Yala National Park Holidays

Need to know about Yala National Park

The park is split into five separate zones that stretch from thick inland jungles to the waves of the Indian Ocean. Visitors are permitted to enter zones one and five – the other three sections of land are closed to the public to protect the natural habitat. The animals roam between the zones, but a large proportion of leopards, reportedly around 50, reside within zone one. Yala is Sri Lanka’s premier national park and a certain amount of jostling 4x4s on dusty roads is inevitable, but with our help, we’ll get you booked into the right camp (generally on the outskirts of the park) and introduced to highly knowledgeable guides who can whisk you away from the tourist trail and directly to elusive big cats, feisty crocs and hulking herds of buffalo. February to June is the dry season and the best time to visit Yala National Park as it’s easier to spot wildlife as they congregate at waterholes. The peak season for leopard-spotting is between February and March, but it is possible to see them year-round if you know where to look (which our expert guides certainly do).

What will you find in Yala National Park that you won’t find anywhere else?

First and foremost, Yala is a land of leopards, boasting the world’s highest density of this big cat. But that’s just the beginning when it comes to the park’s wild cast of characters, which includes headline acts like elephants, crocodiles and monkeys, as well under-the-radar creatures such as jackals, sambar deer, mongooses, snakes, toads, butterflies, lizards and a huge number of bird species. The only safari in South Asia that’s comparable to Africa, with morning and afternoon game drives, the true magic of Yala National Park holidays is the additional cultural edge they give you. Photograph leopards in the morning then spend the afternoon marvelling at Sithulpawwa, an ancient Buddhist monastery situated at the centre of Yala. Perched high on a hilltop between rocky outcrops, the monastery’s striking white dome watches over a thick blanket of trees and offers a peaceful escape and a window into the past. It’s also easy to combine Yala National Park holidays with Sri Lanka’s most beautiful beach resorts for the ultimate ‘bush to beach’ experience. Explore the country’s wildest reaches then relive every wonderful moment on its serene shores.

Special things to do in Yala National Park

The scope for adventure during Yala National Park holidays is endless. Take off on a private safari and hurtle from forest to grassland spotting an array of wildlife, head out on nature walks and get to know the smaller ecosystems that make up Yala’s world, visit an ancient Buddhist temple and feel its gentle serenity seep into your soul and stretch your legs on the park’s golden beaches. As the day draws to a close and the clear, starry night appears, return to your comfortable camp and listen to the chorus of birdsong as you drift off to sleep ready to do it all again tomorrow.