"Highest population of leopards in the world!"
Yala National Park Tourism
Sprawled over 979 square kilometres, Yala National Park in southeast Sri Lanka is the nation’s largest and most-visited wildlife conservation zone. As Sri Lanka’s oldest wildlife sanctuary, Yala shelters a vast area of unspoiled jungles, grassland, and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean. It is home to the highest population of leopards on the planet, alongside Sri Lankan elephants, crocodiles, and over 400 bird species.
Yala National Park is sectioned into five blocks, and there are eco-friendly campsites everywhere. The fascinating thing about hiking here is discovering the park’s diverse terrain, which includes marine wetlands, deciduous and thorn forests, and freshwater lakes and ponds, mainly composed of Precambrian-era metamorphic rocks.
A large section of the park is covered by marshes and sandy beaches, where families enjoy picnics and swimming. Further inland, Sithulpawwa is an ancient Buddhist monastery where caves display centuries-old rock paintings. Magul Vihara is another pilgrimage site within the park displaying ancient ruins. The best way to enjoy a Yala National Park tour is to take Jeep safaris with a driver, but you can blaze your own trails with bicycles. Yala National Park remains closed for rejuvenation for six weeks from 1 September to 15 October every year.
Things to do in Yala National Park
1. Jeep Safari
2. Beach Walks
3. Bird Watching
4. Camping
5. Sithulpauwwa
6. Magul Maha Viharaya
Must Know Before You Travel to Yala National Park
- Yala Jeep Safari Cost (including 1 jeep and a group of up to 6 people and free hotel pickup from within the Tissamaharama area. Entry tickets not included):
Block 1 (Palatupana) - Half-day: LKR 16,900
Block 1 (Palatupana) - Full-day: LKR 28,100
Block 1 (Katagamuwa) - Half-day: LKR 16,900
Block 1 (Katagamuwa) - Full-day: LKR 28,100
Blocks 4&5 (Galge) - Half-day: LKR 19,800
Blocks 4&5 (Galge) - Full-day: LKR 29,700 - The Safari can be booked from the official website - https://www.yalasrilanka.lk/yala-safari-ride/
- Yala National Park Timings: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Safari Timings:
Morning Safari: 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Afternoon Safari: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Full Day Safari: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM - There are five different blocks in 5 different regions of Yala. Only blocks 1, 4 and 5 of Yala National Park are accessible to visitors, which have gates in the Palatupana and Katagamuwa
Read more about Safari at Yala National Park - Entrance: Tissamaharama city is the only entrance to the wildlife park.
- Yala National Park remains closed for rejuvenation for six weeks from 1 September to 15 October every year. However, check the official website for updates.
- Accommodation inside the park: Yala offers accommodation at 4 different locations inside the park. These can be booked for up to 10 people and for 3 consecutive days. The bungalows can be booked through the official website - https://www.yalasrilanka.lk/bungalow-rates.html
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Wildlife at Yala National Park
Yala National Park is home to the largest number of leopards in the world. The park is also home to many elephants and deers that freely roam about in the vicinity of tourists. It is easy to spot them amidst your safari or any other tour. You might even witness the Sri Lankan Sloth bear in its natural habitat if you are lucky.
When it comes to birds, the national park has over 215 species. With a mix of migrating birds, endemic birds, and national park-bred birds, this national park is filled with various colourful and different species of birds. For this reason, Yala National Park is considered to be one of the 70 most Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the world.
In the list of reptiles are a wide variety of snakes (including water snakes) and lizards which are endemic. Yala National park is also very important because it aims to preserve freshwater aquatic life. There are more than 20 types of fish bred here. Crabs and prawns are also seen frequently here.
Restaurants and Local food at Yala National Park
Here are a few most sought-after restaurants in the area -
- Orchid Restaurant: This restaurant serves some of the best fish curries in the area! You will love the spread during the buffet, which consists of a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.
- The Grand Gala Restaurant: If Sri Lankan local cuisine is on your mind, head to this place. Their service is even better than their marvellous food.
- Smoky Kitchen: A unique way to spend the evening is by spending time in their live cooking session, where they will cook your favourite dish in front of you. The food is reasonably priced, and the atmosphere here is fantastic!
Flora at Yala National Park
The vast land area of Yala National Park, being home to such a massive number of plants, animals, and birds, also supports several ecosystems on its own. The ecosystems vary over a number of types because the national park is a culmination of different types of lands and water bodies.
Including dry and wet monsoon forests, the national park also has marine wetlands, deciduous forests and thorny forests and even sandy beaches. The trees are, thus, from a variety of species like mangroves and others that support the endemic species of the forests. The Yala National Park has been divided into four blocks - all consisting of different species of plants, trees, and vegetation. Some of these blocks are out of bounds for the common public, while others remain open for safari tours.
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