Yala National Park Sri Lanka

Yala National Park offering the best opportunity to spot leopards in their own wild environment, Yala National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. It's diverse flora, including thorny scrub, savannah grasslands and even sandy beaches, create varying habitats to some of Sri Lanka's most special endemic animals.

Mahoora Camping provides the ultimate experience for those with a sense of adventure to appreciate both the real thrill of exciting safaris and Luxury Camping in the embrace of a truly wild jungle location. It is one of Sri Lanka's best locations for viewing wildlife in a spectacular, wild, remote and stunningly beautiful environment. 

YALA is among the oldest and best known of Sri Lanka 's 15 National Parks. It covers approximately 1,300 square kilometres and is home to a range of eco systems found nowhere else in Sri Lanka. With vegetation including moist and dry monsoon forests, thorn forest, savannah grasslands and fresh and saltwater wetlands, it comes as  no surprise that Yala has the perfect habitats for the large number of endemic plant and animal species unique to the country.

Yala West, often referred to as Ruhuna National Park, is well recognized as one of the best locations in the world to observe and photograph leopards in the wild. It has been confirmed that Yala National Park has the highest density of leopards to be found anywhere in the world.

Yala is divided into five Blocks, with Block 1 having an average of 1 leopard per square kilometre, therefore making it the most visited Block in the Park. With areas of thorny scrubland, brackish lagoons and scattered rock monoliths, Yala West provides the perfect environment for the wealth of diverse wildlife found here.  Areas in the East of Yala have been closed to visitors for several years, so no accurate records are available as to the leopard population in these parts.

With the Kumbukkan Oya River in Yala's North East, and the Menik Ganga and tributaries in the West flowing through the Park, there is a constant source of water for the animals even during the driest months of the year. The East of Yala National Park is bordered by sandy beaches shouldering the Indian Ocean.

Yala plays a very significant role in the conservation of a large number of flora and fauna species in the country, many of which are endemic. Historical and religious sites such as Kataragama, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Maha Vihara and many archaeologically important places add additional significance to the area.

Sri Lankan leopards are a distinct sub-species from their Indian neighbors, and are the largest leopards in Asia. The best times for observing these impressive animals is early in the morning  and then again at dusk. This is when the Mahoora Safari Adventures take place, although it is possible for visitors to make a full day safari. Visitors can stay until just after dark inside the Park, thus maximising the chances of a leopard encounter. 

The male leopards  display a sleek confidence and are often seen walking the tracks during the day. Young males in particular, seem to have no fear of the jeeps, which have lead to some excellent photographic opportunities. There are similarities between Yala and the best National Parks in India for photographing tigers,where in both cases the big cats have become used to the jeeps, thus enabling guests an up-close and  privileged view of these magnificent creatures.

There is also a substantial Asian elephant population in Yala, living alongside animals including the Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Buffalo, Jackal, Mongoose, Pangolins and Crocodiles. The bird life comprises of over 120 species, and ranges from the flamboyant Lesser Flamingos to Paradise Flycatchers, Crested Hawk Eagles, and Black Bitterns. Outside of the Park are several other fascinating birding locations, including the ancient hermitage of Sithulpahuwa, Debarawewa wetlands and Palatupana saltpans. The coastline forms a major nesting ground for marine turtles.