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Mahoora Safari at Yala National Park

Yala National Park Accommodation and Yala National Park Safari

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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

Crocodile Sri Lanka at Yala National Park

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.

 

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.


The Wildlife at the Yala National Park

Leopard Sri Lanka at Yala National ParkThe 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.

Leopards Safari 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.

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Mahoora Yala Hosts Special Guest, Marco Pierre White

marco pierre white visit to yala national park sri lanka

World-renowned celebrity chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White spent a night of Sri Lanka safari at Mahoora Tented Safari Camps Sri Lanka, and enjoyed a host of delicious dishes that showcased some of Sri Lanka’s traditional cuisine, during his visit to the Yala National Park last month.

White, who had numerous Sri Lankan chefs and food enthusiasts buzzing when he visited the island in January, is widely considered to be one of Britain’s most recognisable food pioneers and has been dubbed the world’s first celebrity chef, even being introduced as the godfather of modern cooking during a special appearance on MasterChef Australia.

 

Over the years, he has specialised in British, French and Italian cuisine while working under legendary chefs such as Albert and Michel Roux, Raymond Blanc and Nico Ladenis. His inspiring journey through the culinary world saw him earn celebrated status at a young age, becoming the youngest chef ever to have been awarded three Michelin stars, at the time, for his illustrious ‘The Restaurant Marco Pierre White’. White inspired an entire generation of culinary magicians and his prowess as a mentor has seen the likes of celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Curtis Stone and Shannon Bennett who have gone on to open some of the best restaurants in the world.

 

While exploring the Yala National Park on 24 and 25 January, he spent a night in the luxurious Mahoora Elite Tent. White was also treated to a fine dining experience in the wilderness, which aimed to fuse all the culinary traditions of the tropical island with some of the techniques he himself has perfected throughout his celebrated career.

The in-camp chef pulled out all the stops with a host of traditional dishes designed to impress even the most critical of palates. Some of the dishes presented to the culinary master included a beautifully prepared fried lake fish with crunchy vegetable salad, which was accompanied by a warm and comforting bowl of wing bean soup (Dambala). White also enjoyed juicy barbequed seafood skewers along with an assortment of crunchy local vegetables as well as a Sri Lankan favourite, vegetable kottu followed by another local classic in the form of pancakes stuffed with panipol.marco perrie white at mahoora camps yala national park sri lanka

 

White was also presented with a mouth-watering assortment of all of the island’s favourite sweets including thalaguli (sesame balls), puhul dosi (pumpkin preserve), milk toffee, pol toffee (coconut toffee) and Kalu dodol.

He also enjoyed a traditional breakfast in the camp, as he was presented with
an assortment of local breads with freshly squeezed papaw (papaya) juice and a variety of tropical jams. White was presented a fusion of some of
Sri Lanka’s favourite breakfast dishes including a warm bowl of Kurakkan Kenda, made of finger millet along with jaggery. A full course of Kiribath
soon followed with an appetising list of accompaniments such as lunumiris (hot chilli paste), seeni sambol and malu ambulthiyal – a traditional preparation of fish curry.marco perrie white with channa jayasundera

White was also taken on two thrilling safaris in the most esteemed wildlife park in the country, famed for its unmatched range of endemic flora and fauna which includes the regal Sri Lankan leopards, elephants and sloth bears.

Before parting company with the Mahoora team, Marco gave a glowing review of the luxurious outdoor setting as well as the team’s efforts to provide him with a taste of Sri Lankan cuisine and its wild treasures.

marco perrie white giving feedback for mahoora tented safari camps yala sri lankaThe legendary chef wrote:

“The jewel in Yala’s crown. Words cannot express
the visual impact. Wonderful, beautiful, magical are just a few. I’m moved and humbled with respect.”

Accompanying Marco on his journey through Yala was Andrew Bennett – Chef Director of Black and White Hospitality which handles the
operations of Marco’s New York Italian and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill. Meanwhile, the Mahoora team was profuse in their praises of the event’s sponsors – Cinnamon Hotels, Land Rover, Sri Lankan Airlines and Knorr.

 

B E S T   R A T E S   G U A R A N T E E D !

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Much more than just a great place to stay

"Thanks to our guide Avinka we had five great safaris staying four nights just after reopening this February. The staff made us feel so very welcome during the entire stay.

The safaries are just wonderful, and having a great guide in your vehicle makes a big difference. Avinka can spot animals you would never see and we were even lucky enough to sight leopards on the trees, close to our vehicle, and also running through the field. The wildlife is so exciting that you will have a great experience even if you don‘t see any leopards. We also had a great driver, which is essential if you drive through difficult territory. You are being taken care of the entire time, so even for those who do safaris for the first time, you will always feel safe.

The camp itself is very comfortable, you get everything you can think of, and on top of the great food being served with so much attention and friendliness. You also get wonderful vegetarian and vegan options. They put on bonfires at night, which makes it unforgettable.
When booking and making plans, you get great support from the headquarters, even if it gets difficult since you have to change your plans.
The best thing what can happen to you at the end of a vacation is when you are a bit sad to leave the place, having experienced something to remember forever, and the team does everything for this to happen. Thank you so much"

Axel S wrote, Traveled with family
January 2021

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