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Southern Sri Lanka · 1 day
Yala, where the leopards actually are
One of the highest leopard densities anywhere in the world, plus elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and something over two hundred species of bird. Private 4×4, a tracker who knows the park, and a choice of one long day or two unhurried ones.
One price agreed before you book. Nothing is charged on this website.
How the day works
Yala runs game drives in morning and afternoon slots. This is the afternoon drive, which is the slot most people want.
The day
Afternoon safari
- 01Morning pickup from your hotel and the drive south.
- 02A break near the park for lunch before you go in.
- 03The afternoon game drive, when the park comes alive in the low light. Elephants, crocodiles, deer, and with luck the leopard.
- 04The drive back to your hotel or on to wherever you are heading next.
Duration
One day, or two with a night near the park
Start
5:00 to 7:00am
Pickup
Colombo, Ella, Mirissa, Galle or elsewhere
Transport
Private air-conditioned vehicle, then a 4×4 jeep
Effort
Easy. No walking involved
Best months
February to July for leopards. Park closes each September
Included
- +Hotel pickup and drop-off, Colombo or selected locations
- +Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide
- +Bottled water
- +All government taxes and service charges
Not included
- –Yala National Park entrance fees and the safari jeep
- –Meals and drinks unless stated
- –Accommodation
- –Personal spending and tips
- –Anything optional not listed in the itinerary
Before you go
- ·Nobody can promise you a leopard. A good tracker and the right time of day are the only honest edge, and we use both.
- ·Wear light, neutral colours.
- ·Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and more water than you think.
- ·Bring a camera. Binoculars if you care about birds — there are over two hundred species in the park.
- ·Keep the noise down and do what your tracker says. It is their park more than ours.
Who it suits
Anyone who wants to see the animals rather than tick the park off. Couples, families, solo travellers, small groups. No walking, no fitness requirement — you are in a vehicle the whole time.
Yala also sits inside the 14-day journey if you would rather not build the trip a piece at a time.
Ask for a date
Tell us your dates, where you are staying, how many of you, and whether you want the one-day or two-day version. We come back with a full price including park entry and the jeep, so there are no surprises at the gate.
Or WhatsApp +94 77 086 0671.
Questions
What does it cost?
The vehicle and driver-guide are $190 in a Kei car, stepping up with the vehicle: $240 in a sedan, $290 in an SUV, $340 in a van, $390 in a bus. On top of that it is $10 per person for the day. So one person in a Kei car is $200, two sharing a Kei car is $210 or $105 each, and four in a sedan is $280 or $70 each. Park entry and the jeep sit on top — we quote those in full so you know the real number.
What will I see?
Leopards, Asian elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer, monkeys and over two hundred bird species. Yala has one of the highest leopard densities in the world, which makes a sighting likely rather than lucky — but never certain.
Is it a full day?
The safari itself is the afternoon game drive. The rest of the day is the drive south and the drive back, so plan on the whole day being taken up.
When should I come?
February to July, when water is scarce and animals gather at the waterholes. The park closes for a rest period every September.
Are the entrance fee and jeep included?
No. Park entry and the 4×4 are arranged separately and quoted at the time of booking, so you see exactly what each part costs.