Sri Lankan Leopard - Shutterstock / Martin Mecnarowski
Yala National Park
leopardssafarisri-lankadry-forestbirds
Sri Lankan Leopard - Shutterstock / Martin Mecnarowski
Sri Lanka|Asia
leopardssafarisri-lankadry-forestbirds
Yala National Park
Sri Lanka|Asia
82
Wildlife
78
Access
76
Stay
74
Safety
88
Photo
48
Crowds
70
Cost
87
Birding
Yala National Park is one of the best places in Asia to look for leopards, especially in open scrub and dry forest where sightings can be surprisingly close. Elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and good birding add to the appeal, although the busiest blocks can be crowded.
33°
Drizzle
Gallery
Wildlife Species
Sri Lankan Leopard
UncommonMammal · Best time: Morning or Late Afternoon
Asian Elephant
CommonMammal · Best time: All Day
Sloth Bear
RareMammal · Best time: Morning
Mugger Crocodile
CommonReptile · Best time: All Day
Geography
- Terrain
- Dry forest, scrub, lagoons, rocky outcrops, coast
- Elevation
- Sea level to low hills
- Climate
- Tropical dry zone
- Area
- About 979 km2 across multiple blocks
Weather
- Best Months
- FebruaryMarchJulyAugust
- Avg. Temperature
- 22-33°C
- Rainfall
- Low in dry periods
- Humidity
- 55-85%
Getting There
Nearest Airport
Colombo Airport with long overland transfer
Main gateways are Tissamaharama and Kataragama
Transport
- Guided jeep safaris
- Day trips from gateway towns
- Multiple park blocks
Where to Stay
Safari lodges around Yala gateways
Mid-range to PremiumLodge · Near park entrance
Hotels in Tissamaharama
Budget to Mid-rangeHotel · Main base town
Location
6.3720, 81.5180View larger map
