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Yala Safari: Explore Sri Lanka's Wildlife
Embark on an unforgettable private safari in Yala National Park and discover a world of incredible wildlife, from leopards and elephants to endemic bird species.
Embark on an unforgettable private safari in Yala National Park and discover a world of incredible wildlife, from leopards and elephants to endemic bird species.
Duration:
1 day
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Palatupana - YALA (යාල) National Park is the most visited and second-largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. Including the Sri Lankan Elephant, 44 species of mammals reside in Yala National Park, which boasts one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Many individual leopards are estimated to roam in Block I. The…
- Palatupana - YALA (යාල) National Park is the most visited and second-largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. Including the Sri Lankan Elephant, 44 species of mammals reside in Yala National Park, which boasts one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Many individual leopards are estimated to roam in Block I. The elephant herd in Yala consists of 100–150 individuals. The Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, Leopard, Elephant, and Wild Water Buffalo are all threatened mammals that Yala harbors. Although water buffaloes are indigenous to Sri Lanka, most populations contain genes of domestic stock or have descended from feral populations. The elephant population in the park varies seasonally. Early morning (first 2 hours) and late afternoon (last 2 hours) are the golden hours for spotting leopards.
Leopards and bears are rare animals. We recommend full-day and half-day (7 hours) safari tours to see leopards.
Morning safari tours and evening safari tours are also good for seeing all kinds of animals, depending on the day’s sightings. Please understand this is wildlife!
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Free hotel pickup and drop off around the Yala area
- Experienced safari driver and tracker
- Luxury safari jeep fees included
- Cheapest way to book a safari tour
- Private transportation
- Free hotel pickup and drop off around the Yala area
- Experienced safari driver and tracker
- Luxury safari jeep fees included
- Cheapest way to book a safari tour
What's Not Included
- Not Include Entrance Fees
- Not Include Entrance Fees. You have to buy entrance tickets yourself.
- Not Include Entrance Fees
- Not Include Entrance Fees. You have to buy entrance tickets yourself.
Additional Information
Yala is home to 215 varieties of birds, including six species unique to Sri Lanka. The park boasts a record of 44 mammalian species and ranks amongst places with the highest concentration of leopards worldwide. Visitors have the chance to witness a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat such as Leopards, Sloth Bears, Elephants, Spotted Deers,…
Yala is home to 215 varieties of birds, including six species unique to Sri Lanka. The park boasts a record of 44 mammalian species and ranks amongst places with the highest concentration of leopards worldwide. Visitors have the chance to witness a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat such as Leopards, Sloth Bears, Elephants, Spotted Deers, Crocodiles, Wild Boars, Wild Buffalos, Sambur Deers and many more magnificent creatures and natural wonders. The park is also scattered with numerous beautiful spots worth exploring.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(260 Ratings)
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1 star
Hanpeternicholas
Jan 31, 2026
Great experience with passionate host - Thank you so much for the amazing tour.
Our host: Amila was absolutely great. He started by asking our expectations and priorities, and he worked so hard to find each animal for us. He was constantly communicating with other drivers to get information of sightings. When we found one, he would teach us many facts. We could really feel his passion and love for animals.
Animals: We got lucky to see baby elephants, an eagle with prey, and a peacock fully open, among countless others. So much better than a zoo which holds animals captive. However, the sightings depend on the day, so better to go with low expectations but be surprised!
Logistics: We got picked up at the hotel, drove to the park, bought the park tickets, then waited in line until the park opened. Good thing this tour comes to pick you up early because there are a lot of jeeps to get in. Once in, Amila took us deep into the park so there were less jeeps around us. Very smart.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shigehiro_n
Dec 31, 2025
Great experience - You will receive a confirmation email from the day before and a photo of your car to pick you up, so you can rest assured. It's early morning but you'll be picked up on time. The guide driver seemed very used to finding many animals. Unfortunately, we couldn't find the leopard because it was raining the night before, but the driver tried very hard to find it while keeping in touch with his fellow drivers.
The car shakes a bit because of the rough road, but I experienced a great view.
Review provided by Viator
Simonasz3582rz
Nov 25, 2025
Safari - We had amazing time, our guide was respectful, took enough time to explain us everything and showing the species in the atlas ☺️ we came early around 5 am, saw many animals on full day tour - spotted dears, water buffalos, monkeys, crocodiles, lizard, many birds species.. also lucky to see leopard, and sloth bear! Unforgettable experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jimhq2257db
Nov 8, 2025
Perfect wildlife and human experience - Our morning safari was an awesome experience from start to end. We expected to see some wildlife but definitely not seeing almost all the wildlife in this national park. Elephants, monkeys, tons of birds, mammals, sloth bear, wild cat, reptiles...
Our guide Udayanga was really professional, explaining and naming everything we saw, driving smoothly and safely, leading us away from crowded roads very fast.
He is also a very good human, passionate about the wildlife and respectful. We saw a lot of crazy other tours driving people around without any concern of the surrounding and the wildlife, ready to do everything to get them a good picture. But at the end with the patience and perfect behaviour of Udayanga we saw exactly the same, everytime in a good spot and in a more peaceful way.
ස්තූතියි 🙏
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fra_gu_85
Nov 1, 2025
The best!!!! - We went on the first safari of our lives with Udayanga and it was wonderful (we chose the afternoon safari). He very kind and really passionate, gave us so much information about the animals and the park and has a crazy view! We saw three leopards (we were lucky), crocodiles, mongooses, fawns and deer, buffalo, an eagle, a jackal, lots of birds and went far and wide to show us the elephants too! For us he was the top of this trip. Thanks for everything!!! Francesca and Michele
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tommy
Sep 25, 2025
Yala afternoon safari - Just back from 2 weeks in Sri Lanka & the safari was my highlight of the trip, I found Yala Leopard Eye Safari through Facebook then checked TripAdvisor and saw the positive reviews so booked up through WhatsApp & paid cash on the day, We got picked up & dropped off from our hotel as me & my wife where staying in Tisssamaharama (Serenity Tissa) by Udayanya who was very knowledgeable about the park & the species of wildlife, the gates don't open until 2 pm for the afternoon safari's, Once we entered the park we were taken to the main watering holes as it's dry session more animals & birds where in the area & it didn't disappoint plenty of Elephants, Water Buffalo, Crocodiles, Deer, Monkey & endless water birds.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anmeia2025
Sep 4, 2025
A nice experience with a nice guide! - It was a very nice experience with a great and knowledgeable guide. We have seen many different animals and had a fantastic day. We enjoyed it and loved seeing all the animals. The guide was determined toTo see leopard and I succeeded twice!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
103sashk
Jul 20, 2025
Unforgettable wildlife adventure! - Our trip to Yala National Park with Yala Leopard Eye Safari was truly incredible! From start to finish, the experience was top-notch. Our guide, Udayanga, was absolutely fantastic – highly professional and incredibly knowledgeable about the park and its wildlife. We were so fortunate to have him leading our safari, and thanks to his expertise, we had the immense good fortune of seeing leopards! Beyond the leopards, we enjoyed every moment and had a truly great time. Highly recommend Yala Leopard Eye Safari and especially Udayanga for an unforgettable wildlife adventure!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tom_b
Jul 13, 2025
Wonderful experience! - Didn’t spot a leopard unfortunately on our 7 hour safari trip, but saw lots of other wildlife which was just as impressive!
Our guide Nissanaka was great!
Review provided by Viator
Christian
Jul 7, 2025
Safari - Top experience..with jeep and topguide..many seen beautiful experience many animals and beautiful nature. Thanks for the good time..
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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