Established in 1900 and declared a National Park in 1938, Yala is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, covering approximately 979 square kilometres. Historically, the park and surrounding region have been sacred grounds for local communities and feature a blend of natural habitats including dry monsoon forests, wetlands, and sandy beaches.
Yala’s distinctive environment supports the largest concentration of Sri Lankan leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya), a species endemic to the island, making it a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. The park features a network of sandy tracks weaving through scrublands and dense thickets, offering an immersive atmosphere rich with the sounds of bird calls and distant animal movements. Visitors may witness majestic elephants bathing in waterholes or crocodiles basking silently.
The cultural importance of Yala extends to its close ties with indigenous Vedda people and local Buddhist lore, with several small historical sites scattered on the periphery. Safaris are conducted in specially adapted 4WD vehicles, guided by trained naturalists who share insights into flora, fauna, and conservation efforts. The unique selling point is the exceptional probability of encountering rare wildlife in a relatively compact geographical area, combined with the untouched purity of the landscape.
