Yala National Park is located in the Southern and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka. Yala National Park is the
second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. The park consists of five blocks,
and total area is about 100,000 hectares (1,000 sq.km). The blocks have individual names such as,
Ruhuna National Park (Block 1), and Kumana National Park or 'Yala East' for the adjoining areas.
The nearest main town is Hambanthota and Tissamaharama.
The entrance to the park is at Palatupana, 20 km from Tissamaharama. The distance from Colombo to the entry point of Palatupana is about 300 km.
The Importance / Specialty of Yala National Park
Yala National Park is a Dry Monsoon forest, located Southeast region of the country. The annual rainfall is about 1250 mm and mean temperature is about 27-35 Celsius.
Yala is a good habitat for lot of mammals including Sri Lankan elephants and Sri Lankan Leopard.
The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.
In addition to the elephants and leopards, it can be seen Wild Water Buffalo, Wild boar, Sri Lankan Spotted Deer, rusty-spotted cat and fishing cat in the Yala Natinal Park.
Yala National Park is a best birdwatching site. In Yala it can be observed more than 200 birds species including endemic species.
Yala is also a habitat for fish and reptiles. Various types of lizards, crocodiles, snakes and lot of fish species including endemic species can be observed in the park.
Visiting Yala National Park
The governing body of the park is Department of Wildlife Conservation. The tourists can visit the park by hiring a safari jeep.
There are 3 safari options available for the guests.
1. Morning Safari (6.00am)
2. Afternoon Safari (2.30pm)
3. Full day Safari
For the safari, it can be hired an experienced guide and modified comfortable jeep at the Tissamaharama. The tour can be more customized for guests for their preferences (Family safari, photography safari etc.).
The nearest main town is Hambanthota and Tissamaharama.
The entrance to the park is at Palatupana, 20 km from Tissamaharama. The distance from Colombo to the entry point of Palatupana is about 300 km.
The Importance / Specialty of Yala National Park
Yala National Park is a Dry Monsoon forest, located Southeast region of the country. The annual rainfall is about 1250 mm and mean temperature is about 27-35 Celsius.
Yala is a good habitat for lot of mammals including Sri Lankan elephants and Sri Lankan Leopard.
The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.
In addition to the elephants and leopards, it can be seen Wild Water Buffalo, Wild boar, Sri Lankan Spotted Deer, rusty-spotted cat and fishing cat in the Yala Natinal Park.
Yala National Park is a best birdwatching site. In Yala it can be observed more than 200 birds species including endemic species.
Yala is also a habitat for fish and reptiles. Various types of lizards, crocodiles, snakes and lot of fish species including endemic species can be observed in the park.
Visiting Yala National Park
The governing body of the park is Department of Wildlife Conservation. The tourists can visit the park by hiring a safari jeep.
There are 3 safari options available for the guests.
1. Morning Safari (6.00am)
2. Afternoon Safari (2.30pm)
3. Full day Safari
For the safari, it can be hired an experienced guide and modified comfortable jeep at the Tissamaharama. The tour can be more customized for guests for their preferences (Family safari, photography safari etc.).
