Yala National Park: Private Safari in Sri Lanka's Second Largest National Park

Yala National Park

Embark on a thrilling private safari in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s second largest national park. Discover its rich biodiversity and spot the elusive leopard on this 2.5-hour tour.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Cancellation: 24 hours

learn more

Highlights

Yala Excursions - Yala is the second largest National Park in Sri Lankan and is most known for its leopard sightings.

What's Included

Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off from Yala, Tissamaharama, or Katharagama
Complimentary bottled water
Experienced driver/guide to enhance your journey
Travel comfortably in a private vehicle

What's Not Included

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Food and drinks
Gratuities

Additional Information

Take pleasure in a tour that spans 2.5 hours through Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s most frequented and second biggest National Park situated in the Southern Province’s Hambantota district. Renowned for its significant leopard population and diverse biology, it is a favorite among wildlife enthusiasts. The leopard is particularly popular among the…

Location

Yala National Park

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

3.3

(28 Ratings)

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Diane

Jun 30, 2019

Safari with Tharindu - Safari with Tharindu our driver/ guide for 2 afternoons was terrific. He pointed out lots along the way, stopping at every bird sighting, and gave us binoculars and even set up some photos for us. Day 1 we saw a leopard dozing and slightly stirring near some bushes. We also saw a small herd of elephants with a baby in tow cross in front of our jeep. Day 2 we saw another leopard 10m up in the fork of a tree. They are very well camouflaged. A lone bull elephant wandered in and watered himself in a water hole of buffalo and a tiny crocodile. There were also many spectacular birds, deer and warthogs. The park does not teem with large herds as water is scarce at the end of the dry season but this made the looking out for sightings even more special. Thanks Tharindu!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Sandhya

Aug 26, 2018

Great experience - The Yala leopard Safari is a must have experience. Though the guides dont guarantee spotting a leopard, the probability is higher in the evening safari around the watering holes as compared to morning. I was lucky to see 2 leopards in addition to various elephants, peacocks, birds and crocodiles. I do give full credit to our guide Mr. Claude and tracker Mr Madhushankar who have a strong record of tracking leopards. Most of my friends who went for the safari with madhushankar have been successful in spotting leopards.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Nicola_m

May 26, 2018

Had a fantastic afternoon Safari... - <p>Had a fantastic afternoon Safari. The driver was excellent and we saw plenty of animals and I even got a picture of some elephants drinking and swimming in the water.</p>

Review provided by Viator

Kalinga

May 15, 2018

Wonder full safari - We had a wonder full safari @ yalanational park with upul organised by YDSL saw lots of elephants deers crocodile and a leopard which was about 4 hours safari. upul is really knowlegable and 22 years of Experience so he knows where are the animals are hanging mostly so he spend hours to spot leapords so we highly recommend safari with Upul ..

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Prabhutva

Dec 30, 2018

Nice big forest - Nice big forest. u get ample amount of time to enjoy safari.Chances of seeing elephants are great. U get to see a lot of families of Boar, Deers.A good place for a wild life lover. ticket is on a higher side for foreigners. U get the ticket personally on visiting the park, so no need to pay anyone for tickets before hand. Reach early and u can get to see a good wild life. Theres a nice beach in the middle of the park, where jeep person will take a halt, u can enjoy it to maximum.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

652cedrickg

Aug 23, 2023

Disappointing - 3h30 jeep of little interest 3 elephants surrounded by 8 jeeps wild cows lizards that you will find everywhere outside the park. Birds 1km away, just go your way

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Tamborambo

Nov 15, 2018

Not worth the money - Living in South Africa and having Kruger National Park on our doorstep we decided to visit Yala National Park whilei n Sri Lanka. To say it is more like a local drag race for the Jeep drivers and not an enjoyable experience is being kind. Everyone arrives at 6am and jostles for position, the gates open and then there off racing down dirt roads, cutting each other up, no care for the poor animals that dare to tread into what is meant to be there space, and God forbid the elephants that try and cross. They just get blocked in. The only way to stop this is by implementing speeding fines and shame the drivers into taking more care. Stop their wages and certainly don’t tip. We paid $260 and were totally disappointed.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Jawa13

Jul 23, 2018

Disappointing trip - We had high expectation for our visit to Yala national park. But it was disappointing. The place is so commercialized that drivers don't care for the wildlife. They drive too fast. All of them. It is a dusty road so it is difficult to even breath as these drivers go fast as if it is 4-lane high way. Trees are covered with reddish dust and are dying. Deforestation is obvious and the animals stay form the road as much as possible. This park will remain as a symbol of destruction caused by tourists and tour operators.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Traveler_xyz12345

Sep 2, 2023

A Jeep parade - They should call it a Jeep Circus and not a Safari Tour. This is a Jeep ride for 3 hours and you may be lucky if you see some wild life. Too many jeeps, all driving next to each other, at the same time, noisy, in the same small area within the park (since dozens of jeeps are assigned to stay in the same area). Wide life is not found anywhere close to that crazy noisy Jeep parade. You get to see many more elephants, monkeys, crocodiles, etc, in many other areas outside national parks without paying the ridiculous high price for what I call an early morning “Jeep ride” and not a safari. Overrated, overpriced and a waste of time. Don’t bother to get up at 5AM and end up getting bored and sleepy on a Jeep. We saw so many tourists like us feeling upset and disappointed. Visited the park on Sep 2nd 2023

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Jmc1946_12

Jan 20, 2019

Shameful - The drivers are a combination of boy racers and dodgem riders. There were far too many jeeps tearing round the park at high speed, hoping to find the animals. When a male elephant was found, and apparently was about to charge, the drivers went into a panic, screaming at each other and blaring their horns, revving engines before driving away. We insisted our driver stop, drive slowly, and the elephant then remained completely calm. I was ashamed to be part of this very upsetting experience. Go to Africa where the drivers are properly trained and actually care about the animals. No leopards were seen on 3 drives - hopefully they learn to stay away.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $51

(Per Vehicle)

From $51 (Per Vehicle)

up to 15 guests

1 Traveler