What is Yala National Park famous for?

Yala National Park is famous for its high concentration of Sri Lankan leopards and for being the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka. It’s most popular for Sri Lanka leopard safaris especially in the Block 1 of the park.

What animals can you see in Yala National Park?

At Yala National Park you can see Sri Lankan leopards, Asian elephants, sloth bears, mugger crocodiles and wild water buffalo in Yala. The park is also home to deer, wild boar, toque macaques, grey langurs and more than 200 resident and migratory bird species.

Are leopards easy to spot in Yala?

Leopards are never guaranteed, but Yala National Park offers one of the best chances of seeing them in the wild. Scott Dunn can connect you with professional guides who are expert trackers and know the best areas for leopard sighting.

When is the best time to visit Yala National Park?

Generally, May to July is the best time to visit Yala National Park for an easier time spotting wildlife and dryer weather, although Yala can be rewarding whenever the park is open. Scott Dunn will plan your visit around ideal safari seasons and to fit with your wider itinerary.

Where should I stay near Yala National Park?

The best place to stay near Yala depends on your travel style. Wild Coast Tented Lodge and Uga Chena Huts are popular choices for a luxury safari lodge experience while stays like the Leopard Trails can be a good choice when you need more space for families and small groups. Scott Dunn can help you find accommodations that fit your Sri Lanka safari plans.

Is Yala suitable for families?

Yes, Yala is a great safari option for families. Expert guides keep children engaged by explaining animal tracking, with some safari group offering junior ranger programs designed for little ones. You can also find family-friendly safari camps and stays for when you are back from wildlife drives.

Can you combine Yala with Sri Lanka's beaches?

Yes, Yala combines easily with the beaches of Sri Lanka’s south coast. Scott Dunn’s experts will create a personalize-made vacation that follows up your Sri Lanka leopard safari with itineraries including surf lessons in Weligama, relaxed beach days in Tangalle or time exploring Galle Fort.

What is the difference between Yala and Wilpattu National Park?

Yala National Park generally is where you will have higher chances of seeing leopards in the wild, while Wilpattu National Park can be great choice if you’re after a quieter and more remote safari experience. Yala’s popularity can bring more vehicles, particularly in Block 1, but its high wildlife density all but guarantees amazing wildlife sightings. Wilpattu covers a larger area of forest and natural lakes, with fewer visitors but often more searching between sightings. Both parks are home ...

Luxury Yala National Park Vacations

Yala National Park has one of the densest populations of wild leopards on earth. With luxury safaris planned by Scott Dunn, expert guides offer you intimate leopard sightings alongside elephants, crocodiles and monkeys.

Morning and afternoon game drives led by local experts
Boutique safari camps including Wild Coast Tented Lodge and Leopard Trails
Seamless tour combinations with Galle, Tangalle, Tea Country, and the Cultural Triangle
24/7 seamless support from Scott Dunn specialists

Southeast of the capital city Colombo is Sri Lanka’s ultimate wildlife destination, Yala National Park. Covering around 979 square kilometers, it is home to one of the densest populations of the rare Sri Lankan Leopard. Beyond leopards, your luxury safari could get you up close to big 5 game including Asian elephants, sloth bears, mugger crocodiles, and wild water buffalo wandering Yala’s diverse topography of grasslands, scrub, forest, and water-bodies.

What’s the best way to be immersed in Yala National Park’s amazing diversity of wildlife? We recommend taking your time with at least a two or three-day safari itinerary. Jeep safaris led by an expert guide and tracker bring this park to life with mounting excitement at every pugmark and telltale scratch. We’ll pair this with our recommended luxury safari tented camps and lodges, mere minutes from the park entrance.

Going on safari in Yala is just one stop Scott Dunn can plan for your Sri Lanka vacation. For a compact island, there’s a wide variety to explore from ancient cities with centuries old temples in the Cultural Triangle, beach wellness resorts and surf spots on the South Coast, and Sri Lanka’s rich history of tea making in the Hill Country. With Scott Dunn, it’s simple to combine your Yala safari vacation with multiple destinations across Sri Lanka.

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Lili LeBaron

Asia Specialist

My life has always been guided by my next adventure and after taking off a semester in college to travel, I was hooked on the beauty of the planet we call home. It’s hard to capture in words the profound lessons and life-changing experiences that travel offers. From being a kid glued to Anthony Bourdain and Samantha Brown, dreaming of far-off places, to now finding pure joy in exploring them myself, travel has always been my happy place. Whether living on a tiny island in Bali, houseboating through the heart of Australia, or road-tripping across Ireland, I’ve left a piece of my heart in every corner of the world I’ve been fortunate enough to call home, even if only for a little while.

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212 372 7009

Luxury Safari Camps
Wildlife Encounters
Safari & Beach Vacations

Luxury Safari Camps

Stay close to Yala’s wildlife at tented lodges hand-picked by Scott Dunn to be as adventurous as they are luxurious:

Wild Coast Tented Lodge – Watch wildlife gather at the waterholes from your private deck before turning in for the night to your air-conditioned Cocoon tent.
Leopard Trails – Beloved immersive safari stay at the edge of Yala with authentic safari tents and luxury suites with amenities like a private plunge pool to keep cool.
Uga Chena Huts – Nestled near the ocean’s edge, it sits just by the entrance to Yala offering personalized private experiences and an intimate ambiance with just 14 cabins.

Wildlife Encounters

Choose from morning, afternoon and full-day safaris to see exceptional wildlife on a luxury Yala National Park vacation.

Encounter big 5 wildlife – Yala safaris are one of the best chances to see Sri Lankan Leopards, alongside Asian elephants, sloth bears, mugger crocodiles and wild water buffalo.
Beyond the big game – Expert safari guides can get you close to sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, toque macaques and grey langurs.
Colorful birdwatching – 200-plus bird species flock to Yala including the Sri Lanka hornbill, great white pelican, flamingo and blue-tailed bee-eater to name a few.

Safari & Beach Vacations

Scott Dunn can combine your Sri Lanka safari vacation with a luxury beach stay in Weligama, Tangalle or Galle at hotels including:

Cape Weligama – Stay in a spacious clifftop villa and learn to surf in Weligama Bay.
Kayaam Wellness – Reset beside the ocean with Ayurvedic treatments and open-air yoga on Tangalle’s beachfront.
Amangalla – Take in the atmosphere of this boutique hotel set in the historic Galle Fort walls.

Luxury Hotels & Personalized Tours for Yala National Park

Scott Dunn’s curated collection of luxury safari lodges near Yala offer stays at camps moments away from the park, however, this is just the beginning of your epic adventure in Sri Lanka.

From ancient cultural sites to wildlife experiences, Scott Dunn can help you see it all with personalize-made Sri Lanka safari vacations. Explore the Cultural Triangle, Tea Country and south coast on a classic island-wide itinerary, or combine leopard safaris with beach time in Tangalle on a family Sri Lanka vacation. Every itinerary is a starting point that Scott Dunn can personalize around your interests, travel style and preferred destinations.

Properties
Itineraries

Wild Coast Tented Lodge

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Close to Yala National Park on Sri Lanka's South Coast, this luxury lodge will be made up of 36 luxury cocoon tents surrounded by incredible wildlife.

Uga Chena Huts

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Surrounded by unspoiled wilderness, Uga Chena Huts is nestled amongst dunes and trees at the ocean's edge, lying within a few minutes from the entrance to Yala National Park. It is an ideal place to observe the magnificent profusion of wildlife and nature.

Leopard Trails - Yala National Park

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's National Parks, Sri Lanka

Leopard Trails offers an immersive safari experience on the edge of Yala National Park, where you can spot leopards, elephants and crocodiles while staying in stylish tents and suites designed for comfort in the wilderness.

13 nights

Wild Encounters: Sri Lanka

Wilpattu National Park, East Coast, Gal Oya National Park, Kumana National Park, Yala National Park & Galle

A deeply immersive journey through Sri Lanka, designed for true wildlife enthusiasts. This itinerary showcases the remarkable diversity of the island’s national parks—from the elusive leopards of Wilpattu National Park to the elephant-rich waters of Gal Oya National Park and the raw wilderness of Kumana National Park. It’s also a compelling blueprint for how seamlessly wildlife can be woven into a wider Sri Lankan journey, revealing distinct ecosystems, guiding styles and camp experiences.

From

$5,200 pp^*

9 nights

Teens-First Adventures: Sri Lanka

Tea Country, Yala National Park & the South Coast

Tea country, leopards, and Indian Ocean beaches. Eight days across one of Asia's most vivid islands.

11 nights

Boutique Sri Lanka

Cultural Triangle, Tea Country, Yala National Park, Galle & Bentota

A thoughtfully curated journey through Sri Lanka, staying in a handpicked collection of boutique properties that offer intimacy, character and a deep sense of place. From ancient kingdoms and tea-clad hills to untamed wilderness and the southern coast, this itinerary blends immersive experiences with understated luxury and warm, personal hospitality throughout.

From

$5,300 pp^*

16 nights

Adventure Unplugged: Sri Lanka

Wilpattu, Cultural Triangle, Gal Oya, Nuwara Eliya, Yala & Galle

Embark on a thrilling 13-day journey across Sri Lanka’s most iconic landscapes and wildlife havens. This carefully crafted itinerary is perfect for families, blending adventure with relaxation. From boutique stays to tented safaris, each experience is designed to immerse you in Sri Lanka's stunning diversity—from lush jungles and ancient ruins to serene highlands and golden beaches.

From

$7,600 pp^*

11 nights

Just us: Sri Lanka

Koggala, Yala National Park, Tea Country & Bentota

If your dream honeymoon combines idyllic beaches, breathtaking adventures, and a touch of culture, Sri Lanka offers the perfect mix. From spotting leopards on safari and sipping fresh tea in the rolling hills to indulging in oceanfront luxury, this itinerary promises unforgettable memories for two.

From

$6,200 pp^*

10 nights

Little Adventurers: Sri Lanka

Horathapola, Yala National Park, Tangalle, Kotugoda

Designed with families in mind, this relaxed yet exciting Sri Lanka itinerary offers the perfect blend of adventure and downtime. Explore lush tea country, thrilling wildlife safaris, and golden beaches while staying in family-friendly, characterful properties. With minimal travel time and plenty of fun activities, it’s a journey everyone will cherish.

From

$5,500 pp^*

Wildlife and Things to See in Yala National Park

See where luxury wildlife vacations in Sri Lanka can take you with personalize-made itineraries arranged by Scott Dunn.

Leopard Safaris

Yala National Park is considered one of the world’s best places to see leopards in the wild, due to its high density of leopards per square kilometer prowling its landscapes. With expert guided leopard safaris in Sri Lanka arranged by Scott Dunn, your odds are pretty good for encountering this elusive big cat. Choose from morning or afternoon game drive or take on a full-day safari experience to venture beyond the most popular part of the park.
Wild Coast Tented Lodge

Near the small town of Palatupana, Wild Coast Tented Lodge is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic safari lodges just a short ride away from Yala National Park. Wild Coast Tented Lodge’s 36 canvas tents are arranged around waterholes in the shape of a leopard’s paw as a nod to Yala’s most famous resident. Choose from air-conditioned Cocoon tents with generous interiors or upgrade your experience with Pool Cocoons, each with their own private plunge pools. Scott Dunn can help arrange the best accommodation for your group, whether you need connecting family tents or want to book treatments at the Sanctuary Spa.
Leopard Trails Camp

Leopard Trails may be the ultimate basecamp for your luxury Yala National Park vacation with its convenient location near the park’s Katagamuwa entrance. Here expert naturalists can personalize your wildlife adventures and even offer a Junior Rangers Program for young ones. You can choose from tents with open-air showers and a closer-to-nature feel, go for tents with extra space, or book a Lake Suite or Pool Suite with its own plunge pool. Scott Dunn can help you select the right option for unforgettable honeymoon or family safari.
Yala Block 1

Block 1 is Yala’s most visited and accessible safari zone. Its sweeping grasslands and rocky terrains are the backdrop to wildlife like the Sri Lankan leopards, big five game, and a variety of birdlife. Yala National Park allows morning and late-afternoon drives to avoid the strongest midday heat, when wildlife is less active. Go on an expert-guided jeep safari and spot an elephant crossing the track, a sloth bear emerging from the scrub, or a leopard slinking through the landscape.
Birdwatching

Yala’s canopies and wetlands support more than 200 resident and migratory bird species, including six found only in Sri Lanka. Keep an eye out for grey hornbills calling from the trees or the unique Sri Lanka junglefowl darting through the undergrowth. Around the lagoons, look for pelicans, peafowl and seasonal flocks of flamingos. Scott Dunn-arranged safaris are led by expert guides who know what to look and listen for, to help you spot Yala’s feathered personalities.

Leopard Safaris
Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Leopard Trails Camp
Yala Block 1
Birdwatching

What is Yala National Park famous for?

Yala National Park is famous for its high concentration of Sri Lankan leopards and for being the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka. It’s most popular for Sri Lanka leopard safaris especially in the Block 1 of the park.
What animals can you see in Yala National Park?

At Yala National Park you can see Sri Lankan leopards, Asian elephants, sloth bears, mugger crocodiles and wild water buffalo in Yala. The park is also home to deer, wild boar, toque macaques, grey langurs and more than 200 resident and migratory bird species.
Are leopards easy to spot in Yala?

Leopards are never guaranteed, but Yala National Park offers one of the best chances of seeing them in the wild. Scott Dunn can connect you with professional guides who are expert trackers and know the best areas for leopard sighting.
When is the best time to visit Yala National Park?

Generally, May to July is the best time to visit Yala National Park for an easier time spotting wildlife and dryer weather, although Yala can be rewarding whenever the park is open. Scott Dunn will plan your visit around ideal safari seasons and to fit with your wider itinerary.
Where should I stay near Yala National Park?

The best place to stay near Yala depends on your travel style. Wild Coast Tented Lodge and Uga Chena Huts are popular choices for a luxury safari lodge experience while stays like the Leopard Trails can be a good choice when you need more space for families and small groups. Scott Dunn can help you find accommodations that fit your Sri Lanka safari plans.
Is Yala suitable for families?

Yes, Yala is a great safari option for families. Expert guides keep children engaged by explaining animal tracking, with some safari group offering junior ranger programs designed for little ones. You can also find family-friendly safari camps and stays for when you are back from wildlife drives.
Can you combine Yala with Sri Lanka's beaches?

Yes, Yala combines easily with the beaches of Sri Lanka’s south coast. Scott Dunn’s experts will create a personalize-made vacation that follows up your Sri Lanka leopard safari with itineraries including surf lessons in Weligama, relaxed beach days in Tangalle or time exploring Galle Fort.
What is the difference between Yala and Wilpattu National Park?

Yala National Park generally is where you will have higher chances of seeing leopards in the wild, while Wilpattu National Park can be great choice if you’re after a quieter and more remote safari experience. Yala’s popularity can bring more vehicles, particularly in Block 1, but its high wildlife density all but guarantees amazing wildlife sightings. Wilpattu covers a larger area of forest and natural lakes, with fewer visitors but often more searching between sightings. Both parks are home to leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and wild water buffalo.

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Committed to fostering close global relationships to continue bringing you unique experiences.