2025 Yala National Park Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Yala (යාල) National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. The park consists of five blocks, three of which are now open to the public. There are also two adjoining parks, Kumana National Park or 'Yala East' and Lunugamvehera National Park. The blocks have individual names, such as Palatupana (Block 1). It is situated in the southeastern region of the country, in the Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, along with Wilpattu, designated in 1938, as the first two designated national parks in Sri Lanka. The park is best known for its variety of wildlife and is important conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds.

#summervacay Yala National Park is where you go when you wanna feel like you're in The Lion King, but Sri Lanka edition. Hopped in a jeep at sunrise, coffee in hand, and off we went bumping through dusty roads with the wind in our faces and eyes peeled for anything that moved. The big excitement? Leopards. Everyone’s got their fingers crossed for a sighting, and when the guide suddenly slows down and points? Heart. Stops. We did spot one chilling in the distance like a jungle celebrity. Totally worth the wait. Besides leopards, you’ve got elephants, crocs, water buffalo, deer, peacocks strutting like models, it’s a full-on animal party. The landscape is wild too, open plains, forests, lagoons, even some beachy bits. It’s hot, dusty, and a little bumpy, but honestly? So fun. Pack some snacks, slap on sunscreen, and get ready for nature to show off. Yala’s got the wild energy that makes you feel like a real explorer. Would 100% do it again!

#April2025 Best Places to Go **Yala National Park** It takes about 5 hours by bus from Colombo and is a great place to watch wildlife. Visitors can take desert safaris to look for elephants, lions and various species of birds. There are picnic areas in the park, perfect for a light lunch and a drink while you relax in nature.

A trip to Sri Lanka's Yala National Park is an unforgettable experience that begins in the early morning before dawn. Our group set out early. The darkness outside the car window was gradually dispelled by the rising dawn. The morning mist floated gently on the treetops, as if covering the land with a mysterious veil. As the sun rises, the scenery of the park becomes more charming. The golden light shines through the leaves and onto the grass, making it look vibrant. We were in a peaceful environment, quietly waiting for the appearance of wild animals. Surprises kept coming. The first thing that caught our eyes was the leisurely buffalo playing in the mud, followed by a group of elegant elk quietly shuttling through the woods. The animals in Yala National Park didn't seem to care about our arrival, which allowed us to observe their living conditions up close. The most heart-pounding moment was undoubtedly when we encountered the majestic Asiatic lion, which walked gracefully in the sunshine, majestic and confident, making me feel the power and beauty of nature. This expedition to Yala is not only an ecological journey, but also a cleansing of the soul. Every corner is full of the breath of life, and every moment is worth cherishing. Looking back on this journey, my heart is filled with gratitude for nature, and it makes me more eager to explore every corner of this beautiful planet.

📍 half day trip in Yala National Park 🚩 Yala block 5 full of elephants, leopards, majestic birds and the Sri Lankan sloth bear! 🏖️ Onadi Yala Safari! 🚇 hotel pickup and Jeep to take you around the national park, open air and incredible experience 📷 5-12 hours of incredible nature, beautiful landscapes and natural models🐆 🍜 food is included on the full day tour but bring your own for the half day safari 🏠 they will pick you up wherever you are staying! ideal to book somewhere in kataragama as it is so close to the national park entrance! 💡 bring your camera and your smiles and enjoy the day! Cash only business so agree on a price and be prepared For 3 people and the jeep we paid 11,000 LKR (34€) + 4,333.33 LKR (14€) each so a total of 46000 LKR for the half day tour 11000 was the ticket entry and then the cost of the jeep is split by the size of the group #travel #srilanka #naturalwonders #familytravel #safari #wildlife #elephant #nature

Spending a full day in Yala National Park was an incredible experience. The thrill of driving through the vast wilderness, scanning the trees and open plains for wildlife, made every moment exciting. The highlight? Spotting a leopard, resting lazily on a tree branch—an unforgettable sight! The weather was just right, with a cool breeze making the ride comfortable. The park’s unique location, right next to the sea, added to its charm, blending wild landscapes with ocean views. The kids were completely captivated, pointing out elephants, crocodiles, and colorful birds along the way. Watching their excitement made the adventure even more special. A perfect day filled with nature, wildlife, and unforgettable memories.

#animalcontact Knowing that Africa is one of the best places to see different kinds of species in wild environment, I haven’t had a chance to visit it. Yet I’ve been to Sri Lanka and I was surprised to see wild elephants, buffalo’s, different times of monkeys, snakes, crocodiles and so on. I really recommend to have a trip and stay in Sigiriya, Yala and Arugam Bay. As for us we took safari in Yala, took bikes in Arugam and just ride along the road and saw a lot of langurs and crocodiles. There is wild life everywhere. And be aware it”s very dangerous to walk in the evening in villages because of wild elephants.

Captured this scorpion in Yala National Park Sri Lanka. #freehotelstay

📌 Yala National Park, Sri Lanka 🐆🐘🌿 Did you know that Sri Lanka is home to some of the most beautiful national parks in the world? Take a trip to Yala National Park, which is located along the southern coastline of Sri Lanka, covers forests, grasslands and beaches 🌳 you can see animals such as elephants, leopards, flamingos, crocodiles and many more 🦩🐊 hop on a private jeep and take either a half day or full day safari around the park 🐾🍃 the jeeps will take you around different areas of the park, in hopes you’ll see many animals along the way!🐘 Add this to your itinerary for a trip to Sri Lanka 🇱🇰📌❤️ #landscape #safari #yala #nationalpark #srilanka #localguides #mytravelhacks #daytrip

#weekendgetaways Embarking on a weekend adventure in Sri Lanka's breathtaking Yala National Park is an incredible experience. The park, renowned for its diverse wildlife and lush landscapes, offers an ideal setting for both leisure and learning. The Yala National Park Safari provides a unique opportunity to witness majestic creatures like elephants, leopards, and an array of exotic birds in their natural habitat. As you navigate through the park's picturesque terrain, you'll gain insights into the rich biodiversity and conservation efforts. The safari is not just a visual treat but also an educational journey, fostering a deeper appreciation for Sri Lanka's unique ecosystems. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or seeking a memorable weekend getaway, Yala National Park promises an unforgettable blend of adventure and discovery.

The elephants are perhaps the most famous of the many wild animals in Sri Lanka, but in fact they only serve as a part of this crowded ecological arena. The Sri Lankan Leopard, which is unique to Sri Lanka, can be found in the Yala National Park in the southeast. Yala National Park covers an area of about 979 square kilometers, accounting for 2% of Sri Lanka's national area. It is the second largest national nature reserve in Sri Lanka. It has a rich and diverse ecological environment and many rare wild animals. Yala National Park has moist monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi-deciduous forests and tropical dry forests, as well as grasslands, beaches, rivers, lakes, swamps and wastelands. Gardening safari is the best way to experience the original wild charm. The park has grasslands, rivers, lakes, swamps and wasteland. When you are hunting, you can enjoy a wide variety of wildlife. Buffaloes, crocodiles, peacocks, monkeys, wild boars, and sika deer live in various places, and as many as 2,100 species of birds fly freely. There are groups of wild elephants in the park, and a mountain. This park is also the area of the most tin orchids in Sri Lanka, but they are secretive, so it is regrettable to see this flower. The southeastern part of the Yala National Park is connected to the Indian Ocean. After the safari safari is over, the beach is felt and the wind is blowing. The flowers also forget the regret of not meeting the Sycamore Leopard this time! Flower Tips: March-April The end of the dry season is the best time to visit Yala National Park. At this time, the water level in the park is low and many animals will come out to drink water and food. The annual dry season in September is coming. In order to protect the wild animals and repair the park, Yala National Park will close 1-2 areas of the 5 tourist areas, of which Lunugamwehera National Park / Yala Block 5 will not be closed, so it is recommended. Consult in advance.

Yala National Park is a realistic version of Jungle Qitan. Here you can see monkeys jumping between the branches, peacocks opening the screen, and Ceylon leopards lurking in the bushes like shadows. This large piece of land has dry woods and open grassland, one of the most shining highlights in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka. The Ceylon Leopard is unique to Sri Lanka. There are only 25 in a district of the National Park. Visitors can capture it. But our luck is not so good, we can't see the leopard. The number of wild animals here is very large. If you are lucky, you can also see a furry sloth bear or a jackal that looks like a fox. Although we didn't see the leopard, we saw the big black bear. It is said that the black bear can only hit once a week. There are always small animals in the grass, so look carefully, or you will miss it if you accidentally. I can't name a lot of birds, just like in the botanical garden, we don't understand its variety, just appreciate its beauty. After searching for the animals, the driver took us to the beach. There is a forest here, a large open space, and a jeep. Here you can take a break, eat breakfast, go to the bathroom, then walk to the beach to see the Indian Ocean.

Yala National Park, once Jeep Safari, packed a tour Jeep and started his own wildlife tour. Yala National Park can be described as a large number of animals, but the most famous is still to count the leopard, although this time all efforts to find or fail to meet it, this is a mysterious animal without a trace. However, I met the wonders of the blockage of the elephants, saw wild peacocks, large lizards, big birds, etc. Sitting in the 360-degree view of Jeep, I always give you a small surprise. The driver is our best eyeliner. Every time the speed is slow, we know that we must meet new things again. The entire Safari took almost 6 hours to enter the national park before the early morning sun rise, and the entire itinerary can be completed at noon. In the national park, tourists and drivers are forbidden to get off unless they are at the rest of the road. Get off the bus, this is also a kind of protection for humans and animals.

It was very very early in the morning, I got up at 4:30, and I left the hotel at 5:00, and the reserved jeep will be picked up at the hotel. One day in advance and the hotel staff said they would pack the breakfast and deliver it to the room at 4:30. Breakfast can be eaten without rushing, because it is too early, no appetite, can be brought to the Yala Wild Park, there will be a designated place and time for us to have breakfast, absolutely can not feed the animals. Yala National Park must enter the park by Jeep. It is recommended not to book online in advance, the price is more expensive. You can give money to the chartered driver one day in advance, let him book, it is cheaper than online booking in China. 7000 rupees alone, which is about 280 RMB, including jeep usage fees, vehicle trackers, service fees and park tickets, which is a one-price total, very convenient. Yala National Park is located in southeastern Sri Lanka. It is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and the most visited national park for Sri Lankan tourists. Yala National Park is the only pristine wild jungle park in Asia. Like the Kenya National Park, you can experience the jungle Safari, which is now the only remaining two wild jungle parks. is famous for its rich and varied wildlife. It is a paradise for crocodiles, elephants, deer, bears, wild buffaloes, peacocks, wild boars, and various birds. It is also recognized as the world's highest density forest of leopards. park.

In the morning, I took the off-road vehicle and hired on the plains of Yala National Park to see the wild animal world completely different from the traditional zoo. Here, the mountain pigs are foraging on the grass, the monitor lizard crawls in the bushes, the peacocks open their screens, the elephants wander around the trees, and the Ceylon leopards lie on the boulders. This is the most shining national park in Sri Lanka.

I dont want to say that although I have traveled for many years, I am still going to the national park where the safari is popular for the first time. The first time I went to safari, I was so excited that I couldnt help myself. The telephoto lens that has been taken all the way can finally come in handy! Our tent hotel is right next to Yala National Park, where you can drink wine and listen to music, as well as a variety of animal sounds! Yarra National Park is located in southeastern Sri Lanka, 300 km from Colombo. It is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and the most visited national park for Sri Lankan tourists. Yala National Park is the only pristine wild jungle park in Asia. It can experience the jungle Safari like the Kenya National Park. It is also the only remaining wild jungle park. The Yala National Park spans the South Province and Uwo Province and covers an area of 1,250 square kilometers, accounting for 2% of Sri Lanka's national area. The southeast is directly connected to the oceanous Indian Ocean. Known for its rich variety of wildlife, it is a paradise for crocodiles, elephants, deer, bears, wild buffaloes, peacocks, wild boars, and a variety of birds. It is also recognized as the highest density forest park in the world. We are very lucky in this trip and saw all the animals except the leopard. However, it is a pity that you have not seen a leopard with such a high density! In the words of a friend: You even saw even the hard-to-see bears, did not see the leopard, do not know how to describe your luck!

The day to go to Yala National Park is the earliest day we started, because most animals will come out to sleep in the morning, so we must go in the first time to open the park~ Yala National Park is Sri Lanka The second largest national park, also the only original wild jungle park in Asia, can experience the jungle Safari as well as the two remaining wild jungle parks in Kenya. Known for its rich variety of wildlife, it is a paradise for crocodiles, elephants, deer, bears, wild buffaloes, peacocks, wild boars, and a variety of birds. It is also recognized as the highest density forest park in the world. You must take the Jeep into the park and never feed the animals. The leopard lying on the tree sleeping, the elephant walking, the buffalo and crocodile in the lake, the deer in the bush, the crane looking down in the water... We are all seen one by one, super lucky~

Yala National Park in southeastern Sri Lanka is one of the best forest parks in Asia. Not only can you see groups of sika deer, peacocks, buffaloes, wild boars, crocodiles, flamingos, but more importantly, you may also see Ceylon Leopard as unique to Srilan. Although it is not comparable to the African Wildlife Park, it is a wild animal park in Asia. It seems to be closed in September, and it is not allowed to visit. However, sometimes you have to look at luck in Yala Park. If you are lucky, you may see the Ceylon Leopard. We don't have any good luck. I changed the multi-party and followed the driver and did not see the cat. Just look at it. Elephant. Bison. Sika deer crocodile. But the scenery of Yala Park is really good. I feel that his scenery is better than the animals in him. . The time to pay attention to Yala Park is. Sun protection. In particular, the camera is preferably wrapped in a plastic bag. As soon as the car ran up, there was a lot of dust around it, and it was found that there was a yellow dust camera on the back of the hotel. This can make me anxious. .