Quick answer
Two weeks in Sri Lanka in September should follow the east-coast route: three nights at Sigiriya, three at Trincomalee or Nilaveli, two in Kandy, one in Nuwara Eliya, two in Ella, one at Udawalawe and a last night at Negombo. The east coast usually stays dry and calm for most of September and is much quieter than in August. Yala's main block usually closes from about September to mid-October, so Udawalawe is the safari stop.
Key takeaways
- September keeps dry east-coast weather for most of the month, with far fewer visitors than July or August.
- Block I of Yala National Park usually closes from about September to mid-October; the dates are set each year.
- Udawalawe National Park stays open all year and is the standard safari stop on a September fortnight.
- The elephant Gathering at Minneriya and Kaudulla usually continues through September.
- Late September can bring the first inter-monsoon showers, so the earlier half of the month is the safer choice.
The two-week route for September
September follows the east-coast version of the fortnight without alteration. That route was written with Udawalawe as its safari stop for exactly this reason: in September the best-known park in the country is usually shut.
The order matters more in September than in July. Put the beach in the first week, straight after Sigiriya, so the east-coast nights fall while the weather is at its most settled.
- →Sigiriya, three nights: the rock, Polonnaruwa and the Gathering.
- →Trincomalee or Nilaveli, three nights: roughly two to three hours from Sigiriya.
- →Kandy, two nights: roughly four to four and a half hours from Trincomalee.
- →Nuwara Eliya, one night, then the train to Ella for two nights.
- →Udawalawe, one night: roughly two to two and a half hours from Ella.
- →Negombo, one night: roughly four and a half to five and a half hours from Udawalawe.
The Yala closure and what replaces it
Yala National Park's Block I, the section almost every visitor uses, usually closes for several weeks from about September to mid-October. The closure rests the park at the driest point of the year. The exact dates are announced by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and vary, so confirm them before fixing a route.
Udawalawe National Park is the natural replacement. It is known for large herds of elephants seen at close range on open grassland, and it is open all year. What it does not offer is a realistic chance of a leopard.
- →Choose Udawalawe for elephants, an easy afternoon drive and a shorter route to the airport.
- →Choose Wilpattu, in the north-west, if a leopard matters; it fits best at the very start of the trip.
- →Other Yala blocks sometimes stay open in September; ask locally, and expect fewer animals.
September weather across Sri Lanka
September weather in Sri Lanka is transitional. The south-west monsoon is fading, so the south and west coasts see longer dry spells, and the east is still in its dry season. From late September the second inter-monsoon begins to build, with thunderstorms in the afternoons.
There is always a good coast in Sri Lanka, and in September it remains the east, with the south beginning to recover.
- →East coast: dry and calm for most of the month; showers possible late on.
- →Cultural Triangle: very dry and hot, with the tanks at their lowest.
- →Hill country: mixed, with clearer mornings than in June or July.
- →South coast: improving, but the sea is often still rough.
Elephants in September
September is a superb month for elephants. The Gathering at Minneriya usually continues through the month, and the herds often shift to Kaudulla National Park as Minneriya's grass is grazed down. With fewer visitors than in August, the afternoon drives are calmer.
A September fortnight therefore sees elephants twice: the great herds of the Cultural Triangle in the first days, and the resident herds of Udawalawe near the end. For most travellers that more than makes up for missing Yala.
Who a September fortnight suits
A September fortnight suits couples and anyone free of school terms. Choose September for east-coast weather at lower prices, quiet sites and elephants in number. Choose another month if a leopard safari in Yala is the main reason for the trip, or if whale watching from Mirissa is.
Mid-range travel in September usually sits towards the lower end of roughly US$80 to US$180 per person per day, since most of the island is in low or shoulder season.
Planning two weeks in Sri Lanka in September
Planning two weeks in Sri Lanka in September is straightforward once the Yala question is settled. Hotels are easy to book, train seats are available closer to the date and plans can be changed on the day.
Lankan Stays & Trails can confirm the year's closure dates before the route is fixed, and can add Wilpattu for travellers set on a leopard. The east-coast version of the 14-day itinerary lays out each day.
Frequently asked questions
Is September a good time for two weeks in Sri Lanka?
Yes. September has dry weather on the east coast and in the Cultural Triangle for most of the month, the elephant Gathering is still running and crowds are much thinner than in August. The main limitation is that Yala's main block is usually closed.
Is Yala National Park closed in September?
Usually, yes. Block I of Yala, the most visited section, generally closes from about September to mid-October, though the dates change each year and are set by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Other blocks may remain open. Confirm before you book.
Where can I go on safari in Sri Lanka in September?
Udawalawe National Park is the main choice in September, with reliable elephants all year. Minneriya and Kaudulla have the elephant Gathering, and Wilpattu in the north-west offers leopards and sloth bears with few jeeps. All are open when Yala's main block is closed.
Is the east coast of Sri Lanka still good in September?
Yes. Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Pasikudah usually stay dry and calm through most of September, and they are far quieter than in August. Showers become more likely late in the month as the inter-monsoon period approaches, so earlier dates are safer.
Is Sri Lanka cheaper in September?
Generally, yes. September is low or shoulder season across most of the island. East-coast hotels reduce their August rates, and the south and west coasts are still at low-season prices. Flights are often cheaper too, once the school holidays end.
Can I surf at Arugam Bay in September?
Yes. Arugam Bay's surf season runs roughly from May to September, and September often has good waves with a thinner crowd in the water. Some businesses begin to close towards the end of the month, so early to mid-September is the better time.