Discover Yala Safari
Yala National Park, renowned for its varied ecosystems and robust leopard population, is Sri Lanka’s top wildlife safari destination. Elephants, brown bears, crocodiles, and a wide range of rare birds may be found in Yala, which is home to lush forests, lagoons, and expansive grasslands. For the finest opportunity to see these magnificent animals in their native environment, embark on a thrilling jeep safari at sunrise or sunset. Yala offers an amazing safari experience that will take you close to Sri Lanka’s raw beauty, whether you’re a nature lover or a wildlife obsessive.
Yala National Park
Yala National Park is the best reserve in Sri Lanka for seeing a wide variety of wildlife, and in particular leopards, elephants, and sloth bears. There are approximately 215 bird species resident in the park, including seven endemics, along with 44 mammals. The park is divided into five blocks of which block I (where most game drives take place) is renowned for having the greatest density of leopards per square kilometre in the world. Many of the younger males have grown so used to their dominance within the reserve and the jeeps that seek them out that they saunter lazily along tracks and sunbathe on rocky outcrops in full view. As such, Yala is Sri Lanka’s most popular national park and receives a large number of visitors. Elephants, sambur deer, jackals, and langur monkeys also play leading roles in the park, as do elusive sloth bears – small, scrubby-looking bears that love to feast on the fruits of the palm tree when in season in May and June. Bird life is also a highlight, and some endemics include the Sri Lanka grey hornbill, the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, the brown-capped babbler, and the blue-tailed bee-eater. The rare Black-necked Stork and the greater adjutant are other significant residents of the park, which is also visited by many migratory species.