Visiting Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park

The Yala National Park is the most popular national park in Sri Lanka. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, leopards, and crocodiles. There are actually a limited number of ways to see the park with Jeep safaris the most common, and walking safaris with specially permitted guides the most expensive.

Jeep Safaris: This is the most convenient way to see the park. Jeep safaris are led by experienced guides who will take you to the best spots to see wildlife. The jeeps are modified to provide a higher viewing area for the passengers and for that reason they usually require some ladder climbing. There are also very few paved roads in the park and the dirt tracks can be very primitive, so expect a rough ride.

Most guides will be focused on locating herds of elephants and they keep in touch with each other to help locate the herds. While leopards live in the park they are very hard to find so don’t expect to see them. Wild boar, monitor lizards, water buffalo and crocodiles are common sights as well as birds.

Entrance Fees and Permits Entrance fees to Yala National Park vary depending on the time of year and the type of safari you choose. On average the entrance fee for Yala National Park is $30 for foreign visitors and 1,500 Sri Lankan rupees for local visitors. Children under the age of 12 are eligible for a discounted entrance fee of $15. Visitors who are members of certain organizations, such as the Wildlife Conservation Society, may also be eligible for discounts. Payment options include cash or with a major credit card.

Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Yala National Park is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. During this time, the weather is dry and sunny, and the animals are more likely to be out and about.