Yala National Park is the most popular Sri Lanka national park due to its incredible array of wildlife and diverse habitats. Located in the southeast of the island, the park stretches over 1260 square kilometres. There are two blocks, Ruhuna and Kumana, which can be explored on guided game drives. The vast region stretches to the Indian Ocean and is blanketed in sweeping grasslands, dry forests and salt lakes. Rocky outcrops pepper the landscape, offering excellent vantage points for wildlife spotting.
A safari in Yala National Park brings you hundreds of elephants as they rumble through the forest, and nearby playful monkeys swing in the treetops. Eagles soar overhead while fan-tailed peacocks preen in the dust. The rare water buffalo grazes at the edge of lagoons, with one eye watching for one-eye-gliding crocodiles. There are wild boar, bush rabbits, herds of white-spotted deer and over 200 bird species to be found. Yala is also the best place to visit in Sri Lanka to see leopards.
Yala National Park is very popular, drawing large crowds year-round. However, with the sheer size of the park and the knowledge of skilled guides, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find peaceful corners with only wildlife for company. With an incredible range of wildlife populations and fantastic luxury camping facilities, Yala National Park is the perfect destination for a Sri Lanka honeymoon, family holiday or for animal lovers.
