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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Jess • traveled in November
My guide, Ranga was absolutely fantastic. He answered all my questions, was happy to stop when ever I wanted, and pointed out the amazing views along the way. His English was great and he made the trip what it was. My only not great comment is perhaps the beauty Lanka description could include an estimate on the extra entrance fee costs as it was a little more than I anticipated. However well worth it for the experience. Thanks again to my wonderful guide Ranga Weerasinghe. For stopping at all the waterfalls, and finding us the amazing street food. I felt safe and comfortable the whole time.
6 Days and 5 Nights Tour in Sri Lanka - Upgrade to Private Tour - V
Ville • traveled in April
The trip exceeded my expectations. Our great guides found quiet cycling roads so we didn't need to worry about the hectic roads. The food and accommodation was great!
Cycle Sri Lanka (21 destinations) - F
Fin • traveled in February
Kesara and Indika, our guides, were absolutely fantastic – incredibly helpful, kind, and knowledgeable. This tour truly cover the best of what Sri Lanka has to offer. The small group is ideal, with only six of us, added to the experience immensely. The van was also comfortable and impeccably clean. From start to finish, the tour provided us with an excellent overview of the most sought-after experiences in Sri Lanka. I highly recommend go on this tour for a great experience.
Sri Lanka Splendor
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
Witness the beauty of South Asia Sri Lanka (09 Days )
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Sri Lanka which is a beautiful country! I was very comfortable with his driving and felt very safe.”
AGATHA, traveled in July
4x4 jeep safaris bring visitors close to leopards and elephants in Yala National Park. Wild Heaven Hotel or Yala Peace Cottages provide accommodation, while expert naturalist guides lead tours through Sri Lanka's second-largest national park along the Indian Ocean.
Duration 9 days Destinations Colombo, Negombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala National Park, Tissamaharama, MirissaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-50 Operator Beauty Lanka Travels From
- NZ$998+$51 upfront costs
Cycle Sri Lanka (21 destinations)
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip met and exceeded our high expectations. The team went the extra mile and were creative.”
Vanessa, traveled in December
Duration 14 days Destinations Negombo, Chilaw, Anuradhapura, Ritigala Strict Natural Reserve, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Kandy, Sigiriya, Matale, HattonSee all destinations Age Range Ages 14+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $4,660
15% Off- NZ$3,961You save $699
Sri Lanka 7 Days Tour Package
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was perfectly organized, and the hotels were fantastic, offering a great balance of comfort and local charm.”
Wayne, traveled in November
Yala National Park teems with wildlife, offering prime leopard spotting opportunities during jeep safaris. Tissamaharama's ancient temple beckons visitors, while the park's diverse ecosystems harbor elephants, deer, and peacocks in their natural habitat.
Duration 7 days Destinations Colombo, Negombo, Pinnawala, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala National Park, Tissamaharama, Mirissa, Galle Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Holiday Lanka Tours From $905
12% Off- NZ$796You save $109
Sri Lanka Splendor
46 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Sri Lanka truly is a hidden paradise. I had an incredible time and I'm so happy I chose to explore the country with the best tour company in Sri Lanka.”
Lilian, traveled in May
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
12% Off- NZ$2,799
Sri Lanka Itinerary 12 Days
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Our guide, Susil, was truly outstanding. His professionalism, courtesy, deep knowledge,”
4x4 safari drives in Yala National Park reveal diverse wildlife during afternoon or early morning excursions. Leopards, endemic birds, and various species appear while guests rest in nearby comfortable accommodation. Katharagama Temple's evening ceremonies offer optional cultural visits.
Duration 12 days Destinations Colombo, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park, Kataragama, Galle, Bentota Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Holiday Lanka Tours From $1,616
17% Off- NZ$1,341You save $275
Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka
76 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Sri Lanka - a country filled with friendly, optimistic people, a wonderful unique culture, and so many interesting historic sights that rival the amazing Angkor Wat.”
Sarah, traveled in February
Cycling adventures around Yala National Park offer chances to spot leopards, elephants and other wildlife. Guided safaris complement stays at Chaarya Resort & Spa, while routes wind through Bundala Bird Sanctuary's wetlands.
Duration 14 days Destinations Colombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Tissamaharama, Kataragama, Yala National Park, Bundala National ParkSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
17% Off- NZ$6,291
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 $2,517
15% Off- NZ$2,139You save $377
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
15% Off- NZ$865
Yala National Park's wilderness unfolds during expert-guided safaris featuring elephants and leopards. Wildlife appears up close across diverse terrains, offering stunning photo opportunities of Asian elephants. Comfortable transport enhances the viewing experience.
Duration 7 days Destinations Colombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park, Galle Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Payless tours india From $2,872
50% Off- NZ$1,436You save $1,436
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 $2,808
15% Off- NZ$2,387You save $421
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
Who are you traveling with?
Top Yala National Park travel itineraries to fit your plans
7 Day Itineraries
10 Day Itineraries
2 Week Itineraries
Demographics
Solo Travelers63 tours- Couples49 tours
- Seniors (50+)25 tours
Best time to visit Yala National Park
- Winter 2025 / 2026
- 55 tours
- popular 62 tours
- 62 tours
- Spring 2026
- popular 62 tours
- 58 tours
- 50 tours
- Summer 2026
- 52 tours
- 52 tours
- popular 55 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
- popular 54 tours
- 54 tours
- 39 tours
Contact our Yala National Park travel experts
Claire
Expert in Yala National Park at TourRadar
Claire 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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+64 4888 0182What 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."