What to know before you go.
Researched by Sarisara, with sources.
Yala National Park sits in the dry southeast corner of Sri Lanka, near the towns of Tissamaharama and Kataragama. It is run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and is made up of several numbered blocks, or zones; almost all visitors go to Block 1, the most accessible and the richest in wildlife.
Yala is best known for its leopards. It is reported to have the highest density of leopards of any park in the world, which means your chances of seeing one on a safari here are better than almost anywhere else, though a sighting is never guaranteed — these are wild animals, not a zoo. Alongside leopards, the park holds elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, water buffalo, deer, and a large variety of birds, especially around its lakes and waterholes.
You see the park from an open 4×4 jeep with a safari driver or tracker, on marked dirt tracks through dry scrub forest, open grassland, and rocky outcrops, with the coast not far away on the park’s southern edge. Safaris run in the morning and again in the afternoon, with the park closed to vehicles in the middle of the day. Most visitors book a half-day or full-day safari through their hotel or a local safari operator, who arranges the jeep and the entrance ticket together.
Each year, Block 1 closes to visitors for about a month, usually from around September to mid-October, so the park can rest from tourist traffic during the height of the dry season.
Entrance tickets are not included in Sarisara prices. Please pay them in cash at the gate.
Last checked: 21 Oct 2026. Prices are set by the temple and can change.
These are the Department of Wildlife Conservation's base entrance permit prices, confirmed by two independent, dated sources (read 20 Oct 2026). A service charge and 18% VAT are added on top at the gate, and a separate vehicle (jeep) fee also applies, so the total you pay at the gate is higher than these base numbers. The jeep and its fee are arranged separately, through a safari operator or your hotel, not through Sarisara. None of this is included in your Sarisara price.
Casual, practical safari clothing — this is not a temple, so there is no religious dress code, but sun protection matters.
Not dressed right? There is no dress check at the gate; this is about comfort and sun protection, not a rule that will stop you entering.
Hours and the midday closure are reported consistently by independent safari guides (read 20 Oct 2026). The annual September-October closure of Block 1 is well documented in 2026 news coverage; check with your guide for that year's exact dates if travelling in that window.
Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka Official website
Yala National Park, Hambantota/Monaragala Districts, near Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka
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Fire dancers light the road before the elephants of the Esala Perahera.
