Yala National Park

Yala National Park

Yala National Park is situated in Monaragala in Sri Lanka. It spreads from the Hambantota district to the Monaragala district. It has a total area of 1268 square km which consists of various types of brackish lagoons, wildlife, grassy plains and so much more.

About the destination

Yala National Park is considered to be the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka. It consists of five blocks out of which two blocks are open to the public. Among the two blocks, one is the Ruhunu national park and the other is Yala National Park. It was first designated as a wildlife sanctuary and later in 1938, it was named as a national park.

Ecosystem and wildlife in Yala National Park

Yala National Park has a varying ecosystem from moist seasons to dry seasons. It consists 0f 215 types of birds thus making it one of the 70 important bird areas. (IBAs) Out of these 215 species, seven are endemic to Sri Lanka.

There are different categories of birds in Yala National Park such as the waterbirds, migrants, and forest birds. There’s a count of 44 mammals and it has one of the highest densities of leopard population. An elephant herd consists of 300-350 elephants and their population in the park differs seasonally.

There are 47 varieties of reptiles and six of them are endemic. The Yala National Park has 21 freshwater fish and 18 amphibian species. Crabs and prawns are also included in the massive Yala National Park.

Reaching the destination

From Colombo

First, take Katunayake- Colombo highway then take the Southern Expressway. Take Colombo – Galle – Hambantota – Wellawaya Highway and Tissa – Kirinde Road to Kirinda – Palatupana – Yala Road to reach your destination.

From Monaragala

Take Technical College Road to Colombo – Batticaloa Highway. Continue on Colombo – Batticaloa Highway, Colombo – Ratnapura – Wellawaya – Batticaloa Road. Take Badalkumbura – Buttala – Sella Kataragama Road, Tissamaharama – Kataragama Road to Kirinda – Palatupana – Yala Road to reach your destination.