The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
The Yala National Park is the best place to see leopards and elephants in Sri Lanka. It’s a fantastic experience that should be on your Sri Lanka Itinerary, so book your safari tour and visit Yala.
Wondering how to visit Yala National Park, Sri Lanka? You can easily reach Yala from Ella, Mirissa, or Galle and take a half-day or full-day safari tour.
In this post, you can find out how to get there, the best time to visit, including entrance fees, and what to expect on your safari tour in Yala National Park.
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- The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
- Where is Yala National Park?
- About Yala National Park
- How to Get to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
- Best Time to Visit Yala
- Yala National Park Safari
- Yala National Park Safari Price
- Yala National Park Entrance Fee
- Where to Stay in Yala National Park
- Where to Eat in Yala
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Where is Yala National Park?
Located in the southeast of Sri Lanka, about 20 km southwest of Tissamaharama.
About Yala National Park
It is one of the oldest and best national parks in Sri Lanka. The park was designated a national park in 1938.
The national park has a protected area of nearly 130,000 hectares, consisting of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, lakes, and lagoons. It is home to 44 species of mammals and 215 species of birds, such as leopards, elephants, sloth bears, jackals, spotted deer, water buffalo, peacocks, crocodiles, and much more.
Yala is famous for having the world’s biggest concentration of leopards and is one of the best places in the world to spot leopards. There are around 60-70 leopards scattered throughout the park.
Book your Yala safari tour HERE.
How to Get to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Most people come to Yala from Ella, Galle, or Mirissa.
Colombo to Yala National Park
The distance between Colombo and Yala is about 300 km, and the travel time is 5-6 hours by car. Therefore, we recommend traveling from Colombo to Galle or Unawatuna instead of Yala.
We have a detailed post on how to get from Colombo to Galle with all the information you need.
Then, join a morning safari tour from there. Book your safari tour from Galle in advance.
Ella to Yala National Park
The distance between Yala and Ella is about 110 km, which is 2-6 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
Getting to Yala may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are a few ways to get there. You can easily get to Yala by taxi, bus, tuk tuk, or join an organized tour.
Alternatively, you can book a transfer from Ella to Mirissa/Galle/Hikkaduwa (any hotel), which includes the Yala Safari Tour.
From Ella we went by tuk tuk to Tissamaharama. The next day, we took a half-day Yala safari tour.
Read the full post → How to Get from Ella to Yala
If you want to pass wild elephants on the way to Yala, take a detour on the B35 Road. During our trip, we also saw elephants in the middle and last section of the road, which was a fantastic experience in Sri Lanka.
These wild elephants are used to being around people, as locals regularly stop on the road to feed them.
Important note
Do not feed or touch the elephants! Only walk near them at your own risk!
Best Time to Visit Yala
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is during the dry season, from December to April. But we recommend visiting Yala National Park from February to July. During this period, the weather is dry, and the water level in the park is low, making it easier to see the animals when they go to drink.
Yala has a hot and semi-arid climate. The average temperature is 27°C.
Most rainfall in Yala occurs during the monsoon, from September to December. During the monsoon season, the national park is much more lush and green, making it harder to see the animals.
Good to know
Usually, the park is temporarily closed in September due to maintenance, so check before you visit for up-to-date information.
Recommended post → Best National Parks in Sri Lanka
Yala National Park Safari
Yala National Park is rich in wildlife, so you can easily spot the animals on a jeep safari tour. Book a morning or afternoon safari tour to Yala and choose between a half-day or full-day tour.
The safari tours usually take 4-5 hours.
Book your Yala Safari Tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.
There are 3 entrances to the Yala National Park: Palatupana from Tissamaharama (main entrance), Katagamuwa, and Galge.
The park is divided into five blocks/sectors. Only blocks 1 and 5 are open to visitors to ensure that the park’s animals are protected from over-tourism.
Tips for Visiting
- For the best experience, book a morning safari tour or take a full-day Yala safari tour.
- Most safari tours include water, breakfast, or lunch, but bring enough water and snacks.
- Wear closed sports shoes and lightweight, quick-dry clothes, as the weather is always warm and humid. But the weather is cold during early morning safaris, so bring a sweater or light jacket.
- Safari tours cannot guarantee leopard spotting, but Yala National Park has the best chance of seeing leopards.
- Some people may be unwell on a full-day safari tour as the road is very bumpy. Therefore, we recommend taking anti-nausea tablets with you.
- Use sunscreen.
- Always be ready to take photos, as you will see lots of wildlife and birds.
- Take a zoom lens with you.
- Use the toilet before going on a safari tour.
Yala National Park Safari Price
The Yala National Park safari price depends on the safari tour you book, such as a private safari, group tour, or full-day safari.
Good to know
Most safari tours do not include the entrance fee to the national park.
Group jeep tours usually start from 27 USD per person, and private tours start from 100 USD per person.
Yala National Park Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Yala National Park for foreign adults ranges from 31 USD to 36 USD per person. But the price depends on the number of people in the jeep (2-6 pax).
Usually, the entrance fee is 71 USD for two foreign adults, 100 USD for three adults, and 129 USD for four adults.
The entrance fee can only be paid in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) at the entrance gates.
Good to know
The admission fee is 89 USD for two foreign adults with one child and 106 USD for two adults with two children.
Read our → Sri Lanka Itinerary
Where to Stay in Yala National Park
Most people take a day trip to the Yala National Park from Ella, Galle, or Mirissa. But for the best experience, stay around the national park.
Another alternative is to stay in Tissamaharama, as you will be close to the restaurants and budget hotels. These are our accommodation recommendations.
Best hotels in Yala, Sri Lanka
- Luxury: Wild Coast Tented Lodge
- Mid-Range: Jetwing Yala or Cinnamon Wild Yala
- Budget: Kaaya Eco Resort Yala
Where to Eat in Yala
In Tissamaharama, you can find many local restaurants, vegetarian options, and the best places to eat with all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best restaurants near the national park
- Chef Lady Restaurant (Delicious seafood)
- The Flavors Restaurant (Best Sri Lankan rice and curry)
- Red Restaurant Tissamaharama (International and local dishes)
- Hathmaluwa Restaurant (A perfect place for lunch or dinner)
- Smoky Kitchen (Our favorite place to eat in Yala)
We hope you found our guide to Yala National Park useful and will inspire you to visit Sri Lanka. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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