yala national park travel guid

When it came to planning our trip to Sri Lanka, going on safari was top of the list!

I’d never seen elephants in the wild before (only in zoos or on TV) so the idea of witnessing these incredible animals up close, in their natural habitat, felt surreal. And let me tell you, it absolutely lived up to the hype.

There are a few places across Sri Lanka where you can go on safari, but Yala National Park in the south is hands-down the best option if you’re hoping to see the elusive leopard.

It’s the most famous national park in the country and offers one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Something we were lucky enough to experience first-hand.

If you’re wondering how to plan a safari in Yala, how to get there, whether to go in the morning or evening, and where to stay, I’ve got you covered in this 24-hour Yala travel guide.

Yala Travel Guide: Where is Yala National Park?

Yala National Park is located in the southeastern corner of Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean.

It spans over 978 square kilometres and is the country’s second-largest national park, but easily the most visited.

It’s famous for its leopard population. But you’ll also find elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears, deer, wild boars, peacocks, buffalo, monkeys, and countless species of birds.

Yala Travel Guide: How to Get to Yala from Ella

Most travellers arrive in Yala from either Ella or the south coast beaches, and trust me, getting there is an adventure in itself.

We travelled down from Ella by local bus, like we did for most of our time in Sri Lanka, and let’s just say… it was an experience.

The winding mountain roads and the bus driver’s Formula 1-level speed around the corners had our hearts in our mouths more than once. If you’re after comfort, maybe consider a private transfer. But if you’re chasing authentic, this is it.

From Ella, the bus took around 4 hours, and from the south coast (like Tangalle or Mirissa), expect a 2–3 hour journey.

Yala Travel Guide: Why Yala is the Best Safari in Sri Lanka

While other national parks like Udawalawe and Minneriya are great for elephant spotting, Yala is your best bet for seeing leopards.

It’s known for having one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, and its wide variety of wildlife makes every minute exciting.

Yala also feels more ethical and natural than some of the other parks. The landscape is vast, and the animals roam freely. It never felt like a circus show, and our guide was respectful of the animals’ space.

For me, seeing elephants walking across the road and spotting two leopards was one of the best experiences I’ve had while travelling.

Yala Travel Guide: What Animals Can You See on Safari?

Yala is home to:

Leopards

Elephants

Crocodiles

Sloth bears

Peacocks

Deer

Wild boars

Water buffalo

Monkeys

Over 200 species of birds

We saw two leopards in one morning, countless elephants, a crocodile sunbathing on the bank, and endless birds, some so brightly coloured they didn’t look real.

Peacocks strutted across the trails like they owned the place, and water buffalo lounged lazily in mud pools.

Yala Travel Guide: Morning vs Evening Safari: Which is Better?

Yala offers both morning and evening safari options:

Morning Safari: Begins around 4:30am and lasts until midday (we were back around 12:30pm). This is prime time for spotting animals as they’re more active before the heat kicks in.

Evening Safari: Starts around 2:30pm, ends by 6:30pm. A shorter option, and some say it’s better for spotting leopards as they emerge in the cooler hours.

We chose the morning safari, and while the 4am wake-up was very tough, it was worth it. We saw everything we hoped to, especially those leopards!

You can also book a full-day safari, but honestly, seven hours in a jeep was plenty for us.

Yala Travel Guide: A Safari Worth Travelling For

Yala wasn’t just a box-tick experience, it was one of the most magical parts of our entire Sri Lanka trip.

Seeing wild elephants walk beside our jeep, watching a leopard cub in a tree, and soaking up the stillness of sunrise in the jungle is something I’ll never forget.

If you’re thinking of squeezing in Yala for just a day, do it.

Book a safari, stay two nights, and then treat yourself to the coast. You won’t regret it.