Mahoora tented safari camp Yala | Yala Safari

The Yala National Park is easily one of the most visited national parks in Sri Lanka. This is due to the high prevalence of Sri Lankan Leopards, that call Yala home. The population density is as high as one leopard per square kilometre in Block 1 – making it a wildlife wonderland to experience

Yala National Park

Finding right accommodation at Yala National Park Sri Lanka

Every wildlife safari in Sri Lanka will have the same objective; to see the most of what the Park has to offer in the shortest span of time. Mahoora Tented Safari Camps provide an experience that will give you just that; experiencing lesser crowds with more value additions.

With Mahoora, you are based on the borders of the Yala National Park itself, closer to the less frequented gate, Katagamuwa. This cuts down significantly on your travel time back and forth from the Park.

Among many Yala National Park accommodation options that are available, you need to make the correct choice and there are many reasons to firmly choose Mahoora Tented Safari Camp at Yala National Park.

We don’t offer just an accommodation, but a “Living Experience” curated from arrival to departure, loaded with value additions plus safaris conducted by some of the finest wildlife guides in Sri Lanka.

Our safari camp is located on the eastern border of Yala National Park, neighboring a village with local residents to the west. There are farmlands and a few guest houses to the north and south. While the surroundings are generally quiet, you may occasionally hear the sounds of a religious ceremony or a local gathering from a distance, especially if loudspeakers are being used. This is part of the local culture, and we appreciate your understanding. The camp has a supply of earplugs available upon request in such situations.

Access to Yala National Park

Every detail is important to us to ensure that your time is valued. We don’t flock to the most popular gate. Our usual entrance to the most popular section (i.e., Block 1) of Yala National Park is less crowded.

If you are with us for two nights or more, we would probably make use of two other entrances that are less frequented but has a very good leopard and bear population.

Your jeep will be the only jeep or one amongst very few in these less adventured blocks of Yala National Park.

Mahoora offers you more than a Yala National Park Safari

When you stay with us for two or more nights, as part of the Mahoora living experience, we offer guided excursions to some of the most important historical, social and religious highlights in the area. It is all included in the package price.

Situlpawwa Temple; located deep inside the park, Katharagama Kovil, Wedacity Kanda are just some of those special palaces.

Getting the most out of Your Yala National Park Safari

One of the most important aspects of a Yala National Park safari is having the right kind of guide.

Though wildlife is abundant, animals like the Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, Sri Lankan Leopard and other big game, require the skills of an experienced and seasoned naturalist guide who knows about the movements of game throughout the Park at certain times - a facility which Mahoora provides for all the safaris.

Our guides are attuned to knowing which section of the Park to be at and at what time, to maximise your sightings. Your assigned guide will have a discussion with you upon arrival and assist to plan the days you are with us to fulfil your safari aspirations and experience memorable moments.

Similarly, we will customise your Yale Safari to suit your needs and accommodate your expectations. Check our Family Safari / Honeymoon Safari / Photography Safari / Birding Safari options.

Jeeps are usually the best way to go on safaris, and we at Mahoora have excellent vehicles which can easily navigate the varied terrain that the Yala National Park is known for. You may want to hang on to your hats though as Yala definitely has some areas which provide for some challenging off-road situations that call for the versatility of these jeeps.

The commanding wildlife and the rugged terrain of the Yala National Park is a safari to be experienced best – with Mahoora, ensuring a dynamic adventure.

Wildlife at the Yala National Park

The Yala National Park 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 ecosystems 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 the Yala National Park has the perfect habitats for the large number of endemic plant and animal species unique to the country, thus making it one of the chosen wildlife safari destinations that features on everyone's tour itineraries. There are 44 species of recorded mammals in this National Park, which include the Sri Lankan Leopard, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and Sri Lankan Elephant, 215 species of birds, 46 species of reptiles and 21 species of amphibians.

Leopard Safari at Yala National Park

Yala West, often referred to as the 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 the Yala National Park has the highest density of leopards to be found anywhere in the world and is as much as one leopard per square kilometer.

Though the prevalence of the Sri Lankan leopard population is high (300-350 leopards in total, of which 30-50 roam around Block I), it still takes a well trained eye to observe these elusive big cats in action, as well as to know when and where to look for one - and that is where the experienced guides at Mahoora come in.

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. With Mahoora tented safari camps, visitors can stay until just after dark inside the park, thus maximizing the chances of a leopard encounter.

The male leopards display a sleek confidence and are often seen walking the tracks during the day. Young male leopards in particular seem to have no fear of the jeeps and this has led to some excellent photographic opportunities.

There are similarities between the Yala National Park 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. All in all, an encounter with a leopard is a highlight in any Sri Lankan wildlife safari, and one that will not easily be forgotten.