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    Yala National Park

    Enchanting Wildlife Escapades

    Yala National Park, unquestionably the crown jewel of the island’s national parks and protected areas, is Sri Lanka’s most famous park for a safari in Yala. The park sits approximately 260 km southeast of Colombo. Established as a national park in 1938, Yala lays across a sprawling 978.807 km², gracing the southern coast and extending into the Uva Province, with Tissamaharama as its nearest town. The best season to engage in wildlife safari is between February and July, when the lower water levels lure more animals out into the open for the best wildlife encounters.

    Highlights
    • Sri Lankan Asian Elephants
    • Sri Lankan Leopards
    • Sloth Bears
    • Mugger Crocodiles
    • Bird Watching

    Located just under four hours from Colombo in the deep south, Yala serves as a sanctuary for many indigenous and endemic species. The park boasts an impressive array of wildlife, including up to 215 bird species, 44 mammal species, 47 reptile species, 21 fish species, and 18 amphibian species. Its illustrious residents include elephants, leopards, jackals, sloth bears, wild buffalo, and crocodiles.

    Divided into five distinct ‘Blocks’, Yala National Park grants public access to Blocks 1, 4, and 5 (this may change based on the authorities managing the park). Entry points to these Blocks are dispersed across four locations: Galge, Yala West, Palatupana, and Katagamuwa. The latter two are more frequented and offer access to Block 1.

    Given its vast expanse (ranking as the second largest national park in Sri Lanka), embarking on a safari tour is the ultimate way for wildlife enthusiasts to immerse themselves fully in the Yala experience. En route to the park, leopard sightings along the access trails are not uncommon, essentially kickstarting your safari adventure before you even enter.

    Tip: There’s no shortage of safari operators in Yala, eager to cater to your needs. Your hotel concierge can assist with a booking. Most Hotels in Yala offer all-inclusive packages that include one safari per day.

    Location and Hours of Operation

    Yala National Park
    Palatunpana Entrance
    B499, Palatupana 82614
    Tel: +94112888 585
    Web: https://www.yalasrilanka.lk
    E-mail: info@yalasrilanka.lk
    Open: Daily 6:00 am – 11:30 am and 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    Tickets: $ 85.00 per person (Average per person cost for Park Entrance and half-day safari in a jeep; rates may vary depending on safari operator; prices current as of September 2024)

    Speak to Our Concierge
    Telephone
    +94 76 757 8865
    whatsapp
    +94 76 757 8865
    Address
    2D,
    Inner Bagatalle Road,
    Colombo 03,
    Sri Lanka.

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