Luxury Yala National Park
Tours made for you
Embark on a game drive
to spot leopards, elephants and many more
Visit the park's beaches
for a sunset experience like no other
Explore Kirinda village
and marvel at its vast bird life and rice fields
Leopard country
Occupying the south-eastern corner of the island, the vast Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s second-largest national park and its most popular.
The park itself is divided into five blocks, two of which, Ruhuna and Kumana, can be explored on guided game drives, and stretches from the sea inland, encompassing some 979 square kilometres (378 square miles) of forest, wetlands and savannah. This varied landscape provides a vital home for hundreds of Sri Lankan elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and rare wild water buffalo, as well as over 200 bird species.
But it is the leopard, found here in perhaps the highest concentration in the world, that are iconic of the park. Their secretive nature means spotting Sri Lanka’s top predator is still a challenge, but accompanied by a skilled guide and a little luck, there are a few better places in the world to find these enigmatic cats.
Highlights
Head out on a guided game drive to see the illusive leopard.
Spot over 200 species of bird.
Explore the less crowded Udawalawe National Park, where mighty elephants can be spotted.
Enjoy a private game drive in Bundala National Park and admire the wildlife, from crocodiles to wild boars.
I really loved my time in Yala – it’s a busy park, but our rangers still managed to find areas where we only had the wildlife for company. I was absolutely blown away by the birdlife in the park – such an incredible variety of species. Leopard sightings aren’t guaranteed, but you’ve got a pretty good chance!
Keith Jarman
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Yala National Park
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Where to go
Colombo
Hot and busy, recent years have seen Colombo gradually transform from a place visitors could not avoid to a fascinating destination well worth exploring.
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Cultural Triangle
Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were the three great Sinhalese capitals, and together they form the area known as the Cultural Triangle.
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Galle
Galle is a stunningly atmospheric town at the southern edge of Sri Lanka with fascinating history evident at every turn through its eclectic assemblage of architecture.
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Gal Oya National Park
Gal Oya National Park is something of a hidden gem, one of Sri Lanka’s least visited national parks due to its remoteness and dearth of accommodation, yet it is a place of beautiful landscapes home to vibrant wildlife.
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Kandy
A world of ancient kings, ornate temples, lush gardens and vibrant traditions – Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka and its cultural capital.
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Koggala Lake
A short way east along the coast from Galle Fort, Koggala is a small town fronted by one of the longest beaches in Sri Lanka and backed by a large lake.
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Tangalle
A meandering stretch of rugged cliffs and beautiful sandy bays on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, all protected by a vast enclosing reef, you’ll find a collection of the island’s best beaches and a small collection of blissful resorts west of Tangalle.
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Tea Country
Dotted across lush ranked fields, women quickly but meticulously harvest leaves by hand, baskets slung across their backs. Stretching across the island’s midsection, this is Sri Lanka’s tea country and quite possibly the origin of your favourite morning cuppa.
Discover moreMeet your Indian Subcontinent team
When to visit
Yala National Park can be visited year-round, depending on your interests. The rainy season, from November to April sees short dramatic downpours and brings with it lush vegetation and wildflowers. This is the best time for birders, with many migratory species flying from as far north as Siberia to escape the winter and is good a good time for spotting elephants. The dry season from May to October sees the bush die back and animals congregating around water holes making it the easiest time of year to see leopards, elephants, buffalo, spotted deer, wild boar, eagles, owls and kingfishers though it is hot and dusty.
Lush vegetation and wild flowers
November–April
Best for birding
November–April
Easier game viewing
May–October
Plan your trip to Yala National Park
Whatever you want from your adventure in Yala National Park, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.
