Boasting a rich mosaic of habitats, Yala National Park is home to 44 species of mammals, over 200 bird species, and a history tracing back to 500 BC. Established as a Game Reserve in 1938, the park spans five blocks across 151,778 hectares. Its landscapes include sandy dunes, scrublands, riverine forests, rocky outcrops, secondary forests, and coastal lagoons fringed with mangroves.
Yala is world-renowned for having the highest density of leopards globally. Sri Lanka’s unique endangered leopard, Panthera pardus kotiya, is found exclusively here.
Sithulpawwa Buddhist Monastery
Perched atop a rocky outcrop, this ancient monastery and cave complex dates back to the 2nd century BC. It offers visitors a tranquil retreat along with panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.
Bundala Wildlife Sanctuary
A paradise for bird enthusiasts, Bundala shelters more than 150 bird species throughout the year, along with a variety of other wildlife.
Yala Safari Experience
Embark on a morning or evening safari to encounter Sri Lanka’s iconic “big five”: leopards, sloth bears, elephants, buffaloes, and crocodiles, along with numerous other fascinating creatures.
Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya
The Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya, widely known as the Kataragama Temple, is a sacred complex in the town of Kataragama, Sri Lanka, cherished by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and the indigenous Vedda community. The temple is chiefly devoted to Kataragama Deviyo, the Buddhist guardian deity, who is also revered as Skanda or Murugan in Hindu tradition.