Yala National Park

Because of the presence of many leopards, Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife park. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world where people coexist with free-roaming animals. Elephants are frequently seen crossing roads or sneaking into hotel lobbies – a unique and beautiful way of life. Unfortunately, negative encounters do occur, and parks like Yala provide a safe haven for the animals. Here’s everything you need to know about Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park.

Yala National Park covers a large portion of Sri Lanka’s southeast corner. The park is split into five sections. They extend from the jungles of the interior to the beaches of the Indian Ocean. Only blocks one and five are open to the public to preserve as much of the natural habitat as possible.

The kind of animals in Yala National Park

Elephants, crocodiles, deer, monkeys, buffaloes, birds, sloth bears, leopards, and other animals abound. Sri Lanka has over 20 national parks, but the wide variety of animals attracts many visitors to Yala National Park in particular.

Sri Lanka has an abundance of wildlife. As a result, taking a jeep safari through the grassy plains and along the lagoons will guarantee you see a lot of wildlife.

Yala National Park is one of the best places on Earth to see leopards. Yala is home to 40 to 50 leopards.

Where is Yala National Park situated?

Yala National Park is located in southeast Sri Lanka, about 5 hours from Colombo.

The only entrance to the wildlife park is in Tissamaharama city. Traveling to this city by car or bus is the most convenient option. Tourists usually stay overnight in Tissamaharama or inside Yala to give themselves enough time to explore the park.

Yala National Park Safari Tour

The majority of Yala’s hotels provide either a private or group tour. A guided tour of the park costs about USD 65 per person on average. The price is higher than in other Sri Lankan national parks, but it’s well worth it if you see a leopard.

Jeeps are permitted to enter Yala National Park twice a day, at 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. There is no perfect timeframe to choose from, according to the rangers. A Yala tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

Is Yala worth visiting?

Yala, with all of its flora and fauna, is a one-of-a-kind experience and one of Sri Lanka’s must-sees. The park is worth visiting at any time of year, but visiting during peak season (December to April) is recommended.

During peak leopard season (February and March), keep in mind that you will not be the only jeep on the road, and seeing leopards cannot be guaranteed. Large herds of elephants with babies, on the other hand, are easy to spot in the park.

Best time to visit Yala

During the dry season, the best time to visit Yala National Park is from February to June. It’s easier to spot animals coming out to drink now that there’s less water in the ponds. Leopards are most active in February and March.

Fortunately, you can visit the park all year, and prices are much lower outside of peak season. The park is closed for maintenance in September.