Live an immersive experience in Sri Lanka and take part in two scientific projects: on elephants and leopards. All scientific trips here
Elephant and leopard kingdom in Sri Lanka
The jewel of the Indian Ocean, ancient Ceylon is home to a particularly rich fauna and flora! Our partner OSI will be accompanying you on two wildlife research projects in Sri Lanka: on leopards and elephants. You'll join a team of researchers and experience a real scientific adventure! The elephant monitoring project will take you to Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. You'll take part in transects to count elephants, identify individuals and analyze their tracks and behavior. The Ceylon panther project will take you to Kotagala. You will set up and retrieve camera traps to capture images of the Ceylon Panther and other species.
Participation in elephant and leopard data collection
You will join two scientific projects, one on leopards, the other on elephants. Your observations and the data collected in the field will be used to better understand the behavior, ecology and needs of these animals.
Course of the scientific visit
- Day 1: Arrival in Colombo. Tour of the city and its temples, visit to a museum where treasures from the past reveal the country's deep roots.
- Day 2: Departure for Minneriya National Park. You drive to Minneriya National Park, famous for its exceptional wildlife. The afternoon will be devoted to a presentation of the local biodiversity and the project you will be working on over the next few days.
- Days 3 to 10: Elephant Project in Minneriya. Immerse yourself in a unique scientific and educational project on elephants. Explore the ecosystems and take part in interactive workshops with your guides. Don't miss climbing Lyon Rock and Pidurangala Rock in Sigirya for breathtaking sunsets, and if time permits, a visit to the town of Polonnâruvâ to immerse yourself in ancient ruins. Nights are spent in Minneriya National Park, close to the wildlife, in the national park lodge.
- Day 11: An early-morning transfer takes you to the sacred city of Kandy. The afternoon will be devoted to a visit to an emblematic temple, witness to a spiritual heritage.
- Day 12: Train to Kotagala then Jeep to the heart of a tea plantation.
- Days 13 to 16: Leopard Project in Kotagala. These days will be punctuated by the leopard (or Ceylon Panther) study project.
- Day 17: A transfer to the Tangalle mangroves awaits you, where you'll explore the birdlife in the heart of the wetlands in a breathtaking natural setting.
- Day 18: Head to Galle in the morning for an immersion in its rich historical heritage. Stroll along the ramparts and lose yourself in the narrow streets steeped in history. In the evening, a train takes you back to Colombo for your last visit.
- Day 19: Departure
- Single date from Sunday, September 21 to Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Price: €4,980, tax deductible
Tax deduction *
The NGO partner Objectif Sciences international is recognized for the quality, usefulness, solidarity and educational nature of its stays and training courses dedicated to achieving the goals of sustainable development. The NGO operates on the donation-action principle. A person makes a donation and participates in an NGO action. Note that the person making the donation may be different from the person taking the action. As such, the cost of the training or scientific stay is tax-deductible up to 66% in France.
- An immersive experience in the heart of Sri Lankan nature.
- Discovery and participation in two scientific projects on emblematic species: elephants and leopards
- The data you collect advances science
- You are accompanied by French-speaking science educators
- From age 16
- French Mission
- Single date from Sunday, September 21 to Thursday, October 9, 2025
The team
Stéphanie , founder of the association, will be your educational and logistical manager and scientific educator on this expedition. Her life in Indonesia and her experience in expedition management make her the ideal person to supervise you in the field.
Clément, Head of the OSI Wild-Attitude research and science education program. An ecologist and ethologist with a passion for living things, he spends his time between the Himalayan mountains and tropical forests. His experience in coordinating scientific and sustainable development projects ensures that field protocols are properly conducted and that the data collected is properly exploited.
Group size : 10 people
All reviews of Objectif Sciences international
The NGO partner
Partner NGO Objectif Sciences international has Special Consultative Status with the UN (ECOSOC) and is a member of the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition. Specializing in scientific trips, science and participatory research, the NGO believes that education is the driving force behind the Sustainable Development Goals. It offers a range of participatory science trips for adults and minors. All OSI programs here
