Little bit about Yala National Park

For an avid nature lover or a visitor for the first time at a wildlife park, Yala National Park is the correct place to explore and learn about the wildlife. An experience of epic proportions, Yala national park will never fail to impress its visitors. The safari tours bring the visitor up close and personal with untamed word of wildlife. Visitors are given a tour via open jeeps, these jeeps in itself are a great experience. Known as a leopard country, they are the lords of the jungle, with a highest leopard density in the planet.

The park has elephants great in number too. The Yala park is home to 44 species of mammals and 215 bird species. It is a protected area of nearly a 130,000 hectares of land which consists of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, lagoons and tanks. Out of the five blocks, two are open to public currently. Yala is known as a very humid city. It has a semi-arid environment despite its lush greenish look, with a temperature between 26°C to about 30°C. Yala is located 260km South East of Colombo. It’s a long drive from Colombo, hence, the drive would be worthwhile when you get to explore and experience the beautiful wildlife nature park. 

Things to know before you go

• Main dry season spreads from May/June to October. When the water levels of the park are quite low animals tend to come into the open areas - so the best time to visit Yala National park is from June to end of Aug
• Best time to enter the park - 6 AM and 4 PM
• Do not feed the animals
• Do not tease the animals
• No smoking, no liquor
• Eat at designated rest areas only
• Do not get down from the Safari Jeeps
• Bring plenty of water, sun protection creams, sunglasses, caps/hats
• Always listen to the driver's/ guide's instructions
• There are full day and half day safaries to the park 
• Generally the park is closed from the beginning of September to mid-October

Photo Credits: Hiranya Malwatta , Thilina Chandrathilaka

Tickets

Safari Jeep Price*

Half-day: From LKR 4,500 - 6,000

Full-day: Around LKR 10,000

*Prices vary based on the condition of the jeep and the additional facilities provided. Above are generic indicative prices

Yala National Park Entrance Fee for Foreigners

Service Charge: $8

Veicle Entrance Fee: ~$2

15% VAT on the grand entrance fee

Yala National Park Entrance Fee for Locals

Service Charge: ~LKR 1,400

Veicle Entrance Fee: LKR 250

15% VAT on the grand entrance fee