Stratification: Dry Monsoon Forest, Shrub jungle, Grass lands

Size: 47,053ha

Status: National Park & Strict Natural Reserve

Altitude: 0m to 1,200m

Temperature: Mean annual temperature 27 (degree c)

Annual Rainfall: Mean annual rainfall varies between 900mm in the south to 1300mm in the North with the annual drought from May to September.

Best time of year to visit: Year around park – November to January can be rainy period. The park is usually closed from September 01 to 15 October yearly but this is subject to change.

Optimum duration of stay: 1 night up to 7/14 nights depending on interest

Accommodation Options: Yala Village, Elephant Reach, Tissamaharama Resort, Priyankara Hotel, Mandara Rosen Kataragama, Galapita Eco Lodge

Highlights: Yala Block 1 is known have the highest density of Leopards in the world
Over 230 species of birds recorded. All species of big game known from Sri Lanka are found here.

Yala (Ruhuna) National Park is situated in the Arid Zone of Sri Lanka’s South East region.  Comprising of five blocks, this National Park covers an area of 151,778 hectares. Currently only Block I, covering 14,100 hectares, is open to the public. Yala’s historical significance dates back to 500 B.C and evidence shows that the park was inhabited in the past.  The area remained a free hunting area for sport until the 1900s, when it was declared a Game Reserve. In 1938 a section of the park was declared a National Park.

Being in the Arid Zone Yala receives an annual rainfall of less than 1,000 mm from the North East monsoon from about November to January. The rest of the year remains dry with the period from July to September showing severe drought conditions.  Mean temperature is around 27 c.  Yala National Park comprises of several major habitat types including dunes, scrub forest, riverine forests, rocky out-crops, secondary forests and coastal lagoons with mangrove forests.  This diverse collection of vegetation has resulted in many species of animals and birds being recorded in Yala National Park.

The dry months from May to September is the best time for viewing big game including Leopards and Sloth Bear. From October to April during the Northern Hemisphere winters, Yala becomes home to many species of migratory birds and is a hot spot for bird watching. The first few months of the year are also good for observing Leopard cubs.

Yala National Park has a variety of vegetation from Arid Zone flora to riverine habitat. Some of the common trees found here is the Ceylon Ironwood (Manilkara hexandra), known as 'Palu' tree in the local Sinhala language. This common tree is a favourite daytime spot of lazy leopards. Palu is also the favourite fruit of the Sloth Bear. Some of the other large trees include Ebony (Diospyros ebenum), Satin (Chaloroxylon swietenia), Wira (Drypetes sepiaria), Rannai (Alseodaphne semecarpifolia), Milla (Vitex pinnata), Halmilla (Berrya cordifolia), Mora (Nephelium longana) and Velang  (pterospermum canesens).  The Kumbuk Tree (Terminalia arjuna) can be found along the water bodies and rivers of Yala and Margosa or Kohomba, which is a medicinal plant, is seen in plenty in the park.

Yala National Park is home to 32 species of Mammals, over 230 species of birds and many species of Reptiles, Amphibians, Butterflies & Dragonflies. There are around 400 Asian Elephants, the largest herbivores, within the five blocks of Yala. Among these are many tuskers and they are the pride of the park with each of them named and identified by conservationists. Spotted Deer are seen in large herds within the park especially in the grasslands. Other species of herbivores include the Sambar, the largest of the deer family found in Sri Lanka, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar and Wild Buffalo.

The Leopard in Yala are an endemic sub-species; Panthera Pardus Kotiya. Following many years of research, it has been found that Yala has the highest density of leopards per square km, making it one of the best places in the world to spot these big cats. Early morning and evenings are the best time to spot the Leopard. By day, they prefer to be in the shade of a tree away from the heat.

Others in the cat family found in Yala include the Fishing Cat, Rusty-spotted Cat and the Jungle cat; though these smaller members of the cat family are very elusive. You will also be able to see the Ruddy Mongoose, Stripe-necked Mongoose and the Gray Mongoose occasionally running across jeep tracks. Other carnivores found in the park include Ring-tailed Civet, Common Palm Cat and the endemic Golden Palm Civet.

The Jackal is also a scavenger and hunts smaller pray. To increase your chances of spotting the Sloth Bear go during the months of June and July when the Palu fruit is in season. Among the primates the endemic Toque Monkey and the Gray Langer are the most numerous in the park.

The two endangered species of Crocodiles, the Estuarine and Mugger, can be found in Yala basking in the noon heat. All five endangered species of Sea Turtles come to nest in the shoes of Yala. Many species of snake also can be found in the park with the Indian Rock Python the most common. However, one has to be very lucky to spot one. Three endemic Geckos and fives species of Skinks are found in the park with two species of fresh water Terrapins and the beautiful Star Tortoise recorded. Land Monitors and a few other lizards including the Painted Lip Lizard are found aplenty.

Yala National Park is excellent place for bird watching and over a 100 species can be easily spotted in a full days visit to the park.   Around 230 species of resident, migrant and endemic species of birds have been recorded in Yala. Endemics include the Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl that can be seen along the edges of the roads anytime of day, Brown-capped Babbler, Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill, Sri Lanka Wood Shrike, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Red-faced Malkoha can be spotted in Yala’s riverine forests.  Resident dry zone species include Malabar-pied Hornbill, Blue-faced & Shirkeer Malkoha, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Great & Eurasian Think-knee, the globally endangered Lesser Adjutant, and the extremely rare Black-necked Stork.

Many water birds can also be found in the park including Painted Storks, the globally threatened Spot-billed Pelican, Indian & Little Cormorants, Indian Darter, Little Grebe, Asian Open-bill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Woolly-necked Stork, Purple & Gray Herons and five species of Egrets.

Migrating waders include the Marsh, Common, Wood & Green Sandpipers, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stints, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Kentish Plover, Lesser & Greater Sand Plover, Golden Plover, Gray Plover, Pintail Snip, Back-tailed Godwit. Ten species of Terns and two species of Gull.

Yala has many excellent places to observe diurnal Birds of pray. The endangered Grey Headed Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk-Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Brahaminy Kite & Shirkra are some of the common raptors seen in Yala.  Nocturnal birds such as owls and nightjars can also be spotted here.

Yala Village Hotel, Kirinda:  Situated in Kirinda, Yala Village boarders the Yala National Park and the beautiful beaches of the south-east coast of Sri Lanka.  Situated on 10 acres of scrub jungle, Yala Vilage is immersed in nature.  Animals may wander through the village unhindered as the management pursues a policy of existing in harmony with nature. The nearby beach is remote and attractive, although swimming is not recommended here, however a large swimming pool is good compensation. The view from the top deck of the bar-restaurant over the pool and to the lake beyond, where animals and birds come to drink and bathe, will tempt some to stay for hours.  (More)

Elephant Reach Hotel, Yala:  A new mid-range hotel option for those wishing to visit Yala, Elephant Reach is built on a four-acre site and made up of chalets built under the shade of tropical trees laden with ripe mangoes and cashew. Initial feedback is promising with guests commenting on the property's relaxing natural feel and the friendly, courteous staff. (More)

Tissamaharama Resort, Tissa:  This Ceylon Hotels Corporation guesthouse occupies a scenic position on the banks of the ancient Tissa Wewa (reservoir) that dates back almost 2,300 years. Located minutes from Tissamaharama town, this guesthouse is a sound base from which to explore the jungle shrine of Kataragama and Bundala and Yala National Parks.  Different categories of accommodation are on offer here.  Red Dot recommends the New Wing Superior rooms or the Family Suites that are clean, comfortable and have better lake views.  Nature lovers will enjoy spotting the numerous species of birds that inhabit the small island in the reservoir, just in front of the guesthouse.

Priyankara Hotel, Tissa:  This three-star hotel is situated in Tissamarahama and is in close proximity to the jungle shrine of Kataragama and the Yala National Park.  Wildlife enthusiasts will be particularly taken by Priyankara, which has a restful location close to the Tissmaharama tank. From your private balcony, relax on colonial-style cane chairs and watch an array of birds in the nearby rice fields, as well as the timeless rituals of paddy farming.  Priyankara’s facilities will ensure that nature lovers will find no need to have to forego home comforts. (More)

Mandara Rosen, Kataragama:  Mandara Rosen is a four-star hotel situated in shady, tranquil gardens at the foot of a range of hills in the sacred town of Kataragama.  This is an ideal base from which to also explore Yala National Park.    Mandara Rosen meets the need for a comfortable and well-equipped hotel in this region.  Its bright and airy rooms and up-to-date facilities include a large swimming pool, making Mandara Rosen a suitable destination even for a family travelling with children. (More)

Galapita Eco Retreat, Buttala: Near the pilgrimage site of Kataragama, close to Yala National Park, lies Galapita Eco Retreat on the banks of the Gem River. Your bedroom will be one of four huts perched on the rocks by the river or it might be the Tree House that peers over paddy fields. It will have a straw roof, bamboo walls, a futon bed, mosquito nets and a little driftwood furniture, nothing much else.  Galapita is one of the island's best hideaways, a property blessed with a stunningly beautiful location and a relaxed atmosphere. If you need to unwind and recharge away from the stresses of the modern world, then this is the place for you. Yala National Park can be accessed from here.  (More)

Situated in the south east of Sri Lanka, the Yala National Park can be reached coming from the hill country via Wellawaya to the south coast, or from Colombo along the south coast past Galle. Yala can also be accessed from Tissamaharama and Kataragama. Useful drive times include: Galle to Yala (3.5 hours); Colombo to Yala (7 hours); Dickoya to Yala (5 hours); Bandarawela to Yala (3 hours).

Paday Yatra: Click here

Information on Yala National Park, location, access, facilities.

'Yala – The lure of the Leopard'
By Sarasi Wijeratne, Travel Sri Lanka, Vol 4 No 4

'Panthera Pardus Kotiya – images of a Sri Lankan Leopard'
By Priyantha Talwatate, Explore Sri Lanka, July 2007