Safari im Yala Nationalpark – In Jeepkolonne auf Leopardenjagd!!

Safari in Yala National Park

Yala National Park is perhaps the most famous wildlife reserve in Sri Lanka. Tourists often choose this park due to the high likelihood of spotting a wild leopard. This was also our main motivation for visiting Yala National Park.

General Information about Yala National Park

The park is located in the south of the island, north of the Tangalle beach area and south of Nuwara Eliya. The park itself covers over 30,000 hectares and is not accessible on foot. Visitors explore it in specially equipped safari jeeps with seating arrangements on the cargo area. The park has pre-designed sand paths, almost like roads, on which vehicles drive.

What animals can you see in Yala National Park?

Yala National Park is known for offering a real chance to see leopards. In addition, you will likely spot elephants, peafowls, water buffaloes, mongooses, sambar deer, crocodiles, and several other animals.

What Safari Options are Available in Yala National Park?

There are essentially 2 safari options you can book. However, drivers can accommodate special time requests. Payment is made per person, not per jeep. This means that organizers are interested in filling the jeeps as much as possible. Even though the safari durations mentioned below might sound long, consider that the round trip to the park takes about 2-3 hours in total. Depending on the time, there may be queues at the park’s ticket counters.

Option 1: Half-Day Safari: 4:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Option 2: Full-Day Safari: 4:45 AM to 5:00 PM

What Does a Safari in Yala National Park Cost?

In Yala National Park, you generally pay for a complete package, which includes entrance fees and the safari. The half-day safari costs around €35 (depending on exchange rates), and the full-day safari costs approximately €60, including lunch.

Where to Stay in Tissamaharama (Yala)

The small town of Tissamaharama offers a range of accommodations to suit every budget and taste. Almost all accommodations also offer safaris that can be arranged at any time. No advance booking is necessary. Since we didn’t find our accommodation particularly noteworthy, we recommend checking out the local options, as there is a wide selection available.

What Do I Need for a Safari?

• Sunscreen
• A light jacket for the morning
• Camera with a telephoto lens if available

How to Get to Tissamaharama

Besides traveling by private vehicle, taxi, or tuk-tuk, you can also reach Tissamaharama cost-effectively by bus. The journey from Tangalle takes about 2.5 – 3 hours. Buses between Tangalle and Tissamaharama run several times an hour.

Things to Do in Tissamaharama

I highly recommend visiting Tissa Lake. This was the highlight of our stay. At sunset, a breathtaking natural spectacle occurs here. The trees are full of thousands of flying foxes that all awaken and fly away at sunset. In the background, there is a tree with many white birds in it. So grab a blanket (or something to sit on) and enjoy the sunset!

Yala National Park or Udawalawe?

Most visitors to Sri Lanka considering a safari face this question. We clearly recommend Udawalawe National Park. It is more manageable and far less crowded. You can observe the animals undisturbed with the engine turned off, which is hardly possible in Yala as you are never alone with the „exciting“ animals. While you have the chance to see leopards in Yala, you will see many more elephants in Udawalawe. Everything you need to know about Udawalawe National Park can be found in our related post.

Häufige Fragen zu deiner Safari im Yala Nationalpark