History and Landscape

Yala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and became one of Sri Lanka’s first national parks in 1938. The park is divided into five blocks, with Block I being the most visited due to its exceptional leopard sightings. The terrain is predominantly flat and ranges from a combination of dry monsoon forests, semi-deciduous forests, and thorn scrublands to vast grasslands, brackish lagoons, and even sandy beaches along its coastal boundary with the Indian Ocean. This variety of ecosystems creates a perfect habitat for a wide array of animals.

The landscape is also dotted with ancient rock outcrops and waterholes, which serve as crucial watering points for the park’s inhabitants, especially during the dry season.

The Wildlife of Yala

Yala is a wildlife enthusiast’s dream, home to a remarkable number of species, with a particular focus on the “Big Three” of Sri Lankan wildlife: the leopard, the elephant, and the sloth bear.

Sri Lankan Leopard: Yala is world-renowned for its leopard population. The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), a unique subspecies, is the island’s apex predator. Unlike their more elusive counterparts in other parts of the world, Yala’s leopards are habituated to safari jeeps, leading to a high rate of successful sightings. Visitors can often spot them basking on sun-baked rocks, resting in trees, or even crossing the tracks.

Sri Lankan Elephant: The park is home to a significant population of elephants, which can be seen in large herds, especially during the dry season (May to August) when they gather around the park’s water bodies.

Sri Lankan Sloth Bear: While more difficult to spot than leopards and elephants, the Sri Lankan sloth bear is another of Yala’s star attractions. They are known for their shaggy coats and long, curved claws, and are most often seen during the fruit-bearing season of the palu tree in May and June.

Beyond these main attractions, Yala is teeming with other wildlife, including:

Mammals: A variety of other mammals can be seen, such as wild water buffalo, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boar, golden jackals, and several species of monkeys.

Birds: Yala is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 215 bird species recorded, including a number of endemic birds. The lagoons and wetlands are a magnet for aquatic birds like painted storks, whistling ducks, and a variety of kingfishers. Raptors like the crested serpent eagle and white-bellied sea eagle are also commonly seen.

Reptiles: The park’s numerous water sources are home to large populations of mugger crocodiles and saltwater crocodiles. Various species of snakes, including cobras, and other reptiles like monitor lizards can also be found. The coastal area is also a nesting site for several species of sea turtles.

Practical Information for Visitors

Yala’s main safari season runs from February to July when the dry weather concentrates animals around the park’s limited water sources, increasing the chances of sightings. Safaris are typically conducted in open-top jeeps with a driver and a tracker. It’s recommended to go for an early morning or late afternoon safari, as this is when animals are most active.

The park is also home to several ancient Buddhist sites, including the Sithulpawwa Rock Temple, a pilgrimage site believed to have housed an ancient monastery, and the Magul Maha Viharaya, adding a cultural and historical dimension to the wildlife experience.