It was really disappointing to be in a traffic jam of jeeps inhaling fumes to see a very tiny glimpse of a leopard in the distance. The jeeps roar down the dirt roads trying to show the guests a leopard, and it takes the entire experience of being in nature away which is such a shame. We were going to call it quits after one really stressful hour of racing around, or sitting still listening to jeep motors waiting for a leopard. ADVICE - tell your driver to take you away from all the jeeps to other parts of the park. Once we did that, it was quiet, peaceful and we saw so many amazing animals not being harassed. We even saw a leopard in a tree with only one other jeep there. For ten minutes we got to watch it peacefully before all the other jeeps came roaring into this spot. It’s hard not to compare this to safari in Africa, but it was also disappointing to not have a tracker on the jeep spotting things. The driver saw some, but we were left to look for ourselves. Also, some jeeps had only one or two people in them. I know the drivers have had no income during Covid, but consolidate the guests into fewer jeeps for a better experience.

This is not a national park, but a place to take a jeep ride through the barren landscapes or for Jeep races. If you love nature and animals, don't go there, as you will be disappointed like many others have been. Tickets are expensive and drivers expect additional tips. Riding uncomfortably in a jeep while listening to the sound of engines and inhaling exhaust fumes is far from enjoyable. I love animals, so we gave up halfway through this attraction for the welfare of animals and for the sake of our environment.

Very busy place. If you want to see the leopard they drive 3-4 hours the main road up and down and if someone sees it all cars are blocking the road. All other animals we sadly see also outside the park (except the one crocodile).

Very big park with various animal. You can spot elephants, spotted để, crocs, peacocks, wild boars, etc.. however, the army of tourist 4x4 seem disturbing to the animal. They are not getting close to the road side. You’d better have binoculars.

A trip to a safari is like a lottery, you can get lucky and see a bunch of animals, or you can waste your time. My experiences were enlightening, when you buy this trip they market it to you in such a way that you are going to see a lot of animals and especially elephants, but as I already mentioned everything depends on luck, we are 3 hours inside the park and we didn't see a single elephant. And only on the way back by chance an elephant came out on the road. On second thought, I would do it again but you have to take into account that the marketing of the trip and the reality are really not the same.

Visit the park in morning hours to see maximum number of animals. Enter time of the park is 06:00 AM. Sri Lankan Leopard is the main attractive and we have seen several Leopard. Must visit the park and got new experiences.

Nice place, worth to visit. Prices increased for this season. Now with jeep and entrance you will pay around 120€ for two person. But is worth it. We went with a really nice driver the hotel River Side found us. Recommend to do only half visit. Is more than enough.

Would recommend to go there in off-season, still then there are a lot of other jeeps and it’s just too busy. Still there’s chances to spot the leopard and possibly even a bear. Crocodiles, jackals, wild boars and deer are often spotted too.

Yala (යාල) National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. The park consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public, and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names such as, Ruhuna National Park (Block 1), and Kumana National Park or 'Yala East' for the adjoining area. It is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds.

Yala is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and best place to see the leopard. You can easily see spotted deer, wild-bore, elephants, crocodiles , jackals , peacock & Lot of birds even sloth bear also here.

Yala National Park, located in Sri Lanka, is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts. The park is home to a diverse range of animals, making it an ideal location for a safari adventure. During our recent visit to the park, we were fortunate enough to witness some of the most incredible wildlife sightings. As we entered the park, we were greeted by the sight of crocodiles basking in the sun along the banks of the waterways. The sight of these prehistoric creatures was truly awe-inspiring. Moving further into the park, we encountered a herd of majestic elephants. The sheer size and power of these gentle giants left us speechless. Although we were disappointed to have only seen a leopard from afar, the beauty of this elusive predator was still mesmerizing. The park is also home to a wide variety of other animals, including peacocks, wild boar, deers, rabbits, different birds, wild buffaloes and more. The vibrant colors of the peacocks and the grace of the deer were a sight to behold. The park is a true paradise for bird watchers as well, with over 200 species of birds residing within its boundaries. We were amazed by the diversity of birdlife we encountered, from brightly colored kingfishers to majestic eagles. Exploring the park through a jeep safari led by an experienced guide was the best way to see all that Yala has to offer. The park's diverse landscapes and ecosystems, including grasslands, forests, lagoons, and beaches, provided unique and stunning backdrops for the wildlife. The beach at Yala National Park is a hidden gem that should not be missed. After a thrilling safari experience, we took a quick break to explore the stunning coastline of the park. Despite spending only 10 minutes at the beach, we were left in awe of its natural beauty. The soft, golden sand stretched out as far as the eye could see, and the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean were simply breathtaking. The gentle sound of the waves crashing against the shore provided the perfect background music for our short but memorable visit. As we walked along the beach, we couldn't help but marvel at the incredible natural surroundings. The beach is a haven for wildlife, with sea turtles and other marine life calling the area home. We even spotted a few birds swooping down to catch fish in the water. The beach at Yala National Park is a true paradise for nature lovers. With its pristine sand, crystal-clear waters, and abundant wildlife, it is a perfect place to relax and soak up the natural beauty of Sri Lanka. Overall, Yala National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and diversity of Sri Lanka's wildlife. The park's incredible range of animals, coupled with its stunning natural beauty, make it a truly unforgettable experience.

For my opinion this park its not worth the half of the money you need to pay!! The only good reviews of the park its of the Sri Lankan tour guides or their family . We woke up at 3:30 to be at the entrance at 6h in the morning. 4 person price was around 190euro in total taxi from hotel and return with safari included. 15-20 elephants, 5,6 aligators 50peacock 100bufalo and deers and also 100 off road jeeps !!! Al this animal we already saw around sri lanka. The mighty leopard that nobody saw for about a week hah The taxi driver on the way back told us that people see the leopard once per week. (5sec max) you will not be that guy believe me. You have more chance to see it in the afternoon, so dont be stupid to go on the morning tour like other 100safari jeep, be smart ,sleep well eat breakfast and come here when nobody its inside in the afternoon. Cheers !

Quite a good experience, considering this is a park and one needs to realize that it is only luck to view animals! This is not a zoo - so to all those reviewing stating they did not see any animals..this is the point of a park! Animals are not there for your entertainment. We were lucky enough to see quite a few as we had a very good guide!

The best of all national parks I've visited ❤ It's the most beautiful place. Of course to complete the whole you need a full day and be get ready to bathe some dusts 😊 But it's totally worth. You will find wide range of animals with very close proximity. Love the sights

Simply love. The place is like heaven. Animals are so sweet & innocent, birds are prettiest & greenery is just breathtaking. Well kept park with a tour guide having sharp eyes for the furthest animals that could not be spotted from miles without binoculars. Hats off to all the keepers.

It an awesome place. I've visited this place frequently as a kid and now returned 15 years later. The natural beauty and the wildlife is excellent. But the management is utter disappointing. Roads are washed off. Considering the revenue they make from all the fees, it should be better maintained. Typical government behaviour. We couldn't go all the way due to roads muddy and Jeeps were getting bogged. The guides are awesome, drivers are good, animals are awesome.

My visit to Yala National Park was a mixed experience. While we unfortunately didn't get to see some of the special animals that were promised, the natural beauty of the park was still enjoyable. However, considering the high cost of the excursion and the amount of time it took to get there, I felt that the overall experience did not quite live up to our expectations. While I would still recommend a visit to the park for those interested in wildlife and nature, I would advise travelers to manage their expectations and do their research beforehand to ensure they get the most out of their visit.

An amazing experience. Pro tip : Visit the park in the morning hours to see maximum number of animals. Enter the park at around 6 in the morning and by about 11 am you can end your tour by seeing so many beautiful, amazing animals.

Yala nation park is another biggest wild animal park in Sri Lanka located near to Kirinda. Elephants, Leopards, Bears, Crocodiles, Buffaloes, Rabbits, Snakes and various kinds of birds are there. You can hire a safari jeeps to visit this park.

One of the best experiences I've ever had in my life. Sri Lankan Leopard is the main attraction and we've seen several leopard cubs during our last visit. Life changing experience. Must visit . You can have best experience if you book a full day safari (6.00 am to 6.00 pm) ideal for wildlife photographers

We get beautiful safari experience. There are various kind of animals. Also we saw some rare animals, like Sri Lankan leopard. Such a great experience. We should protect this environment.

Amazing experience. You have the opportunity to see many exotic animals, unfortunately we did not see leopards, but we saw many others. I recommend booking a full day of safari so you can see more animals.

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka is one of the best places to visit for nature lovers. My family and I had a wonderful time there last Saturday. We booked a safari vehicle with an experienced guide who took us around the park for three hours. He was very knowledgeable and friendly, and he showed us many interesting things. The park is home to a variety of animals, such as elephants, buffaloes, deer, rabbits, crocodiles, peacocks and more. We were lucky to see them in their natural habitats, grazing, resting, playing and hunting. Some of them were very close to our vehicle, and we could take amazing photos. The guide also told us about the history and culture of the park, and how it is protected and conserved. The park is very large and has a complex network of roads, so it is not easy to explore it on your own. The guide knew where to go and how to avoid getting lost. He also knew the best times to visit different areas, depending on the weather and the animal activity. He made sure we had a safe and enjoyable experience. The highlight of our trip was the beach at the end of the park. It was serene and beautiful, and we enjoyed the sun and the breeze. The beach is also a historical site, as it was where the ancient king Ravana landed his flying chariot. I highly recommend visiting this national heritage site. It is a great opportunity to learn about nature and have fun at the same time. It is suitable for people of all ages and interests. You will not regret it.

Yala National Park is a wildlife enthusiast's dream come true! With the chance to spot a wide array of animals, including elephants and leopards, it promises an unforgettable safari experience. The park offers two sessions per day, morning and afternoon, allowing visitors ample opportunities to explore its diverse habitats. To make the most of your visit, you need to hire a knowledgeable driver with a reliable 4x4 vehicle is recommended. Embark on an adventure through this fantastic national park and witness the wonders of Sri Lanka's wildlife in their natural habitat.

Beautiful Park. Wildlife is definitely there. The question is the organisation, park is charging 45$ per entrance but the tourist spot with rest area and toilets, where they ask you to take a brake between 12-14 was super dirty and filled by trash. I wish each of us could contribute to this place to make it cleaner.

Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean.

Back in December 2022 On our trip to Sri Lanka we went to Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, and I cannot emphasize enough the sheer excitement and thrills we experienced, specially my 10 year old boy, As we embarked on our thrilling safari, our knowledgeable guide regaled us with fascinating tales of the park's inhabitants. My son's excitement grew with each sighting of majestic elephants, graceful deer, and playful monkeys However, nothing could have prepared us for the breathtaking moment when he laid his eyes on the regal leopard stealthily lounging on a tree branch. Our trip to Yala National Park was a dream come true

Wonderful safaris (morning and afternoon). Many wading birds, lots of crocodiles, mongoose, water buffalo. An afternoon leopard sightseeing. Several elephants seen. Jeeps must leave park by 6pm.

This is a great safari experience.

I’m giving this three stars because the safari felt more like a nature drive. We saw great things like elephants, crocodiles, and a leopard but it was mostly a long drive without seeing much. It was also very busy. The other jeeps were everywhere and we went on a weekday.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Yala National Park in Sri Lanka, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations as a wildlife enthusiast. From the moment I stepped foot into this remarkable reserve, I was greeted by an awe-inspiring natural beauty and a wealth of biodiversity that left me speechless. Yala National Park is a true haven for wildlife lovers. The park boasts an impressive variety of ecosystems, including dense forests, open plains, and picturesque coastal landscapes. This diversity creates a perfect habitat for a wide range of animals, making every safari a thrilling adventure filled with incredible encounters. One of the highlights of my visit was the opportunity to witness the park's majestic residents—the leopards. Yala National Park is renowned for having one of the highest leopard densities in the world, and it did not disappoint. With the guidance of experienced park rangers, I was able to witness these elusive and graceful creatures in their natural habitat. The sight of a leopard stealthily navigating through the foliage was a moment I will cherish forever. The park is also home to a multitude of other fascinating wildlife species. From elephants and sloth bears to crocodiles and colorful birdlife, Yala National Park offers a spectacular showcase of biodiversity. I was fortunate enough to spot a vast array of bird species, including the vibrant peacock, the stately painted stork, and the majestic eagle soaring overhead. The park's richness in wildlife truly makes it a photographer's dream come true. The professionalism and knowledge of the park rangers were instrumental in enhancing my experience. Their expertise and dedication to conservation were evident as they shared their insights into the park's flora and fauna. They were passionate about preserving the park's natural beauty and educating visitors on the importance of conservation efforts. The infrastructure within Yala National Park is also commendable. The well-maintained trails, comfortable safari jeeps, and informative visitor centers added to the overall experience. The park authorities have made a concerted effort to balance conservation with responsible tourism, ensuring that visitors can enjoy the wonders of nature while minimizing any negative impact on the environment. Furthermore, the park's location along Sri Lanka's southeastern coast provides an added bonus. The stunning beaches nearby allow visitors to unwind and relax after a day of wildlife exploration. It's the perfect combination of adventure and tranquility. Yala National Park is an extraordinary destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Its breathtaking landscapes, impressive wildlife diversity, and the opportunity to witness leopards in their natural habitat make it an unforgettable experience. With its commitment to conservation and responsible tourism, Yala National Park sets a shining example for protected areas worldwide. I wholeheartedly recommend visiting this gem of Sri Lanka's natural heritage.

Overall is ok, however price for a jeep and tickets end up costy. 1 star because the way they are driving if they get a signal where about is leopard. My self driving fast, but siting in jeep at the back and driving poor road about 70km/h is to dangerous. On the same time we seen how jeeps bumps in to each other luckily no one injured and is small damage. But wouldn't come again for a safety reason

Its the largest national park in the country. Famous for leopard sitings. The entrance is towards the south end of the park. There sre other entrances as well. You can simply book a safari ride. Ideally go on a weekday since there will be less jeeps in the park.

Yala national park is the second largest national park in Srilanka. The Park has a large number of animals and birds, most popular is the leopard, but it's difficult to locate. One can take the morning, afternoon safari or full day safari to see the wild animals.

I understand the bad reviews here, but some are exagerating. We were lucky to see the leopard and a bear but no elephants. We were one of the first trucks so we could see good, the trucks behind us had less luck. Don’t get tour hopes too high for the rare animals, it’s a fun activity and a nice park to ride around anyway!

Yala is 2 largest national park in srilanka. There we can see all animals what we have in srilanka. Leopard density is highest in the world.

Awesome experience. Should do Block 1 if you want to spot wild animals. Block 2 is great for off roAding given there is proper rain and mud. Yala is a very different climate and I loved every bit of that. The trackers were well knowledge and the safari jeeps were quite good too. But make sure you get some recommendations before choosing the safari Jeep’s.

We had an wonderful camping experience in Yala. We camped by a river under the stars with a massive bonfire to keep us warm. It was a serene and one of a kind experience I will never forget. We spotted a leopard, lots of elephants, deer, peacock and many other wild life in our 4 day stay at Yala.

I visited Yala national park on my trip to Sri Lanka. I did the safari twice. Once in the evening, and once in early morning. In the evening one, I could spot peacocks, wild buffalows, wild pigs, etc. The early morning safari was much more exciting as I could spot much more animals as well as leopard and bear. I would recommend to visit to anyone looking for wildlife safari. PS: The ride in the park can be VERY bumpy so for someone with a backpain, it can be tough.

My experience from the day at the Safari was perfect. All thanks to the weather. Weather is the most important thing to check before. If you will come on a hot day you will suffer and you won't see many animals. When it's hot the animals don't come out from the shade of the forests so choose a cloudy day and have fun 😊

It's only good as a nature place, but not an animal safari. We went there and did the full safari from a well reviewed safari tour on tripadvisor and we saw nothing! One elephant, one lizard, and 6 deers and that's it! Paid almost $150 foe 4 persons to see the above during 4 hours safari. So definitely not recommended, unless you wanna see gree trees, then yeah go for it.

Mala was an excellent guide. Thanks to him we saw two leopards, elephants, crocodiles and many more amazing animals. He spoke amazing English and had a superb knowledge of the wildlife. We couldn’t recommend him enough.

Beautiful wildlife, views, interesting local species.

The best time to visit Yala National Park is either between 6 am - 9 am or between 3 pm - 6 pm. If it is the morning, the best time to enter the park is at 6 am when it opens for visitors, so you could observe more wildlife. Safari jeeps are available from Rs. 10000 upwards depending on your safari durations & areas to be covered. Most popular entrance is the Palatupana entrance and that's where the safari jeep traffic jam is experienced too. It is always a wise thing to avoid weekends when visiting Yala National Park.

Yala nation park is another biggest wild animal park in Sri Lanka located near to Kirinda. We see Elephants,Crocodiles, Buffaloes, Rabbits and various kinds of birds are there. You can hire a safari jeeps to visit this park. Animals are too friendly

Should be called Jeep Park not national park ( a lot of jeeps ) few animals, each 2 person in a jeep enough for 6 persons ( unbelievable) it should be 6 person in a jeep so less jeep in the park for better experience.. They charge us 120 dollars for 2 person for half day tour ( doesn't wroth one dollar ) The animals we saw during 4 hrs ( elephant, Buffalo, crocodile , lots of birds , wild pig, dears ) nothing more, no leopards.. As conclusion: I'm so disappointed!!

Very good place 😍 our driver showed amazing places

We had amazing experience! We took the 7 hours trip starting 5 am from our accomodation, around 6 we entered the park. We saw many different animals including elephants, monkeys, crocodiles, buffalo, bears, deer and many many birds. The nature is just so amazing. Its a lifetime experience ❤

The place is horrible!! We went there and only saw 3 animals (wild pig, deer and buffalo) along with crocodiles and some birds. All of this for 130 USD!! There are no leopards and we were told that people stay there for around 3 or 4 days to catch a leopard but they never see it. There was no single elephant in the whole park!!! The park is not prepared for cars at all. The road is not properly paved and you just feel sick and all your bones ache from riding. My husband and I were literally counting minutes to leave that terrible place. We were soooo excited to see animals and elephants and instead we saw nothing!! Soo disappointed! Not worth a penny!! A scam for tourists.

Great experience to get a feel of 'wildlife and watch them in their natural habitat

Amazing safari experience. You can see deers, wild boars, elephants, crocodiles, (leopard, sloth bear during golden hours from 6am)

What an incredible place to see all sorts of wildlife. The scenery is also very beautiful, with large lakes full of lilly pads and lotus flowers. There was also a quick stop off on a beach, where there were facilities if you needed to use them. The animals are the star of the show though, with the leopard being the top prize sighting here, we were fortunate enough to get a long distance view of the animal, but only through cameras as it was too far for the naked eye to see. This is a must-see place in Sri Lanka.

We go with driver not professional we pay almost 100 dolar for 2 person and we stuck in the traffic for 2 hours and he said time finish we need to go we didn't see only cow and elephant wich is everywhere here in sri lanka plus the driver screaming in my face

I guess if you would like to experience a good safari, this ain't the place to go to. Too pricey, hardly spot variety of animals. If you are lucky, then you can spot a leopard, otherwise, there isn't really anything much to experience here. We were lucky to spot a wild elephant.

Nice experience but animals in afternoon are taking nap. We did start to see animals from 5pm. I also think it is too long from 2 to 6pm. My body is achen feom the jeep, but worth it. We did got to see few leopards and elephants

This was my first safari and even that fact hadn't added any value to it. Let's start from the fact that most of the safari companies advertise themselve as "something something leopard". Well, you wouldn't see any leopards. You'd see lots of bysons, monkeys, birds, couple of elephants (along with 5 other jeeps standing around them) and that's basically it. You'd drive for 5-6 hours in a very squeacky vehicle and breath dust (A LOT) from another squeaky vehicle in front of you. And there ALWAYS would be some in front of you. The park is massively overcrowded. When you out of the gates, the main show would start, "The coming of leopard". So you would not be disappointed for the wasted time, you would be shown an act. All the drivers would stop their jeeps on the road in a massive traffic jam and would point somewhere to the distance, saying it is leopard over there. And indeed in about 200 meters you would see some kind of figure, resembling leopard or a stuffed leopard, that is for you to decide. This little show is so bad, it's good. Here on the pictures you could see: your main facial expression throughout the whole journey your happiness when it is finally over a crowd desperately trying to puzzle out could that distant small figure be a leopard a "leopard"

The Yala safari looks like a constant rush somewhere. Too much vehicles, that interfere each other and raise red dust into the air. Do not wear white clothes! You can't see animals in relaxing atmosphere. Always driving to new place to catch some rare animal, which you may not even find. We were lucky and saw a leopard in the distance 200-300m for 5 seconds only. While searching took 3- 3,5 hours. There are better places for a safari in Sri-Lanka.

Dissapointing visit. Didn't spot any animal as jeep drivers were chasing the leopards. I do not know when will they understand that visit to Yala has many other things to see than the leopard. Highly recommended accompanying a naturalists. Unless it is a waste. Early morning safari starts around 5.00am recommended. Itvtakes 5 hours. But most of the time animals are hiding due to jeeps. So I guess no animals to be seen in where these safaris are done. Yala is wasted in the name of tourism. Pathetic.

What a huge area of forest, grassland, large range of animals and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean, in southeast wonder of Sri Lanka. This is home to wildlife most are leopards, elephants and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species. Best travel point in World

Great experience if you wish to get in touch with the wild and wildlife. Highly recommended to get a safari jeep and explore further of the jungle.

Yala is more commonly known in Sri Lanka's most famous national park, attracting hundreds of thousands of nature lovers annually and you may also see elephant, sloth bear, sambar, chital, wild boar, stripednecked, brown and ruddy mongoose, black-naped hare, marsh mugger crocodile and several civet species. Birding highlights include the southern sirkeer, blue-faced malkoha, yellow wattled lapwing, rufous-winged bush lark, thick-billed flower-pecker, purple sunbird, little minivet, white-rumped shama and rare black-necked stork. We didn't see all these animals but they are here😁

Yala National Park is a Fantastic place For a Safari you need to be patient to see Elephant's 🐘 Especially leopards 🐆 But it's A great experience to see the wild life From Sri lanka 🇱🇰

Had an amazing safari in the Yala national park. The park has lots animals from leopards, bears , buffaloes, monkeys, dears, antelope etc. We were fortunate to spot the leopard...a very close up of the leopard. The safari was for 4 hours. The operators have a jeep where 6 persons can sit and watch the national park.

Beautiful park and very diverse wildlife. Expect to see wild boar, birds, elephants, deer and much more. If you’re lucky, perhaps leopards, sloth bears and maybe even a pangolin! The only downside in the awful dirt roads with potholes and the mafia of jeep drivers whizzing around to get you the best view, for a bigger tip. The roads I understand, but the army of jeeps when a leopard is spotted ruins the atmosphere. A must visit if you are in the area, afternoon safari tends to be more successful for spotting animals.