Yala National Park

Yala is Sri Lanka’s most famous wildlife destination and home to the highest density of leopards found anywhere on earth. Spread across the southeast of the island, its mix of dry monsoon forest, open plains, lagoons and rocky outcrops shelters leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, spotted deer and more than 200 bird species. Block 1 offers the best big-cat sightings, while the quieter Blocks 5 and 6 reward visitors with a more exclusive, uncrowded safari. Based minutes from the park in Tissamaharama, Forest Yala Safari runs early-entry jeep safaris led by Department of Wildlife Conservation–certified guides.