A Guide To Yala National Park In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," has stunning landscapes, a rich culture, and outstanding hospitality. The island nation has a lot to offer, from the biodiverse jungles of Kandy to gorgeous driving routes and a coastline with endless beaches and coves. Sri Lanka is also home to several national parks that highlight the nation's rich biodiversity, the Yala National Park being one among them.

The Origins

Yala was designated as a sanctuary for wildlife in 1900 and a national park in 1938. Yala is a natural reserve and a national park located in the southeast of the island nation of Sri Lanka. This area was once used to house prisoners and later used as a hunting place under the British. The park, which is divided into five sections, protects around 130,000 hectares of land. Two blocks are currently open to the public.

The Landscape

Yala is probably one of the most diverse and stunning national parks in Asia, with an attractive mix of landscapes: a combination of lush thickets, dry grasslands, freshwater ponds, and brackish lagoons. This is a coastal forest, with the Indian Ocean on one side. According to local folklore, the animals here are so tuned into nature that they all went into a secure hiding place well before the tsunami arrived in 2004. When the huge flooding ended, and the waters finally subsided, there was little evidence of wildlife harm.

The Inhabitants

Located in Sri Lanka's south-east, bordering the panoramic Indian Ocean, Yala is home to 44 mammal species and 215 bird species. You can see stately elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, peacocks, and crocodiles. Yala is also a leopard territory. The park is well known for its large population of Panthera pardus kotiya, an endemic leopard. Authorities claim that the leopard density here is higher than anywhere else on the earth.

Several species of water birds inhabit the wetlands of Yala, including waterfowls (Lesser Whistling Duck, Garganey), Cormorants (Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant), and large waterbirds (Grey Heron, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Asian Openbill, Painted Stork). The migrant Great White Pelican and resident Spot-billed Pelican have also been sighted at Yala.

Be A Responsible Explorer

Being a responsible traveller means having positive wildlife experiences that don't hurt the animals or promote their captivity. During your explorations, regard the needs of animals and their environment, and do not interfere with their natural state. Read more about how to explore wildlife sanctuaries here.

Other Attractions

The Buddhist temple Sithulpawa is located in the heart of Yala and is said to date back 2,000 years. The name Sithulpauwwa comes from the Sanskrit phrase 'Chittalapabbata,' which means "hill of the quiet mind." Devotees visit the ancient rock temple to worship. This temple is thought to have held 12,000 monks in ancient times.

The Information

Best Time To Visit

Yala National Park is open throughout the year except during the peak rainy season. The best time to visit Yala is between February and July. The best time for leopard sightings is in the hot summer months, from April to July.

Safaris

You may go on a jeep safari to explore the park. Yala is not accessible on foot, and all vehicles must keep on well-marked routes, never deviating from the road or allowing passengers to disembark from their vehicles except in designated areas. More information here.

Getting There

Travellers from India can reach Sri Lanka by air through direct flights from several major Indian cities to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Air India, IndiGo, and Sri Lankan Airlines offer convenient and frequent flight options. The Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo is the primary international gateway to Sri Lanka and provides easy access to various destinations nationwide. From Colombo, you can hire a taxi to Yala, a 300km/6hrs drive on excellent roads.

Visa

Sri Lanka is visa-free for Indians. In October, in a move to rejuvenate Sri Lanka's ailing tourism industry, Sri Lanka gave the green light to grant free tourist visas to travellers from India as well as six additional countries. Read more about it here.