Here are curated private holiday ideas for Sri Lanka — experiences, where to do them, rough price ranges, a sample 8‑day private itinerary, and booking tips so you can plan a truly private/luxury trip.

Top private experiences (what, where, why)

• Private wildlife safari (Yala or Wilpattu): private open‑top jeep + dedicated tracker/guide for just your party — best for leopard, elephant and bird sightings. Typical private‑jeep packages and operators are widely available; half‑day to full‑day options exist. Example operators list private jeep options and transparent pricing. (yalawild.com)
• Private whale‑watching & chartered boat (Mirissa/Weligama): full‑ or half‑day private catamaran/yacht charters for whale watching, dolphin encounters and water sports (swimming, SUP, fishing) — runs seasonally and can be chartered privately for families or groups. Example private 7‑hour charters are offered with on‑board meals and crew. (GetMyBoat.com)
• Private villa or boutique beachfront hotel (South coast / Galle / Ahangama): private villas with pools or small boutique hotels give seclusion, private chefs, and bespoke excursions (surf lessons, spa, guided tours). Sri Lanka has many boutique properties that emphasize privacy and local luxury. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Private tea‑estate stay and guided plantation tours (Nuwara Eliya / Ella / Haputale): stay in a converted manor/estate bungalow, get private tastings, guided walks and afternoon tea with estate owners or master blenders.
• Private cultural/heritage tours with a private driver‑guide (Cultural Triangle — Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla): museum‑style tours, private sunrise at Sigiriya rock and exclusive visits timed to avoid crowds.
• Private luxury train carriage or first‑class reserved cabin experiences (coastline to hill country): reserve first‑class or a private carriage where available for scenic travel between coasts and hill country (note: private charters are limited — check current availability).
• Private Ayurvedic retreat / wellness program (southern and west coast spas or dedicated ayurveda lodges): personalized consultation, private treatment rooms, tailored detox/diet plans.
• Private boat / island hire (Galle harbour, Negombo lagoon or southern coast): for sunsets, snorkelling or private fishing trips.

Best places by experience

• Wildlife: Yala National Park (south‑east) and Wilpattu (north‑west) are top choices for private jeep safaris. Operators can offer door‑to‑door transfers and private jeeps. (exclusiveyalasafari.com)
• Whale watching & ocean charters: Mirissa (peak season Oct–Apr) — private charters and shared boats run early‑morning departures. (GetMyBoat.com)
• Beach / villas / boutique hotels: Galle/Ahangama/Koggala stretch — boutique hotels and private villas close to surf spots and Galle Fort. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Hill country / tea estates: Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Haputale — private estate stays and guided plantation tours.

Typical cost ranges (approximate, per private booking or private jeep/boat; confirm with operator)

• Private safari jeep (half‑day): roughly USD 40–120 per jeep or per person depending on park, length and inclusions; full‑day private jeeps and guided packages can be higher. Park entry fees are additional and fluctuate. (yalawild.com)
• Private whale‑watching charter (private catamaran/yacht): from a few hundred USD for small outings to USD 700+ for full‑day private yacht charters (prices vary by vessel, season and inclusions). Example private 7‑hour charter listings show package pricing and meal inclusions. (GetMyBoat.com)
• Private villa (nightly): small private villas with pool can range widely — from USD 150–800+ per night depending on location and level of service; boutique beachfront suites often start in the mid‑hundreds. (thetimes.co.uk)
• Private chef/driver/guide add‑ons: expect USD 30–150+ per day for dedicated guides/drivers or private chefs depending on seniority and service level.

Sample 8‑day private luxury itinerary (private driver + tailored experiences) Day 1 — Arrival Colombo: private airport transfer, overnight boutique hotel or private villa near Negombo or Colombo. Day 2 — Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya/Pinnawala optional): private driver to Sigiriya; private sunrise climb of Sigiriya Rock with a guide, private lunch at a boutique lodge. Day 3 — Polonnaruwa & elephant interaction (optional): private guided ruins tour, transfer to Minneriya or nearby lodge for private evening safari/elephant spot‑lighting. Day 4 — Wilpattu or Yala transfer (choose region): private transfer to Wilpattu (fewer crowds) or south to Yala; private evening jeep safari. (wilpattusafaritour.com) Day 5 — Full private safari (early morning + late afternoon) and private spa/relaxation at lodge. Day 6 — Transfer to south coast (Galle/Ahangama): private villa check‑in, private surf lesson or yoga, private beach dinner. (thetimes.co.uk) Day 7 — Private whale‑watching charter (Mirissa): early morning private yacht for whales/dolphins, lunch on board, afternoon at leisure. (GetMyBoat.com) Day 8 — Return to Colombo via Galle Fort (private guided walk) and private airport transfer.

Booking & planning tips (to keep it private and smooth)

• Book private operators through reputable agencies or directly with well‑reviewed operators (check recent reviews and confirmations). For safaris, confirm if the quoted price includes park entry fees and permit/seasonal surcharges — many operators quote jeep cost but park tickets are extra. (yalawild.com)
• Seasons: whale‑watching season in the south is typically October–April; safari sightings are often better in drier months (timing varies by park). Always confirm exact seasonal windows with providers before booking. (GetMyBoat.com)
• Private vs shared: private tours cost more but give flexibility on timing (sunrise/sunset), photography opportunities and reduced crowds — ideal for families, honeymoons or multigen trips.
• Visas & entry: most visitors require an ETA/visa for Sri Lanka — check current entry rules and health requirements before travel (these change).
• Safety & sustainability: choose licensed guides and operators, respect park rules (stay in vehicle, don’t feed wildlife). If privacy is a priority, request secluded villa locations and private pickup/drop service.

How I can help next

• If you’d like, I can: draft a day‑by‑day private itinerary tailored to your travel dates, budget and interests; suggest vetted operator contacts and sample villa/resort options for specific dates; or produce a costed quote for a private 7–10 day trip. Tell me which you prefer and your travel month, group size and budget and I’ll prepare tailored options.

Sources used for the recommendations above (examples / operator info)

• Private 7‑hour Mirissa whale‑watching charters and sample pricing/listings. (GetMyBoat.com)
• Yala safari pricing, private jeep options and package details. (yalawild.com)
• Wilpattu private safari packages and prices. (wilpattusafaritour.com)
• Boutique hotels / villa examples on the south coast (coverage & reviews). (thetimes.co.uk)

If you want a customized plan, tell me:

• travel month and exact dates (I’ll check availability/prices for that period),
• number of travelers and preferred comfort level (midrange, luxury, ultra‑luxury),
• must‑do activities (wildlife, beaches, tea country, culture, wellness).