7 Private Drivers in Ella: What They Cost on the Island

1.Ella Rock & 9 Arch Bridge, Little Adams Peak with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 8 hours · from $50Our pick

Review of Ella Rock, Nine Arches Bridge, and Little Adam’s Peak with tuk-tuk transfers, lunch, guide insights, and practical hiking tips.

“This tour is definitely to be recommended. The guide, Dinu, is a really nice and passionate person. He made us spend a lovely and enjoyable day trip to the top of Ella Rock, to the Nine Arched Bridge and finally to the Little Adam's Peak. He was able to find and show us animals and plants that alone we wouldn't have noticed! The hiking path, I would say, is medium difficulty.”

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2.Transfer to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle & Yala Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 40 reviews · 4 - 10 hours · from $12Best value

Travel from Ella to Sri Lanka’s south coast with a three-hour Yala safari, elephants, leopards, crocodiles, and door-to-door hotel service.

“I had a good time on Safari with Tikiri. Even tho it rained alot we still saw plenty of animals.”

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3.Udawalawa Safari and Tangalle/Hiriketiya Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 30 reviews · 7 hours · from $48

Review the Ella to south coast transfer with a 3-hour Udawalawe safari, elephant sightings, open-jeep views, and useful booking tips.

“Otroligt safari där vi fick se elefanter, krokodiler, bufflar och en rejäl pytonorm. Allt under trygg körning och guidning från Mahesh som gärna svarade på frågor om djuren och naturen. Enda minuset var att chauffören som körde oss till och från safarit höll lite väl hög hastighet.”

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4.Yala Safari & Transfer to Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 25 reviews · 10 - 17 hours · from $29

Review of the Ella to Yala safari transfer, with leopard viewing, 4x4 jeep, coastal drop-offs, costs, timing, and practical advice.

“In general it was good- I booked the 11am slot which we did end up leaving at 11.40 not too sure why- so we got there for around 1.45 and the safari was about 4 hours- the tour guide was good the park was just very busy with other jeeps and we queued for nearly an hour because it was so busy, to see a cheetah which I didn’t see probably because everyone scared it off! I think we saw about 4 elephants, some peacocks and buffalo’s so not as many animals as I was anticipating. At the beginning of the tour I realised I had lost my wallet- which…”

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5.Get a private driver for day tours around Sri Lanka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 1 day · from $151

Review of a private Sri Lanka driver tour to Kandy, Sigiriya, Galle, Ella, and more, with flexible stops, guides, fuel, and pickup included.

“We had a great time! Our driver was Manoj, he was super nice and flexible and always ready to offer advice! He brought us quickly from one location to the next, always asking if we need anything. We tried some fruits along the way to see the rock and went for lunch in a local food hall, overall a great day!”

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6.From Tangalle/Hiriketiya: Ella Transfer & Udawalawe Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12 reviews · 8 hours · from $48

Review of the Tangalle to Ella transfer with Udawalawe safari, covering elephants, costs, timing, transport, guides, and value.

“Transport from hiriketiya to Ella was seamless. The safari was incredible! Saw over 20 elephants as well as other animals, and our guide let us stay for as long as we liked to take pictures. Would have loved more commentary about the animals but still 100% recommend this experience”

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7.BAY transfer with YALA Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 10 hours · from $109

Travel from Ella to Arugam Bay with a Yala safari, air-conditioned transport, wildlife viewing, and door-to-door hotel service.

“Tikiri was a great driver, we loved the safari”

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