Yala National Park
Sri Lanka's most famous wildlife sanctuary, home to leopards, elephants, and hundreds of bird species. Book the best Yala safaris from Kataragama - just 23 km away.
Yala National Park is Sri Lanka's most visited and second largest national park. Located in the southeast region of the country, it spans approximately 979 square kilometers (378 square miles) across the Southern and Uva Provinces.
The park is divided into five blocks, with Block I (Ruhuna National Park) being the most popular and accessible to visitors. Yala is renowned for having one of the highest leopard densities in the world, making it a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.
Biodiversity
Yala is home to 44 varieties of mammals and 215 bird species. Among its more famous residents are the Sri Lankan leopard, Sri Lankan elephant, and sloth bear. The diverse habitats within the park support a wide range of flora and fauna, making it a biodiversity hotspot.
Landscape
The park features a variety of ecosystems, including moist monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi-deciduous forests, thorn forests, grasslands, fresh water and marine wetlands, and sandy beaches. This diversity of habitats contributes to the park's rich biodiversity.
Visitor Information
Best Time to Visit
Feb – Jul (Peak Season)
Highest leopard visibility. Dry season brings animals to waterholes.
Aug – Jan (Shoulder Season)
Greener landscapes, fewer crowds. Some sections may close during monsoon.
Safari Packages
Half-Day Safari
Morning or afternoon, approx 4 hrs
Full-Day Safari
Full day with packed lunch, approx 8 hrs
Private Safari
Exclusive jeep, flexible schedule
Into the
Wild Heart
Track leopards at dawn, watch elephant herds wade through ancient lagoons, and return with stories the wilderness carved into you.