Yala National Park

Yala National Park stretches along Sri Lanka’s south-east coast, a mix of scrub jungle, grassland, rocky outcrops, lagoons and beach. It is famous for one of the highest densities of leopards anywhere, and also shelters elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, spotted deer and a wealth of birdlife.

Safaris run in open jeeps with a local tracker, in the early morning or late afternoon, when the animals are most active. Sightings are never guaranteed, but patient drivers and good timing give you a real chance of seeing a leopard stretched out on a rock or a branch.

Stay a night near Tissamaharama or the park boundary to make the early start easier, and bring a hat, sunscreen and binoculars. Part of the park usually closes for a few weeks around September and October, so we plan around it.