In 1900, Yala had designed as a wildlife sanctuary and, along with Wilpattu, was one of the two major national parks in Sri Lanka, established in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild creatures. It is crucial for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards, and aquatic birds.
Yala National Park (also known as Ruhuna National Park) was discovered in the southeastern part of Sri Lanka and expanded over two provinces of Hambantota district in the southern province and Monaragala district in Uva province. The entry to the park is at Palatupana, 12km from Kirinda.
The park has initially used as a hunting ground for the nobility under British rule. Yala is house to 44 varieties of mammal and 215 bird species.
A sizeable population of about 300 to 350 Sri Lankan elephants (Asian elephant subspecies) resides in Yala, a binding site for their conservation. The mammals can spot roaming or bathing in lagoons and waterholes.
It is likewise home to crocodiles, peacocks, monkeys, sloth bears, water buffalo, wild boar, deer, and golden jackals. Near 130 species of birds have also been recorded in the park, including pelicans, storks, herons, and flamingos.
Yala, with all its flora and fauna, is a fantastic adventure and one of the must-sees of Sri Lanka. The park is worth visiting at all times of the year.
The park’s website declares 40 leopards, but the rangers will talk about 60-70 of them.
The dry season from May – October is the most OK time to visit.
Not all Yala National Park safari groups are respectable. This safari tour stays around 5 hours, and they pick you up from your lodging in the Yala zone – or you can meet them at the Yala National Park entrance.
Everyone agrees that National Park is the best nature reserve in Sri Lanka. It is the most famous national park. It is particularly renowned for the large numbers of leopards that can find there, which has earned it the nickname “Land of the Leopard.”
