Yala National Park Tours & Trips
Yala National Park in Sri Lanka is home to countless leopards, and they’re definitely the main draw! A safari here will show you majestic elephants, sloth bears, crocs, and birds beyond the leopards themselves. Safari here differs from Africa, with denser jungle, smaller parks, and fewer vehicles competing. Mix your safari with Sri Lanka’s beach and cultural triangle for an amazing time.
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Raissa • traveled in January, 2026
This was a great tour of Sri Lanka. We are neither very young nor very old, and we were able to cover all the places listed in the itinerary without any rush. Transportation was excellent, with a comfortable van and an outstanding English-speaking driver. The hotels Lahiru selected for us were also excellent. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Sri Lanka for the first time.
Sri Lanka Splendor - G
Gulnoza • traveled in December, 2025
We had an amazing trip to Sri Lanka, and it was perfectly organized by the travel agency. All the hotels selected for us were very clean, comfortable, and well maintained, and the staff everywhere were extremely friendly and welcoming. The travel agent was very approachable, supportive, and always ready to help, which made the whole experience stress-free. A huge special thanks to our driver and guide, Mr. Gayan, who truly made our trip unforgettable. He is a very careful and punctual driver and an excellent guide. He took us to many beautiful places and introduced us to the rich culture, history, and natural beauty of Sri Lanka with great passion and knowledge. Because of him, we fell in love with Sri Lanka even more. We will definitely use Beauty Lanka Travels again on our next visit and highly recommend them to anyone planning a trip to Sri Lanka.
6 days tour in Sri Lanka - Upgrade to Private Tour available - A
Ava • traveled in April, 2025
A very well-organised trip. Great way to see Sri Lanka with people waving and saying hello to you when you cycle past their house. We were very well looked after by the cycling crew. Water was always topped up and we had a constant supply of snacks (mostly sugary, some fruits). Requires a reasonable level of fitness but most people in my group (some in their 70s) cycled all the way. There was one downhill day with potholes that most people disliked. Guide could have been more experienced but overall I would recommend.
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Table of contents
- The best Yala National Park tour packages
- Travel Yala National Park your way
- Best tour companies for Yala National Park tours
- Yala National Park tours for every type of group
- Top Yala National Park travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Yala National Park
- Contact our Yala National Park travel experts
- What our customers ask about Yala National Park Tours & Trips
The best Yala National Park tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaYala National Park travel expert at TourRadar
Sri Lanka Splendor
49 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The services provided by SkyHaven were fantastic. We will definitely recommend SkyHaven to our friends and family!”
Mila, traveled in September
Full-day game drives reveal leopards, sloth bears, and elephants across Yala National Park's diverse landscapes. Comfortable tented camps serve as base for exploring Sri Lanka's premier wildlife sanctuary, spanning 979 square kilometers of wilderness.
Duration 10 days Destinations Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Galle Age Range Ages 18+ Operator SkyHaven Tours From
- US$1,650
6 days tour in Sri Lanka - Upgrade to Private Tour available
25 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was well organized, professional, and thoughtfully planned. It was a stress-free, enjoyable experience, and we felt well looked after at every stage.”
Linda, traveled in December
4x4 safaris traverse Yala National Park, where leopards and elephants roam near the Indian Ocean. Comfortable lodges in Tissamaharama offer perfect positioning for morning game drives. The package includes expert guides with perfect ratings and visits to nearby Buduruwagala Rock Temple.
Duration 6 days Destinations Colombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala National Park, Tissamaharama, Bentota, GalleSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Beauty Lanka Travels From $407
10% Off- US$366+$30 upfront costsYou save $41
Cycle Sri Lanka
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The travellers got the best experience of Sri Lanka. Sam was very thoughtful in that he created 'moments' for everyone.”
Katrina, traveled in December
Jeep safaris through Yala National Park bring close encounters with one of the world's highest concentrations of leopards, plus elephants, crocodiles, and waterbirds like the great thick-knee. Pedal tree-lined roads from Tissamaharama to the sacred Hindu city of Kataragama, passing through vibrant villages and seeing Sri Lanka's spiritual heart. Comfort-level hotels provide 13 nights of accommodation, with groups capped at 16 travelers aged 14+, while covering 388 km through tea plantations, ancient ruins, and coastal areas at approx. $200 per day.
Duration 14 days Destinations Negombo, Chilaw, Anuradhapura, Ritigala Strict Natural Reserve, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Hatton, MaskeliyaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 14+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,930
10% Off- US$2,637You save $293
Sri Lanka Odyssey: Colombo | Dambulla | Kandy | Nuwara Eliya | Yala | Bentota
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The pre-trip material was high quality and ensured we were prepared. The accommodations were extremely impressive.”
Matija, traveled in August
Yala National Park boasts the world's highest leopard density, best viewed during morning and evening game drives. Cinnamon Wild or Chaarya Resort & Spa provide luxury accommodations near the wilderness. Elephants, sloth bears, and abundant birdlife roam their natural habitat.
Duration 9 days Destinations Colombo, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Bentota Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator MTA Destination Management Company From $1,373
20% Off- US$1,098You save $275
Discover Sri Lanka
145 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour experience was truly outstanding, offering luxurious accommodations that exceeded our expectations.”
Jenny, traveled in April
Yala National Park holds one of the world's highest leopard concentrations. Game drives reveal elephants, crocodiles and diverse birdlife, with Mandara Rosen lodge providing comfortable accommodation. Prime viewing occurs between February-July or December-January.
Duration 15 days Destinations Colombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Girithale, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Kitulgala, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, BandarawelaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $3,442
20% Off- US$2,755You save $687
Best of Sri Lanka 7 Days, Private Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Good trips, nice to include Columbia museum as an option as it's so good.”
karen, traveled in January
Sri Lanka's premier national park hosts the world's highest density of leopards. Luxury accommodations at Cinnamon Wild or similar provide a wilderness base. Morning and afternoon game drives showcase elephants, sloth bears, and diverse birdlife.
Duration 7 days Destinations Colombo, Kandy, Peradeniya, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park, Tissamaharama, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Bentota, Ahungalla Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch Operator Aitken Spence Travel From $1,461
20% Off- US$1,168You save $292
Sri Lanka's largest national park stretches across 378 square miles of diverse landscapes from grasslands to lagoons. Expert naturalist guides track leopards, elephants, and sloth bears in their natural habitat. Morning and evening game drives maximize wildlife viewing, with comfortable lodging nearby in Yala.
Duration 6 days Destinations Negombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Bentota Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Operator Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd From
20% Off- US$510
World-record leopard populations and diverse wildlife flourish in Yala National Park, including elephants, sloth bears, and spotted deer. Chhaya Wild resort serves as base camp for expert-guided safaris, blending natural wonders with ancient civilization ruins.
Duration 6 days Destinations Colombo, Seeduwa, Pinnawala, Kandy, Peradeniya, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala National Park, Tissamaharama, GalleSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Aitken Spence Travel From $1,542
20% Off- US$1,233You save $308
Yala Safari
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Sri Lanka had it all, whether it was cultural, religious, adventurous, beach-related, or nature-focused.”
Vassili, traveled in January
Full-day safaris showcase Sri Lanka's premier wildlife sanctuary in Yala National Park. The world's highest leopard concentration draws visitors, while elephants and crocodiles roam diverse ecosystems from grasslands to coastal lagoons.
Duration 5 days Destinations Colombo, Ahungalla, Balapitiya, Hikkaduwa, Weligama, Mirissa, Udawalawe National Park, Tissamaharama, Yala, Yala National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Stelaran Holidays (Pvt) Ltd From
20% Off- US$1,500
Customized 2 Weeks Private Sri Lanka Adventure, Daily Depart & Private Guide
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
Afternoon jeep safaris reveal elephants, leopards, and crocodiles in Yala's wilderness. Thaulle Resort & Spa provides comfortable lodging while guests explore diverse ecosystems. Little Adams Peak and Rawana Waterfalls offer additional attractions.
Duration 14 days Destinations Colombo, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Sigiriya, Kandy, Peradeniya, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala National Park, TissamaharamaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Agate Travel From
20% Off- US$2,909
Travel Yala National Park your way
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Yala National Park tours
Yala National Park tours for every type of group
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Top Yala National Park travel itineraries to fit your plans
7 Day Itineraries
10 Day Itineraries
2 Week Itineraries
Demographics
Solo Travelers54 tours- Couples38 tours
- Seniors (50+)22 tours
Best time to visit Yala National Park
- Winter 2025 / 2026
- 46 tours
- popular 52 tours
- 34 tours
- Spring 2026
- popular 57 tours
- 53 tours
- 47 tours
- Summer 2026
- 49 tours
- 49 tours
- popular 51 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
- popular 51 tours
- 51 tours
- 35 tours
Contact our Yala National Park travel experts
Kaitlyn
Expert in Yala National Park at TourRadar
Kaitlyn is one of our seasoned Yala National Park Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Yala National Park tours answered!
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+1 844 311 8331What our customers ask about Yala National Park Tours & Trips
When is the best time to visit Yala National Park for wildlife viewing?
Yala National Park's prime wildlife viewing season runs from January to July with the dry season providing clear views of animals gathering at water holes. The weather conditions during these months create ideal opportunities to spot the park's famous leopards. Guests at properties like Hotel Chandrika regularly report successful sightings during this period. A recent TourRadar traveler with Stelaran Holidays reported "we saw bears leopards deer elephants and peacocks thoroughly enjoying this tour at Yala National Park" during their March visit.
How long are typical safari drives in Yala National Park?
Safari drives typically run 3-4 hours with both morning and evening options available. Early risers can join 5:30 AM departures offered by operators like Alkof Holidays which many visitors find ideal for wildlife spotting. Luxury accommodations such as Wild Coast Tented Lodge arrange multiple daily drives. According to visitor accounts "The park is beautiful and full of surprises. We had a long but rewarding full-day safari from 5 AM to 6 PM."
What wildlife can I expect to see in Yala National Park?
The park's diverse ecosystem supports Sri Lankan leopards Asian elephants sloth bears spotted deer and more than 215 bird species. Block 1 frequently yields sightings of wild boars water buffalo hanuman langurs and marsh crocodiles. One visitor documented an exceptional day: "We encountered around 200 Asian elephants in the park and were lucky enough to spot both a leopard and a sloth bear."
How long should I plan to spend at Yala National Park?
A 2-3 day stay allows visitors to experience multiple safari drives and increases chances of diverse wildlife encounters. Tour operators like Alkof Holidays structure their Wildlife Photography Tour over three days. A guest at Hotel Chandrika shared "Two full days gave us enough time to explore different sectors of the park and maximize our wildlife viewing opportunities."
What makes Yala National Park different from other wildlife parks in Sri Lanka?
Yala National Park holds the distinction of having the world's highest leopard density. The park blends coastal landscapes diverse ecosystems and ancient Buddhist ruins creating an experience distinct from parks like Wilpattu or Udawalawe. Guests at Mandara Rosen often explore both wildlife areas and historical sites. As noted by one visitor "Yala offers a unique combination of wildlife archaeology and stunning landscapes that we didn't find in other Sri Lankan parks."
What accommodation options are available near Yala National Park?
The park's surroundings feature accommodations for various preferences and budgets. Options range from the luxurious tented Wild Coast Lodge to the wildlife-focused Cinnamon Wild Yala and the comfortable Hotel Chandrika. A recent guest described their stay: "The Mandara Rosen had spacious rooms with earthy tones and Kandyan paintings plus a swimming pool with underwater music."