Yala National Park is one of the largest national park and most famous wild life park, located in the south eastern region in Sri Lanka, with an area of nearly 378 sq miles and covers over two provinces of Hambantota district in southern province and Monaragala district in Uva province. The park is divided into 5 blocks and there are four gates to enter the park that is Palatupana, Katagamuwa, covering Blocks 1 & 2 and two gates at Galge on Buttala- Kataragama road, covering 3 & 5 blocks.

Wild Life

The park consists of light forests, grasslands, scrubs, tanks and lagoons. It is home to 44 varieties of mammal as well as 215 bird specifies. Among its, more famous wildlife residents of Yala, are the world’s biggest concentration of Leopards (Panthera Pardus Kotiya), Elephants, Sloth Bears, Jackals, Sambars, spotted dear, Crocodiles and Peacocks. Yala is one of the best places in the world for seeing Leopards and there are 40- 50 leopards. Sri Lankan Leopards mostly can be seen in block 1, on the western side of the park from January to July. Elephants can be seen when travelling on the Buttala-Kataragama road. Some elephants have a habit of soliciting fruits from motorists by standing across the road.

Among bird species Lesser Flamingo, Spoonbill, Painted Stork, Rare Black Necked Stork, Pelican, Grey Heron, Purple Heron and Night Heron water birds can be seen near the lagoons and thousands of migrating birds such as Garganey, Pintail, Whimbrel and Eurasian Curlew attract to the lagoons. And also, Yala forest is home to birds such as Hornbills, Flycatchers, Barbets and Orange Breasted Green Pigeon. Yala is also home to variety of reptiles like Mugger Crocodiles, Cobra, Russel’s Viper, Olive Ridly and Leatherback.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Yala is in the dry season between February and July because water levels of the park are quite low during these months and bringing animals into the open. Normally the park closes in the month of September every year for maintenance. During the monsoon season Yala is in a hot, semi-arid environment and it gets most of its rainfall in North east monsoon, from September to December.