Best for leopards
Yala National Park safari
Sri Lanka’s most visited park and its best chance of seeing a leopard. Private jeep, tracker-driver, park ticket and hotel pick-up included.
About the park
Why go to Yala
Yala is Sri Lanka’s most visited national park and the place most travellers come for the leopard. Our tracker-drivers have worked its roads since the early 1990s, so they know where cats rest, where water holds through the dry months, and how long to wait.
Best for
Leopards
Ideal safari
Full day (Gold), 05:00 – 18:00
Best season
February to July, in the dry season
Pick-up
Free from nearby hotels
What you can see
- Sri Lankan leopard
- Sloth bear
- Wild elephants
- Giant crocodiles
- Peacocks and birds of prey
Gallery
Yala through our lens
Plan your Yala safari
Tell us your date and we will plan the drive
Send us your preferred date, package and group size for Yala. We reply personally with availability and the price for your jeep, park ticket included.
Questions
Yala safari FAQ
Which safari gives the best chance of a leopard in Yala?
The full-day Gold safari. You stay in the park from sunrise to sunset, so the tracker can follow sightings as they happen through the day.
What time do Yala safaris start?
Morning drives leave at 5:00 AM. Evening drives run 2:30 to 6:00 PM. Full-day drives run 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
How far is Yala from Tissamaharama?
The main Yala entrance at Palatupana is about 25 km from Tissamaharama, around 40 minutes by jeep. We collect you from your hotel before the gates open.
Is Yala open all year?
Most of the year. The main block usually closes for a few weeks in the dry season around September and October; we will tell you when you book and suggest another park if it is closed.
