Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most visited and second largest national park situated close to Hambantota. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1990 and covers approximately 979 square kilometers of ground area. Yala consists of 215 species of birds out of which 7 species are endemic to Sri Lanka. It harbors 44 species of mammals and has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Two important pilgrimage sites namely, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara are situated within the Yala National Park.

The best time to visit the Yala National Park is in the dry season from February to June when a wide variety of animals can be spotted. As water levels are lower during this season, it is easier to spot the animals coming out to the lagoons to drink water and hydrate themselves.

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most visited and second largest national park situated close to Hambantota. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1990 and covers approximately 979 square kilometers of ground area. Yala consists of 215 species of birds out of which 7 species are endemic to Sri Lanka. It harbors 44 species of mammals and has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Two important pilgrimage sites namely, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara are situated within the Yala National Park.

The best time to visit the Yala National Park is in the dry season from February to June when a wide variety of animals can be spotted. As water levels are lower during this season, it is easier to spot the animals coming out to the lagoons to drink water and hydrate themselves.

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most visited and second largest national park situated close to Hambantota. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1990 and covers approximately 979 square kilometers of ground area. Yala consists of 215 species of birds out of which 7 species are endemic to Sri Lanka. It harbors 44 species of mammals and has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Two important pilgrimage sites namely, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara are situated within the Yala National Park.

The best time to visit the Yala National Park is in the dry season from February to June when a wide variety of animals can be spotted. As water levels are lower during this season, it is easier to spot the animals coming out to the lagoons to drink water and hydrate themselves.

Yala National Park consists of a diversified range of wildlife which includes mammals, reptiles, birds, insects etc. The park is home to 44 varieties of mammals and 215 species of birds. Among all of the animals residing at Yala National Park the most popular ones are the leopards, elephants, jackals, spotted deer, sloth bears, crocodiles and peacocks.

There are also quite a few endangered species of animals at the Yala National Park.
Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)
Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya)
Elephant (Elephas maximus)
Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Wild boar (Sus scrofa)
Spotted deer (Axis axis ceylonessis)
Sambar (Cervus unicolor)
Golden jackal (Canis aureus)