Sigiriya: Night Loris Watching Walk & Sam Popham Arboretum Tour

Summary

Nighttime walks in Sigiriya’s wild arboretum searching for lorises with local naturalists

You’ll follow local naturalists through Sigiriya’s Sam Popham Arboretum after dark, searching for rare slender lorises with special torches. Expect muddy shoes, close-up moments with wildlife like civet cats or mouse deer, and stories from guides who know every tree by heart. It’s quiet, strange, sometimes funny — you’ll remember how it feels long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I almost bailed when I realized how dark it gets out near Sigiriya. The driver missed the turn to Sam Popham’s Arboretum, so we arrived a bit flustered and late. Our guide, Chatura, just grinned and handed me a torch with this weird red light. “Better for the animals,” he said. I was still trying to get my bearings when the forest took over — everything smelled damp and alive, like crushed leaves and wet bark. There were frogs somewhere, making that rubbery sound they do.

Chatura walked slow, pointing out tiny things with his red beam — a mouse deer’s print, some sticky sap on a tree trunk. He told us about Sam Popham (British guy who apparently loved trees so much he made this whole place), but honestly I was distracted by the way the air felt heavy and close. We’d stop every few steps and listen — sometimes you could hear something moving above us, but it was hard to tell if it was wind or animal or just your own nerves. The main keyword here is “loris watching,” but there’s more to it than just spotting them.

I didn’t expect how small and ghostly the slender loris would look when we finally found one. Chatura switched to white light for a second — its eyes went wide and glassy, shining back at us from high up in the branches. It barely moved; just stared like it knew all our secrets. Someone behind me whispered “wow” and I think we all felt weirdly lucky. On the way back we saw a civet cat dart across the path, which made me jump (Chatura laughed). My shoes got muddy but I didn’t care much at that point.

I still think about that silence after we switched off our torches for a minute — you could hear insects buzzing and something soft landing in the leaves overhead. If you’re curious about loris watching in Sigiriya or want a night walk that feels real (sometimes awkward, sometimes magical), this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Night walk to spot slender loris

• Meet naturalist guide
• Walk through Sam Popham’s Arboretum
• Use red light torches to search loris
• Spot slender loris and other animals
• Switch to white light when loris found
• Observe mouse deer, civet cats, rabbits
• Complete night walk experience

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this loris watching tour?

No, hotel pickup is not included based on available information.

Where does the night walk take place?

The night walk takes place in Sam Popham's Arboretum near Sigiriya.

Who leads the loris watching experience?

The tour is led by expert naturalist guides familiar with the arboretum.

What animals might I see besides lorises?

You might also spot mouse deer, civet cats, rabbits, birds, butterflies, and dragonflies.

Is this activity suitable for people with limited mobility?

No, it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or low physical fitness.

Are entry tickets included in the price?

Yes, entrance tickets to Sam Popham's Arboretum are included.

How do guides find lorises during the tour?

Guides use red-light torches to search for lorises and switch to white lights briefly when one is spotted.

What should I wear or bring on this night walk?

Wear comfortable shoes that can get muddy; bring insect repellent if needed.

What’s included

Your evening includes entry to Sam Popham’s Arboretum in Sigiriya plus commentary from an expert naturalist guide who leads you on a nighttime nature hike using special torches to spot slender lorises and other wildlife along the way.