looked after us very well the whole time.
Our accommodation was very good and the food was wonderful, portions huge. We were lucky enough to see many elephants of all sizes, visit interesting ruins and majestic temples. One of the best things about Sri Lanka is the friendliness and welcoming attitude of the people. I would highly recommend this company as everything was organized perfectly.
Australia, Wollongong

Jaffna Crab … just wonderful!! Trinco is always a favourite

27 Jun 2015

dinner_at_navam_and_regis_house_-_jenn_rob_davida_neil_marilyn_david.jpg
Dinner at Navam and Regis' House - Jenn, Rob, Davida, Neil, Marilyn, David

July 2015

4th visit to Sri Lanka! I am amazed, jith, that you still are welcoming and as usual, made out stay in your home and as we travelled around simply great! I still have not learned any Sinhalese, and am probably now holding a record for you seeing temples both old and new. Thanks again for your friendship and your attention to detail. I look forward to showing you Ireland! – soon!!

David De La Harpe Golden

-----------

July 2015

Koush is one of the best bird guides I have encountered

17 Feb 2015

 

Photo from Tony's tour
Photo from Tony's tour

17 February to 1st March 2015

Hi Jith

Sorry for the delay in responding to your request for feedback but after Sri Lanka I was working in Malaysia for a week and have not long been back … only to arrive in the middle of our cyclone season.

The following comments are mine alone - I believe Christine will send her thoughts separately:

1. The overall experience - probably 7/10. Part of the problem was of my own making because I tried to get an itinerary that would provide something for everyone, and frankly, that didn’t work. There was too much driving and too many days when there was no birding, or very little. But when we did get to the good spots the birding was often excellent and Koush eventually got the hang of working with a ‘photographer’ who needs good light, not just sightings.

The Sri Lanka feast on our final night was delicious

20 Sep 2014

Prasanjith briefing on the food at the dinner table to Isabelle and Bert
Prasanjith briefing on the food at the dinner table to Isabelle and Bert

20 September 2014

To Jith,

Thank you for organizing the most wonderful tour of Sri Lanka for us. We loved every minute. It is such a beautiful country. We thank you to Upali also – a wonderful driver, guide, naturalist and friend. Finally thank you for letting us stay at your amazing house and sharing special family time with Nirosha and Dinitha and us. Such an honour to meet you all. It felt like we had known each other for years! And the Sri Lanka feast on our final night was delicious – we will be dreaming of the food when we are back in Australia!

Love from Isabelle & Bert :)

Upali really made our trip one that will never be forgotten

20 Oct 2013

Clay, Marcelle and Nirosha
Clay, Marcelle and Nirosha

20.10.2013

Jith,

Our most sincere thanks to you and your young family for not only organizing an unforgettable holiday, but also for sharing your lovely home. Some of our fondest memories will no doubt be those spent in Colombo. As for your tour, we could not have hoped for a better driver than Upali. His knowledge of SRI LANKA and its natural habitats and animals were not only extensive, but extremely interesting. He really made our trip one that will never be forgotten. We look forward to seeing you soon in Australia.

Clay and Marcelle

Melbourne, Australia

Clay and Marcelle

Clay and Marcelle​

A group of 25 from Australia

10 Aug 2013

Grand-Hotel-Nuwara-Eliya--De-La-Harpe-Group
Grand-Hotel-Nuwara-Eliya- Australian, Irish Group 2013

 

10-8-2013

To My Friend Jith,

Thanks again for another successful trip. I've had an absolute ball. As always your smile make SRI LANKA so so enjoyable.
Until next time Jith
Love Jenn xxxx

P.S LOVED the train trip :)

Dear Jith, once again thank you for a wonderful tour. Jith is the star of a life long friendship.

Your Burgher bother
Dave

Dear Jith

Well done for the superb trip you planned for us all.
Probably the best adventure in my life.
I hope we do this again one day.

Kind Regards
Stephen Wood

16 08 2013

Dear Jith,

Manju was an excellent driver and Upali is a very fine and knowledgeable person

1 Apr 2013

Nancye, Manju, Upali and Margaret
Nancye, Manju, Upali and Margaret

1 - 16 April 2013

Hi Jith,
Just a note to let you know that we returned safely after our short visit to Kerala.
Our tour with you was excellent. The van was in great condition, Manju was an excellent driver and Upali is a very fine and knowledgeable person. We all got along very well together and enjoyed every day of our tour. I also thank you for the map of Sri Lanka, the bird list and the bird book. All were put to great use during our visit and I wish that all tour operators would provide these facilities for us.

It will take me quite some time to sort through all of the photos that I took and keep just the very best ones to share with others. When I do this, I will send access for you.

Thanks once again Jith for an excellent tour. 

Australian Group

23 Mar 2012

Australian, Irish Group 2012
Australian, Irish Group 2012

March 2012 
The De La Harpers (again)

Dear Jith,
Thank you for looking after us as well again in thins our third trip with you. This time even more family & friends made a large tour but as usual organized everything to perfection. I think you are also now family! Each time I come there I see even more of the beauty of the country, culture, and wildlife.
We will be back!
From Davide De La Harpe – Golden 

Dear Jith, 
What DAVIDA writes also goes for me. I hope we will revisit ------ hike the ancient Buddhist remains at Dambulla, Nuwara Eliya, Yala N. Park and perhaps see the North of Sri Lankain the future. Your care and patience have been --------- – but you did not mention devils this time…..
From Niel Golden

We had never done a tour before, of any sorts, so were a bit nervous – but this has been perfect

15 Dec 2011

Thrish and Andrew at Yala National Park
Thrish and Andrew at Yala National Park

More information and photos of this tour is in the trip report they wrote is here >>

15th December 2011

I'll be back because I'm your Burger brother!

1 Dec 2007

Norman David, Peter Golden, Erica De La Harpe, Shane Carter, Davida De La Harpe Golden, David De La Harpe, Neil Golden
Norman David, Peter Golden, Erica De La Harpe, Shane Carter, Davida De La Harpe Golden, David De La Harpe, Neil Golden

See more pictures of their tour here >>

1st - 14th December 2007
The Dela Harpe - Golden - Carter Group

Prasanjith,

You made certain our visit was one of the best experience we have had - You patience with expatriate Sri Lankans will go down in family history as a legend. I hope we will feature in your family history also as a legend - especially Norman!!
- Davida de Dela Harpe - Golden

 Thank you for a great & very interesting holiday and for your care and consideration 
- Neil Golden

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