World’s Most Welcoming City for 2025- SIGIRIYA
February 14, 2025
Best Time to Visit: The dry season from February to June is the ideal time to visit, offering predictable weather and the best opportunities for wildlife sightings. The park remains open year-round, but the monsoon season (October to January) can make some roads impassable and wildlife harder to spot.
What to Bring:
Highlights:
Yala National Park, located across Sri Lanka’s Southern and Uva Provinces, is one of the island’s most iconic and diverse wildlife destinations. Spanning an impressive 978,807 square kilometers, the park features a rich tapestry of ecosystems, including grasslands, marine wetlands, thorny forests, and sandy beaches that stretch along the Indian Ocean. This stunning variety of landscapes supports an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, making Yala a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and adventurers.
Yala is home to 215 bird species, including several endemic species, and 44 mammalian species, including the elusive Sri Lankan leopard, which thrives here in the highest densities in the world. The park’s rich biodiversity makes every safari an exciting and unique experience. The big three to look out for are the elephant, sloth bear, and leopard, with each game drive offering the possibility of spotting these majestic creatures. Alongside these stars of the wildlife world, Yala is also home to crocodiles, water buffalo, and a wide variety of bird species, making it an unparalleled destination for wildlife viewing.
The park’s breathtaking landscapes offer a visual feast for travelers. From expansive dry grasslands and rocky outcrops to marshy wetlands and coastal sandy beaches, Yala’s terrain creates the perfect backdrop for safari adventures and photography. The park’s coastal areas, particularly at Kumana, offer spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, providing the perfect balance of rugged wilderness and serene beauty.
Yala isn’t just about wildlife. The park is also steeped in history and cultural importance. Scattered throughout its vast expanse are ruins of ancient civilizations, archaeological sites, and temples, such as the sacred Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya, making it a place of spiritual reverence. These historical sites offer visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage that has shaped this remarkable region of Sri Lanka.
From early morning safaris to guided nature walks, Yala offers a range of experiences for those looking to explore its diverse ecosystems in depth. For birdwatchers, the park is a paradise, with over 200 species of birds recorded here, making it one of the best birding destinations in Sri Lanka. Whether you’re tracking leopards on a thrilling game drive, wandering the ancient jungle monasteries, or simply soaking in the serene beauty of Yala’s coastline, the experience is sure to be unforgettable.
Whether you’re seeking thrilling wildlife encounters, exploring the region’s rich cultural history, or simply immersing yourself in the breathtaking landscapes, Yala National Park offers an experience that combines nature, adventure, and culture in the most extraordinary way. Don’t miss the chance to explore Sri Lanka’s wild heart!
Through our dynamic partnership with Ceylon Roots, we wholeheartedly embrace the spirit of sustainability, radiating warmth into the environment and the communities we touch.
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper matti pibus leo.
Established in 1949, the SOS Children Village Foundation stands as the world’s largest non-profit organization committed to nurturing orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children. Their multifaceted approach, spanning family support, medical care, education, and emergency assistance, positively impacts the lives of countless children and families.
Our commitment:
Ceylon Roots is devoted to bolstering this cause by sponsoring the education and well-being of 10 children each month. Our aspiration is to progressively increase the number of sponsored children while also offering valuable exposure to those youngsters aspiring to pursue a career in the hospitality industry.
Embracing our rich cultural heritage and the profound influence of Buddhism on Sri Lanka’s cultural fabric, Ceylon Roots proudly presents the ‘Buddhist Roots’ project.
The island’s connection to the teachings of The Buddha has shaped it’s identity and inspired the creation of temples and statues that embody our faith. However, the passage of time has left some of these rural temples in neglected states, depriving them of the rightful care they merit.
Our commitment:
With unwavering dedication, we have undertaken a vital commitment to revive and sustain temples island-wide. Through providing essential support for upkeep, nourishment, and sustainable living conditions, the aim of the Buddhist Roots project is to help ensure the lasting prosperity of these sacred sites.
By joining hands with us, you are not only contributing to their well-being, but also getting the chance to explore these sites and personally experience the rich authenticity of Sri Lankan Buddhism.
In a dynamic effort to combat deforestation and bolster environmental conservation, we proudly present to you, the ‘Brown Roots’ Project, launched on World Environment Day, June 5th, 2017, undertaken in collaboration with Browns Tours. Working closely with relevant authorities and organizations, including Sri Lanka Forest Reserves, we stand united in preserving and enriching the beauty of our island home for generations to come.
Our commitment:
As part of our unwavering dedication, we have pledged to plant a tree for every traveler who embarks on a journey with us, and since its inception, the ‘Brown Roots’ project has already seen the planting of over 3000 trees in the central province of Sri Lanka by the end of 2018.
Our resolve remains resolute, and with your invaluable support, we endeavour to further elevate this number in the years ahead. Join us in nurturing the very roots of nature’s grandeur.
