Tissamaharama – Yala

This page is about Yala National Park and its immediate surrounding. Yala National Park is a 'strictly reserved' national park. Up until 1938, this area was a Game Sanctuary of English colonizers. Hundreds of systematically destroyed ancient water reservoirs are scattered around in this nature reserve and now they have become wildlife hotpots. 

Legend has it that in the second century BC, the Sinhalese hero, king Dutthugemenu, took refuge in this wealthy and irrigated area to launch his attack against the Tamil armies that had taken over the northern territories. The ruins of Buddhist temples and Pali and ancient Sinhalese inscriptions recovered in the jungle represent the primary proof of this national past. Paddy field cultivation, permanent dry-land plot cultivation and shifting slash-and-burn cultivation (chena cultivation) existed within this strictly reserve national park. 

Now this land is a sanctuary for numerous native and migratory birds, leopards, elephants and bears and so on. In 2013’s peak visitation periods, more than 500 jeeps accessed the park and daily visitors numbered 3,300. Read below about Yala's particular fauna and flora. 

We constantly update our site with all those interesting facts.

Rent a Car
- Per day

The price is calculated on 100 Kms per day. When the vehicle is returned the payment will be settled according to the additional Kms driven.

Domestic Flights from Mattala (MIR) Airport

Reserve scheduled domestic flights from Mattala MRA airport to all available destinations. Visit each relevant destination page to find all other transportation modes  ...

Yala National Park
- Half Day Safari

Sightings of leopards are likely in this park. Elephants are there too. Our jeeps depart early mornings and afternoons. Entrance ticket, safari jeep with a trekker ...

Yala National Park
- Full Day Safari

Sightings of leopards are likely in this park. Elephants are there too. Our jeeps depart early mornings. Entrance ticket, safari jeep with a trekker, lunch and water ...

Bundala National Park
- Half Day Safari

One of the things you could enjoy doing while you are in down south is going for a safari in Bundala National Park. Safari jeep with a trekker, entrance ticket and ...

Visit Kirinda Royal Temple
- 1.5 - 2 hrs

This is a less visited but a picturesque temple which was built on a top of huge boulder by the beach. The history of Kirinda temple goes back to 3rd century BC. This ...

Some videos