Safari in Yala National Park: Timings, Entry Fee, Things To Do

The diversity which Sri Lanka upholds, in spite of being so tiny, is unfathomable. This tear-shaped island country on the Indian ocean is home to various species of birds, animals, insects, plants and flowers and is a great example of wildlife conservation for the entire world. This is proven in the large number of national parks that Sri Lanka has - as many as 21.

Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, which is approximately 260 KM from the country’s capital, Colombo is as big as 26 Colombo cities when put together. Situated in the vicinity of Hambantota city, Yala National Park is on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, having almost 215 species of birds, 44 kinds of mammals and boosts of one of the highest rates of endemism and highest leopard density in the world. 

First recognised as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, it was in 1938 that Yala Wildlife Sanctuary got the name of Yala National Park, consisting of 5 blocks in 130,000 hectares of land. Yala National Park is rightly conserved and tourists and locals can bear witness to the excellent ecological balance between wildlife and nature. 

Yala National Park opens at 06:00 AM in the morning up to 06:00 PM in the evening. 

The authorities are strict about timings with no prior delay. As hundreds of jeeps carrying tourists and travellers roam around the roads leading to Yale National Park, consistent traffic can be observed. It is better to keep in hand 1 hour of time before the planned timings of the safari.

Ticket prices vary for foreign adults and children. 

1. Tickets for adults - $ 15

2. Tickets for children - $ 8

These are base ticket prices for entering the park. There are separate rates for tour plans.

Along with the ticket prices, service charge for jeep usage will be used and VAT must be paid, too. The jeep service charge reduces with more number of individuals using the jeep.

Yala National Park, located in the southeastern coastal region, is dry most of the year except during the monsoon. As Sri Lanka experiences two monsoon season in the country at two different time period, tourist preferences of visiting the place as per monsoon also change. Southeast region experiences rainfall from October to January, so February to July is preferable for the visit. The water level is low during this time because of the heat. This also ensures experiencing more of aquatic animals.

Yala National Park can be reached via air, train and car. But there is no direct transportation to Yala National Park. The nearest town which heads to Yala National Park is Kataragama. Tourists can also travel from Tissamaharama Town. From there on, jeeps of Yala National Park are available to carry forward the journey.

One can either first reach Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo city. From there one can take a flight to Mattala Rajapaksa International airport in Hambantota followed by a jeep to Yala National Park.

One can also avail train from Colombo to Haputale and then take a car. Otherwise, buses from Colombo are also available which might take 9 hours of the day. 

The entire area entitled under Yala National Park is divided into 5 blocks. Neither the blocks are accessible to the public nor is there is a single gate for all the blocks. There are 5 different blocks in 5 different regions. 

Block I and II have gates in the Palatupana and Katagamuwa, however, Block II is to be entered via Block I, itself. Block III and V have gates in Galge, whereas Block IV has its gate closed to the public. It is better if tourists pre-decide their gate of preference for the entrance inside the park. 

Primarily regarded as an abandoned land, formed of metamorphic rocks of the Precambrian era, Yala National Park in 1900 was titled as a wildlife sanctuary. Along with Wilpattu, this sanctuary and Wilapattu got the names of national parks in 1938. Also known as Ruhuna National Park, during the 1940s, this park was not as big as now.

It started with 14,101 hectares of land in Block I and gradually expanded as wildlife in this area flourished. Mythologically, Yala National Park holds significance, too. It is said that Ravana from the Ramayana, had his Kingdom established here as the Ravana Kotte, which is now under the waves. During British colonisation, Yala was used as a popular hunting place. Apart from this, settlement of Sithulpawwa, water tanks made by Sri Lankan kings can also be seen in Yala National Park, even after dozens of years.

Wildlife in Yala is diverse and indigenous. The aim of Yala National Park is to strike the chord and keep a balance between man and nature, celebrating life in all forms. Leopards have the highest concentration in Yala National Park in the world. One can see elephants playing and walking off the streets, accompanied by deer, buffaloes, golden palm civet, fishing cats and sloth beers too. The lagoons of Yala are not vacant as well. Filled with crabs and prawns, the other water areas have more than 20 varieties of fishes like stone sucker, olive barb, orange chromide and many others. In the shabby water areas, crocodiles yawning in the sunshine is a very common scene spotted in Yala National Park.

The coastline of the park is frequently visited by turtles and other endangered species like the hawksbill turtles, green turtles, olive ridley and few more. Indian Cobra and Russell, two extremely dangerous snakes carrying the most poisonous venom, can also be found loitering around. 215 species of birds can be heard chirping around Yale National Park. There are Sri Lankan endemic birds like the hornbill, jungle fowl, wood pigeon and also migrating birds of different areas like egrets, painted stork, Asian Hornbill, little cormorant and more.

This huge national park cannot bore anyone. The diversity Yala National Park inherits is vivid and attractive. There are many things that one can do on their visit to Yala National Park :

1. Safari Rides in Yala National Park

The first and foremost thing which nobody can give a miss when at Yala National Park is the Safari ride. Obviously, safari ride is a point of attraction for visiting here and thinking of witnessing wildlife at its best. There are authorised companies that conduct safari tours. There are provisions inside Yala National Park where one can book safari tours. Pre-booking facility is also available. There aretwo types of Safari tours - half day tours and full day tours; individuals can choose their own tour depending on budget, time and other constraints. 

2. Beach Walks in Yala National Park

The coastline that faces Yala National Park is not open for the public for their recreational purposes. There are assigned areas, with proper safety measures, which can be visited. One can take a quick walk around the beach. Also, the Tsunami hit location, which killed many innocents, can also be visited. 

3. Birdwatching in Yala National Park

There are around 215 species of birds that are found in Yale National Park. There are both endemic and migrant birds. Even if not interested in bird watching, the birds are varied in colours that will definitely amaze the visitors.. There are birds like Orange Breasted Green Pigeon, Hornbills, Ruddy turnstone, Eurasian Curlew and many others. Witnessing so many birds together will be an exhaustive experience.

4. Camping in Yala National Park

Inside the park, campsite accommodation is available. A family of ten with two kids below age 6 are allowed for a single site with not more than 3 days of living. Under the sky, with wildlife at its best and nature encircling one, camping gets a whole new definition in Yala National Park. However, there are strict rules of camping that must be adhered to such as no alcohol consumption, no smoking, no loitering around, no littering of food, keeping the campsite and tent clean and so on.

5. Night in Yala National Park

Nature enthusiasts can also get hands-on experience by spending a night in Yala National Park itself in the park provided bungalow. One can also pre-reserve the bungalow. The bungalow isn’t anything luxurious but it provides for a more rustic and rural experience. No wonder, one can hear leopards gently yawning or the trumpeting elephants’ slow walk. Waking up in the morning amidst nature, surrounded by wildlife will be an overwhelming and unforgettable experience.

6. Sightseeing in Yala National Park

One can get to see the 2200 years old Buddhist monastery on their visit to Yala National Park. This monastery named as Sithulpawwa is an ancient rock temple which has a rich lineage of history and is heard to be the home of 12,000 monks. Buddha and Bodhisattva images can be found here. Those who have an affinity towards history and archaeology, this monastery is worth the visit.