yala safari resort

Safari Lodge, Yala

Finest jungle safari resort, experience the call of the wild in comfort..

Discover the Wilderness in Style

Facilities & services, high speed wifi, air conditioned, jungle view, mini firdge, our rooms & suits.

Delux Double Room

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Deluxe Triple Room

Unlock the wonders of the wild., front office : +94742694942.

A Safari Experience Like No Other.

Chaarya Resort & Spa in Yala

Chaarya Resort & Spa, 40 roomed hotel near Yala National Park with a Restaurant, Bar and a Swimming Pool surrounded by lush tropical garden is your ideal base when visiting Yala National Park.

Accommadation in Chaarya Resort & Spa

Deluxe Rooms

Starting from us$ 63.

Deluxe Chalets

Starting from us$ 75, accommodation + meals + safaris all inclusive yala safari packages from chaarya resort & spa.

1 Night Stay with 1 Morning or Afternoon Safari

Starting From

US$ 122 per person

1 Night Stay with 1 Morning and 1 Afternoon Safari

US$ 154 per person

2 Nights Stay with 1 full day Safaris

US$ 216 per person

2 Nights Stay with 3 Morning or Afternoon Safaris

US$ 275 per person

3 Nights Stay with 2 full day Safaris

US$ 345 per person

Yala Safari Camp

Spend a night or two in our tented safari camp in Yala and experince a classic safari camping experience. This is an all inclusive offer which includes all safaris game drives, meals, drinks and park fees. BBQ dinners amidst a roaring campfire will sure to leave you with unforgetable memories.

• Things to do in Yala
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• Cocoon Pool Suite
• Cocoon Suite
• Family Cocoon Pool Suite
• The Dining Pavilion
• Ten Tuskers Bar
• Afternoon Tea by the Lake
• Wilderness Dining
• Daily Sundowners
• Discover Sri Lankan Cuisine
• Exclusive Game Drive and Jungle Afternoon Tea
• Junior Chef
• Stunning Swimming Pools
• Watering Holes
• Pristine Beach and Dune
• Sanctuary Spa
• Guided Nature Walk
• Game Drives
• Rural Bike Exploration
• Explore Sithulpawwa Ancient Jungle Monastery
• Explore Kataragama Temple
• Junior Ranger
• Birding Experience at Bundala National Park
• Uda Walawe Elephant Adventure
• Special Offers
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• Wellness And Spa
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• Ceylon Tea Trails

Wild Coast Tented Lodge

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Accommodation

The cocoon suites feature interiors that fuse ‘expedition chic’ touches with contemporary design innovations, including freestanding handmade copper bathtubs, four-poster beds and eccentric campaign furnishings for that whimsical touch. Each boasts soaring vaulted ceilings, offering panoramic jungle views from the double height-glass and canvas facades.

55 sqm 592 sqft

• King bed + Single rollaway bed or 2 futon mattresses for children.
• 2 adults, up to 2 children.
• Private outdoor viewing deck.

• Private plunge pool.

Cocoon Suite 55 sqm 592 sqft Urchin 20 sqm 215 sqft

• Cocoon - King bed + Single rollaway bed or 2 futon mattresses for children.
• 2 adults and up to 2 children in Cocoon, 2 children or young adults in Urchin.

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Stay five nights, pay for four

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Laya Safari Resorts & Spa

Palatupana Yala, 82000 Yala, Sri Lanka – Great location - show map

Laya Safari Resorts & Spa Reserve now

Cleanliness

Value for money

Laya Safari is tucked away amid beautiful sea views. Only 1.2 mi from the popular Yala National Park, this beach property features an outdoor swimming pool, spa and spacious guestrooms fitted with free Wi-Fi access. This well-appointed property is located just 656 feet from the beach and 16 mi from the holy Kataragama Temple. Colombo City and Bandaranaike International Airport are approximately 4.5 hours away by car. Featuring large windows which offer ample natural light, beautifully decorated rooms at Laya Safari include hardwood floors, a separate living area and a spacious private balcony. The private bathrooms feature a bathtub. Guests can utilize the games room and barbecue facilities. Other facilities include luggage storage space, laundry services and a tour desk. At a surcharge, airport shuttle services can be arranged. The in-house restaurant will serve a daily selection of Sri Lankan and international fares. Guests can also relax by the pool bar while catching the sunset.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 8.8 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

• 2 swimming pools
• Family rooms
• Free parking
• Airport shuttle
• Non-smoking rooms
• Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
• Private beach area

Property highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (8.9)

Want a great night's sleep? This property was highly rated for its very comfy beds.

Breakfast Info

Continental, Full English/Irish, Buffet, Breakfast to go

Free Private Parking Available On Site

Activities:

• Tennis court
• Fitness center

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Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Categories:

Restaurants 1 restaurant on site.

• Cuisine Asian
• Ambience Family-friendly • Modern • Romantic
• Dietary options Vegetarian

Resort facilities at Laya Safari Resorts & Spa

• Toilet paper
• Towels/Sheets (extra fee)
• Guest bathroom
• Private Bathroom
• Free toiletries
• Walk-in closet
• Extra long beds (> 6.5 ft)
• Inner courtyard view
• Mountain view
• Outdoor fireplace
• Outdoor furniture
• Outdoor dining area
• BBQ facilities Additional charge
• Electric kettle
• Drying rack for clothing
• Clothes rack
• Happy hour Additional charge
• Themed dinners Additional charge
• Walking tours Additional charge
• Badminton equipment
• Tennis equipment
• Sitting area
• Flat-screen TV
• Satellite channels
• Fruit Additional charge
• Wine/Champagne Additional charge
• Kid-friendly buffet
• Kids' meals
• Breakfast in the room
• Tea/Coffee maker
• Accessible parking
• Private check-in/out
• Baggage storage
• Express check-in/out
• 24-hour front desk
• Daily housekeeping
• Ironing service Additional charge
• Dry cleaning Additional charge
• Laundry Additional charge
• Fax/Photocopying
• Business center
• Meeting/Banquet facilities Additional charge
• Fire extinguishers
• CCTV outside property
• CCTV in common areas
• Smoke alarms
• Security alarm
• Key card access
• 24-hour security
• Hypoallergenic
• Designated smoking area
• Air conditioning
• Executive lounge access
• Wake-up service
• Tile/Marble floor
• Private entrance
• Packed lunches
• Ironing facilities
• Airport shuttle Additional charge
• Wake-up service/Alarm clock
• Room service
• Entire unit located on ground floor
• Open all year
• Pool with view
• Shallow end
• Pool/Beach towels
• Beach chairs/Loungers
• Suitable for kids
• Kids' pool
• Locker rooms
• Personal trainer
• Spa/Wellness packages
• Spa lounge/Relaxation area
• Spa facilities
• Beach umbrellas
• Spa Additional charge

Property practices

See availability house rules.

From 2:00 PM

Until 12:00 PM

Cancellation/ prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

Children & Beds

Child policies

Children of all ages are welcome.

Children 6 and above will be charged as adults at this property.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

Crib and extra bed policies

Prices for cribs and extra beds aren't included in the total price. They'll have to be paid for separately during your stay.

The number of extra beds and cribs allowed depends on the option you choose. Check your selected option for more info.

All cribs and extra beds are subject to availability.

No age restriction

There's no age requirement for check-in

Pets are not allowed.

Accepted payment methods

Cash Laya Safari Resorts & Spa accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.

The fine print Must-know information for guests at this property

Please note that children 6 to 12 years are charged USD 28 per night for an extra bed with breakfast.

Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Please inform Laya Safari Resorts & Spa of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

FAQs about Laya Safari Resorts & Spa

Does laya safari resorts & spa have a restaurant on site.

• Restaurant #1

What kind of breakfast is served at Laya Safari Resorts & Spa?

Guests staying at Laya Safari Resorts & Spa can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 10.0).

• Continental
• Full English/Irish
• Breakfast to go

What is there to do at Laya Safari Resorts & Spa?

• Walking tours
• Swimming pool
• Themed dinners

How far is Laya Safari Resorts & Spa from the center of Yala?

Laya Safari Resorts & Spa is 11.8 miles from the center of Yala. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

How close to the beach is Laya Safari Resorts & Spa?

The nearest beach is 150 feet from Laya Safari Resorts & Spa. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

How much does it cost to stay at Laya Safari Resorts & Spa?

The prices at Laya Safari Resorts & Spa may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.

Is Laya Safari Resorts & Spa popular with families?

Yes, Laya Safari Resorts & Spa is popular with guests booking family stays.

What type of room can I book at Laya Safari Resorts & Spa?

What are the check-in and check-out times at laya safari resorts & spa.

Check-in at Laya Safari Resorts & Spa is from 2:00 PM, and check-out is until 12:00 PM.

Does Laya Safari Resorts & Spa have a pool?

Yes, this hotel has a pool. See details about the pool and other facilities on this page.

The Best of Yala

• Kirinda Temple
• Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara
• Kataragama Temple

Popular Areas

• Ranminitenna Tele Cinema Village

Most Popular Cities

• Tissamaharama
• Ambalantota

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Yala National Park in Sri Lanka: A safari guide’s tips on the best time to visit, hotels, permits

By Kriti Saraswat-Satpathy

Roughly five hours from Colombo lies Yala National Park, home to the world’s highest population of leopards . While our arrival after a night of rain dampened our chances of spotting the big cat, other wonderful sights left a memorable imprint. A trio of elephants—a male, female and calf—crossing the road inches from our jeep, a brahminy kite swooping low to snatch a fish from a lake, migratory birds like the large comb duck swimming, a colony of dainty, green bee-eaters taking flight. As the rain let up, we caught sight of a dancing peacock trying to entice its mate, a playful herd of deer, a wild boar looking for food, and a mugger crocodile and water buffaloes submerged in ponds. The best sightings require plenty of planning, so we spoke with Praneeth Jayamadu, senior ranger at the newly-opened Hilton Yala Resort, on how to have the best safari experience at Yala National Park in Sri Lanka.

What makes Yala National Park special?

Photo: Sajith Withanage

Besides biodiversity, varied terrain and different ecosystems that attract both local and foreign tourists, Yala is known to have the highest density of leopards in the world. “At present, a proper survey has been carried out in only one part of the park, where the figure stands at 77 adult leopards. They are each given a code name, like YF01 or YM01, where Y stands for Yala and M and F represent their gender. The number is the count,” explains Jayamadu. “The leopards also have common nicknames like Jessica and Lucas.”

Tell us about one incredible leopard encounter you had. “Each safari to the park is special but some sightings simply leave you speechless. One such recent leopard sighting at Yala was when we had parked our jeep near a waterhole and saw a mother leopard hiding behind a nearby bush,” Jayamadu recalls. “Camouflaging perfectly, she was waiting to ambush a herd of wild boar that had a few boarlets in the mix. Leopards don’t always attack the adult ones as the herd attacks back, but being a new mother, she was desperate for a kill for herself and her cubs. Calculating the distance between the prey and the closest tree, she leapt from the bushes, grabbed a boarlet by its neck and climbed a tree to save herself from the herd’s retaliation. After waiting for them to leave, she clambered down and disappeared into the bushes with her kill. It was indeed a rare sighting as leopards usually hunt at night but we were able to witness this during the day by being at the right place at the right time!”

Besides leopards, what else can you spot at Yala National Park? Yala is not just a playground for leopards; it has several other animals and birds that make for an exciting safari excursion. “Apart from the Sri Lankan leopard, you can spot sloth bear, grey langur, the Sri Lankan elephant, mugger crocodile, water buffalo, golden-backed jackal, spotted and sambar deer, soft-shell turtle, ruddy mongoose, land monitor lizard, and wild boar,” shares the ranger. Yala also plays seasonal home to scores of migratory birds. Among them, the most common ones include the Indian pitta, blue-tailed bee-eater, redshank, comb duck, sand plover and brown shrike. “The park has several endemic and non-endemic resident birds, like the Sri Lankan junglefowl, Sri Lankan swallow, Malabar pied hornbill, brown-capped babbler, black neck stork, crested hawk eagle and green imperial pigeon.”

By Arundhati Ail

By Condé Nast Traveller

By Charlie Hobbs

What are the telltale spotting rituals of a guide? “These depend on the animal we are trying to spot. For example, elephants love grass, so the weather and food availability play a huge role. When the park dries up, they go deep into the forest, so we try to look for patches of grass,” Jayamadu says. “Sloth bears are quite elusive and unpredictable, but they love this yellow fruit called palu; the chances of seeing them are higher when they are in season, usually between January and July, or during monsoons, when termite mounds are damp, and they can eat them. When it comes to leopards, relying on alarm calls by other animals, especially monkeys, is helpful as they raise an alarm when they spot a predator. In the dry season, we look for pugmarks and near watering holes, but in the monsoon, leopards like taking shelter in caves or up in trees, so it’s essential for guides to train their eyes. Being in the park regularly, we also understand the patterns and movements of different leopards, which helps lead to better sightings.”

What’s the best time to visit Yala National Park? From May to July, the weather is dry but it stays windy, which makes the weather bearable. The trees shedding their leaves renders it easier to spot animals, who often venture out to waterholes during this time. According to Jayamadu, this is the best time to visit Yala to spot leopards, though the tourist count remains low. In this part of Sri Lanka, its peak monsoon from November to January. The park turns into a lush green oasis and a haven for flocks of birds. It’s also the high tourist season at Yala. Leopard sightings, however, are difficult at this time, given the wet weather, but elephants, peacocks and water buffaloes are easy to spot, Jayamadu explains. February to April is the low tourist season; safaris are highly uncomfortable, especially in April, the hottest month here. Dry heat keeps the weather harsh from August to October. In fact, before Covid, the park would remain closed from September 1 to October 15.

How many safaris can fit into a three-night stay? “A minimum of two safaris are ideal, with three being the absolute best over a three-night stay. In the first one, we show guests the varied landscapes of the park, entering from Block 1 to spot different birds and animals. In the second safari, we focus on leopard sightings and take a different route to show another side of the park. And in the third safari, we explore other blocks of the park, giving guests a wholesome Yala experience,” the guide suggests, adding that they keep a mix of morning and afternoon safaris, or one full-day safari, to raise the chances of different sightings.

What are the safari slots at Yala National Park? The park is usually open from 6am to 6pm, with slight changes in the timing depending on the season and weather. The last slot to enter the park for a morning safari is 11am and 5pm for an evening safari. Keep in mind that the latter gives tourists just an hour inside the park. “Yala National Park offers both half-day and full-day safari options. But it’s closed from 12pm to 2pm every day. There are two dedicated zones where vehicles and tourists can wait during this time. We also have the option of returning to the hotel for lunch and continuing the full-day safari post 2pm,” says Jayamadu.

How do you book a safari permit at Yala? How much does it cost? To book a safari permit for Yala National Park, head to the official website of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. It has a certain number of permits available for each day that you can book online in advance by filling in the requested details and making a payment. “The permit cost for foreigners is US$25 (roughly Rs2,083), excluding taxes. But do note that the safari permit requires details of the vehicle and guide to be filled, so it’s important to figure these out beforehand. I recommend first booking your accommodation and letting the hotel help you with the safari bookings, including the permits,” the ranger advises.

How to book a jeep and guide at Yala National Park? Jayamadu warns that this is the tricky part. “You can get safari permits through the official portal, but the jeep and guide bookings need to be made through privately-owned businesses. This makes it difficult for foreign tourists to vet the good ones based on an online search,” he says. “There are usually some jeeps parked near the entrance gates that visitors can book directly, but they may not get the best safari experience. The safest way to go about this is to choose an all-inclusive package at a hotel so that your safari with a jeep and guide are part of the experience provided with the stay.” The cost of the safari package would vary according to the hotel’s category and the season. While some hotels book an external guide, resorts like Hilton Yala have their in-house rangers who accompany guests on every safari trip, armed with refreshments and binoculars. A maximum of five guests in a jeep leaves room for a driver and guide to join.

Which are the best zones at Yala National Park? In Sri Lanka, national parks are divided into blocks instead of zones, and Yala has six such demarcated blocks. “There were five earlier, but an adjoining national park, Lunugamvehera, became part of Yala recently, taking the total to six. All the blocks are accessible to tourists, though Block 1 remains the most popular one. It has two entrances: Palatupana is the main one, and Katagamuwa is the rear entrance,” he explains. With a diverse ecosystem—from rocky outcrops and watering holes, to grasslands, lagoons and a coastal stretch—this block is home to not just leopards, but several endemic and migratory birds and other mammals. “Since the main entrance becomes too crowded during the peak season, we take our guests to certain offbeat tracks inside for a better safari experience.” Entering through the rear gate is also a good idea as it’s less frequented by tourists.

“If you love off-roading, Block 2 is for you. It’s accessible via the main block after a river crossing. Secluded with no mobile reception, tickets to this block are only issued when there’s a minimum of two safari jeeps together, keeping safety in mind,” Jayamadu adds. Blocks 3 and 4 are thick forest areas and about 50km from Block 1, and Block 5 (also 50km from the first) is also good for leopard sightings. Block 6 is home to several species of reptiles, birds and mammals and can be accessed from either Block 1 or through Block 5.

What are the best hotels around Yala National Park? Most of the hotels, resorts and campsites are concentrated around Block 1. The Palatupana entrance is easily accessible and a designated tourism zone. The newest property here is Hilton Yala Resort (doubles from Rs41,960; website ) located in the buffer zone and overlooking the Indian Ocean, with 42 rooms including some with a private pool. The resort also offers packages that include the stay, meals, guided safaris and other excursions. Wild Coast Tented Lodge (doubles from Rs49,928; website ) is a luxury tent accommodation; Uga Chena Huts (doubles from Rs87,443; website ) offers luxury cabins; and Cinnamon Wild (doubles from Rs31,070; website ) has chalets. Besides these, there are some glamping and camping accommodations near the Katagamuwa entrance.

What else can you do at Yala National Park? “Tourism in and around Yala is largely for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and pilgrims,” says Jayamadu. Resorts located close to Block 1 have access to the beach and offer activities like sundowners by the water. “Hilton also offers bush walks and sand dune visits, besides safaris and beach trips,” he adds. The ancient Buddhist monastery, Sithulpawwa Rock Temple, is perfect to get a bird’s eye view of the park and pay your respects to this 2,200-year-old place of worship. The sacred town of Kataragama is easily accessible from Block 5; it’s a holy place for different faiths, including Hindus and Buddhists. The guide also recommends visiting Bundala National Park, a haven for bird enthusiasts as it’s a hotspot for migratory birds and just 45 minutes from Yala. Ask your resort about these sightseeing excursions in addition to your safari trips.

How do you reach Yala National Park? For international tourists, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo is the closest airport to Yala National Park, roughly 287km away. It’s connected by an expressway, with a smooth drive of about four to five hours to the hotels around the park. Getting the hotel to arrange for a car and driver would be ideal as there’s no direct public transport to take you to your destination. For those looking for a faster mode of transport, Cinnamon Air offers domestic flights from Colombo to Tissa and Weerawila, less than an hour from the park. There are a few private chopper services, as well, to take you to your resort in Yala, provided they come equipped with a helipad. For instance, Hilton Yala Resort, Wild Coast Tented Lodge and Uga Chena Huts have such a provision, which can cut down your travel time to just over an hour from Colombo.

How to reach the guide? You can reach ranger Praneeth Jayamadu and Hilton Yala Resort at +94 472 555 555 or [email protected]

Wildlife Adventures in Sri Lanka: How to Plan a Safari in Yala National Park For All Budgets (2024)

Yala National Park in southern Sri Lanka is an amazing place to go on safari and hopefully see leopards in the wild. I recently had the privilege of exploring the wonders of Yala, and I’m excited to share my experiences with you. If you think you have to choose between a high-end, expensive, luxury private safari, or a bare-bones backpackers hostel, we’ve got great news for you- there is a middle ground! We’ll help you sort out where to stay to visit Yala National Park so you can book the best Yala safari in Sri Lanka for your family- whether that’s a luxury resort or a rustic camp where you feel in tune with nature.

Arranging a jeep safari in Yala National Park can be confusing and overwhelming. In this blog post, we’ll help you plan your own unforgettable safari in Yala National Park. From spotting elusive leopards to encountering elephants in their natural habitat, we’ll dive into the magic of this Sri Lankan wilderness together. We’ll cover how to book a park safari experience, which block in the park to visit, where to stay close to Yala, the best time of year to go on Yala safari, how to get to Yala National Park, and tips for enjoying your park safari once you a there.

This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase.   As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All our recommendations are our own and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

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Table of Contents

Where is Yala National Park

Yala National Park is located in the southeastern part of Sri Lanka. Its vast expanse covers a significant portion of the country’s southeastern lowland dry zone, making it a haven for diverse wildlife and breathtaking natural beauty. Yala National Park is about a 5-hour drive from Colombo, so it’s best to incorporate your visit to Yala into a larger two-week itinerary in Sri Lanka .

Yala National Park is divided into 5 blocks. Most safari tours visit Block 1 where the largest population of leopards live. Animals are free to wander among the blocks, so there is no guarantee of sightings, and they may change their patterns due to weather, mating season, or even the migration patterns of deer.

Once a British royal hunting ground, Yala National Park was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and a national park in 1938.

Is Yala National Park Worth Visiting?

Yes, Yala National Park is worth visiting! It’s a family bucket list experience that you won’t forget! Yala National Park has the world’s largest population of wild leopards- so you have the best chance of seeing one of these majestic and elusive creatures!

There is no guarantee that you will see a leopard, but even if you don’t see one, you’ll have a fantastic park safari experience and see lots of other animals including elephants, sloth bears, water buffalo, peacocks, wild boars, and more!

What Animals Will I See in Yala National Park?

There are 44 different mammals in Yala National Park as well as over 200 species of birds. Many people come hoping to see a leopard or a sloth bear, but there are also elephants, jackals, water buffalo, deer, boar, monkeys, and crocodiles. No animal sightings are guaranteed, but most are fairly easy to spot with the exception of the sloth bear and the leopard.

Note: If you are interested in elephant welfare and conservation, we recommend a visit to this elephant sanctuary in Cambodia .

What Happens If We Spot a Leopard?

When a leopard is spotted, your guide will call in the sighting. All of the other vehicles in the area will rush to the site to try and also see the animal. This creates a traffic jam.

Vehicles in Yala do not go off-roading-they follow strict rules which prevent drivers from getting too close to animals or harassing animals. This means that when vehicles line up and crowd into one location, it can be hard for any one vehicle to move.

Secondly, your guide will record and report the sighting. Guides are able to identify most leopards on site by their coloring and spots and will be able to tell you about the animal. Every sighting is recorded so that animal movements can be tracked.

When we visited Yala, our vehicle was the first to see a leopard- near the end of the afternoon we started Amber, a 9-year-old female who was resting in the ditch at the side of the road. She quickly headed into the tall grasses, and we were then able to watch her from far away as she ate a small animal, possibly a rabbit.

When we were finished attempting to watch her- even with binoculars she was tough to see as she would dip her head down below the grass level, we were not able to move for a while as other safari jeeps had blocked us in.

To learn more about the leopards in Yala, or to see photos and details about whichever individual you spotted, check the Yala Leopard Diary . They have updated information about the migratory patterns of each animal as well as a family tree, and lots of wonderful photos.

How to Book a Safari at Yala National Park

There are two ways to book a safari in Yala National Park- as part of a complete package, or by booking lodging close to the park and then arranging the safari separately. Often, even though the safari is not included in your room rate, your accommodations will be happy to help you arrange as many safaris as you like. There are both group safari tours and private safari tours available.

If you are staying in Tissamaharama there will be opportunities to book guides from town. We highly recommend booking ahead so you can arrange for both a driver and a guide for your safari.

A driver will simply drive, and while he will do his best to show you animals he usually doesn’t offer much guidance in terms of animal behavior. We found that our guide and driver worked well together, discussing routes and looking for animal tracks. You want to reputable guide who has years of experience with tracking- they should be able to hear animal alarms indicating the presence of predators and track animals using prints and scat.

Where to Stay Near Yala National Park

There are budget hostels, luxury camps, and a few mid-range camps to stay in near Yala National Park. When we started researching options, I was frustrated to keep seeing the same few luxury or high-ed jungle camps coming up in blog posts over and over- they just weren’t in our budget.

We’ve included some of these luxury camps below- if you have the budget, these camps will pamper you and make sure you have a vacation to remember. However, if these are not in your budget, we’ve rounded up other options so you can still see all the epic wildlife that Yala National Park has to offer.

Try to book lodging as much in advance as possible – many of these properties only have a handful of tents, cabins, or chalets, so they book up quickly.

Staying Inside Yala National Park

There are government-run bungalows available inside Yala National Park . I’ve seen several comments that they are not “up to standard”, but haven’t spoken with anyone who has tried using them. You can stay in these bungalows for up to 3 consecutive nights. You can see the facilities here , and reserve them online . Details are scarce- if you’ve tried one of these please let us know how they were!

Luxury Jungle Camps near Yala National Park

These luxury camps offer every amenity- and charge over 1K USD per night. If you are looking for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime, five-star experience, these lodges are fantastic. These jungle camps are in the buffer zone around Yala National Park.

Uga Chena Huts

This is a five-star all-inclusive resort that has luxury cabins that are air-conditioned with private plunge pools. They describe the resort as “colonial expedition chic with contemporary design innovations”. Safaris and meals are included with the lodging. This place is absolutely stunning, and only a few minutes drive from Yala National Park.

“The location is amazing, no fences or electric to keep out wildlife so it’s wild and beautiful. You can walk to the beach and to a nearby waterhole from your accom (not after dark!) You do need to be careful but that’s half the attraction. Two daily (optional) safaris were included with our stay which were brilliant, we saw so much amazing wildlife both on these.” -Jenny (Read More Reviews )

Book Now: Uga Chena Huts

Wild Coast Lodge

This five-star all-inclusive jungle resort is built in the shape of a leopard’s paw, with open-air central buildings made from bamboo and other natural materials. Guests stay in luxury air-conditioned cocoons made with double-height, stretched fabric roofs looking over the Indian Ocean. They also have a family cocoon suite that has two attached pods for parents and kids to experience together, while still having some privacy. Meals and game drives are included.

“I turned around to see a giant elephant on its way to my watering hole…they said it could happen…but I really thought the reality was slim to none…boy was I surprised! Besides all that, all the food and drinks were delicious! And, it cannot be omitted…the coastline! WOW!” -JennIE (read More reviews )

Book Now: Wild Coast Lodge

Mid-range camps near yala national park.

These unicorns are in the buffer area of Yala National Park- so you’ll need to get a driver to take you there, but are much closer to the gate of the park, so you’ll have less of a drive early in the morning. Some of these camps also offer an additional bush walk to introduce you to the wildlife in the area around the camp.

Cinnamon Wild Yala

This eco-friendly resort is high-end and clearly has hosted a lot of bloggers because it comes up often. This resort is in a bit of its own category- it’s more expensive than most of our mid-range options- with rooms in the range of $300-400 USD per night. As a five-star property, it’s a bargain compared to the all-inclusive luxury options, but significantly more expensive than most of the mid-range. If you’re debating about splashing out on your stay near Yala, this could be just what you are looking for.

This camp is located very close to Wild Coast Lodge but for 10% of the price tag. Chalets here are air-conditioned with private balconies. Chalets each have one double bed, so they don’t have a great setup for larger families, though they do offer connecting rooms. The complex has a large pool and a rooftop terrace for guests to enjoy.

“The property is absolutely fabulous, the location is incredible. if your going there for animals this is the place to stay. In the resort we saw crocodiles and water buffalo down at the lake and lots of beautiful birds. An elephant went through the resort and was down at the lake twice.” -Emma (read more reviews)

Book Now: Cinnamon Wild Yala

Wild Trails Yala by Suri

Wild Trails Yala is where we stayed, and absolutely loved it. We stayed in a tent with one double bed and two beds, air conditioning, and our own bathroom. The “tents” at Wild Trails Yala are made of lovely hardwoods, with our own front deck. Once we arrived we went on an afternoon bush walk, then hung out by a watering hole in the later afternoon until dinner was served by candlelight. There is no pool or fancy amenities, here, it really is glamping.

In the morning, we woke in the dark, had a cup of tea and biscuits, and headed out on our full-day safari. By the time we arrived back at camp, it was after dark. We had arranged for a driver to take us to Hiriketiya Beach that evening. Looking back, we would have enjoyed relaxing at camp for a second night and not rushing out so fast.

The camp here is small and simple, but lovely, and with every convenience. They made arranging our safari easy, and the guide they provided was friendly and knowledgeable. He taught our girls a bit about tracking and answered all their questions about wildlife in Sri Lanka. He even pointed out where once there may have been treasure buried inside a rock!

“The tent was amazing; extremely comfortable and spacious with towels, water, AC and a fan as well as shampoo and shower gel as standard. Goshi arranged a fabulous guide to accompany us on our 2 safaris (small extra charge and well worth doing as it added a lot to the experience). The park entrance is 15 min drive from Wild Trails Yala by Suri.” -Elizabeth (Read more reviews )

Book Now: Wild Trails Yala by Suri

Jetwing Yala

This resort is a massive 38-acre complex , complete with a spa, a large outdoor swimming pool, and TVs in each room. This is not a camp, but a large, luxury hotel close to Yala National Park.

“Great location just outside the national park and on the beach. It’s a lovely property with an exceptional pool. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and there was an excellent choice of food and drink. We had lovely massages in the spa.” -Julia (read more reviews )

Book Now: Jetwing Yala

Camp Leopard

This glamping resort is located near the town of Katagamuwa and uses the northern entrance into Yala National Park than the south entrance used by those lodgings closer to the coast. Visitors report that the ride into camp is a bit bumpy due to its remote location, but that using a different entrance means a quieter safari experience, and that the guides here are experienced and top-notch.

Tents here are canvas and have a more rustic feel, though they are air-conditioned. Hammocks are available in the shared lounge area. They have an onsite restaurant, and can also arrange a bbq by the lake.

“The staff at Camp Leopard are phenomenal. Very accommodating, knowledgeable, and friendly. They immediately treated us like friends and taught us about the animals, food, and culture.” -Brian (read more reviews )

Book Now: Camp Leopard

Budget Lodging near Yala National Park

The nearest town to Yala National Park is Tissamaharama. This is where you’ll find most of the budget hotels and hostels. From this town, you have about a 45-minute drive to the main gate of Yala National Park. The farther away you stay from the park, the earlier you’ll have to get up in the morning to be at the gate (and in line with the other cars) before the 6 am opening. These hotels generally charge well under $100 per night.

There are many more options in Tissamaharama, here are some of the hotels with the highest guest ratings, many of these offer family rooms with multiple beds:

– Moon Light Guest House : With a 9.9/10 rating, travelers report spacious rooms, a shared garden, and staff who cook a delicious curry!

– Village Mango Resort Yala : Looking out over rice fields, these comfortable rooms are run by a lovely family who takes special care of their guests. There are hammocks and bicycles for guests to use.

– Lavender Home Yala : Run by a lovely family, you’ll find comfortable family rooms with air conditioning, some with balconies on the upper story.

Safari Options at Yala National Park

When going on a Yala National Park safari you have the option of a half-day morning safari, a half-day afternoon safari, or a full-day safari.

Half-Day Morning Safari

Mornings are the best time to see animals. You’ll line up with a lot of other vehicles outside the main gate of Yala National Park as the sun comes up, once the gates open, you’ll want to be one of the first cars in, as the vehicles often scare off any animals that are nearby.

Expect a 4:30 departure if you are leaving from Tissamaharama and a 5 or 5:15 departure from one of the border area camps.

If you choose the morning half-day option, you’ll have about three hours of safari time, then head back to your accommodation by 10 am.

Half-Day Afternoon Safari

The afternoon safaris depart from your lodging for a 2 pm entrance to Yala National Park. You’ll have about three hours of safari time, focusing on the later afternoon hours when the sun is not so hot. All vehicles must exit the park before sunset.

Full Day Safari

A full-day safari is from 6 am when the park opens, until about 6 pm. We watched the sunset on the way back to our camp. This is a long day, but it gives you the best chance of spotting animals, without a lot of back-and-forth driving.

You will need a packed breakfast and lunch to eat in the park. Also, the park closes down from 12-2, and all the full day safaris stop for a long lunch break in designated areas. The park is really strict about this, as it gives the drivers and the animals a much-needed break. You’ll see the safari jeeps line up a few minutes before 2 waiting to leave the designated area, but they take this break very seriously.

With four of us in the back of the safari jeep with four bucket seats and a rear bench seat, we had plenty of room to move around and switch seats in and out of the sun over the course of the day.

We spent our lunch break at a stop with a bathroom right by the river. Our guides put down a blanket and set out lunch, then we were free to play in the river until it was time to go. There are a lot of monkeys here so the guides were focused on keeping them away from our food, and then ate once we had finished.

After lunch we drove around a bit, it did start to feel like we were going back over areas we had already visited. At 2 pm it is still hot, so there are not a lot of animals around. One of the kids fell asleep at this time, and we let her rest, figuring we could wake her for any big sightings. By late afternoon there is again more to see, and then as you head back to the gate for your evening exit.

How Much Does Yala National Park Cost?

The entrance fees to Yala National Park are charged by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC)   depending on the number of foreigners in a jeep. Children below 6 are free of charge. Children 6-12 pay a child rate, anyone over 12 is considered an adult.

As of 2023, two adults in a jeep will pay a total of 71 USD in park fees. 2 adults and 2 children will be 106 USD. Generally, these fees are included when you book a vehicle with a driver and a guide.

Prices vary, and make sure to negotiate with your provider, but in 2023 we were quoted $150 for a half-day safari (private jeep, 2 adults 2 kids), and originally quoted $300 USD for a full-day, but were able to pay $175 USD. This included a packed breakfast and picnic lunch during our safari day, as well as an afternoon bush walk the day before our actual in-park safari.

How Much Should I Tip for a Safari in Yala National Park?

Deciding when and how much to tip is always a bit stressful, and depending on where you are coming from you may have different cultural associations or expectations around tipping. To clarify, we reached out to our host at Wild Trails Yala to learn about expectations around tipping your guide and your driver after a safari in Yala.

She advises planning to tip around $10 USD per vehicle to the guide for a half-day safari, and around $20 USD for a full-day safari. It is also recommended to tip the driver as well, though generally slightly less than the guide. Adjust as you feel comfortable based on your experience. This is not per guest but per safari vehicle in total.

Yala National Park Hours

Yala National Park opens at 6 am and closes at 6 pm. There is a mandatory lunch break from 12-2 for all vehicles that are staying for the full day.

Some years, the entire park closes for the month of September. However, in 2023, the park will not be closing unless a drought hits.

When is the Best Time to Visit Yala National Park

Yala can be visited year-round, but your chances of seeing different animals will vary by time of year.

February – July is the best time for spotting leopards. This is the dry season, so while the scenery is not as lush, the animals come out into the open to visit watering holes. We visited Yala in February and had great weather for animal spotting.

In August, the Palu trees bear fruit making it much easier to spot sloth bears who love to eat this fruit.

November to January and April are the rainy months when you are less like to see animals. Keep in mind that leopards, like other cats, do not like the rain, and will retreat into caves, so you are much less like to see one on a rainy day.

Often, Block 1 of Yala closes in September to give the park time to recover from the crowds. During this time, Block 5 is available for an alternate safari.

Which Block Should I Visit in Yala National Park?

There are five blocks in Yala National Park, but most are not open to the public. They are protected land, accessible only to those doing research, filming documentaries, or similar programs that get explicit approval.

This is the block that most tourists visit. The animals that spend time here are used to vehicles going through and are unfazed by the traffic, and therefore easier to spot. The traffic here can be intense, with lines at the gate before sunrise.

Block 1 is the most popular block because this is where the highest numbers of leopards live. We toured Block 1, and while the actual area is small, we did see almost all of the animals we were hoping for, with the exception of the sloth bear.

Block 5 is usually booked for safaris during October and November when Block 1 is closed due to drought and for restoration. There is less visible wildlife here, and much less traffic. The animals are shyer, and the terrain is drier. This is a great block for bird watchers, but not for seeing the larger animals. Some tourists report being very disappointed by tours of Block 5.

Blocks 2, 3, and 4

The other blocks are generally not open to the public, although some specialized tours may enter Block 3 specifically looking to see sloth bears.

How to Get to Yala National Park

While there are buses and trains that run through various parts of Sri Lanka, Yala National Park is not on any major bus routes. You can take a bus from the south coast beach towns to Tissamaharama, but if you are staying at lodging in the buffer area of the park you will need private transportation to get there from the center of town.

From Galle, take the bus marked Kataragama, Tissamaharama is just one stop before the final stop at Kataragama.

The easiest way to get to Yala is to hire a private driver for the journey which will drop you directly at your lodging which may be quite a distance from the town center.

Alternate National Parks in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a massive amount of protected lands over 13% of the country is a national park, reserve, sanctuary, or similar protected space. In fact, Sri Lanka has 21 National Parks! If you can’t fit Yala National Park into your Sri Lanka itinerary, there are other parks that you should consider to see wildlife in Sri Lanka.

Wilpattu National Park : Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest preserve, with a dense forest cover. Close to the historical city of Anuradhapura.  Here you will look for elephants, leopards, and sloth bears.

Udawalawe National Park : This is one of the best parks to see herds of elephants. Drier than Yala, it is located more inland. Located south of Ella and northwest of Yala.

Bundala National Park : This is the most impressive park in Sri Lanka for bird watching. Located just down the coast from Yala, the wetlands here attract migratory birds, and the park boasts over 200 species.

Wasgamuwa National Park – This park in central Sri Lanka, just south of Sirigiya, has the largest population of sloth bears in Sri Lanka. You will also see elephants, deer, and crocodiles.

Tips for Enjoying Your Safari In Yala National Park

Here are some tips to help you be prepared and enjoy your safari in Yala National Park.

1. Keep Your Expectations Low. This is especially important with kids! You may see a wild leopard right away, and follow them for an hour, or you might not see one at all. Or you may be called to a sighting to find 30 other vehicles waiting in line to see the same animal that is now deep in the grass. You will see wild animals, but it’s best to keep your expectations low prior to your trip.

2. Bathrooms are hard to come by in Yala National Park. Your guide may be able to find a spot for you to squat in the bush, but the only official bathroom is at one of the lunch break locations, so be prepared for that reality.

3. The best time to see animals is in the early morning, so you’ll start before dark, and be lined up (with a lot of other vehicles) at the entrance to the park before dawn. Later afternoon, starting around 4 pm is the next best time to see animals.

4. The afternoons get quite hot, and the animals take cover. If you opt for a full-day safari, keep in mind that the afternoon will be slow. One of our kids fell asleep in the car during this time, and we let her sleep. To some extent, it felt like we were driving around just wasting the hours waiting for the cooler times when the animals might emerge.

5. Bring water and a packed lunch. Your lodging can probably help with this, but there is nowhere to buy water or food inside the park, so come prepared.

6. Bring sun lotion, bug spray, and a sweater for the cool morning before the comes up. Remember to bring extra battery packs or chargers for your camera or phone!

7. Communicate with your guide. If you’d like to stop and take a picture, let them know. If you are ready to move on, speak up! They want you to have a good time but don’t always know whether you want to stop to see the fourth peacock of the day and take photos, or just keep moving.

FAQ: Safari in Yala National Park

The more hours you spend in the park, the more likely you are to see a leopard or other hard-to-spot animal. We recommend either one full day or two half days to maximize your chances of seeing these elusive animals.

There are over 100 leopards in Yala National Park, with many of them roaming through Block 1. Your guide will be able to identify and report any leopard that you view on your safari.

Yala National Park is huge- it covers 979 square kilometers or 378 square miles. That’s nearly 130,000 hectares of land. It is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, behind Wilpattu National Park.

Yes, you can stay inside Yala National Park, though most people stay outside the park in private lodges in the buffer area around the park. The bungalows inside the park are managed by the Sri Lankan government and have few amenities. You can see the facilities here , and reserve them online .

There are many animals and birds in Yala National Park including leopards, sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, peacocks, boars, deer, jackals, and more. Birds include various storks, pelicans, and herons.

Leopards are wild animals, so they can be dangerous. Most leopards in Yala National Park as used to seeing safari vehicles all the time, and pay them no mind. However, never exit a safari vehicle unless your guide tells you that it is safe to do so. Leopards can become especially dangerous if hurt, or if their cubs are threatened. Here’s a fun article on how to survive a leopard attack .

Beginning in 2022, vehicles could no longer enter Yala National Park without a licensed guide. Currently, private vehicles cannot enter, you must be a registered tour vehicle.

You need a licensed vehicle and driver to visit Yala National Park. We strongly advise also hiring a guide who will help you track and spot animals, as well as give you guidance on their behavior.

There are supposedly a few buses that run from Ella to Yala National Park but they are not straightforward. We recommend booking a private transfer. You can ask for quotes from your hotel in Ellas as well as your camp near Yala to compare rates. We found that while everything is negotiable, most places offer fair rates based on the cost of fuel at the time. The drive time between Ella and Yala is about two hours.

Colombo is about a five-hour drive from Yala National Park. You can hire a driver to take you between the two cities, but you are better off enjoying other locations in Sri Lanka on your way to and from Yala. The southern beaches are only about a 1-2 hour drive from Yala.

There You Have It: Safari in Yala National Park

A safari in Yala National Park is a wonderful experience with wildlife you aren’t likely to see elsewhere! We’ve covered all the options from luxury to budget- whether you want to be pampered, or commune with nature. You’ve got everything you need to know to book your safari, from what to expect, and to what to bring with you to have an amazing safari. Make sure to add a safari in Yala National Park to your Sri Lanka itinerary, finger’s crossed you’ll see a leopard!

Continuing on to India? Don’t miss our guide to the Taj Mahal !

Cynthia Matthews von Berg is the founder of Sharing the Wander. She is a passionate traveler, mom, and travel coach specializing in long-term travel and family travel. She and her family embarked on a Family Gap Year in 2021, and haven't looked back.

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Yala National Park Safari, Sri Lanka: What You Need to Know [Activity Review]

Posted on Last updated: July 22, 2021

When you think about Sri Lanka , chances are high that you immediately think about jeep safaris and spotting wildlife… Well, you’re right! During my week on the South Coast of the country , I had the chance to do a Yala National Park Safari with Cinnamon Nature Trails. 

Below you can read all about this safari and of course I’ve included everything you need to know to make your own visit to Yala National Park a success.

YALA NATIONAL PARK SRI LANKA SAFARI REVIEW

National Parks In Sri Lanka

Did you know that 13% of Sri Lanka is either a national park, reserve, sanctuary or jungle corridors? The Sinharaja Forest Reserve for example, is the country’s last area of tropical rain forest and it has even been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

In total, Sri Lanka has 21 National Parks, and they are:

• Wilpattu National Park (one of the oldest and most important of protected areas in Sri Lanka, lots of important cultural sites and wildlife such as elephant, sloth bear, water buffalo, leopards and spotted dear)
• Yala East (Kumana) National Park (this park is separated from Yala National Park and is a strict reserve, known for its migratory birds that visit the mangrove swamps)
• Wasgamuwa National Park (home to a vast array of animals, ancient sites and tanks + the highest density of bears than anywhere else in Sri Lanka)
• Gal Oya National Park (catchment area for Sri Lanka’s largest reservoir, the Senanayake Samudraya, the only national park where boat rides are allowed, you can spot swimming elephants here!)
• Udawalawe National Park (Sri Lanka’s closest example of Africa’s savanna reserves and the country’s premier elephant park)
• Lahugala Kithulana National Park (one of Sri Lanka’s smallest parks with a big importance to endemic animals in Sri Lankan like birds and the Sri Lankan elephant)
• Maduru Oya National Park (designed to protect the immediate catchments of five reservoirs and a refuge for wildlife)
• Horton Plains National Park (world heritage site and the catchment area for almost all of Sri Lanka’s major rivers, home to many animals & endemic plants in Sri Lanka + spectacular hikes)
• Bundala National Park (a paradise for migratory and resident birds due to many lagoons, wildlife spotting from elephant to the deer, the only park to spot both the Marsh and Seawater crocodile on the same safari trip)
• Lunugamvehera National Park (created primarily as a catchment area for the Lunugamvehera reservoir)
• Minneriya National Park (despite being one of the smallest, this park is a haven for elephants and endemic birds of Sri Lanka)
• Kaudulla National Park  (this park revolves around an ancient tank and is considered as an important elephant corridor, offering regular sightings)
• Hikkaduwa National Park (one of the two marine parks in Sri Lanka, featuring fringing coral reefs showcasing a bio-diversity spectacle)
• Pigeon Island National Park (the second marine park in the country, a spectacular small island home to a showcase of colorful corals and tropical fish)
• Horagolla National Park (biologically the most diverse and significant patch of forest in the wet zone of Sri Lanka, and a natural refuge for manyendemic species in Sri Lanka that are extremely rare/extinct in other parts of the island)
• Galways Land National Park (the only national park located within city limits, a beautiful population of birds and colorful floral species of native and foreign origin, the most significant birding site in Sri Lanka)
• Ussangoda National Park (this park is believed to be the place where Ravana landed his mythical flying chariot, known for the red soil in the area, this park is a haven for turtles)
• Angammedilla National Park (established to protect the drainage basin of the giant Parakrama Samudra reservoir)
• Flood Plains National Park (a corridor for wildlife migration between grazing lands in Wasgamuwa and Somawathiya National Park)
• Somawathiya National Park (within the park, you can find the Somawathiya Chaitya, a stoepa said to be containing a relic of the tooth of the Buddha)
• Yala National Park (the oldest and most known national park in Sri Lanka, best place for leopard spotting)

Road Block!

History Of Yala National Park

Yala nationalpark Sri Lanka is one of the oldest and most well-known national parks in the country: it was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and designated as national park in 1938. Under British rule, however, the park was initially used as a hunting ground, if you can believe it!

With about 1297 km2 (129,700 ha), it’s also the largest of protected areas in the country. The park plays an important role in the conservation of a large number of flora and fauna in Sri Lanka and you can also find a couple of historical, religious and archaeologically important places in the area.

The terrain of Yala park Sri Lanka is very diverse and consists of light riverine, thorn and dry monsoon forests, scrub jungle, fresh and brackish water wetlands, open planes of grasslands, tanks, lagoons and even sand dunes. Special to Yala is the coastal wilderness and it’s the only place in the world where you can see Asian elephants right next to the coast (and sometimes even ON the beach!).

Where To Go In Yala Sri Lanka?

What you should know about Yala, is that it’s divided into 5 blocks and also consists of adjoining sanctuaries and national parks such as Lahugala, Lunugamvehera and Kumana National Park, the Yala Strict Nature Reserve and the Kataragama, Katagamuwa, and Nimalawa sanctuaries. Between the different national parks there are jungles, so elephants have corridors to move from Yala to the other parks in the area.

Not every block and sanctuary is accessible for visitors (only Block 1 and 5 are open at the moment, the others are more used for research and documentary filming) and -here comes the deal- not every block gives you an equal chance of actually seeing wildlife.

Another very important thing to note is that Blocks 1 and 2 will be closed for 6 weeks in September and October . Yala safari Sri Lanka companies will then take you to either Block 5 or Lunugamvehara National Park. Of course, during the time that we visited, the park had literally just closed, so we were off to Block 5, which we didn’t know beforehand. Below you can read the impact that had on our overall experience.

Block 1 is the most popular area of the park (in the South) and because it’s one of the oldest, the animals are somewhat ‘used’ to people being around, so you have the best chance of spotting wildlife. This part of the park has the highest concentration of leopards as well (over 30 at the moment), so if you want to see them (and who doesn’t), you have to go to Block 1 for sure. But remember that they are still wild animals, so you might not spot anything regardless.

This block is almost exclusively used for safaris, so expect quite a bit of traffic going around.

Block 2 is at the most Southern and remote part of Yala. Wildlife here is less frequently observed, and therefore quite shy.

Block 3 in the North of Yala features a wilderness with hardly any visitors… and also hardly any wildlife because of the dry Yala weather. That said, in the dry season, this block is where specialized afternoon safaris run to photograph the Sloth Bear.

Block 4 of Yala is located in the North. The area is a dry zone and features a tall canopy and forest with huge trees, compared to the more open landscapes in the South and East of Yala National Park. There is a lot of rainfall in this part of the park, almost double than the more Southern parts of the park. Because of the wilderness, there are almost no visitors here and block 4 Yala national park animals are a lot more shy because of that.

Block 5 lies in the North of Yala and just like block 3 and 4, there will be not a lot of visitors here, and also not a lot of wildlife because of the dry conditions and the fact that they are much more shy than in Block 1 for example. It’s perfect if you are looking for a private nature experience and are crazy about birds, but definitely don’t expect much larger wildlife, for that you really, really have to visit Block 1.

You can see why most people on our tour (who were expecting to see heaps of elephants and perhaps even leopards) were mildly (read: VERY) disappointed that we got diverted to Block 5. At the Wild Yala National Park hotel, we were given the lovely map of Block 1 (see above), with all the animals we could see there… but we never did.

Just to show you again what the difference between Block 1 (green arrow) and Block 5 (red arrow) is, this map tells it all:

Where To Book A Yala National Park Safari?

We did our Safari with Cinnamon Nature Trails , which is related to the Cinnamon Wild Yala nature resort and is one of Sri Lanka’s leading eco-companies. They have worked together on photo and video productions of no others than National Geographic, BBC Natural History and The Discovery Channel.

On our tour, we entered the park around 3 PM (it was about half an hour drive from the Yala Safari Hotel, since we had to go to Block 5 instead of Block 1, which is right next to the hotel) and had to exit the park again at 6 PM. On this tour, they say you get a minimum of 3 hours in the park.

There is a maximum of 6 people per Yala safari jeep and no matter where you are seated, you will have a window spot. Well, more a ‘viewing spot’, since there are no windows in the jeep, haha.

Half-Day Safari

For an adult, if you’re travelling with a minimum of 2 people, you pay USD $90. Children 5-12 years pay USD $40 (under 5 free of charge).

Full-Day Safari

For an adult, if you’re travelling with a minimum of 2 people, you pay USD $180. Children 5-12 years pay USD $60 (under 5 free of charge).

There are different times for the Yala national park tours: Morning / Full Day (departure at 5:30 AM) and Evening (departure at 2:30 PM)

Again: make note that in general, Yala National Park Block 1 & Block 2 will be closed from the 1st of September until the end of October. As an alternative the safari will be taking you to either Yala Block 5 or Lunugamvehara National Park. This will GREATLY reduce your chances of seeing larger wildlife. Just so you are warned. 

To book this safari, please check out the Cinnamon Nature Trails website

What Animals Can You Spot In Yala National Park?

In Yala, you can find 44 varieties of mammal and 215 bird species.

The animals that most people come to Yala for are the elephant and most of all the leopard. In the Southern Blocks of 1 and 2, and also in the East of Yala, you’ll find quite a large number of lone elephants. For the bigger herds, you have more luck in the Northern Blocks of 3, 4 and 5. There are about 250-300 elephants in Yala, broken up into small families and lone males.

Yala has the world’s biggest concentration of leopards, and to see them best, head over to Block 1.

There is also a large population of Sloth Bear (they feed on fruit between April and June) and other wild animals such as crocodiles, spotted deer and sambar deers, jackals, peacocks and a lot of other birds, including raptors, waders and shorebirds.

We spotted moneys and a lot of spotted deer

How MASSIVE is this bees nest?

Behind the Scenes

We didn’t spot any large wildlife in Block 5 until perhaps 10 minutes before we had to leave the park at 6. By this time we were still quite a bit of distance from the gates, and our drivers were rushing (read: definitely going over the speed limit here) to make it back in time. I suppose there is a fee for them if they stay out too late, but they should know by now how big the park is, no?

Anyway, when we were rushing through the park, suddenly someone shouted “ELEPHANNNNNTTTTSSS!!!” and we made a sudden stop, almost having the car behind us crash into us. Uhm ok. But there they were…. really far away (I have a 200 zoom lens and then cropped the image below to see things properly). But hey, they were elephants, even with a little baby! The fact that we only got to look at them for less than 5 minutes is something I’m just going to forget.

And if you can believe it, on the way back in the bus from Block 5 to our resort, guess what we saw? Scroll down for the answer…

Yes, that’s right. You spend 3 hours on safari driving through stunning landscapes looking for elephants, only to spot several of them on the road, eating fruit that someone clearly left there for them. *sigh*

What Is The Best Time To Visit Yala National Park?

The best time to visit the park is between February and July. During this time, the water levels of the park are quite low, so the animals have to get out into the open to reach water sources. The Northeast Monsoon occurs around mid-October to late-December. During this time, it’s perfect to see the arrival of migratory birds from central Asia and the Himalaya.

Because Yala National Park is located in the “dry zone” of Sri Lanka, the climate here is hot and occasionally humid. Average temperatures range between Min 20°C (68°F) and Max 33°C (91°F).

Cinnamon Wild Yala

Where To Stay In Yala National Park?

During my time in South Sri Lanka, I stayed at the Cinnamon Wild Yala safari lodge. This resort features individual bungalows and includes a lake filled with wildlife from birds to buffalo’s and crocodiles!

To read more about this incredible Yala National Park accommodation, check out our complete review here .

How Long To Visit Yala National Park?

We spend two nights at the Cinnamon Wild Yala hotel, but we only got to go on just one afternoon safari. If I would have booked this trip myself, I would have definitely stayed another night and try and go on at least one more safari early in the morning! The experience is just too unique to cheap out on this and what are the chances you’ll be back in Yala anytime soon?

Also, make sure to get to the opening of the park as early as possible. Especially when you’re in Block 1 and things get busy, you don’t want to be the last car in line!

Weheragala Reservoir

Driving through Block 5, which borders Lunuamvehera National Park, we stopped briefly at the Weheragala Reservoir. This reservoir and dam was built in 2009 to block the Menik Ganga (river) and to provide water to the farmer in the South and the pilgrims who travel annually and seasonally to Kataragama for religious purposes. It also provides drinking water to the wild animals in the park, especially during the dry season.

The reservoir can hold 75 million m 3 of water and covers 3500 acres! The dam itself is 2 km long, 23 m high and 18 m wide. It’s really quite impressive!

Birdwatching Sri Lanka

If you’re wondering, the national bird of Sri Lanka is a “junglefowl”. It looks like a rooster, but then with gorgeous blue tail feathers and a red and yellow comb. We didn’t spot one of them on our safari, but we did see many other gorgeous birds, that you can see below.

If you are a lover of bird watching, perhaps consider to (also) book the bird watching trip to Bundala National Park (about 35 km from the Cinnamon Wild Yala Resort). Cinnamon Nature Trails offers a tour that will take you to the first wetland that was declared as a “Ramsar site” in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO designated biosphere reserve. This park is considered an “Important Bird Area” (IBA) and is home to 197 species of birds of which 58 are migratory.

You have the chance to see for example: the Black Headed Ibis, Black Tailed Godwit, Painted Stork, Terns and many other bird species along with mammals, amphibians, butterflies and reptiles.

For an adult, if you’re travelling with a minimum of 2 people, you pay USD $110. Children 5-12 years pay USD $45 (under 5 free of charge)

This tour leaves at 7 AM.

You can book this bird trip on the Cinnamon Nature Trails website

To see some great footage from Yala National Park (and all the animals you could have seen), we recommend to check out this video by our friends Dave & Deb from The Planet D:

Leopard Conservation Project

As Sri Lanka holds the highest density of leopard population in the world, the cattle of local farmers have been under many attacks in the past. The leopards especially prey on their young calves. Of course, the farmers were less than happy about this and their anger triggered many revenge attacks, which in return left the leopards in great danger.

That’s when the John Keells Foundation, in collaboration with Cinnamon Wild Yala founded “Project Leopard”. This project provides cattle farmers with steel pens to secure their calves at night, when the animals are most vulnerable.

The success of the project paved the way for the “Leopard Research Project” to be initiated. Here, weather proof trail cameras were installed in Yala to monitor the behaviour of the leopards and estimate their population.

Check this video to find out more:

Besides the fact that we got send to Block 5 and therefore not seeing as much big wildlife as we could have and the rushing of the drivers at the end of the trip, I would still say that my experience going on a jeep safari in Sri Lanka was a positive one.

The rush of being in an open vehicle with so many wild animals around, the excitement of spotting really amazing birds, deer, monkeys and in the end (even though very far away) elephants, is something I believe everyone should experience once.

One thing that I would have expected more from was the driver/guide on our trip. He did point out some of the animals we saw, but didn’t give us a lot of information about them, as I believe his English wasn’t great. If we would have someone on the trip that was a great storyteller and provided us with a lot of background on the animals and the park, this would have definitely been a better experience for us.

If I would ever come back to Sri Lanka, I would 100% go when Block 1 is open and give myself at least 2-3 drives depending on the wildlife we get to see. But overall, I thought this was a really cool bucket-list worthy experience, especially if you’ve never been on a jeep safari before like I have! Definitely in combination with a stay at the Cinnamon Wild Yala Resort, this part of my trip to Sri Lanka has been my favourite and I would highly recommend visiting!

Time Zone in Sri Lanka? UTC + 5.30

Currency in Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR). Check the latest exchange rate here .

Electrical Plugs in Sri Lanka? 230V, Type D, M & G. We recommend getting [amazon_textlink asin=’B01KLMW9GY’ text=’a universal travel adapter ’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thetraveltester-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’1798619a-ecb8-11e8-8af7-5980e1425c5f’] to never worry about having the right plug on your travels!

Languages Spoken in Sri Lanka?  Sinhala, Tamil and English

Best time to visit Sri Lanka?  Sri Lanka has warm temperatures throughout the year, but the dry season is from April to October (mild temperatures and little rain). The Monsoon season is from November to March (high temperatures and humidity).

Visa Requirements Sri Lanka? If you’re from the USA, UK, Netherlands or Australia, you are required to apply for an electronic visa (ETA) prior to arrival. This visa allows you to enter and stay in the country for 30 days.

Insurance for Sri Lanka? Make sure to get travel insurance! We recommend checking out worldnomads.com

Vaccinations for Sri Lanka? You should always check your doctor’s recommendations on vaccinations before you travel, but you should definitely have the basic immunizations such as Tetanus and Diphtheria up to date.

How to get to Sri Lanka?  You can only get to Sri Lanka by flying. There are no ferries between India or other nearby countries. I flew from London with Sri Lankan airlines, as there are daily direct flights from Heathrow to Colombo . This took about 10 hours. While flying economy is always a bit uncomfortable long-haul, I did like the food and entertainment options on my flight and the staff was super friendly. The flight from London was packed, so 100% make sure to book your seats in advance to prevent yourself ending up in middle seats. You can even bid for business class seats, a friend of mine got hers for as low as 100 pounds!

For the best deals on flights to Sri Lanka, check skyscanner.com .

How to get around Sri Lanka?  Most of the sights in Sri Lanka can be reached overland, for example by bus (budget, pay fare to assistant driver), trains (scenic routes: Colombo <> Kandy , Kandy <> Ella and Ella <> Nuwara Eliya ) or private driver (comfort, around $200-350 USD for a week + additional tip). You can also opt for domestic flights, Cinnamon Air Sri Lanka has small 8-seater planes to give you some scenic flight fun! And don’t forget to use the tuktuk in the cities (negotiate your price before you get in!)

Colombo to Yala national park is about 285 km, which is around 5,5 hours driving. It is recommended if you’re not seeing anything else on the south coast, to take a flight here! Cinnamon Air flies to the airport in Tissa, which is 53.3 km from the park.

Which organised tours to do in Sri Lanka?  We highly recommend organised tours with Gadventures. These are the tours they offer:

• Sri Lanka Land & Sea
• Sri Lanka Encompassed
• Sri Lanka & Maldives Adventure
• Sri Lanka Express
• Discover Sri Lanka
• Discover India and Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka on a Shoestring
• Discover Kerala and Sri Lanka

Tourism Website Sri Lanka:

• Have a look over at  srilanka.travel

Accommodation in Sri Lanka: 

• Cinnamon Grand Colombo [ see the best deals on booking.com ]
• Cinnamon Bey Beruwala [ see the best deals on booking.com ]
• Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon [ see the best deals on booking.com ]
• Cinnamon Wild Yala [ see the best deals on booking.com ]
• Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort [ see the best deals on booking.com ]

Make sure to check out our other articles on Sri Lanka:

• 10 Best Things to Do in Sri Lanka that Will Make you Grow as a Person
• One Day in Galle Fort, Sri Lanka ? Complete Guide To A Perfect City Break!
• Cinnamon Sri Lanka Hotel Review : Is This the Best Accommodation on the South Coast of the Country?

To read more about other national parks in Sri Lanka, check out these blogs by our blogging friends:

• Kaudulla National Park : Spotting Elephants on a Jeep Safari in Sri Lanka [ wonderfulwanderings.com ]
• Sri Lanka Trekking [ globalhelpswap.com ]
• Mesmerised by the wild elephants in Kaudulla National Park , Sri Lanka [ globalhelpswap.com ]
• Yala or Udawalawe : Which is the Best Safari in Sri Lanka? [ nomadicboys.com ]
• Leopard Spotting at Yala National Park , Sri Lanka [ theplanetd.com ]
• Sri Lanka Safari – The Best of Yala National Park [ theplanetd.com ]

[amazon_link asins=’1786572575,0241203570,1465441166,B07JNXMYF7,1786715333,B01DJ140LQ’ template=’ProductGrid’ store=’thetraveltester-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d706a9ed-ecaf-11e8-ac9a-55ef2b2dfb1a’]

Disclaimer:  I was kindly invited by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, The Professional Travel Bloggers Association, SriLankan airlines and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau to be part of this trip to the South Coast of Sri Lanka (part of TBC Asia 2018). All photos and opinions are, as always, 100% my own!

THE 10 BEST Yala National Park Safaris

Safaris in yala national park.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
• Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
• Hiking & Camping Tours
• Equipment Hire
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Bundala National Park
• Beyond Escapes
• Lakpura LLC
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full day Safari - Yala National Park - 04.30 am to 06.00 pm with - Janaka safari

2. Leopard Safari Tour in Yala National Park

3. Special leopards safari Yala National park - 04.30 am to 11.30 am

4. VALUE PACK! One Day Safari Tour to Yala and Udawalawe - Private & All Inclusive

5. Yala National Park Special Leopard Safari Tour

6. Full Day Safari ( The Best for Leopards ) in Yala

7. Yala National Park Safari |From Hambantota Port (Shore Excursion)

8. Super Luxury Jeep Safari at Yala National Park

9. From Ella: Transfer to Mirissa/Unawatuna/Galle & Yala/Udawalawe Safari Day Trip

10. Full Day Private Yala Safari Trip with Lunch

11. Yala Safari Tours from Yala/Thissamaharamaya/Hambantota

12. UDAWALAWA National Park ALL INCLUSIVE Tour with PICK UP INCLUDED

13. Private Day-Trip to Yala National Park Including BBQ Dinner on the Beach

14. Classical Sri Lanka (7 Day Guided Round Tour)

15. Sri Lanka Round Tour

16. Yala National Park Wildlife Safari/ Game Drive - by Ajith Safari

17. Yala Full Day Safari from Hambantota Port Shore Excursion

18. YALA National Park - Full Day Private Tour

19. 5 Days Tour in Sri Lanka (Hotels with Breakfast & Luxury Car)

20. Yala National Park Safari From Ella

21. Udawalawe Safari & Yala Safari - 01 Day, All Included

22. Private Half Day Tour: Udawalawe National Park with Elephant Transit Home Visit

23. Full Day Safari Tour in Yala National Park

24. Yala National Park - Full Day Safari (04:30 am - 06:00 pm)

25. Evening Safari - Yala National Park with Janaka safari - 02.00 pm to 06.30 pm

26. Sri Lanka tours 12-Day wildlife Tour with driver,Car or Van and accommodations

27. Budget Tours Sri Lanka with 7 Nights accommodation

28. Colombo to Kandy,Ella & Yala 3 Day Tour

29. 2 Day Tour of Yala & Ella with Hill Country Scenic Train Ride - All Inclusive

30. Yala National Park (Day Tour)

What travellers are saying.

THE 10 BEST Yala National Park Safaris

Safaris in yala national park.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
• Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
• Hiking & Camping Tours
• Equipment Hire
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Bundala National Park
• Beyond Escapes
• Lakpura LLC
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full day Safari - Yala National Park - 04.30 am to 06.00 pm with - Janaka safari

2. Leopard Safari Tour in Yala National Park

3. Special leopards safari Yala National park - 04.30 am to 11.30 am

4. VALUE PACK! One Day Safari Tour to Yala and Udawalawe - Private & All Inclusive

5. Yala National Park Special Leopard Safari Tour

6. Full Day Safari ( The Best for Leopards ) in Yala

7. Yala National Park Safari |From Hambantota Port (Shore Excursion)

8. Yala Half Day Safari from Hambantota Port Shore Excursion

9. Super Luxury Jeep Safari at Yala National Park

10. From Ella: Transfer to Mirissa/Unawatuna/Galle & Yala/Udawalawe Safari Day Trip

11. Yala Safari Tours from Yala/Thissamaharamaya/Hambantota

12. UDAWALAWA National Park ALL INCLUSIVE Tour with PICK UP INCLUDED

13. Private Day-Trip to Yala National Park Including BBQ Dinner on the Beach

14. Classical Sri Lanka (7 Day Guided Round Tour)

15. Sri Lanka Round Tour

16. Yala National Park Wildlife Safari/ Game Drive - by Ajith Safari

17. Yala Full Day Safari from Hambantota Port Shore Excursion

18. YALA National Park - Full Day Private Tour

19. 5 Days Tour in Sri Lanka (Hotels with Breakfast & Luxury Car)

20. Full Day Private Yala Safari Trip with Lunch

21. Yala National Park Safari From Ella

22. Udawalawe Safari & Yala Safari - 01 Day, All Included

23. Private Half Day Tour: Udawalawe National Park with Elephant Transit Home Visit

24. Full Day Safari Tour in Yala National Park

25. Evening Safari - Yala National Park with Janaka safari - 02.00 pm to 06.30 pm

26. Sri Lanka tours 12-Day wildlife Tour with driver,Car or Van and accommodations

27. Budget Tours Sri Lanka with 7 Nights accommodation

28. Colombo to Kandy,Ella & Yala 3 Day Tour

29. Yala National Park - Full Day Safari (04:30 am - 06:00 pm)

30. 2 Day Tour of Yala & Ella with Hill Country Scenic Train Ride - All Inclusive

What travellers are saying.

Yala National Park | Your Complete Yala Safari Guide

If you’re thinking of including a safari in your Sri Lanka itinerary , you won’t go far wrong with a Yala safari .

It’s up there with Udawalawe National Park as one of the most popular Sri Lanka national parks.  Some would say that Yala is the best national park in Sri Lanka, but it really comes down to personal preference.

The two parks are very similar, especially in terms of the wildlife you may see. It depends on the route you’re going to take during your Sri Lanka holiday as to which one you choose.

If you love safaris, maybe you’ll have time to squeeze in both! See here for an excellent Udawalawe safari .

The main difference between the two is that you may have a slightly higher chance of leopard spotting on a Yala National Park Safari , which has the highest density of leopard anywhere in the world.

Despite this, sightings are still not guaranteed. Udawalawe, on the other hand, has a large population of elephant and so elephant sightings on an Udawalawe safari are all but guaranteed.

This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through one, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you.

Yala National Park leopard sighting

During a trip to Sri Lanka in 2010 we chose to do a safari in Yala National Park. We had just finished a 4 months overland trip through Africa.

We went on safari in Tanzania, the Okavango in Botswana, Etosha in Namibia and the Kruger in South Africa. They are some of the best safari destinations in Africa. You get the picture. We’d done a few safaris and were prepared to be underwhelmed with Yala.

We asked ‘how could it compare with the amazing safaris we’d just done?’. We booked it anyway because it was considered one of the highlights of Sri Lanka, and we’re very glad we did.

If you’re into wildlife, then Yala should definitely be included in your Sri Lanka itinerary. 

Yala National Park at sunrise

When is the best time to visit Yala National Park?

The best time of year to visit Yala is during the dry season between February and June.

There is less foliage around and it’s easier to spot wildlife. The best safari times for optimal wildlife spotting are between 6 am – 9 am and 3 pm – 6 pm.

Afternoon safaris in Yala are actually a bit quieter, and the leopards are also a bit more active towards late afternoon.

Accommodation in Yala

If you’re doing a morning safari in Yala, try to stay locally the night before to improve your safari experience.

If you are staying further away and have to get up in the middle of the night to get to the park for when it opens, you (and no doubt the kids) will feel so tired and probably not appreciate the experience as much.

There are plenty of accommodation options dotted around the edges of the park to suit every budget.

Luxury accommodation in Yala

Wild coast tented lodge  – all-inclusive luxury tented safari accommodation on the park borders and about as luxury as it gets (with pool).

Chena Huts by Uga Escapes  – (one for the bucket list if you’re travelling without children!) – all-inclusive cabin with your own plunge pool because who doesn’t love looking at luxury accommodation??

Jetwing Yala – this is an excellent chain hotel in Sri Lanka and you are right by the coast.

Cinnamon Wild – 5 minutes drive from Yala National Park, it has rooms with balconies and views of the jungle or the sea.

Mid-range accommodation in Yala

Avonil Resort Yala  – simple but clean accommodation with a lovely swimming pool. A little way from Yala National Park.

Budget accommation in Yala

LakeSide Cabana Tissamharama – rustic treehouse-style cabins with children’s playground.

Yala Hotel Lion – an air conditioned tented safari camp (no pool).

If you can’t see anything you like above, try a broader search on Booking.com which has the largest selection of Yala National Park accommodation 

Booking.com

How to choose a Yala National Park Jeep Safari

To find the best safari companies in Yala National Park, do your research online and speak to your accommodation.

We arranged a half day morning jeep safari through our accommodation. If you’re booking the tour yourselves, try to make sure that they have plenty of good reviews.

Not all Yala National Park safari companies are reputable.

This Yala safari tour lasts around 5 hours and they pick up from your accommodation in the Yala area – or you can meet them at Yala National Park entrance.

If you are staying in the south, this full day Yala Safari departs from Galle, Mirissa or Unawatuna.

The Cost of Half Day Safari in Yala National Park

If you are organising your safari yourself, this is just a guide so that you know roughly what to be charged:

• Private jeep  – around LKR 3500 (£15) for a half day
• Park entrance fees are $15 / £11.50 per adult and $8 / £6 per child (under 6 are free)
• LKR 250 (£1) jeep charge
• 15% VAT on top of everything charged by the park (excluding jeep fee).

You can check here for the most up to date park entrance fees :

Yala National Park entrance gate

How long is the ideal Yala safari with kids?

You can choose between full-day Yala safaris or half-day Yala safaris. Half day safaris are probably enough if you have young children as they last about 3 hours.

Any longer than this and we find that the kids start to get a bit tired, bored, restless or hungry!

Our guide had no problem cutting ours a little short when the kids started getting hangry.

If you’re staying in Yala for a couple of days, you could do a morning and an afternoon safari to see the park at different times of day.

Want to know what else there is to do in Sri Lanka for families? Make sure to read our recommendations for the best things to do in Sri Lanka with kids .

What do you take on a Yala safari?

The main thing to note is that there are no shops in Yala National Park which means that you need to take everything with you.

If you choose to do a half-day safari in the morning, the chances are you will have left your accommodation before breakfast. Make sure you have enough snacks and water with you to see you through to mid/late-morning.

We had cereal bars, bananas, rotis and breadsticks. It’s a good idea to take a bag for waste as you can’t leave any litter in the national park.

We always carry a refillable water bottle with us on our travels. We have both Chillys Bottle and CamelBak.

Here is a helpful guide on what to take on safari . The list is not exhaustive, so if you think of anything else, please let us know!

Our Yala National Park safari experience

We were picked up at 5.30am at our accommodation in a jeep and set off to the park to buy our tickets, and get in for as close to the 6am opening time as possible.

Once you’re through the gates and away from the other jeeps jostling to be the first to get in, you will start spotting wildlife.

It may be the ubiquitous peacock perched high in a tree, or it may be the elusive leopard. The beauty of a safari is the excitement of not knowing what you may see and looking carefully for any sign of movement for that first sighting.

In our experience, every time you go on safari you will have a unique experience. On this occasion, our unique experience was seeing a crocodile eating a leopard.

It was a pretty unusual sighting and not one we have ever seen on any of our African safaris.  We were so mesmerised by the sighting that we didn’t get great pictures but you can kind of get the idea.

Crocodile eating a leopard in Yala National Park

Unfortunately, we didn’t see a live leopard. We just missed out spotting a leopard because there were too many jeeps.

This is one of the drawbacks to Yala being so popular. We did see a huge number of Asian elephants which, incidentally, are much less intimidating than their African relatives.

We felt much more comfortable getting up close and personal with these elephants in Yala.

A docile Asian elephant enjoy its meal

We also saw more crocodiles, monitor lizards, water buffalo, spotted deer, bee eaters, egrets on elephants and egrets on buffalo.

Considering egrets are apparently a rare species, we did quite well on the egret front! Here are some of our wildlife spottings.

Crocodiles cooling down with their mouths open

Egret hitching a ride on a buffalo

As it turns out, we were so wrong to think Yala would be underwhelming, or compare unfavourably to a ‘real’ African safari .

We had a really memorable experience and a good thing to remember when travelling; always be open to new experiences.

The many and unique wildlife sightings was enough to convince us that a Yala safari was just as good as an African safari.

Yala national park safari tip

When going on safari, it is worth being prepared. Once you are in the park, there are no shops and no toilet stops (or they may not be very easily accessed).

Happy spotting!

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The Best Sri Lanka Safari – Yala National Park

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: August 16, 2021

Our first Sri Lanka safari was more than a decade ago. It started out on a local bus from Hikkaduwa to a small guest house in Tissamaharama where we joined a group tour on a crowded jeep. That was an incredible experience, but cut to a few years later when we had the opportunity to have a private driver while staying in a luxury lodge, well that took it to a whole new level.

Table of Contents

Sri Lanka Safari  to Yala national Park

We had two glorious days in Yala National Park with a total of three outings in the park. Touring the park with a private driver and guide gave us the luxury of spotting wildlife in our own time without the crowds. We booked two nights inside at The Cinnamon Wild Lodge where we stayed right in the middle of the wildlife. This was the way a safari in Sri Lanka was meant to be.

Wildlife actually roams through the Cinnamon Wild camp, and once the sun goes down, you need to call an escort to walk you from your treehouse bungalow to the main lodge. You never know what you’ll run into!

Men with flashlights check out the grounds to make sure you don’t come upon any unexpected man-eaters or giant animals. Elephants roam through the resort regularly, but we only ran into a wild boar on the way back to our suite.

 The Wildlife of a Yala Safari

Safaris leave directly from the lodge each morning and evening and are run by Nature Trails . The comfortable 4X4 Safari trucks sit high and offer clear views for everyone.

Dave and I had the jeep to ourselves and could stay as long as we wanted at each spot. The guides know this park inside out and know where to spot the animals. Trust that they know what they are doing and take their advice. We ended up seeing every single species we wanted to see in Sri Lanka on our safari in Yala.

Yala National Park Is The Best Place To See Leopards On Earth

We had the chance to go on three different safaris in search of the star attraction of Yala National Park ; the elusive leopard . In Yala, the leopard is not so elusive though. Yala National Park actually houses the highest concentration of leopards in the world.  The chances of spotting one here are the best you’ll ever have.

In Africa, a leopard’s range is about 100 square kilometers, whereas, in Yala, the territory range is around 8 square km, meaning you are going to see a high concentration of leopards in a very small area.

How Many Leopards Did We see?

The last time we were in Yala, we saw one leopard sitting on a branch in a faraway tree. This time, we saw five leopards in total and one really good view of a nearby leopard climbing a tree. It was a huge success.

But it’s not just the leopards that attract tourists from around the world, it’s the abundance of wildlife and the beautifully rugged landscape.

About Yala National Park – Sri Lanka

When visiting Yala in 2011, there was no mention of sloth bears. This time around, sloth bears were another star attraction.

We managed to spot three sloth bears during our safaris, the most interesting encounter was when we came upon a bear walking across the road. Our driver stopped to look at him and instead of running away, the bear sat down in the middle of the path and looked at us. He was almost daring us to come closer.

But the most exciting bear moment came when a buffalo chased one away from a watering hole. You can see it in the video below, or click here to watch it on YouTube. This watering hole was teeming with wildlife.

Other Wildlife on Safari in Sri Lanka

An elephant sauntered by after the buffalo chased off the bear. Different deer, wild boar, and bird varieties drank by the water and crocodiles basked in the sun. It was a beautiful display of Mother Nature in perfect balance and harmony.

We then drove onto a beautiful rock formation deeper in the park where we saw countless monkeys running and jumping along the giant boulders. Seeing the monkeys playing at sunset just before heading to the resort for the night was a magical sight.

Yala Wild is a lovely place to spend the evening as you listen to the sound of the jungle and watch the buffalo, deer, birds, and monkeys relax by the watering hole, right in front of the hotel.

Even the most common wildlife looked spectacular in the landscape.

Staying Overnight in Yala made the Experience Amazing

We stayed in a beach chalet at Cinnamon Wild and could hear the crashing waves just outside our door as we stood 10 feet in the air on a raised platform that let us watch wild boar scamper down below.

The resort is in the heart of Yala and immerses you in the wildlife experience.

ou can use the pool and walk the grounds during the day, but at night you do need an escort to protect from possible wildlife encounters. Dinner is buffet style with traditional Sri Lankan Cuisine on the menu but there is also American and European food to choose from as well.

Luxury Safari in Sri Lanka

We highly recommend staying at the beautiful  Cinnamon Wild Lodge located just outside the park’s gates surrounded by wildlife and jungle.

It’s worth the splurge and less expensive than you’d think.

Costs for A Safari in Sri Lanka with Overnight in Yala

• A night at Cinnamon Wild Resort costs about anwhere from $150 – $300 USD Depending on Season and choice of suites. 
• A private safari costs $90 per person
• Check out Cinnamon on TripAdvisor

The resort has jungle chalets and beach chalets and offers everything you’ve ever dreamed of having when going on a wildlife safari.

There is a roof bar to watch the sunset and when you are finished you are escorted back to your chalet for a night in pure heaven. We slept like babies in our inviting bed.

See our top picks for luxury romantic escapes around the world. 

Two-Day Safari in Yala is a Must

We were up bright and early the next day for another safari where we had the chance to see even more wildlife. Two days allowed us to take our time and relax. We saw a lot on day one, so day two was about looking for the more obscure animals on safari.

Most Exciting Wildlife Spotting on our Sri Lanka Safari

The most exciting wildlife we saw on safari in Sri Lanka wasn’t the leopards or even the elephants. It was a giant python that crossed our paths in the jungle.

It was our first time seeing such a gigantic snake in the wild. This five-meter long (15 Feet) python spanning the entire width of the road. We stopped to watch it slowly cross into the jungle and marveled at its beauty and strength.

I wouldn’t want to meet one of these while out for a walk in the jungle!

Birds of Yala

It was then a day of more safar sightings.  And the birds of Yala caught our attention today! Herons, hornbills, painted storks and peacocks.

It was the wrong time of year for peacocks to show off their feathers, but the last time we were there, we saw many a peacock strutting their stuff.

When to go to on safari in Sri Lanka for birds : January is a good time to see peacocks in blume, we were in Sri Lanka this time in June. It was great for other wildlife, but it was not mating season for the peacocks.

We don’t normally get excited over birds, but in Yala, the hornbills and other birds will certainly grab your attention.

Whether you are into birds, big cats, elephants or reptiles, a safari in Yala National Park will get your heart pumping. There is nothing more exciting than seeing a rare species in the wild.

We had seen storks in the wild before, but the painted storks of Yala were something new for us.

And don’t forget the dazzling bee-eaters of Sri Lanka. They may be small, but they are cute!

Leopard Conservation at Yala National Park

Something we were very impressed with was the Project Leopard initiative started by Cinnamon Resorts. Yala National Park is located in a rural Sri Lankan community and local farmers are greatly affected by leopards hunting their cattle. In the past, farmers would kill and poison leopards to keep their cattle safe, but with the Project Leopard plan, they are given other options.

So far, Cinnamon and the John Keells Group  have built more than 55 pens to keep farmers’ livestock safe from leopard attacks. It’s a great start to preserving this magnificent species.

Read more about Wildlife Conservation at The Human Elephant Conflict

Other Excursions in Yala National Park

There are many different types of excursions offered at Cinnamon Wild. You can visit one of the local farmers and see Project Leopard at work for yourself.

They also offer night drives, guided nature walks, champagne breakfasts and sunset dinners in the bush overlooking the watering hole.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Cinnamon Wild and one could easily spent 3 to 4 days taking in the wildlife, but also enjoying the pool, spa and comfortable rooms. If you are going to do a Sri Lankan Safari, this is the way to go.

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For more information on Sri Lankan Safaris and accommodation all around the country, check out Cinnamon Resorts for more information. We also spent a week in the Maldives. See all there is to do there as well!

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22 thoughts on “The Best Sri Lanka Safari – Yala National Park”

I went on safari in Yala National Park many years ago, but was nowhere near as lucky with the animals we saw. Some great photos – that sloth bear is so cute. I definitely need to go back.

Thank you on a detailed impressive guide! Saved your post for the future ?

Pictures are incredible and very informative content. Thanks for sharing.

Such stunning pictures! This would certainly help me plan my travels!

Wow, what an incredible experience – I am definitely adding this to my Sri Lanka list. I can’t believe how many varied animals you got to see. The leopard, obviously is the star attraction and would be amazing to see in the wild. But what about those sloth bears? How cool are they?! Hmmmm…not so sure about that giant python though, not sure I would be able to sleep at night after seeing that, lol…

It was great to see the sloth bear. The last time we were in Yala, the bears weren’t there. They have reintroduced them and the numbers are growing. It’s such a great thing to see the conservation efforts going on in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka looks like an awesome place to visit. Your article is really very nice to read and with great photos. Great work!

Sri Lanka is a very beautiful place to travel

Sri Lanka is an magical island blessed with natural beauties,pristine golden beaches,mountains,waterfalls.I visited Sri Lanka last year.I Could have a sweet memorable holiday.

Nice clean write up, loaded with beautiful pics. Sri Lanka is so beautiful !

Would love to visit sri lanka!

Wow love this!! Your article has helped us planning our trip this September. Thank you

Indeed Sri Lanka is a very beautiful island. I visited there 3 months ago, the people were also nice.

Vey positive to hear of their efforts to protect leopards, and that you saw more this time than 5 years ago. I’d love to go to Sri Lamka- my plans were more around eating, but the wildlife sounds amazing. We weren’t that into birds until we went to africa and one day at our Lodge another guest was an elderly Englishman and he was the most amazing birdwatcher! He could find things everywhere- it turned out to be a most interesting day and got us much more interested in birds!

Hey Dave and Deb, Thanks so much for this wonderful post. My wife and I went to Kenya and Tanzania as part of a 16 month honeymoon and got into about 9 or 10 different parks. Each one so different.

Sri Lanka’s keeps hitting are radar a lot because of the bird game, were aspiring bird nerds. The leopard is also one animal we fell in love with while on safari.

Your photos are gorgeous and remind us our our honeymoon and Africa, though we know it’s not. Thanks again for another great one!

Wow, What a Great Pics. My Next Travel Plan will be Srilanka with My Family.

incredible pictures congratulations for the work was sensational

The place is amazing. The photos are spectacular. I did not know Sri Lanka is such an beautiful country to tour

Wow that place looks beautiful and wonderful video. I cannot believe how big that snake was in the road! Snakes kinda still scare me. One time Megan and I were living in Cambodia and there was a Malayan Pit Viper in our kitchen we were working and then the next night we heard someone screaming bloody murder and we just assumed someone was a goner. But it was just a guest having a nightmare. Anyhow this place looked beautiful and loved seeing it through your eyes.

Beautiful shots! Takes me back to my Sri Lanka safari. Now I want to go back!

Really wonderful experience of Sri-Lankan Jungle you shared. Impressive work.

Really Very Nice Photography And Content In This Post. Sri Lank Is A Wonderful Island.

• Attractions

Yala National Park and Safari: Ultimate Guide

Yala National Park is a wildlife sanctuary in the southeastern region of Sri Lanka. The park is the second-largest national park in the country for the best Safari experience, spanning over 978.8 square kilometres. It is home to diverse flora and fauna, including Sri Lankan elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and over 200 bird species. The park was first established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and was later declared a national park in 1938. This article will provide an ultimate guide to visiting Yala National Park and Safari.  

Flora and Fauna at Yala National Park 

It is considered one of the best places in the country for observing and photographing wildlife in its natural habitat. The park spans over 979 square kilometres and is home to many flora and fauna.

Flora:   The vegetation in Yala National Park is characterized by dry monsoon forest, thorny scrub, and savannah grasslands. The park has over 215 species, including trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses. The most common trees found in the park are Satin, Palu, Weera, Ehala, and Kumbuk.

Fauna:   Yala National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including 44 species of mammals and 215 species of birds. The park is most famous for its large population of Sri Lankan leopards, considered the highest density of leopards in the world. Visitors to the park can also see Asian elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boar, water buffalo, and the elusive Sri Lankan leopard.

The park is also a bird watcher’s paradise, with over 215 species of birds recorded within its boundaries. The most common birds found in the park are the Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Black-capped Bulbul, Indian Peafowl, and the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo.

Visitors can explore the park on safari jeeps accompanied by experienced guides knowledgeable about the park’s wildlife and vegetation. The park has five zones, each offering a different wildlife experience. Visitors can also enjoy camping, bird watching, and nature walks in the park.

However, it’s important to note that many of the species in Yala National Park are endangered due to human-wildlife conflict and habitat destruction. Therefore, visitors should not disturb the wildlife or damage their habitats.

Expect to be seen five main animals at Yala National Park .

Leopards : Yala National Park is famous for its leopard population, and it’s one of the best places in the world to spot these elusive cats. The park has a high density of leopards; visitors can spot them during their safari tours. Leopards are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, making these times the best to go on a safari.

Elephants: Yala National Park is also home to many elephants, and visitors can see herds of them grazing in the park’s grasslands. The park has around 300 to 400 elephants; visitors can spot them during their safari tours. Elephants are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, making these times the best to go on a safari.

Sloth Bears: Yala National Park is among the few places visitors can see sloth bears. The park has a small population of these bears, and visitors can spot them during their safari tours. Sloth bears are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, making these times the best safari.

Water Buffalo: Water buffalo are commonly found in Yala National Park; visitors can see them grazing in the grasslands. The park has a large water buffalo population; visitors can spot them during their safari tours. Water buffalo are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, making these times the best to go on a safari.

Crocodiles: Yala National Park is home to two species of crocodiles: the mugger crocodile and the saltwater crocodile. Visitors can see these crocodiles basking in the sun near the park’s water bodies. The park has a large population of crocodiles, and visitors have a good chance of spotting them during their safari tours.

When to Visit Yala National Park

Yala National Park is a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka that attracts visitors from all over the world. The park is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit depends on what you want to see and experience.

High Season (December to April): The high season is the best time to visit Yala National Park to spot leopards and other wildlife. During this time, the park’s vegetation is minimal, making it easier to spot animals. In addition, the temperature during this time is pleasant, ranging from 25°C to 30°C, making it comfortable for visitors to explore the park. However, it’s essential to note that the high season is also the busiest time of the year, and the park can get crowded with tourists. Therefore, booking your accommodation and safari tours in advance is advisable to avoid any inconvenience.

Shoulder Season (May to July and September to November): The shoulder season is an excellent time to visit Yala National Park to avoid crowds and experience good wildlife sightings. During this time, the park’s vegetation is thicker, making it a little harder to spot animals. However, the park’s flora is also in full bloom during this time, making it a beautiful sight to behold. The temperature during the shoulder season is slightly higher, ranging from 30°C to 35°C, but it’s still comfortable for visitors to explore the park. It’s also advisable to book your accommodation and safari tours in advance during this time.

Low Season (August): Due to the monsoon season, the low season is the least popular time to visit Yala National Park. In addition, the park is closed for most of August due to heavy rainfall, making it challenging to explore the park. However, the park’s flora is in full bloom during this time, making it a beautiful sight to behold.

The best time to visit Yala National Park depends on what you want to see and experience. If you wish to spot leopards and other wildlife, the high season is the best time to visit. If you want to avoid crowds and still experience good wildlife sightings, the shoulder season is an excellent time to visit. However, despite the heavy rainfall, the low season is the best time to see if you want to share the park’s full bloom.

Getting to Yala National Park

Yala National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s most famous national parks, known for its diverse range of wildlife, including leopards, elephants, and sloth bears. The park is situated in the country’s southeastern region and is easily accessible by various modes of transportation. This article will discuss the different ways of getting to Yala National Park.

By Air: The nearest airport to Yala National Park is the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, approximately 45 kilometres away. Several international airlines operate flights to the airport from various destinations, including Dubai, Doha, and Mumbai. In addition, you can hire a taxi or a car from the airport to the park.

By Train: Travelling from Colombo , you can take a train to Matara, the nearest city to Yala National Park. The train journey takes approximately six hours and offers beautiful views of Sri Lanka’s countryside. In addition, you can take a bus or a taxi from Matara to the park.

By Bus: Several buses operate from major cities in Sri Lanka to Tissamaharama, the nearest town to Yala National Park. From Tissamaharama, you can hire a taxi or a jeep to reach the park. The bus journey from Colombo to Tissamaharama takes approximately eight hours.

By Car: If you prefer a more comfortable and convenient mode of transportation, you can hire a car or a taxi to reach Yala National Park. Several car rental companies operate in Sri Lanka, and you can book a car in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle. The journey from Colombo to Yala National Park takes approximately five hours.

Once you reach the park, you can hire a jeep with a driver to explore the park’s various attractions. The entrance fee for foreigners is approximately $30 per person, which includes the cost of the jeep and the driver. You can also hire a private jeep for a more personalized experience, which costs around $50 to $70 for half a day.

Accommodation Options at Yala 

Yala National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, known for its diverse range of wildlife and natural beauty. Several accommodation options are available near the park, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly guesthouses. 

Cinnamon Wild Yala : Cinnamon Wild Yala is a luxury resort on the edge of Yala National Park. The resort offers comfortable accommodations, including treehouses, chalets, and bungalows. The resort’s facilities include a swimming pool, spa, restaurant, and bar. Cinnamon Wild Yala is the perfect place to stay for those looking for a luxurious experience. Book Now 

Jetwing Yala : Jetwing Yala is another luxury resort near Yala National Park. The resort offers comfortable accommodations, including deluxe rooms, suites, and villas. The resort’s facilities include a swimming pool, spa, restaurant, and bar. Jetwing Yala is the perfect place to stay for those looking for a luxurious experience. Book Now

Taru Villas – The Yala Lodge : Taru Villas -The Yala Lodge is a mid-range resort near Yala National Park. The resort offers comfortable accommodations, including chalets, villas, and deluxe rooms. The resort’s facilities include a swimming pool, restaurant, and bar. Taru Villas – The Yala Lodge is the perfect place to stay for comfortable accommodation at an affordable price. Book Now

Elephant Reach Hotel : Elephant Reach Hotel is a budget-friendly hotel located near Yala National Park. The hotel offers comfortable accommodations, including standard rooms and deluxe rooms. In addition, the hotel’s facilities include a swimming pool, restaurant, and bar. Elephant Reach Hotel is the perfect place to stay for those looking for affordable accommodation. Book Now

Camping: For those looking for a unique experience, camping is also an option at Yala National Park. Several camping sites are available near the park, offering a chance to sleep under the stars and experience the park’s wildlife up close.

Things to Do in Yala National Park and surrounding Areas

Yala National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, known for its diverse range of wildlife and natural beauty. In addition to wildlife safaris, there are several other things to do in and around Yala National Park.

Wildlife Safaris: Wildlife safaris are the main attraction of Yala National Park. Visitors can book a safari tour with a guide and explore the park’s grasslands, forests, and water bodies. The park has various animals, including leopards, elephants, sloth bears, water buffalo, crocodiles, and many more. Safari tours are available early morning and late afternoon, making it the best time to spot animals.

Visit Kataragama Temple: Kataragama Temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims. The temple is located near Yala National Park and is dedicated to Lord Kataragama. Visitors can explore the temple’s beautiful architecture and learn about its cultural and religious significance.

Visit Sithulpawwa Temple: Sithulpawwa Temple is an ancient temple in Yala National Park’s outskirts. The temple dates back to the 2nd century BC and is known for its ancient rock inscriptions and beautiful architecture. Visitors can explore the temple’s ruins and learn about its historical significance.

Visit Yala Village: Yala Village is a small village near Yala National Park. The town is known for its handicrafts, including woodcarvings and woven products. Visitors can explore the village’s markets and purchase souvenirs to take back home.

Tissamaharama Temple: also known as Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara, is a Buddhist temple in the town of Tissamaharama in southern Sri Lanka. The temple is believed to have been built in the 2nd century BC by King Kavantissa, a prominent ruler of the region. It is one of the most important historical and religious sites in Sri Lanka. The temple is famous for its stupa, which is one of the largest stupas in Sri Lanka. The stupa , which is over 55 meters tall, is believed to contain relics of Lord Buddha.

Visit Bundala National Park: Bundala National Park is another famous national park near Yala National Park. The park is known for its birdwatching opportunities and is home to over 200 species of birds. In addition, visitors can explore the park’s wetlands and water bodies and spot various bird species. Explore Bundala 

Relax on the Beach: Yala National Park is located near the South coast of Sri Lanka , and visitors can relax on the beautiful beaches of Tangalle and Mirissa. The beaches are known for their soft sand, crystal-clear waters, and beautiful sunsets.

Suggested read: Wipattu National Parks & safari Guide  

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Hilton Yala Resort: Review of brand-new luxury safari hotel in Sri Lanka

Jayne Gorman

November 23, 2023

I’ve just been lucky enough to be one of the very first guests to stay at the brand-new Hilton Yala Resort in Sri Lanka.

Nestled between the Indian Ocean and Yala National Park, a vast lagoon-filled reserve where leopards, sloth bears and elephants roam, Hilton Yala Resort is a luxury hotel with an adventurous locale.

Guests are cocooned here in 5-star safari-chic suites and villas but the wildlife is just within touching distance. A peacock calls out while you sip your morning coffee, a monkey swings past the pool while you get ready for dinner.

A team of expert local rangers are on hand to guide you through game drives, bush walks and cultural excursions, imparting their knowledge and taking care of your safety and comfort.

Food is a big part of the experience here too, whether that’s enjoying canapes with a kick around a beach bonfire, hoppers with a twist for breakfast, or the cutest bento snack boxes with homemade pastries during a thrilling safari.

Sri Lanka is one of my favourite destinations because it offers such rich and rewarding experiences in the most beautiful settings. Nowhere exemplifies this better than Hilton Yala Resort.

There are just 42 rooms at this intimate retreat and each of them are absolutely stunning. Featuring floor to ceiling windows and local art, the considered interiors are not only generous but reflective of the local environment.

All room types include private outdoor areas with a hot tub or swimming pool. Deluxe Rooms come with hot tubs on the balcony, while Premium Suites and Premium Pool Villas come with private plunge pools.

I was the fortunate guest of a Premium Pool Villa and it was one of the best hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in.

From the minute I entered – curtains automatically drawing back to reveal a plunge pool and sunken seating area overlooking the jungle – this room made me feel immensely happy.

In addition to the generous outdoor space, the Premium Pool Villas also offer a walk-in wardrobe and the biggest bathroom and deepest bathtub I’ve seen in a long while.

The villas are really special and it honestly feels surreal to enjoy so much luxury in the middle of a jungle.

The rooms also smell incredible and no expense has been spared when it comes to comfort. A Japanese toilet with heated seat was an unexpected convenience I quickly got used to!

The Experiences

If you can tear yourself away from the plush cabanas at the main pool, the Hilton Yala offers a carefully curated list of experiences that allow you to immerse yourself (safely!) in the local wildlife and culture.

The Hilton have hired a team of expert local rangers to lead game safaris through Yala National Park and guests can choose a duration and location that suits.

We experienced a half day game drive in Yala Block 1 with Head Ranger Sajith who has over 10 years of experience working in Yala National Park. (I can verify this as we met on my very first visit to Yala in 2014 and I found pictures of Sajith on my blog to prove it!)

Sajith is passionate about the wildlife in Yala and engaged us with intriguing facts about everything from the dung beetles to birds, monitor lizards and Yala’s ‘Big 4’ – elephants, sloth bears, water buffalos and leopards.

We encountered 2 of those ‘Big 4’ minutes after climbing into the safari jeep. We came close to spotting a leopard too, discovering tracks that showed one had recently crossed the road we were driving on, but they were to elude us on this visit. Yala National Park has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world but they are very good at hiding!

The elephants of Yala proved to be much less shy and spying little family groups wandering about in the wild is what made this game drive for me.

The scenery of Yala National Park is just as alluring as its wildlife though and we enjoyed that raw beauty on bush hikes, sand dune walks and temple visits with the Hilton rangers.

We rose with the sun one morning to visit Sithulpawwa , a rock temple that was once an ancient Buddhist monastery dating back to the 2nd century BC. The climb was steep and sticky in the heat but the view, which at that moment belonged only to us, was incredible.

The whole of Yala National Park spread below us and with the help of some binoculars we saw the very rare sight of a tusker elephant exploring the lower temple grounds we had just walked through.

One evening we scaled sand dunes to watch the sunset as a surprisingly fast tortoise scuttled across the road.

Our time at Hilton Yala Resort was filled with magic encounters with nature like these.

One of my favourite experiences at the hotel to balance all the adventure was a visit to the spa. The Hilton Yala Resort’s spa is a zen-filled haven on the edge of the resort that has a tranquil outdoor relaxation area and treatment rooms with astonishing floor to ceiling windows overlooking the wilderness.

Each treatment room has an individual changing room that comes with a wardrobe to hang your clothes in and vanity area to do your make up in after showering.

I booked 2 x 30-minute treatments – a foot massage and a head, neck and shoulder massage – that began with a relaxing foot soak and scrub ritual that set the tone beautifully. My Balinese therapist was clearly an expert at what she does and the hour was over all too quickly.

Food is a big part of your stay at Hilton Yala too. Executive chef Jerome Tissera has created menus that feature contemporary Sri Lankan dishes and Asian classics with a twist for the hotel’s three restaurants.

Dhira Restaurant offers all-day dining that specializes in contemporary Asian cuisine.

At Sandali you’ll find grilled specialities including the most succulent steaks, ribs and burgers. Meanwhile at Vanya you must try the Crouching Leopard cocktail that became my go-to aperitif.

The dining settings are so beautiful too, whether that’s at Dhira which has panoramic views of the resort and ocean beyond, or at a secret wild spot around the hotel as part of the hotel’s Lanthaaruma bespoke dining experience.

I don’t want to ruin too much of the surprise about Lanthaaruma but let me just say that finishing our safari by following a lantern-lit path towards the untouched beach for sundowners around the bonfire was the perfect way to end the experience.

The Service

I have to mention the staff who are exceptionally experienced, friendly and adept at the little things that make a big difference, such as making menu recommendations and remembering guests favourite drinks.

For a new resort, the Hilton Yala feels like a very well oiled machine. This is 5 star service without compromises, which when you consider the remote location is truly impressive.

Is Hilton Yala Resort family-friendly?

Families are welcome at Hilton Yala Resort. All room types can easily fit a foldaway bed for a small child or adjacent suites can be booked for larger families.

Based on the facilities I’d recommend this resort for children aged 5 and above, especially because children aged 5 to 12 can participate in the hotel’s amazing Junior Ranger Programme , which has been created to make sure they get the most out of the wildlife experiences.

Children under 6 can access free buffet dining with a paying adult and you get 50% off buffet charges for children aged 6-11 years.

In terms of the safari, children under 5 years old can join the game drive for free. 50% charges apply for children ages 6-11 years and full safari tour rate applies for children 12 and above.

For more info and to book please visit the Hilton Yala Resort website.

I stayed as a guest of Hilton Yala. All opinions are my own. You can find more coverage from this trip on Instagram .

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I’m Jayne, a travel blogger, content creator and mum to a 4-year-old son. I’ve been blogging since 2010, travelled to 65 countries and share travel guides and tips to help you plan stylish, stress-free trips.

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Hilton Yala Resort Review: Luxury Safari Hotel in Sri Lanka

I was amongst the first guests to experience a bucket list stay at one of the newest Hilton hotel openings – a luxury safari resort located within Yala National Park in Sri Lanka. Read my full review to find out what it was like.

A safari is something I imagine is on most people’s bucket lists, and I was lucky enough to start the year ticking it off of mine.

Sandwiched between the Indian ocean and the wild landscape of Yala National Park, Hilton Yala Resort is in prime position for those wanting to be in the middle of the action.

If you’re planning a trip to Yala National Park and considering a stay at the Hilton, I’ll cover everything you need to know in this review.

My stay here was gifted, but all opinions are my own. I don’t accept stays in places I wouldn’t choose to stay in myself, and I write honestly about the experience I had.

First impressions

After a very long journey from Dublin to Sri Lanka, our driver dropped us off on the outskirts of Yala, with recent flooding making it too difficult for cars to go any further.

A jeep from the hotel arrived to take us the rest of the way, along a bumpy dirt track that doesn’t look like it would lead to much more than a field.

We passed a sign listing the last animal sightings in the area, and our eyes and ears were peeled for any sign of life amongst the bushes.

It was dark, and I felt a rush of anxiety, unsure whether I’d be excited if an elephant appeared in front of me, or absolutely petrified.

20 minutes later, and no elephants spotted, we arrived at the hotel. Guards open the large, bolted gates, another important reminder that wild animals live here, and we are mere visitors to their home.

Tell me about the hotel

The resort only opened in August last year, and we were one of the first guests to experience it. This marks Hilton’s third opening in Sri Lanka, and its unique location within the national park aims to provide guests with an up close experience of the animals.

There’s 42 rooms, suites and villas at the resort, all with their own pools and hot tubs , as well as an impressive swimming pool, spa, gym and 3 restaurants serving a variety of Sri Lankan and Western food.

If you’re looking for the ultimate safari experience, locations don’t get much better than this. The resort is based within the popular Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, around 4 hours from Bandaranaike International Airport.

And when I say within the park, I mean just that, there’s no gates between the resort and the rest of the national park, and animals are free to roam through the hotel grounds.

Elephants are often spotted strolling past the bedrooms, so regularly in fact, that guests are advised to always call for one of the hotel 24 hour buggy’s if they need to go anywhere.

Each morning we woke up to monkeys swinging between the trees outside our room, and if we peered just a little further into the park, we could spot water buffalo taking a dip.

Getting there

If you’re taking a circular route around the country, I’d recommend visiting Yala in the middle of your trip (from Ella or the South coast depending on which way you go).

Tissamaharama is the closest town to Yala, and you have the choice of public transport or Pick Me (Sri Lanka’s answer to Uber) to get you there.

Bus |  Ella – Wellawaya – Tissamaharama

*I can’t find a reliable bus timetable for Ella – Tissamaharama, and  search results  only show one bus at 00:30.  This blog post  is written by someone who took the bus, and has more information about the options available.

Pick Me |  2 hour journey time | £28/LKR 11,458

FROM MIRISSA

Bus |  Mirissa – Matara – Tissamaharama | 3 hours

Pick Me |  2 hour journey time | £37/LKR 15,157

During our three night stay at the Hilton Yala Resort, we split our time across two rooms – a King Deluxe Room and a Premium Pool Villa.

Every room at the hotel has either a hot tub or swimming pool, so no one draws the short straw.

Both rooms were similar in style, with neutral tones and local artwork that provide consistency between the interior and the surroundings of the hotel.

The bathrooms are huge, with a freestanding bath tub, rain shower and double sink. Both rooms had a separate seating area with a TV, and large, comfy beds.

We found we didn’t get much use out of the hot tub in the Deluxe Room because it was so warm outside, so having the private pool in the villa was a very welcome addition, and one I’d encourage you to go for if you can.

Food and drink

When you’re staying at a destination hotel with nothing else around, there’s an added level of pressure on the food offering, and the Hilton surpassed all of my expectations with its dining options.

We enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner at the resort and were blown away by the quality of the ingredients and the flavours in the dishes. Both the local Sri Lankan dishes and Western cuisine were executed brilliantly.

There’s 3 restaurants to choose from at the hotel, overseen by head chef Jerome Tissera.

Dhira offers a contemporary Asian menu, with dishes such as Mutton chopped roti, Jaffna crab curry, and aromatic confit Seabass (so good we asked for the recipe).

Sandali provides a Western offering, serving steaks, burgers, and grilled meats (there’s vegetarian options too), and Vanya the most casual of the three, with a well curated snacks and cocktail menu.

For a truly memorable experience, guests can enjoy the hotel’s unique dining experience – Lanthaaruma. Located on the beach next to the resort, the menu is fully customised to your tastes, and accompanied by a wine pairing. Of course, rangers will be nearby just incase an elephant decides to join you for dinner.

Too often I stay in hotels were breakfast feels like an afterthought, but here, it was my favourite meal of the day.

There’s a varied continental offering (including cheese croissants that I couldn’t get enough of), as well as a cooked menu with a selection of Sri Lankan and Western dishes.

I opted for an omelette most days, which was always cooked perfectly, and was served with a variety of brilliant toppings.

Don’t leave without trying the “Sri Lankan” – a traditional breakfast made up of curries, rice dishes, sambals, roti and string hopper.

At the centre of the resort is the huge swimming pool, which is surrounded by greenery that gives you the feeling of swimming through mangroves. Lying here listening to the birds chirping was one of my favourite parts of our stay.

There’s also a gym and a spa which offers a variety of treatments.

The only thing that isn’t allowed that you might usually expect from a luxury hotel, is room service, but only to keep animals at bay, so I was more than happy to oblige.

Service was mostly excellent, members of staff were very attentive and happy to help. The buggy service operates 24/7 and we were never waiting longer than a few minutes for one to arrive.

There were a few times when I asked for things (like whether it would be possible to do a cooking class, or if we could do another safari), and I had to chase several times for an answer as it was forgotten about.

I don’t think this is anything more than teething problems with it being a new hotel though, and I’m confident the service will only get better as the team settle in.

What I loved the most was the general feel around the resort, there wasn’t a hint of stuffiness despite it being a luxury hotel. I felt at ease and fully able to switch off and relax.

Guest experiences

Of course the main attraction here is the opportunity to head out on a safari in Yala National Park.

The hotel have their own rangers with incredible knowledge of the animals, and guests can choose from a morning, afternoon or full day safari, all of which include delicious refreshments prepared by the hotel.

Unfortunately due to a combination of bad weather and overcrowding, I found our game drive disappointing – you can read my full review of our trip to Yala National Park here.

But the hotel offers an array of experiences beyond the game drive, including bush and dune walks, visits to archaeological sites and temples, a fishing village tour and even dedicated excursions for children.

On our second day at the hotel, we were back in the National Park to visit Sithulpawwa temple, an ancient Buddhist temple believed to have been built in the 2nd century, and it was really enjoyable.

We were in a quieter part of the park where we hardly saw any other jeeps, and we managed to spot an elephant, monkeys and crocodiles on the way.

Would I recommend a stay here?

Overall, the Hilton Yala Resort exceeded my expectations. The considered interiors, exceptional food and ample amenities make it a brilliant choice for a trip to Yala.

There’s something so special about going to sleep at night knowing that elephants, monkeys and leopards are just around the corner, so if you’re planning a trip to Yala, this hotel is the perfect base.

Hi, I'm Jess, the founder of Where Jess Travels. After studying Psychology at University, I pursued a career in Marketing for 7 years, whilst taking as many trips as my annual leave would allow. I now work full time on my blog, sharing destination guides and hotel reviews.

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Welcome to Yala

Laya Safari is uniquely set in a location that has access to many scenic and cultural elements ranging from the Yala National Park to ancient ruins to undulating sand dunes to pristine beaches and significant religious locations. To describe the experience in a nutshell, it’s: sun, sand, safari and sacred sites all rolled into one destination!

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The Sunshine is inspired by a classic African safari tent with a robust wooden frame and canvas walls. Whilst we cannot promise that your guests will see herds of wildebeest or the occasional passing lion, we do promise they will have a comfortable stay, with a spacious veranda to take in the views.

The Sunshine provides your guests with all the comfort they need, and it is the ultimate glamping experience.

This canvas lodge is available in four sizes with multiple layouts, which allows you to fill your campsite or holiday park efficiently. The Sunshine can be equipped with a pellet-stove to extend your season , or you can add air-conditioning, to provide your guests with even more comfort during the summer. Add a swing to the veranda for a fun touch.

NEW ! The Sunshine can also be built with an area of ​​95 m2 ! This allows you to use the tent as group accommodation . It can be set up as an attractive restaurant, comfortable yoga studio, or communal activity space. Anything is possible!

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Sunshine 95

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• Inner tent dimension: 17.7 x 57.4 ft (1016 ft²)
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• Total surface: 30.8 x 67.2 ft (2073.1 ft²)
• Footprint: 26.6 x 45.9 ft (2614.3 ft²)
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Yala Safari Camp

• The Camp & Location
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• Private Candlelit Dinners
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A Luxury tented camping experience in Weerawila

Our Luxury tented camp, Flameback Eco lodge is situated in Weerawila, Centrally to Yala National Park , Udawalawe National Park , Bundala National Park and Lunugamvehera National Parks .

We offer all inclusive luxury tented camping experience with guided safari Yala , Udawalawe , Bundala and Lunugamvehera National Parks. Besides the wildlife experience we offer Bird Watching and authentic cultural experience hosted by locals.

Luxury Camping Packages

Our all-inclusive Safari Camping Experience is one-of-its kind! Your stay, be it one, two, three or four nights will include tented accommodation, freshly cooked authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, snacks during safaris and excursions, chilled beer, tea/coffee, guided safari game drives and all park related fees. If you think you want to stay longer or have it customized just let us know and we will gladly arrange it for you.

Our spacious and air-conditioned tents come with all amenities including ensuite bathroom with flushable toilets and shower. Hidden away amongst the thick greenery you are not only assured of total privacy and peace and quiet but also a true ‘nature at your doorstep’ experience.

Wildlife & Cultural Experiences

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Yala Safari

Udawalawe Safari

Bundala Safari

Lunugamvehera Safari

• Weerawila Bird Sanctuary

Debarawewa Bird Sanctuary

Cooking Experience

• Village Tour

We promise you some exciting mealtimes! Appetizing meals freshly prepared by our jungle culinary team who source foodstuff, herbs, meat, fish and fruits from the bordering villages promise to serve tantalizing cuisine par excellence. This not only promises freshness and nutrition every time but also affords the opportunity for the villagers to earn a living. And if you are a culinary enthusiast, then you are most welcome to try your hand at cooking with our team.

Connect with Yala Safari Camp

Best of Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, 2B, 1st Cross Street, Pagoda Road, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

+94 77 3476288   

+94 11 2199323 , +94 11 2769463

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Experiences at Yala Safari Camp

• Safari Game Drives in Yala Natonal Park
• Debarawewa Lake Bird watching nature trail
• Junior Naturalist
• Local Cookery demonstrations
• Palmyrah Weaving
• Fishing with a local fisherman

Packages at Yala Safari Camp

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© 2024 Yala Safari Camp. All Rights Reserved.

Guided Safaris and Tented Safari Camping in Yala , Tailor made family holidays in Sri Lanka and Family tours in Sri Lanka , Luxury holidays in Sri Lanka with tailor made luxury tours in Sri Lanka with small luxury boutique hotels in Sri Lanka

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Sri Lankan Residents can Experience the Ultimate Getaway with Hilton Yala Resort’s All-Inclusive offer .

• May 31, 2024

Immerse in wildlife wonders with this limited time all-inclusive offer exclusively for Sri Lanka locals and residents

Hilton Yala Resort is thrilled to announce an all-inclusive offer designed for Sri Lankans and residents. Priced from LKR120,000 per night for two people, this limited time offer provides an unforgettable escape into the heart of Sri Lanka’s world-renowned Yala National Park.

The package includes a stay in elegantly appointed rooms with stunning views of the natural surroundings. Guests will enjoy full-board dining at both Sandali and Dhira, with a choice of three-course set menus. The package also includes free-flow drinks featuring soft drinks, local brews, and a selection of grapevine delights served during all meal periods. Guests will also enjoy access to all resort facilities, including the pool, fitness center, and recreational areas.

Located on the edge of Yala National Park, Hilton Yala Resort offers unparalleled access to the rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes that define this iconic destination. Guests can embark on thrilling safari adventures, where they can witness majestic elephants, elusive leopards, and many exotic bird species in their natural habitat. Each safari is expertly guided by the resort’s Wildlife Rangers ensuring an educational and awe-inspiring experience for all. After a day of wildlife watching, guests can unwind at the resort’s eForea spa with soothing massages, revitalizing facials, and other indulgent wellness treatments. The Junior Ranger Program offers young adventurers a world of fun and learning, where they can identify animal tracks and birds, discover fascinating facts about wildlife, and earn a special badge to commemorate their experience.

Hilton Yala Resort is dedicated to creating unforgettable memories for its guests. This limited time exclusive offer is a perfect opportunity for locals and residents to experience the magic of Yala National Park in unparalleled comfort and style. Whether seeking adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, this package promises an extraordinary getaway that will linger in memories for a lifetime. Bookings can be made directly through the hotel or via phone.

For reservations and more information, please get in touch with Hilton Yala Resort directly via voice or WhatsApp at +94 74 391 1892 or email   [email protected] . 

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