A Complete Guide to Visiting Yala National Park, Sri Lanka – Visiting the home of the island’s big cat

Yala is located in Sri Lanka’s best-known national park and home to the largest population density of leopards in the world! But with less than half of the park open to the public, here are a few things you should know before you go.

About Yala

You can visit Yala year-round, with the exception of September and October when the park closes to allow its inhabitant wildlife a break from the public, along with maintenance carried out by the local wildlife department.

Safaris: What to Expect

Yala is best known for its leopards but the park has more to it than this big cat. It is also home to herds of wild elephants, a diverse range of birds, mugger and saltwater crocodiles, buffalo, sloth bear and much more. Safari game drives happen in the wee hours of the morning and late afternoon and usually last three to four hours.

Accommodation and Safari Operators

Yala has all manner of accommodation safari experiences; from budget accommodation, bespoke tented camping operations and some of the best 5-star hotels in Sri Lanka. Some hotels will offer accommodation only, meaning you’ll have to outsource the safari game drive which can be tricky.

Stay safe with sustainable operators

A few high-end operations like Chena Huts, for example, will combine a game drive into an all-inclusive package, complete with trained and experienced naturalists, which mean you’ll be in the hands of responsible professionals, who practice keeping a safe and respectful distance from the wildlife encountered in the park.