Yala National Park

★★★★★

4.9 · 11,246 REVIEWS

Full-Day Private Wildlife Safari

Explore the wild beauty of Yala National Park on a thrilling 7-hour full-day safari-spotting leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species across Sri Lanka's most celebrated wildlife destination.

Duration

$120

Per Jeep

4.9★

Rating

Featured · Landscape The Untamed Heartland of Yala

Wildlife Sri Lanka Leopard

Experience Private Jeep Safari

Wildlife Wild Elephant Herds

Birdlife 200+ Species

Yala National Park · Sri Lanka

5 photos View All

About This Safari

The Experience

Explore the wild beauty of Yala National Park in Sri Lanka with a full-day safari. Yala is famous for having the highest density of leopards in the world and is a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and families seeking an unforgettable adventure. The 7-hour duration allows you to explore multiple areas of the park, dramatically increasing your chances of seeing elusive animals while enjoying Yala's varied landscapes of forests, lagoons, grasslands, and wetlands.

Travel in a private 4×4 Toyota Hilux jeep for comfort, safety, and flexibility, accommodating up to seven passengers for an intimate group experience. Your expert English-speaking driver-guide will accompany you throughout the safari, sharing fascinating insights about animal behaviour, the park's ecosystem, and conservation efforts. Beyond leopards, you may spot wild elephants, sloth bears, jackals, crocodiles, water buffalo, spotted deer, and a remarkable variety of bird species across the park's diverse habitats.

Scenic breaks are included at Patanagalla Beach and Manik River-perfect for photography, resting, and enjoying the natural surroundings. Morning safaris may also include an optional picnic breakfast for added convenience. The package includes park entrance and service fees, applicable VAT, and hotel pickup and drop-off from selected areas including Yala, Tissamaharama, Kirinda, Kataragama, Weerawila, and Hambantota. Guests are advised to bring water, binoculars, a camera, sun protection, and wear light, neutral-coloured clothing. Please join us half an hour early for a hassle-free safari departure.

Why Choose Us

What Makes This Unique

Expert Guide

Park-registered English-speaking driver-guides with extensive experience tracking leopards and wildlife across all of Yala's diverse zones.

Full-Day Coverage

7 hours inside the park means more zones explored, more wildlife encounters, and far greater chances of spotting rare and elusive animals.

Scenic Stops Included

Dedicated breaks at Patanagalla Beach and Manik River for photography, relaxation, and an optional picnic breakfast during morning tours.

All Traveller Types

Suitable for solo travellers, families with children, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers. A safe, educational, and immersive full-day adventure for all ages.

Book Your Tour

Step 1: Customise your experience

Select Tour Date

Select Vehicle Type

Select Pick-Up Location

Adults

Children(Under 12)

Other Extra Services

National Park Ticket For International Visitors – Adult (12+ years) +$49 per person

National Park Ticket For International Visitors – Children (6–12 years) +$22 per person

National Park Ticket For SAARC Countries – Adult (12+ years) +$44 per person

National Park Ticket For SAARC Countries – Children (6–12 years) +$20 per person

Breakfast, Lunch & Fruits +$15 per person

Total Amount Includes taxes and fees

$120

Instant Confirmation • Secure

Lanka Wilderness Verified Elite Safari operator since 2012

Highlights

Safari Highlights

Leopard Sightings

Yala has the world's highest density of leopards-7 hours gives you the best possible chance of a sighting.

Wild Elephants

Encounter herds of wild Asian elephants roaming freely across the park's open grasslands and waterways.

Patanagalla Beach

Enjoy scenic breaks at Patanagalla Beach and Manik River-perfect for photography and relaxation mid-safari.

200+ Bird Species

Kingfishers, eagles, painted storks, peacocks, and many more endemic and migratory birds throughout the park.

Bears, Jackals & Crocs

Full-day coverage maximises your chances of spotting sloth bears, jackals, and mugger crocodiles in their natural habitat.

Diverse Habitats

Explore forests, lagoons, grasslands, and wetlands across multiple park zones-each harbouring unique wildlife.

✓ What's Included

Private safari jeep with driver
Park-registered driver/guide
Water bottle
Fruit bucket

✕ What's Excluded

Meals & personal expenses
Tips for driver and ranger
Additional hotel pick-ups outside specified areas

Safari Expert Insights

Frequently Asked Safari Questions

Everything you need to know about our Yala full-day safari before you book.

01 What is the best season for the Yala 7-hour safari?

The best time to visit Yala is from February to July when the dry season lowers water levels, concentrating wildlife around waterholes and making sightings much easier. The extended 7-hour duration means you benefit even more from this peak period, as you can cover multiple park zones throughout the day. The park typically closes during September for maintenance, so we recommend checking availability before booking.

02 Is this safari safe for children and elderly travellers?

Absolutely. This full-day safari is suitable for children, families, and elderly guests. The jeep is comfortable, scenic rest stops are built into the itinerary at Patanagalla Beach and Manik River, and the pace is always relaxed. Our guides are experienced in catering to all ages and will ensure the experience is enjoyable and safe for everyone in your group throughout the entire day.

03 How many people can join in one jeep?

Each private jeep can accommodate up to 7 passengers comfortably. The jeep is exclusively for your group-no strangers sharing your vehicle. This ensures a truly personalised, private full-day safari experience from start to finish.

04 What wildlife can I expect to see?

Yala is world-renowned for leopards-it has the highest density of leopards of any national park on Earth. The full-day itinerary also significantly increases your chances of seeing wild elephants, sloth bears, jackals, crocodiles, water buffalo, spotted deer, and over 200 bird species including painted storks, kingfishers, and eagles. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but a 7-hour safari gives your experienced guide the maximum opportunity to track and find wildlife across multiple park zones.

05 Are food and drinks included?

A water bottle and fruit bucket are included with every safari. For the full-day tour, you can optionally add Breakfast, Lunch & Fruits (+$15 per person) via the booking form. Meals and additional drinks are otherwise not included. We recommend bringing light snacks, sunscreen, and a hat given the 7-hour duration.

06 How can I book the Yala 7-hour safari?

Simply select your tour date and preferred vehicle type in the booking card on this page, add your group details and any optional extras, and click Book Now for instant confirmation. We recommend arriving half an hour before the departure time for a hassle-free experience. Contact us directly if you have special requirements or need a custom itinerary.

07 Can I use drones inside Yala National Park?

Drone usage inside Yala National Park is strictly prohibited by the Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka. This regulation is in place to protect the natural behaviour and wellbeing of the wildlife. Standard cameras, binoculars, and zoom lenses are perfectly suited for capturing exceptional wildlife photographs, and the full-day duration gives photographers ample time and opportunities throughout the park.

Full-Day Private Wildlife Safari

The Experience