Yala National Park is the best known, largest and oldest nature reserve in Sri Lanka. The national park is located in the southeast of the island in the territory of the southern province of Uva. At 1512 km² are numerous mammal and bird species make the park a very popular destination. The park is divided into five blocks, of which only block 1 (Yala West) is accessible to day trippers. Yala offers a variety of habitats, large parts reminiscent of an African savanna, the outer areas of the park, however, are dominated by dense monsoon forests. Yala is the best park for the observation of wild animals such as the leopard, elephant, sloth bear, Sambarhirsch, crocodile, mongoose or Hanuman monkeys.
Tip: The best time to visit the park is from December to July.
