Mar 8, 2025
Beyond our expectations! - The excursion was a scheduled six hour round trip from Hambantota Port to Yala
National Park. We met our guide/driver, Suranga, at the port gates at a little before 08.00. The journey took about an hour each way in the jeep. The time visiting the park was beyond our hopes and expectations. We knew that by 09.00 it would be highly unlikely to encounter leopards, however due to the skill and positive desire of Suranga to make the trip a success the actual animal spotting was brilliant. We saw crocodiles, lots of varieties of monkey, water buffalo, dear, antelope, mongoose, monitor lizards and so many elephants. A highlight was to come across an elephant mother watching over two very young offspring playing joyfully in a lake. The look of pleasure on the guide’s face whilst sharing our experience spoke so much of his care for the wildlife. Suranga spotted a tiny lizard living in a split in the branch of a tree and even a baby crocodile around the back of a water buffalo’s neck. There were dozens of beautiful birds to see and on the return journey Suranga diverted to a lagoon where large groups of birds were feeding. No food had been advertised but as we were due at the ship by 02.00 we were content. However, after a couple of hours animal watching we were given more drinking water, a fruit drink carton and some biscuit crackers. This was enhanced by the presentation of bananas from the family garden, and these were possibly/probably some the nicest bananas we had ever eaten. We returned to our ship at a little before 04.00 having had a wonderful experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 26, 2025
Solo in Sri Lanka - Yala National Park is known for its diverse wildlife and beautiful natural landscapes. It's a great opportunity to see animals such as elephants, leopards, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitat. The safari jeep tour with Travceylon was fantastic ! I had the jeep all to myself . Talk about the VIP treatment with snacks , water and binoculars . I spent the day exploring the park with my super friendly guide . He knew what paths to take in the park and to see these amazing creatures. What a thrilling off-road adventure. A memorable experience I’ll never forget!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 24, 2025
Just the best service - It was the best experience ever, our guide was so polite and helpful, he made the day so special. We have already booked our next adventure through this company and would recommend their service as the best.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 24, 2025
Up close with the animals - We had a great day. We were contacted before the trip on WhatsApp and given instructions of the meeting place with a photo of what the guide would be holding up. Even though we were nearly 30 minutes early our guide was waiting. We were pleasantly surprised that it was such a good comfortable jeep and it was all for us only!
The guide communicated well, told us the plan and where the important toilet stops would be. We were also given a pair of binoculars to use and handed a bag of snacks and water.
The guide really wanted us to see everything, and we certainly did (apart from leopards, that we did not expect to see).
The guide seemed very knowledgeable and showed us birds including Hawk eagles, pelicans, peacocks, owls and many more, monkeys, mongoose, iguanas, deer, lizards, water buffalo and loads of elephants.
Some of the elephants were in the forest/jungle and really hard to spot. We also saw a big group of elephants on the move and in the water with the young.
Before we left the park our guide made sure we had seen everything we needed. We were delivered back to port six hours or more since starting the tour very happy :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 20, 2025
An Exciting, Picture-worthy Safari! - We had a private 6 hour tour of Yala National Park from Travceylon Leisure in Hambantota. When we arrived at the entrance a guide from the park joined our vehicle. He was excellent at sighting even the smallest of animals! We saw several elephants. The first one we saw was a male elephant which made our guide very nervous that he was so close to our jeep. The Asian male elephants can be very aggressive. We learned that a 1/2 hour later that same elephant attacked a jeep, causing serious damage to the vehicle. So you are definitely seeing wild animals in their natural habitat.
The only negative comment would be that at times it was difficult to understand his English with his Sri Lankan accent.
Otherwise it was a fabulous safari. Be prepared for a lot of jostling around in the jeep on muddy dirt roads!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 18, 2025
Nature - Great photo graphics left me impressed a truly stunning experience, I will come back to see new articles always.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 28, 2025
Yala tour - Thanks to Gala and Danushka for a great tour from the Hambantota port! We were lucky to see elephants, mongoose, bee catcher, monkeys, spotted deer, and more. The leopards were not out in the early afternoon, and the trip gets bumpy and hot, but was very worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 2, 2025
Yala safari with Trevceylon. - Our driver was good in getting us to and from Yala, but the vehicle did not provide proper seatbelts and seat headrests which can be dangerous. Our guide did not provide much explanation during the safari perhaps due his poor English skills which was disappointing as we expected a guide who can describe the park and animals during the safari. Also, he was unable to track the animals very well because we spotted animals before him, and often needed to request him to stop and backup the jeep. We did see a few animals, but overall the experience was somewhat underwhelming.
Review provided by Viator
Apr 10, 2025
This tour is a rip off! - Firstly unlike other tours that pick you up in the comfort of an air conditioned car- this tour picked us up in a very bouncey jeep that crawled along the road at ants pace. Buses, bicycles you name it passed us! Then after travelling along a road for 25 mins- our driver turned around as he was lost! I tried to call the tour operator as it was so infuriating that we were SO slow and very uncomfortable. Whilst others on our cruise had a lovely 4 hr tour with comfortable transfers and lunch included. We on the other hand had an additional 2 hrs bouncing around in the jeep on the roads- with no lunch or breaks AND it cost us THREE TIMES MORE than anyone else paid!! Did we see much- no not really- but you can't blame the company nor driver for that. It is what it is, but the disorganization and time wasted was something I would NOT recommend. Oh and if you are from Australia- REALLY DO NOT BOTHER! We see crocs, Ibis, peacocks etc far closer than anything on this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Feb 25, 2025
Painful experience - The ad said Toyota truck with English speaking guide. The truck was decrepit horrible suspension. Hardly running.
Guide did not speak English. Would point but could not tell us if itwasanelephant or bird we were looking for. We asked to be taken back to ship early but he didntunderstand. We are two 80 year olds and were injured due to the horrible potholes. We wish we had not gone.
Review provided by Viator