Yala National Park
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 29.53 mi
- Elevation gain
- 367 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 367 ft
- Max elevation
- 113 ft
- TrailRank
- 34
- Min elevation
- -10 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 3 hours 49 minutes
- Coordinates
- 844
- Uploaded
- September 3, 2019
- Recorded
- August 2019
near Palatupana, Southern (Sri Lanka)
Viewed 271 times, downloaded 3 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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We wanted to do the last safari of our trip in the most important place in Sri Lanka. It is clear that Yala National Park is the most visited and famous park in the country, and its opinions are very contrary among visitors. For many, it is the best safari. For others, too many people and real races to spot the leopard. We don't want to miss the opportunity to visit it, so here we go!
START:
We contracted the safari with the accommodation where we spent the night in Tissamaharama. The best thing is to access Yala National Park at dawn, as soon as the park opens. The same guide and driver picks us up at the accommodation and takes us to the safari entrance, where we will start the day.
DESCRIPTION:
Even with several minutes of waiting before the park opens, we get out of the SUV and walk around the area near the entrance, being able to spot an elephant in the distance. Finally, at 6:30 a.m., the park opens and we begin the safari.
We started the march at a good pace, always along the central track of Yala National Park. The car is very good and comfortable, so we will surely enjoy the safari. We just need to start seeing animals!
We leave a first lagoon on the right. At the moment, there are no animals, so we continue the safari along the same central track.
We began to see small animals and birds, so far nothing that we have not already seen on other safaris. We continue to see small lagoons, as the day becomes lighter and the sun begins to rise. It's already daylight, but we still haven't seen the leopard, which is always the most sought after animal.
Suddenly, leopard warning! The very experienced driver begins a real race on the tracks of Yala National Park. We head at full speed towards the point from which you can enjoy the leopard. It is important to arrive quickly. There are many cars in the park and it means seeing them or not seeing them. After a few minutes of authentic racing along the track, we arrive at the place, where we already see several cars stopped. We are not very late, but we only see the leopard for a few minutes, and it is very hidden among the vegetation. As soon as he arrived, he was lying on the edge of the track, very visible, but he quickly decided to leave the place, as a result of the intense harassment he was suffering. Logical!
After catching a glimpse of the leopard, we continued the safari. We visited another small lagoon on the right, very close to the coast, and we continued along, always looking for animals of interest.
In a few minutes, after completing half of the safari, we turned towards a beach, the place where the 2004 tsunami entered. Impressive to see the sea and imagine the water flowing through here, causing such a natural disaster and so many deaths and losses. A chill runs through us... We stretch our legs and get back to the car!
We continue the safari heading northeast, always along its central track. We began to see animals, a herd of deer, buffalo, crocodiles, peacocks, birds of all kinds... And of course, some more lagoons!
Having completed the outward journey, we return, looking for different routes of transit, in order to spot the leopard. A detour takes us to the vicinity of an elephant, right next to the track we are on. The pachyderm is eating right next to us! Tremendous! Nice moment with the elephant, who does not hesitate to continue with his life, regardless of our proximity. It's clear that they are used to our presence.
We followed the path back and took another detour until we reached another lagoon, where we were lucky enough to see another family of elephants! Spectacular moment enjoying truly wild animals!
We have been on safari for almost 4 hours, so we continue back, now without searching too much... All that remains is to complete the central track of the park until we reach the entrance again. Despite minimal interest in looking for animals, we still see interesting things!
Finally, we arrive at the entrance of Yala National Park, where we conclude the safari.
CONCLUSION:
Yala National Park is the most famous and visited safari in Sri Lanka. Despite the large number of cars and the rush that occurs when a leopard is sighted, it is a safari that is worth it. It has its adventure point and it was the only safari that brought us closer to the 4-hour journey. We liked it a lot and saw many animals! Highly recommended!
MORE INFORMATION:
Yala National Park
Route Index
Route Map
Summits Map
Rubén Wanderlust (www.rubenwanderlust.com)
START:
We contracted the safari with the accommodation where we spent the night in Tissamaharama. The best thing is to access Yala National Park at dawn, as soon as the park opens. The same guide and driver picks us up at the accommodation and takes us to the safari entrance, where we will start the day.
DESCRIPTION:
Even with several minutes of waiting before the park opens, we get out of the SUV and walk around the area near the entrance, being able to spot an elephant in the distance. Finally, at 6:30 a.m., the park opens and we begin the safari.
We started the march at a good pace, always along the central track of Yala National Park. The car is very good and comfortable, so we will surely enjoy the safari. We just need to start seeing animals!
We leave a first lagoon on the right. At the moment, there are no animals, so we continue the safari along the same central track.
We began to see small animals and birds, so far nothing that we have not already seen on other safaris. We continue to see small lagoons, as the day becomes lighter and the sun begins to rise. It's already daylight, but we still haven't seen the leopard, which is always the most sought after animal.
Suddenly, leopard warning! The very experienced driver begins a real race on the tracks of Yala National Park. We head at full speed towards the point from which you can enjoy the leopard. It is important to arrive quickly. There are many cars in the park and it means seeing them or not seeing them. After a few minutes of authentic racing along the track, we arrive at the place, where we already see several cars stopped. We are not very late, but we only see the leopard for a few minutes, and it is very hidden among the vegetation. As soon as he arrived, he was lying on the edge of the track, very visible, but he quickly decided to leave the place, as a result of the intense harassment he was suffering. Logical!
After catching a glimpse of the leopard, we continued the safari. We visited another small lagoon on the right, very close to the coast, and we continued along, always looking for animals of interest.
In a few minutes, after completing half of the safari, we turned towards a beach, the place where the 2004 tsunami entered. Impressive to see the sea and imagine the water flowing through here, causing such a natural disaster and so many deaths and losses. A chill runs through us... We stretch our legs and get back to the car!
We continue the safari heading northeast, always along its central track. We began to see animals, a herd of deer, buffalo, crocodiles, peacocks, birds of all kinds... And of course, some more lagoons!
Having completed the outward journey, we return, looking for different routes of transit, in order to spot the leopard. A detour takes us to the vicinity of an elephant, right next to the track we are on. The pachyderm is eating right next to us! Tremendous! Nice moment with the elephant, who does not hesitate to continue with his life, regardless of our proximity. It's clear that they are used to our presence.
We followed the path back and took another detour until we reached another lagoon, where we were lucky enough to see another family of elephants! Spectacular moment enjoying truly wild animals!
We have been on safari for almost 4 hours, so we continue back, now without searching too much... All that remains is to complete the central track of the park until we reach the entrance again. Despite minimal interest in looking for animals, we still see interesting things!
Finally, we arrive at the entrance of Yala National Park, where we conclude the safari.
CONCLUSION:
Yala National Park is the most famous and visited safari in Sri Lanka. Despite the large number of cars and the rush that occurs when a leopard is sighted, it is a safari that is worth it. It has its adventure point and it was the only safari that brought us closer to the 4-hour journey. We liked it a lot and saw many animals! Highly recommended!
MORE INFORMATION:
Yala National Park
Route Index
Route Map
Summits Map
Rubén Wanderlust (www.rubenwanderlust.com)
Waypoints
Waypoint
13 ft
Lake
Beach
Comments (2)
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Cool
Travel beautiful destination, thanks!