Yala National Park
Yala is one of Sri Lanka's best-known parks for leopards, with dry scrub, lagoons and jeep safaris that suit a first safari.
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Yala National Park lies in the south-east of Sri Lanka and covers about 979 square kilometers of dry forest, thorn scrub and lagoons. It is among the country's most visited wildlife parks. Leopards draw most visitors, but elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and many bird species also live in the park.
Most visitors see the park on a jeep safari with a licensed guide, booked through a tour operator or hotel that arranges the park entry ticket and vehicle. Safaris run in the early morning and mid-afternoon, when animals are most active and the heat is lower. The drier months, roughly February to June, are the usual choice, since tracks are easier to drive and animals gather near the remaining water. Plan at least one full day in the area, and more if you want two or three safaris. Yala suits a first safari in Sri Lanka. Uda Walawe, nearby, is a common alternative where elephants are the main draw.
Yala National Park in five
- Reserve the park permit before you goThe DWC runs an online permit service with a fixed number of permits per park per day, and charges that depend on the park and on your group or vehicle. Check the permits left for your date before you fix a flight.DWC eServices
- Hire a jeep with an authorized guideThe FCDO says wild elephants and crocodiles will attack people on occasion and advises following authorized guides. The DWC service asks for every driver, guide and vehicle, and wrong details can mean extra payment at the gate.UK travel advice
- Do not expect the whole reserve to be openThe DWC lists a Yala Strict Natural Reserve, where entry is prohibited except for official duty or authorized research. Safaris run on the visitor side only, so stay on your guide's route and do not ask to leave it.DWC reserve rules
- Aim for leopards, plan for everything elseSri Lanka Tourism counts 44 mammals and 215 bird species, six of them endemic, and cites one of the highest leopard densities in the world. A sighting is never guaranteed, so book a second drive if leopards are the point.Sri Lanka Tourism
- Base near Tissamaharama and book the slot earlyThe CCF calls Tissamaharama the primary gateway to Yala, with its great stupa and the Tissa Wewa reservoir beside the park. Sleep near the gate side you will use, so a dawn start is a short ride and not a long transfer.How to visit Yala
Things to do in Yala National Park
See all attractions in Yala National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- Park permit; fee varies by group or vehicle (DWC)
- Permits
- Reserved online with the DWC; daily numbers are capped
- Season
- Wettest Oct to Dec at nearby Hambantota; check the DWC for closures
- Nearest town
- Tissamaharama, the gateway town (CCF)
- Getting there
- About 300 km from Colombo by road (Sri Lanka Tourism)
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryDry
- FebruaryDriest
- MarchDry, hot
- AprilShowers
- MayShowers
- JuneDry, windy
- JulyDriest, windy
- AugustDry, windy
- SeptemberDrying, hot
- OctoberRains begin
- NovemberWettest
- DecemberWet
Right now in Yala National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Yala National Park
02:10 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°23°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed31°23°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu30°23°100%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri30°23°99%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Sat31°23°100%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun31°23°100%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 10:29 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Bundala National Parkwest along the coastA Ramsar wetland for shorebirds, and a shorter outing than a full Yala day.Read the guide
- Uda Walawe National Parka separate day by roadElephants on open plains, present all year according to Sri Lanka Tourism.Read the guide
- Tissamaharama and Kataragamanear the park's gate sideA CCF heritage town, and a pilgrimage city that Sri Lanka Tourism puts 19 km inland.
Before you go to Yala National Park
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Rules for Yala National Park, checked
- The DWC says park permits are reserved online, with a set number per park per day and charges that vary by park and by group or vehicle.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- The DWC lists a Yala Strict Natural Reserve: entry is prohibited, except for official duty or authorized research with the Director General's permission.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- Sri Lanka Tourism: Yala covers 979 sq km and became a national park in 1938, with 44 mammal and 215 bird species recorded.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Yala National Park FAQ
How do you book a Yala safari permit?
Use the Department of Wildlife Conservation's online permit service. It shows how many permits remain for your date and park, and prices them by park and by group or vehicle. If an operator books for you, ask for the reference number and check the names and vehicle details.
When is the best time to visit Yala?
Aim for the drier months. Hambantota, the nearest station with long-term figures, has its lowest rainfall normals in January, February and July, and its highest from October to December. Check the DWC for closures, and see the best-time page for the trade-offs.
Will you see a leopard in Yala?
Possibly, but nobody can promise it. Sri Lanka Tourism says Yala has one of the highest leopard densities in the world, and the park also holds elephants, crocodiles and 215 recorded bird species. Book more than one drive and treat leopards as a bonus.
Is a Yala safari safe?
With an authorized guide, it is the normal way to visit. The FCDO warns that wild elephants and crocodiles occasionally attack people, so stay in the vehicle except where your guide says it is safe, and never push a driver to follow an animal.
Yala or Uda Walawe: which should you visit?
Choose Yala for leopards and mixed habitats, and Uda Walawe for elephants on open plains, which Sri Lanka Tourism says are present all year. With time, do both on separate days. The comparison page sets out season, distance and permit trade-offs.