Yala
Sri Lanka's most visited national park and one of the best places on earth to see wild leopards, alongside elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and prolific birdlife.
Sri Lanka's Iconic Safari Country.
Yala National Park holds one of the highest densities of leopards anywhere in the world, making it a magnet for wildlife photographers and first-time safari-goers alike. Its varied terrain — scrub jungle, lagoons, rocky outcrops and open grassland — supports elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and more than 200 recorded bird species.
Game drives run at dawn and dusk when animals are most active, typically in open 4x4 jeeps with an experienced tracker. Yala pairs naturally with the south coast, making it easy to combine a morning safari with an afternoon transfer to Galle or Mirissa.
Plan Your Visit
What to Experience
Leopard Tracking
Guided game drives through Block I, home to one of the world's densest leopard populations.
Elephant Herds
Resident wild elephant herds moving through the park's grasslands and waterholes.
Birdwatching
Painted storks, peacocks and migratory species across Yala's lagoons and wetlands.
Yala in Pictures
Build a Journey Around Yala.
Tell RIZ your travel dates and interests, and we’ll shape a private itinerary around Yala and the destinations that matter most to you.