Discover Wildlife Like Never Before | A Journey to Remember

Yala National Park

Yala National Park, situated on the Southern Eastern Coast of Sri Lanka covering about 979 square kilometers of Land. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu being one of the first two National Parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938.

Yala is designated as one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka consisting of 215 bird species of which 7 are endemic to Sri Lanka. The mammals consist of 44 species with the Leopard known to be the one of the highest populated place on the planet. Leopard spotting is the great draw card of Sri Lanka’s premier wildlife sanctuary, since Yala National Park has around 30 of the normally secretive cats roaming around the park.

Driving around the bumpy rust-colour tracks through dry lowland plains, past jungle, lush wetlands, you may see families of elephants, vast herds of sambar deer, languor and toque monkeys, Sri Lankan sloth bears in the Palu trees, buffalo wallowing in mud puddles, crocodiles sunbathing on the riverbanks, wild pigs running around, and more. That was just the tip of the ice berg in a nut shell but there definitely is a lot more to expect. The park makes for fabulous twitching territory, with bird lovers able to spot around 220 different species of birds inhabiting or visiting the park.

 

Yala is home to an endemic species of Leopards named Panthera Pardus Kotiya. The place is not just an animal lovers paradise but also filled with history that marvel through culture and a tell tale of lost civilizations to take home. just around the 5th Century AB, the Monastic settlement of Sithulpawwa, is said to have housed 12,000 inhabitants making it an important pilgrim site. The restored rock Temple, among a series of well-preserved ancient temples offers a glimpse into a glittering past. What is today a pristine wildlife kingdom, Yala was home to a thriving civilization, dating back to the glory days of Sri Lankan Kings. Hundreds of tanks, most in dilapidated state today, are testimony to an agri-based civilization that the country thrived on. The enormous tanks now provide a lifeline to the animal kingdom, especially during dry season. The sea hugs the park at coast along accompanied with gushing winds giving the visitors a refreshing aura. Guests are allowed to stretch around and use the public lavatory at the point. One can also see the remnants of the devastation caused by the tragic Tsunami in 2004.

Rules of the park

Visitors should take some precautionary measures for safety of oneself as well as the others therefore the park management has a set of guidelines and rules to follow. Guns, knives, and other potential weapons as well as matches, lighters, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and anything that can harm the nature are strictly prohibited. Having illegal items in your vehicle or in your person can land you in jail.

• Feeding animals is strictly prohibited.
• Alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited within the park.
• Avoid food with strong odour as it attracts wild animals.
• Do not liter the park and avoid taking polythene.
• Carrying soil, stones, feathers or any other item from the park is strictly prohibited.
• Remaining in the park after dark is strictly prohibited.
• Avoid using mobile devices as animals have sensitive audibility and whitch off the flash light when taking pictures.

Timings to visit

As per the Yala National Park Website, the best period of the year to visit is from June to September although at other times of the year too animals are visible due to dry conditions. Timings of the park is from 6 am to 6pm.

” AN ANIMAL’S EYES HAVE THE POWER TO SPEAK A GREAT LANGUAGE “

MARTIN BUBER

The park is packed with adventure and also has bungalows within, where visitors can stay for up to 3 nights. At the vicinity, Jungle Cabins, boat houses and tree houses are no exceptions to this and for those with a bucket list to spend a romantic night if not an adventurous morning amidst the jungle, please feel free to contact us and we will help you with a nostalgic memory that you would write in golden ink.