Where Nature Thrives and Wildlife Roams Free

Yala: The Wild Heart of Sri Lanka

Yala

Yala is most known for the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Yala National Park is a lush forest of greenery and wildlife interspersed with ruins from ancient civilisations to give you a truly unique experience of human history and nature, to create a one of a kind experience. Embark on a scenic safari to spot the wildlife endemic in the area and discover the ruins of ancient civilisations. The wild side of Sri Lanka awaits.

Key Attractions

Yala, Sri Lanka’s most famous national park, is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. The Yala National Park is renowned for its high density of leopards, as well as elephants, sloth bears, and diverse bird species. Kumana Bird Sanctuary, a part of Yala, is a haven for birdwatchers with its wetlands and migratory birds. The ancient Sithulpawwa Rock Temple, nestled amidst the wilderness, offers spiritual serenity and stunning views. Scenic beaches within Yala, like Patanangala, are perfect for quiet moments and glimpses of wild beauty. Yala combines thrilling safaris with serene landscapes and cultural treasures.

Yala-Deers

Yala National Park

Without question Sri Lanka’s most popular national park, Yala is situated about 260 km southeast of Colombo. Officially designated as a national park on 1st March 1938, Yala spans an impressive 978.807 km2. It’s located along Sri Lanka’s southern coast, overlapping Uva and the Southern Province, with Tissamaharama as the nearest town.

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Bird watching

Yala National Park is 978.807 km2 hotspot of biodiversity, with hundreds of flora and fauna species claiming it as their home. Alongside this feat, Yala is also one of the 70 ‘Important Bird Areas’ in Sri Lanka, and for good reason. About 215 bird species reside or visit the park, of which seven are endemic to Sri Lanka: the Sri Lankan grey hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis), black-capped bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus), Sri Lanka junglefowl (Gallus lafayettii) and more.

Sithulpawwa

Located deep within Yala, the Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya (Sithulpawwa Rock Temple) used to be a monastic settlement, which could be traced back to the 2nd century BC. It’s believed that King Kavantissa was responsible for its establishment, and that it once served thousands upon thousands of monks back in the day.