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All DestinationsSouthern

Yala

Best TimeFeb – Jul
Area979 km²
TypeWildlife

Where Leopards Live

One of the best places on Earth to see leopards in the wild. The park has lagoons, jungle, and scrubland where you will also spot elephant herds at waterholes, sloth bears, and over 200 bird species. Early morning safaris give you the best chances.

Highlights

  • Highest leopard density in the world
  • Elephant herds at waterholes
  • Sloth bear territory
  • Coastal lagoon birdwatching
  • Dawn and dusk game drives

Excursions in Yala

7 activities available: include them in a curated package or build a custom tour.

Yala National Park Safari

4h

Dawn jeep safari through Yala's Block 1, the highest leopard density on Earth, plus elephants, bears, and 200 bird species.

Part of Honeymoon Package

Leopard Tracking Experiences

5h

A specialist-guided leopard tracking safari with an expert naturalist who reads spoor, calls, and territorial behaviour.

Part of Wildlife Getaway

Kataragama Temple Visit

2h

Visit the sacred multi-faith Kataragama complex on the Yala border, revered by Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims alike.

Available in custom tours

Sithulpawwa Rock Temple

2.5h

Climb to the ancient 2nd-century BC cave monastery on a granite inselberg deep inside the Yala wilderness.

Available in custom tours

Bundala Bird Watching Safari

3.5h

A guided birdwatching excursion through Bundala's flamingo flats, lagoons, and coastal dunes. Bundala is a Ramsar wetland site.

Available in custom tours

Camping Safari Experiences

18h

An overnight glamping safari inside the Yala buffer zone, sleeping under stars to the sounds of the wilderness.

Available in custom tours

Sunrise & Sunset Safari Drives

4h

Twin golden-hour drives to experience Yala's wildlife during the most active periods of dawn and dusk.

Part of Wildlife Getaway

Packages featuring Yala

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