Located in the south-east region of the island and bounded by the Indian Ocean, Yala is the Sri Lanka's most famous national park. Forming a total area of nearly 130,000 hectares of scrub, light forest, grassy plains and brackish lagoons, Yala is very rich in wildlife and home to 44 varieties of mammal and 215 bird species.
One of the first national parks in Sri Lanka, Yala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and a national park in 1938. Today, it has a the highest leopard density in the world The park is also home to the large herds of elephants, the spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, wild buffaloes, sloth bear, jackal and mongoose. The birdlife is fantastic too, and numerous species such as rosy starlings, paradise flycatcher, crested hawk eagle, blue-tailed bee-eater and common lora inhabit this natural wilderness.
Yala boasts also a large number of ancient ruins, bearing testimony to earlier civilizations that populated this area. Historical and religious sites in Kataragama, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Maha Vihara are also well worth a visit.
Tour in brief
Initial meeting with the Eco Team crew and the safari guide, a brief of the tour will take place in the entrance to the Yala Safari. For the morning half-day tour, the starting time will be at 6 a.m. while the afternoon tour begins at 2.30 p.m.
After entering the national park with your guide in a jeep, you will be able to spot several species of birds and other animals that have made their homes in this sanctuary. The guide will explain about the various interesting attributes as you will learn and enjoy about the flora and fauna of Yala.
You will be taken through most of the Yala National Park, covering the wetlands, grasslands, forest patches, etc. We will make longer stops at certain watering holes for unique photography opportunities.
Finishing the safari, either round 11 a.m. or around 6 p.m. you will be dropped at the park entrance.
