Many lagoons and bays dotted along the coast provide the visitors fine locations to view these creatures

Yala sloth bear

Alert tigers, a very common scenary

Scenic ocean frontage is adding scenic beauty to the reserve

Yala wild life reserve in Sri Lanka
Get the best wild life experience

Yala wild life reserve is one of the several wild life parks in Sri Lanka. Situated in the South East of Sri Lanka and to the east of Menik Ganga, it is about 3909 Kms from Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka. The northern frontiers of the park are in common with the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary and is bounded by the sea in the South-East.

Spanning over an area of 1259 sq. kms, this park being a part of the Dry zone of Sri Lanka usually is hot and dry. Rains from the Northeast monsoons from Nov – Jan, and inter monsoonal rains in March – April and in September are often unpredictable. Menik ganga was once been the major source of water for the park is very often dry now; Inside the park lakes, water holes, small streams, etc. provide just enough water not only for the animals and birds but also for the weary traveller.

Scenic ocean frontage while adding scenic beauty to the park attracts and invite a lot of visitors not only humans but also birds and animals. Many lagoons and bays dotted along the coast provide the visitors fine locations to view these creatures including migratory birds, which flock here. One of the favourite spots for bird watchers is the Salt Pans at Palatupana. The natural scenery is really amazing far out up to the sea yonder and the calm waters of the sea enhance the quiet atmosphere around.

Yala wild life reserve in Sri Lanka, a paradise of wild life

The park being situated in the Dry zone of Sri Lanka, natural vegetation ranges from dense jungle to scrubland and also to open parkland. Different methods of adaptation of plants to the drought are really interesting such as the trees being rather short, sometimes with spines and a reduced leaf- surface.

The most prominent wild life species found in the Yala wild life reserve in Sri Lanka are the elephant and the leopard., but there are other several species as deer, sambur, bear, wild boar, wild buffalo, peacock, crocodiles and many varieties of birds including migratory species.

This area is of immense historical value, being a part of the ancient kingdom of Ruhuna, which most probably was established, with the arrival of Aryans to Sri Lanka. The ruins available in the area ascertain that this had been an advanced seat of civilisation as far as back as 3 – 2 century B.C. The area is full of Vijayan rock outcrops that had been formed over 600 million years ago. These stand out in the flat plain rising up to about 800 feet. There is an ancient monastery at Situlpahuwa atop an elegant platform.

Fourteen inscriptions engraved in caves and consisting more or less of the same contents at the site of an ancient monastery now known as Kotadamuhela are in the Ruhuna National park. These records give some light to the inter connection of royal dynasties of Rohana, Anuradhapura and Kalyani.

To explore the deeper areas of the Park, a four – wheeler and a guide should be hired. Accommodation is available at tourist bungalows by the Department of wild life conservation.

Back to the Travel Sri Lanka home page from Yala wild life reserve in Sri Lanka page