We have done a number of safari trips in Africa, and one in India. We love Africa for this and I can say there are many suggestions of great places to go in your timeframe in both southern Africa and east Africa. India was a one off three day experience at Aman which we loved, but it was not in the same league as Africa IMHO. We were fortunate to see a tiger on Christmas Day no less, but one does not see the extensive game you see in some African lodges. If you were going to India to see other things it is definately a great add-on but weather would be miserable that time of year, and it sounds like it could be closed.

We are going to Sri Lanka in early January next year and I looked into the safari aspect and decided against it for several reasons: seemingly poor accomodations, crowded, not much chance to see much interesting game. Now I have not actually been and if we're to hear otherwise from a reliable source would reconsider! This is from talking to a former business colleague who lives there part of the year, and talking to friends who have been in the past. Amanwella is only a couple of hours away so it might be worth taking to them and asking. We will be staying there at the end of our trip so I thought depending on their feedback we might try to go to Yala for a day trip. Let me know what you find out!
Also would appreciate any additional comments people have on amangalla and amanwella - eg which rooms to request, etc. our expectations from previous comments are already not as high as other Amans, but we want to spend time in Sri Lanka and after cultural triangle and tea trails believe we will enjoy these two properties at the end!

Please share what you discover and decide! Thanks much.