National park · Sri Lanka
Yala National Park
Enter Yala for a half‑day jeep safari (Rs 3,500 entry, start 05:00) or a full‑day tour (Rs 4,000‑6,000 extra) in the dry months May‑Oct; avoid the monsoon (Oct‑Jan).Enter Yala for a half‑day jeep safari (Rs 3,500 entry, start 5:00 AM) or a full‑day tour (Rs 4,000‑6,000 extra) in the dry months May‑Oct; avoid the monsoon (Oct‑Jan).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
979 km² (378 sq mi)378 sq mi (979 km²)
approximate
Established
1938
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
- Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
- Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.
- Southern Province ↗The coastal line from Colombo serves Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Weligama and Matara; check whether services currently run beyond Matara to Beliatta. Second class is the value seat, reserved seats sell out days ahead in season.
- Southern Province ↗Most visitors need a Sri Lanka ETA before arrival; check the official route and current rules before booking flights.
- Southern Province ↗Agree the fare or use the meter app before you get in a tuk-tuk; short hops in Galle or Mirissa are a few hundred rupees.
At a glance
- Country
- Sri Lanka
- Area
- 979 km² (378 sq mi)378 sq mi (979 km²)
- Second largest protected area in Sri Lanka, covering about 979 km² (check for boundary updates).
- Established
- 1938
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Yala National Park, established in 1938, spans the dry lowlands of Sri Lanka's southeast and is famed for its high leopard density, large elephant herds and diverse habitats ranging from savanna to mangrove lagoons. The park is divided into blocks, with Block I offering the best wildlife sightings via jeep safaris, while Block II includes coastal lagoons and sea‑turtle nesting sites.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteSecond largest park in Sri Lanka.
Size and age
979 km² (378 sq mi)378 sq mi (979 km²) · national park since 1938
Second largest protected area in Sri Lanka, covering about 979 km² (check for boundary updates).
Why go
- High leopard density, especially in Block I.
- Large elephant herds and diverse wildlife.
- Varied habitats from savanna to mangrove lagoons.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanNortheast monsoon, rain.
- FebDry, warm.
- MarDry, good visibility.
- AprDry, hot.
- MayStart of dry season.
- JunDry, wildlife active.
- JulDry, good for safaris.
- AugDry, peak wildlife.
- SepDry, cooler evenings.
- OctEnd of dry season.
- NovNortheast monsoon begins.
- DecRainy, roads muddy.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lankan leopardAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Elephant herdAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Crocodile (Mugger)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sea turtles (all five species)Nov–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Colombo
Train or bus to Tissamaharama (≈6 h), then taxi to park gate.
7–8 h
Open the page →
From Hambantota Airport
Taxi or hired car to Tissamaharama, then 30 min to gate.
1 h
Open the page →
From Tissa (Tissamaharama) town
Walk or tuk‑tuk 5 km (3.1 mi) to the western gate.Walk or tuk‑tuk 3.1 mi (5 km) to the western gate.
15 min by tuk‑tuk
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Block I (Leopard zone) | Open savanna, waterholes, high leopard sightings. | Jeep safari only. |
| Block II (Mangrove & lagoon) | Coastal lagoons, mangroves, sea turtles. | Guided boat or jeep. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on park entrance and main features.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | LKR 3,500 | person | Check for recent changes. |
| Jeep safari (per vehicle) | LKR 4,000–6,000 | vehicle | Typically split among passengers. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Safari guide/jeep permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- LKR 3,500
- LKR 4,000–6,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- All vehicle tours require a licensed guide.
- Feeding
- Strictly prohibited; fines apply.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Tissa.
Where to stay
Near the park
Tissa town guesthouses
Simple rooms, easy to arrange tours.
Near the park
Bungalow near park gate
Higher cost, limited transport.
Safety
Wild animal encounters high
Crocodiles in waterholes medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Vehicle access to main gate via paved road.
- Walking trails are rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Travel with licensed operators that follow park guidelines.
- Do not purchase souvenirs made from wildlife parts.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Yala National Park?
Entry is Rs 3,500 per person (check for updates); a jeep safari adds Rs 4,000‑6,000 per vehicle, usually split among passengers.
What are the best hikes in Yala National Park?
Yala is visited by jeep; the main wildlife drives cover Block I and Block II. There are no formal foot‑hikes; walking is limited to short ranger‑led walks near the gate.
When is the best time to visit Yala National Park?
The dry season May‑October offers the best wildlife visibility and road conditions; avoid the northeast monsoon months (Oct‑Jan) when roads can be muddy.
Can I camp inside Yala?
No. Camping is prohibited; stay in Tissa town or nearby bungalows.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. All vehicle tours require a licensed guide; walking outside the gate is not allowed without a ranger.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go