Yala National Park

Yala is Sri Lanka’s best-known wildlife reserve, a mosaic of scrub jungle, lagoons, rocky outcrops and wild beaches on the south-east coast. It is famed for its leopards, which are seen here more often than in most parks in the world, and shares its landscapes with herds of Asian elephants, sloth bears, mugger crocodiles, water buffalo, spotted deer and a remarkable variety of birds.

A safari day follows the rhythm of the animals. You leave before dawn, coffee in hand, to be at the gate as it opens, then spend the morning tracking fresh pugmarks along sandy roads, pausing at waterholes where peacocks call and painted storks wade. The middle of the day is for rest and a long lunch at your lodge; in the late afternoon the jeep heads out again as the light turns golden and the leopards begin to stir.

Beyond the park, the area has quiet charms of its own. The ancient stupas of Tissamaharama, the sacred town of Kataragama and the fishing harbour at Kirinda are all close, and Bundala National Park nearby is a lovely contrast for birdwatchers, with its lagoons and flamingos in season. Stays range from simple, comfortable lodges to elegant tented camps on the edge of the wilderness.

Yala fits naturally between the hill country and the south coast. Guests often drive down from Ella, spend one or two nights on safari, then continue west to Mirissa, Galle or the beaches beyond.