Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Yala National Park Sri Lanka

Yala National Park is the most frequented and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park is divided into five sections, with only two currently open to the public, and includes adjacent parks as well. These sections each have their own names, such as Ruhuna National Park and Kumana National Park, or 'Yala East' for the neighboring area. The park is located in the southeast part of the country, within the Southern Province and Uva Province. Spanning 979 square kilometers, it is situated approximately 300 kilometers (190 miles) from Colombo. Yala was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and, along with Wilpattu, was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated as such in 1938. The park is renowned for its diverse range of wild animals and plays a crucial role in the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards, and aquatic birds.
Recommended airport
Mattala Rajapaksa Intl. (HRI)
Nearby destinations
  • Hambantota a 38.55 km
  • Tissamaharama a 14.65 km
  • Kataragama a 16.73 km