We stayed Riu hotel for two weeks. We wanted to do a tour for wildlife. And we met padmi (our tour guide) and first he was very friendly and explained him and his tours. We booked yala safari with him. We started 4 am from our hotel and the car is too old and not a comfortable one. Too much sound, because of it's old. Also in the tour we didn't see any animal as he described. Too short and nothing , also no explain about anything. Cheated us a lot and got our money! Don't use this guy anymore and lied a lot and try for a business always for tourists.

Great trip but we made the mistake of booking via TUI from the hotel and paid twice as much for the same experience as other people on the boat! There are lots of small firms/taxis that can take you, negotiate and you can save a lot of money. Another couple used Thilina Tours (009477323814) and saved $100. You will be offered sea sickness pills on most boats - take them!! You will be out for hours, and the boat "bobs" waiting for a whale to surface, the sets off to get close. We stayed out for ages and saw lots, the last one from 50 metres. It was almost magical, and when you see these enormous creatures (15 metres long and bigger than a bus) out in the ocean it does make you reflect on our place in this planet. If you go to Sri Lanka and don't do this, you will regret it.