Spot wildlife at Yala National Park
Yala, Sri Lanka • 
Must Do
Must Do
Best months to visit
Jan, Jul, Aug
20°C – 30°C, warm temperatures with occasional rainfall, leading to lush green landscapes, high crowds, peak season
20°C – 30°C, warm temperatures with occasional rainfall, leading to lush green landscapes, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
No
Not wheelchair accessible; safari involves bumpy terrain.
Not wheelchair accessible; safari involves bumpy terrain.
Value for money
Medium
Mixed reviews on price vs. overcrowding and driver behavior.
Mixed reviews on price vs. overcrowding and driver behavior.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Amazing Wildlife
Couples loved the intimate moments wildlife watching. A truly romantic adventure.
Great Safari
Seeing leopards and elephants together was incredible! Highly recommend for couples.
Fantastic Experience
Couples found the diverse ecosystems and photo ops stunning. Worth every moment.
Overcrowded Jeeps
Couples felt the jeeps were too close together, disrupting the romantic atmosphere.
Poor Driver
Some couples reported drivers speeding and being aggressive. Spoiled the safari.
Overpriced Safari
Couples felt the cost didn't match the experience. High price for the crowds.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
from
USD 45
per_person
BOOK
GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
BOOK
KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
An adventurer embarks on a visit to Yala National Park.
Join travelers on a captivating journey to Yala National Park.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
26-32°C
Warm temperatures with occasional rain; the park becomes greener and wildlife is active.
Warm temperatures with occasional rain; the park becomes greener and wildlife is active.
Open
High demand during the holiday season; advance bookings are recommended.
High demand during the holiday season; advance bookings are recommended.
Recommended
December is a popular time to visit Yala, offering lush landscapes and active wildlife, but expect higher prices and larger crowds.
December is a popular time to visit Yala, offering lush landscapes and active wildlife, but expect higher prices and larger crowds.
January
HIGH
20-30°C
Warm temperatures with occasional rainfall, leading to lush green landscapes.
Warm temperatures with occasional rainfall, leading to lush green landscapes.
Open
High demand may lead to limited availability; advance bookings are recommended.
High demand may lead to limited availability; advance bookings are recommended.
Recommended
January offers lush scenery and is ideal for bird watchers due to the presence of migratory species. However, it's a peak tourist season, so expect higher prices and larger crowds.
January offers lush scenery and is ideal for bird watchers due to the presence of migratory species. However, it's a peak tourist season, so expect higher prices and larger crowds.
February
MEDIUM
21-31°C
Warm and dry conditions, marking the beginning of the dry season.
Warm and dry conditions, marking the beginning of the dry season.
Open
Generally good availability, but booking in advance is still advisable.
Generally good availability, but booking in advance is still advisable.
Recommended
February marks the start of the dry season, making it an excellent time for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources. Tourist numbers are moderate, offering a balanced experience.
February marks the start of the dry season, making it an excellent time for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources. Tourist numbers are moderate, offering a balanced experience.
March
MEDIUM
22-32°C
Consistently warm and dry, enhancing wildlife visibility.
Consistently warm and dry, enhancing wildlife visibility.
Open
Good availability, though early booking is recommended to secure preferred accommodations.
Good availability, though early booking is recommended to secure preferred accommodations.
Recommended
March continues the favorable dry season conditions, with excellent opportunities for spotting leopards and other wildlife. Tourist numbers remain moderate.
March continues the favorable dry season conditions, with excellent opportunities for spotting leopards and other wildlife. Tourist numbers remain moderate.
How to get there
Shuttle
Recommended
Shuttle services are often included in safari tour packages, picking up guests from nearby accommodations and transporting them to the park entrance.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis provide direct transport to Yala, with drop-off at hotels in Tissamaharama, Kirinda, or Kataragama, or directly at the park entrance.
Bus
Buses depart from Colombo's Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal or the Makumbura Multimodal Centre to Kataragama or Tissamaharama. From Galle or Matara, buses go to Tissamaharama. A taxi or tuk-tuk ride is needed from the Tissamaharama bus station to the park entrance.
Car
Driving a private car is a direct way to reach Yala. The journey from Colombo takes 4-6 hours via the Southern Expressway (E01) to Matara, then to Tissamaharama.
Train
Take a train to Beliatta railway station, the last stop on the southern line, or to Haputale or Ella. From there, continue by bus or taxi to Tissamaharama.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Not suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required