Things to do in Yala

Yala is the national park in the south-east of Sri Lanka, and every tour in Yala is a jeep safari. The park covers about 979 square kilometres. It became a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and a national park in 1938.

Where it sits

Tissamaharama and Kataragama are the nearest towns. Colombo is about 270 km away by road.

• Block I. The section where safari jeeps run, about 141 square kilometres.
• Beyond it. The park has five blocks, and it runs into Kumana and other reserves.
• The setting. Scrub, rock outcrops, waterholes and lagoons, with the coast on the southern edge.

What you go to see

The Sri Lankan leopard is the reason most people come. Yala is known for one of the densest leopard populations in the world. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Elephants, sloth bears, buffalo, deer and crocodiles are the other regulars. The birdlist runs to peacocks, eagles, kingfishers and storks.

Choosing a safari

The jeep comes with a driver-guide. Entry tickets are part of the price.

• Half day. Roughly seven hours from hotel pick-up, with an early start and a lunch break.
• Full day. About thirteen hours, entering at 6 am, with lunch, fruit and water.
• Overnight. A private trip for two in a tented camp, with all meals.

Pick-up is available only to hotels close to the park.

Practical

• Weather. Monthly means run from 26C in January to 30C in April. Annual rain is roughly 500 to 775 mm.
• Season. The usual advice is February to July, when the waterholes draw the animals. The park closes for a few weeks each year in the driest season, around September, and the wildlife department sets the dates.
• Early start. Leopards and sloth bears are most active in the morning.
• Clothes. Khaki or olive rather than white. The tracks are dusty, so cover cameras.
• Rules. Stay in the jeep unless the guide says otherwise. Do not feed or approach animals.