Yala National Park

The oldest natural park in Sri Lanka, Yala, has a second name - Ruhuna. Once there was the Kingdom of Ruhun, the ruins of ancient cities of which are found here and there among the savannahs and forests. In 1900, a wildlife reserve was created on this territory, which in 1938 received the status of a national park. It is the second largest in the country and perhaps the most visited.

Yala is located in the plain part of Sri Lanka, its base is a dry savannah with rare shrubs and trees with characteristic crowns. The park is famous for wild leopards: more than 30 individuals live here.

The basis of the park is a flat, dry savannah, overgrown with shrubs and umbrella trees, where small green oases around lakes, hills and even small mountain systems are often found. Nowhere else in the world can you find so many leopards in such a limited area!

Among other animals inhabiting the park, you can name, of course, elephants, bears, deer, boars, monkeys - 44 species of mammals are found here. As well as several species of turtles, reptiles and many species of birds, insects and fish. Many of them are found only in Sri Lanka.

Tourists move around the park in traditional jeeps, but walking with a guide is also possible. For amateur naturalists, there is an opportunity to stay in a tent camp, which in turn provides a rare opportunity to be alone with wildlife.