Where true wilderness calls you
Diverse habitats, 44 mammal species, over 200 species of birds and a history retraced to 500 BC - Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife destination. Declared a Game Reserve in 1938, Yala comprises five blocks covering an area of 151,778 hectares. The park comprises several major habitat types - dunes, scrub forest, riverine forests, rocky out-crops, secondary forests and coastal lagoons with mangrove forests.
It is also known to contain the highest concentration of leopards in the world. The endangered leopard subspecies Panthera Pardus Kotiya, is found only in Sri Lanka.
Places to visit
On a rock rising above the wilderness, this ancient Buddhist monastery and cave - dating back to 2nd century BC - offers serenity and views.
A must for birdwatchers - over 150 species of birds are found here at any time of the year, as well as other wildlife.
Take a morning or evening game drive to meet Sri Lanka’s big five: leopard, sloth bear, elephant, buffalo, crocodiles, and many others too.
