Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka, situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres and is located about 300 kilometres from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and it is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds. It is home to 44 varieties of mammal and 215 bird species. Among its more famous residents are the world’s biggest concentration of leopards, majestic elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted dear, peacocks and crocodiles. If you are a wild life enthusiast anticipating for a great wildlife experience, head on to Yala. Plan out an unforgettable camping experience out in the wilderness of Yala in one of the Yala Hotels such as Wild Trails which is set up right on the buffer-zone of the Yala National Park.
Most travelers to Yala come in anticipation of a great wildlife experience. While on safari, you will see herds of elephants, monkeys, buffalo, sloth bear, deer, crocodile, sambar and the endangered leopard sub-species, Panthera pardus kotiya, which is found only in Sri Lanka. To visit the park you need to hire a Safari Jeep at the entrance with an experienced guide and tracker. Yala Block 1 is known to have the highest density of leopards in the world and over 230 species of birds recorded. Safaris are conducted early morning when the park opens at 6 a.m. or late afternoon after 4 p.m. The jeeps are open to facilitate photography and clear viewing of animals. The roads are through the park and the drivers and visitors should make sure not to disturb the wildlife.
The best time to visit Yala is between February and July when the water levels of the park are quite low. Littering, alcohol consumption and smoking inside the park is strictly prohibited. Visitors must be fully aware of the rules of the park and expected to be in line with all of them.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
