Yala

A brief look

Yala is Sri Lanka's most visited and biodiversity-rich national park. It stretches all the way to the southeast coast, creating the ideal combination of marsh, rainforest, and coastal animals. The major attraction of Yala National Park is its huge leopard population, which is one of the most densely populated in the world. On a Yala safari, you may easily see elephants, water buffalo, sambar deer, peacocks, and crocodiles. Yala National Park and its satellite parks encompass some of the most important historical and archeological sites in southern Sri Lanka. There is evidence of former civilizations here, including as irrigation reservoirs from the fifth century and stupas from the second century.

Popular Tourist spots

Yala National Park

It is the largest and oldest in a series of six national parks and three sanctuaries. There are 44 mammal species, 215 bird species, and dozens of reptiles.

Bundala National Park

It harbours around 197 species of migratory waterbird species and stretches 20km along the west coast of Yala. Greater flamingos are its main highlight.

Sithulpawwa

King Kavantissa is reported to have erected this 2nd Century monastery upon a rocky crag. It has antique murals as well as the remnants of stone Buddha figures.

Buduruwagala

These seven rock-cut Buddha sculptures are from the Mahayana school and date back to the 10th century. It also contains an enigmatic mustard oil lamp.

Kataragama

It is one of the country's most holy multi-religious pilgrimage destinations, featuring a shrine devoted to a god of both Buddhist and Hindu roots.

Okanda Devalaya

Legend has it that this is where God Murugan initially arrived into Sri Lanka in a golden boat, and it is considered the official entry of Kumana National Park.

To Do List

Kebiliththa is a sacred area in Yala Block 4, known to be God Kataragama’s residing place.
The Great and Little Basses Reefs in Kirinda beach host some of the best snorkelling.
Kumana National Park has large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds.
Tissa Wewa in Tissamaharama is an artificial reservoir built in the 3rd Century BC.
Kirinda Temple is a hilltop Buddhist shrine dedicated to Queen Viharamahadevi.
Tissa Maha Dagoba was built in the 2nd Century BC by King Kavan Tissa.