Yala National Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

Yala National Park: Private Safari at Golden Hours

1. Yala National Park: Private Safari at Golden Hours

After being picked up from your hotel/location in the local area you will enter Yala National Park to explore the light forests, scrubs, grasslands, lagoons, and magnificent range of animals. With your private 4WD Jeep and expert guide, the ‘Golden Hours’ of the day will be used to focus on leopard spotting, either the first 2 hours or the last 2 hours of the day. Throughout this safari, you will search for the world’s most concentrated number of leopards, sloth bears, and elephants, as your knowledgeable guide and driver expertly navigates the vast area and roads. The morning tour will begin at 5am from your hotel, to take in sunrise as the park opens at 6am. Whilst the afternoon option allows you to explore from 2pm until sunset when the park closes at 6pm. Situated on Sri Lanka’s south-east, hugging the panoramic Indian Ocean, Yala is a wildlife sanctuary and home to 44 varieties of mammals and 215 bird species. Leopards, elephants, water buffalo, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, peacocks, and crocodiles can all be found in this rich environment.

From Ella: Yala National Park Safari Tour in a 4x4

2. From Ella: Yala National Park Safari Tour in a 4x4

Your experience begins with a pickup from your accommodation in Ella. From there, relax on your drive to Yala National Park, home to 44 varieties of mammals and 215 bird species. Meet your private guide and climb into a sturdy 4x4 vehicle. Enjoy sunrise at the park — the ‘Golden Hours’ of the day — and explore the light forests, scrubs, grasslands, lagoons, and magnificent range of animals. After the safari, journey back to your point of origin to be dropped off back to your accommodation.

Hambantota: Yala National Park Wildlife Safari in a 4x4

3. Hambantota: Yala National Park Wildlife Safari in a 4x4

Embark on a guided tour through the Yala National Park on a Wildlife Safari in a 4x4 vehicle. Complete with hotel transfer, spot various wildlife and be amazed by the region's flora. Enjoy a convenient pickup from your accommodation in Hambantota or Hambantota Port from your Cruise Ship. Start the adventure as you head out to Ruhunu Yala National Park to explore its 126,786 hectares. Yala is famous for its big herds and large number of elephants, leopards, spotted deer, sambhur, crocodiles, mongoose, wild boar, wild buffalo, along with many other animals. Explore a destination boasting more than 130 bird species recorded to be living in the area, including both residents and winter visitors. Throughout the safari, search for the world’s most concentrated number of leopards, sloth bears, and elephants, as your knowledgeable guide and driver expertly navigates the vast area and roads. Learn about the animals that live here and the work that is done to preserve this natural habitat. Admire the stunning scenery of the park, which sits alongside the Indian Ocean and is a rich haven for over 250 varieties of animals and birds. This is an unforgettable adventure that will leave you with a lifetime of memories.

Galle/Unawatuna/Weligama/Mirissa: Yala National Park Safari

4. Galle/Unawatuna/Weligama/Mirissa: Yala National Park Safari

Your experience begins with a pickup from your hotel in either the Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama or Mirissa areas. From there, relax on your drive to Yala National Park. Upon arrival you'll go for a safari drive by Jeep, keeping an eye out for local leopards and elephants in their natural habitat. Other indigenous wildlife which are able to be spotted in this park includes sloth bears, jackals, mongoose, spotted deers, buffalo, wild boars, sambhur, and hare. Now the most-visited park in Sri Lanka, Yala is also an important nature reserve for 50 species of butterflies and many species of birds. After the safari, journey back to your point of origin to be dropped off back to your accommodation.

Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Full day tour with Lunch

5. Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Full day tour with Lunch

After being picked up from your hotel in the local area at around 5:00 AM, you will enter Yala National Park to explore the light forests, scrubs, grasslands, lagoons, and magnificent range of animals. Over nearly 400 square miles, the park consistently wows visitors, with its range of lagoons, riparian zones, monsoon jungles, and more, supporting a veritable arc of fauna. As you traverse the park, get the best view of it all from a modified game viewing safari Jeep. After exploring the vast park for a few hours at the helm of your knowledgeable guide, you’ll stop for a picnic lunch at a beautiful viewing spot. Unwind for a while after lunch and get ready to enjoy your second round of the game drive.  As you criss-cross through the stunning landscape, you have the opportunity to see elephants, sloth bears, toque monkeys, wild boar, water monitors, marsh crocodiles, and perhaps the crown jewel of Yala National Park, the spotted leopard—of which the park has one of the highest densities in the world. After your full day of safari exploration, you’ll be transported back to your accommodation, thrilled at the preserved piece of nature that you have experienced.

Yala: National Park Safari Private All-Inclusive Day Trip

6. Yala: National Park Safari Private All-Inclusive Day Trip

Yala Safari Day Trip is organised by Bentota Travel Mart. Free pick up & drop off are available from following areas. Wadduwa, Kalutara, Waskaduwa Beruwala, Bentota, Kosgoda, Ahungalla Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Talpe Ahangama, Koggala, Habaraduwa Weligama, Mirissa, Matara Dikwella, Tangalle, Ranna Hambantota, Weerawila Attractions & Activities • Yala National Park Jeep Safari (4 Hours) Inclusions • Safari Jeep • National Park Entry fees • Lunch • Free Pick-up & Drop-off • Private Transportation with English Speaking Driver-Guide Key Points Tour Starts from the pick-up point at 4.00am-6.00am ( Morning Safari) & 10.00am-12.00pm (Evening Safari) This is an All Inclusive package & No hidden costs.

From Ella: Transfer to Mirissa/Galle with Yala Safari Tour

7. From Ella: Transfer to Mirissa/Galle with Yala Safari Tour

Combine a transfer from Ella, Haputale, or Bandarawela to Matara, Mirissa, Weligama, Unawatuna or Galle area with a thrilling day trip to Yala National Park. Experience the immense biodiversity of this park on this Sri Lankan animal safari. Be picked up from your accommodation in Ella, Haputale, or Bandarawela. Relax and take in the local scenery on the drive to Yala National Park. Board an open-topped safari jeep to get the best views and photo angles. See the animals during the day when they are the most active. Watch for leopards, sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, water buffalos, and a large variety of bird species. Get some great shots of these magnificent creatures. Hear about wildlife and get photography tips from your local guide. Let your guide show you the spots where the animals are likely to congregate. Then, head back to your air-conditioned car for the ride to your accommodation in Matara, Mirissa, Weligama, Unawatuna, or Galle.

Galle/Mirissa: Safari Day Trip to Yala & Udawalawe w/ Picnic

8. Galle/Mirissa: Safari Day Trip to Yala & Udawalawe w/ Picnic

Your experience begins with a pickup from your accommodation in either the Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama or Mirissa areas. From there, relax on your drive to Yala National Park, home to 44 varieties of mammals and 215 bird species. Meet your private guide and climb into a sturdy 4x4 vehicle. Enjoy sunrise at the park — the ‘Golden Hours’ of the day — and explore the light forests, scrubs, grasslands, lagoons, and magnificent range of animals. Following the safari, there will be a Picnic Lunch before the drive to Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home. Next, stop at the Elephant Transit Home during feeding hours and take a closer look at hundreds of wild elephant babies. After enjoying the Elephant Transit Home Arriving Udawalawe National Park in the afternoon allows you to explore from 3 PM until sunset when the park closes at 6 PM. Search for the world’s most concentrated number of elephants, spotted deer, jackals, wild boar, wild buffalo, crocodiles, and many other animals as your knowledgeable guide and driver expertly navigates the vast area and roads. After the safari, journey back to your point of origin to be dropped off back to your accommodation.

Mirissa, Weligama, or Galle: Transfer to Ella & Yala Safari

9. Mirissa, Weligama, or Galle: Transfer to Ella & Yala Safari

Combine a transfer from Mirissa, Weligama, or Galle to the town of Ella with the adventure of a Sri Lankan animal safari day trip. Experience the immense biodiversity in Yala National Park and stop for a delectable packed meal. Be picked up from your accommodation in Mirissa, Weligama, or Galle. Relax and take in the local scenery on the drive to Yala National Park. Board an an open-topped safari jeep to get the best views and photo angles. See the animals during the day when they are the most active. Watch for leopards, sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, water buffalos, and a large variety of bird species. Get some great shots of these magnificent creatures. Hear about about the wildlife and get photography tips from your local guide. Let your guide show you the spots where the animals are likely to congregate. Have a nice packed meal before heading back to your air-conditioned car for the ride to your accommodation in Ella.

From Ella: Shuttle to Tangalle/Hiriketiya with Yala Safari

10. From Ella: Shuttle to Tangalle/Hiriketiya with Yala Safari

Combine a transfer from Ella to Tangalle/Hiriketiya with a day trip to Yala National Park. Experience the immense biodiversity on this Sri Lankan animal safari. After being picked up at your accommodation in Ella, you will arrive at Yala National Park, meet your local guide and board an an open-topped jeep to get the best views and photo angles. See the animals during the day when they are the most active. Watch for leopards, sloth bears, elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, water buffalos, and a large variety of bird species. Heading back to your air-conditioned car for the ride to your accommodation in Tangalle or Hiriketiya.

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Yala National Park

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What people are saying about Yala National Park

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 83 reviews

Amazing day combined with the convenience of a transfer to Ella! Picked up promptly at 5 AM, and driven to Yalla. The Safari was incredible! Our guide was amazing! He helped us spot tons of animals, and the most gorgeous scenery in the park! Our highlight was when he found us a leopard! So rare! We were so lucky! After the Safari, our driver took us to our hotel in Ella. Start to finish was approximately 8 hours. Highly recommend!

I thoroughly enjoyed our three hour morning safari of Yala. Our guide was friendly, always smiling and informative. I would recommend this company, as other Safari jeeps were leaving the park our driver decided to take us to a watering hole where a family of seven elephants wondered in and began drinking and playing. A magical moment.

We had a very nice guide who went to a lot of trouble so that we could see all the animals once. But he always switched off the engine so that the animals would not be disturbed. I highly recommend the tour

Fantastic tour! Our driver tried very hard, we saw leopards, sloth bears and elephants despite the rainy season! 100% recommendation for this tour! :-)

Everything was well organized, so that we could enjoy the experience