The dawn drive
Yala Safari
One of the world's highest leopard densities. Half or full-day drives, arranged from Arana.
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Yala · Bundala · Lunugamvehera · Ussangoda
Experiences
From Arana into Yala
The wilderness, close at hand
Yala National Park, twelve kilometres from the gate to Arana, holds one of the world's highest densities of leopards. Around it: elephant plains, bird-rich wetlands, ancient rock temples, and a coastline that has been fishing for a thousand years. All of it within a morning's reach.
The dawn safari
Yala National Park
Yala's Block I, the most visited and most densely leopard-populated section of the park, is about fifteen minutes from Arana's gate. The early morning drive, before the heat settles and before the day-trip coaches arrive, is when the park is most itself. Leopards on low branches. Elephants at the waterhole. The hour before the coaches arrive belongs to you.
The same jeep operators also take guests to Bundala (birding, flamingos), Lunugamvehera (elephant herds), and Ussangoda (coastal landscape, unique geology).
Beyond the park gates
More from Yala Junction
After dark
The Bush Dinner
A long table under the neem, lantern-lit. In the garden, on our wild land by the salterns, or on Kirinda beach. The insects keep time. The dark beyond the wall belongs to Yala.
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Year-round
Wildlife & Bird Watching
Hundreds of bird species in Yala and the Hambantota wetlands, including endemic Sri Lankan species. Best from the property grounds at dawn, and from the jeep during safari.
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Udawalawe Plains
Elephant Tracking
A day trip to Udawalawe, where large elephant herds move through open grassland year-round. Reliable sightings at the tank. The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home is nearby.
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Clear skies
Stargazing Dinner
Yala's dry zone has naturally low light pollution. On clear nights (most nights in the dry season) the Milky Way is visible without aid. Dinner under that sky is a different kind of table.
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Ruhuna
Temples & Culture
The Kirinda coastal temple is five minutes south. Kataragama, the most sacred site in the south, is within day-trip distance. Sithulpawwa rock temple sits inside the park boundary.
Learn moreYala National Park: wildlife
What you may see
Yala holds one of the world's highest leopard densities. Around them:
- · Leopard
- · Elephant
- · Sloth bear
- · Crocodile
- · Jackal
- · Water buffalo
- · Spotted deer
- · Monitor lizard
- · Peacock
- · Hundreds of bird species