Things to see in Sri Lanka: Yala National Park
Sri Lanka's oldest wildlife reserve is famous for one of the world's highest densities of leopard - and some of its largest and most visible individuals. On morning and evening safaris you may also see elephant, sloth bear, sambar, chital, wild boar, stripednecked, brown and ruddy mongoose, black-naped hare, marsh mugger crocodile and several civet species.
Birding highlights include the southern sirkeer, blue-faced malkoha, yellowwattled lapwing, rufous-winged bush lark, thick-billed flower-pecker, purple sunbird, little minivet, white-rumped shama and rare black-necked stork.
Other things to see in Sri Lanka
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Bundala Lewaya/Kalametiya Reserves
This Ramsar site, along with neighbouring Kalametiya, is the south coast's major wetland area. …
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Kandy & Udawattakele Rainforest Reserve
This charming lakeside city, former capital of the Kandyan Kingdom, boasts a wealth of historical…
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Minneriya National Park
Minneriya National Park is famous for its huge herds of elephants, particularly from June to…
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Nuwara Eliya & Horton Plains
This once popular British hill station in the heart of tea country is now a quaint and charming…
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Primate Research Camp
The Primate Research Camp of Dr. Wolfgang Dittus is located by the lovely Parakrama Samudraya…
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Sinharaja Rainforest
The country's sole remaining primary lowland tropical rainforest is home to some 139 varieties of…
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Udawalawe National Park
Walawe Reservoir and Udawalawe National Park comprise an area of open plains and hills in…
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Yala National Park
Sri Lanka's oldest wildlife reserve is famous for one of the world's highest densities of…
More
Places to stay in Sri Lanka
Bundala Lewaya/Kalametiya Reserves
Oasis Hotel [High]
![Yala National Park - Bundala Lewaya/Kalametiya Reserves - Oasis Hotel [High]](/image_database/75x75C/LKCMBWIBlueMagpie.jpg)
The Oasis Hotel is in Hambantota, within easy striking distance of Bundala Lewaya and Kalametiya… More
Colombo
Cinnamon Lakeside [High]
![Yala National Park - Colombo - Cinnamon Lakeside [High]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_cinnamon_lakeside_colombo_sri_lanka_1.jpg)
Cinnamon Lakeside is set on the edge of the beautiful Beira Lake, in the heart of… More
Goldi Sands [Mid]
![Yala National Park - Colombo - Goldi Sands [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_goldi_sands_negumbo_sri_lanka_1.jpg)
If you'd prefer to stay at the beach, Goldi Sands offers a good option just an hour north of… More
Taj Exotica Resort [High]
![Yala National Park - Colombo - Taj Exotica Resort [High]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_taj_exotica_bentota_sri_lanka_1.jpg)
The Taj Exotica resort is located a couple of hours south of Colombo and offers 162 air-conditioned… More
Kandy & Udawattakele
Amaya Hills [High]
![Yala National Park - Kandy & Udawattakele - Amaya Hills [High]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_sri_lanka_kandy.jpg)
A large hilltop hotel with magnificent views to the lakeside city of Kandy and across the… More
Hotel Suisse [Mid]
![Yala National Park - Kandy & Udawattakele - Hotel Suisse [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/LKCMBACKANDYHOTELSUISSE.jpg)
An elegant colonial style hotel which overlooks Lake Kandy and provides comfortable accommodation… More
Minneriya
Chaaya Village [High]
![Yala National Park - Minneriya - Chaaya Village [High]](/image_database/75x75C/elephants_sri_lanka.gif)
Chaaya Village Habarana reaches across 13 hectares, and borders a spectacular… More
Nuwara Eliya & Horton Plains
Galway Forest Lodge [Mid]
![Yala National Park - Nuwara Eliya & Horton Plains - Galway Forest Lodge [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_sri_lanka_teahills.jpg)
A pleasant hideaway, in a quiet location surrounded by tea plantations, beside the Forest Lodge… More
St Andrew's Hotel [High]
A classic colonial hotel located next to the golf… More
Primate Research Camp
Primate Camp [Mid]
![Yala National Park - Primate Research Camp - Primate Camp [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/LKCMBWILANGUR001.jpg)
Accommodation is in basic but clean and comfortable rooms, which accommodate up to four… More
Sinharaja Rainforest
Ratnaloka Hotel [Mid]
![Yala National Park - Sinharaja Rainforest - Ratnaloka Hotel [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_sri_lanka_HangingParrot.jpg)
Located about eight kilometres from the town of Ratnapura, a couple of hours drive from the World… More
Udawalawe
Centauria Hotel [Mid]
![Yala National Park - Udawalawe - Centauria Hotel [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_sri_lanka_Wildpigs.jpg)
This simple, somewhat old-fashioned, hotel lies on the edge of Chandrika Reservoir, just south of… More
Yala
Chaaya Wild
This resort-style hotel borders the national park beside miles of golden Indian Ocean… More
Yala Village Hotel [High]
![Yala National Park - Yala - Yala Village Hotel [High]](/image_database/75x75C/LKCMBWILEOPARD001.jpg)
Yala Village Hotel borders the park and sits beside miles of golden Indian Ocean… More
