The golden hour, and the walk back to water.
Sunset Safari
The Sunset Safari is a 4-hour afternoon drive in Yala from 1:45 PM, costing US$68 for a private jeep of up to 6 people or from US$58 on a shared jeep, with park entrance tickets paid separately.
- 4 hours
- 1:45 PM – 6:00 PM
- 4x4 jeep, up to 6 guests
- About US$43 per foreign adult
The afternoon drive starts hot and ends gold. As the heat goes out of the day the herds move back towards water, and the last hour before the gate closes is often the busiest of the whole drive.
It is the easiest safari to fit around a travel day: you can arrive in Tissamaharama at lunchtime and still be in the park the same afternoon.
The numbers
What it costs
| Travellers | Private jeep | Shared jeep | Cheaper choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$68 | US$58 | Shared, −US$10 |
| 2 | US$68 | US$58 | Shared, −US$10 |
| 3 | US$68 | US$87 | Private, −US$19 |
| 4 | US$68 | US$116 | Private, −US$48 |
| 5 | US$68 | US$145 | Private, −US$77 |
| 6 | US$68 | US$174 | Private, −US$106 |
Included
- 4x4 safari jeep with an English-speaking driver and tracker
- Free pickup and drop-off in Tissamaharama, Weerawila, Kataragama and Kirinda
- Cool box with drinking water
- Flexible start time agreed with you the night before
Not included
- Park entrance tickets (bought separately - about US$43 per foreign adult in Yala)
- Meals, unless you add breakfast or lunch, or book the Full Day Safari
- Tips and personal expenses
Pickup
Tissamaharama · Weerawila · Kataragama · Kirinda
Good to know
- Whichever package you choose, your payment covers the safari jeep service only. Park entrance tickets are obtained separately.
- Breakfast (US$5 per person) and lunch (US$10 per person) can be added to any safari package.
Questions
About this safari
01How much does a Yala safari cost?
A 4-hour private jeep safari in Yala costs US$68 per jeep for up to 6 people, and a shared seat starts at US$58 for one or two travellers. A 6-hour private safari is US$75 and a full day is US$110 per jeep. Park entrance tickets are paid separately.
02Are park tickets included in the price?
On our own Yala and Bundala jeep safaris the tickets are not included: your payment covers the jeep, driver and guide only, and you buy the park entrance ticket separately, which is about US$43 per foreign adult in Yala. Our Viator listings with tickets included are priced differently and say so.
03Private or shared jeep - which is cheaper?
For three or more travellers a private jeep is cheaper: US$68 for the whole jeep against US$87 for three shared seats on a 4-hour safari. A shared jeep only saves money for one or two people, at US$58 against US$68.
04How many people fit in a safari jeep?
Six. One jeep carries up to 6 guests, and a private jeep costs the same whether there are two of you or six. For 7 or more people message us on WhatsApp and we will arrange extra jeeps.
05Where do you pick up guests?
Pickup and drop-off are free from Tissamaharama, Weerawila, Kataragama and Kirinda. We also collect from Palatupana, Bundala Junction, Weligatta, Yodhakandiya and Hambantota Port, and Matara can be arranged as an optional extra.
06How do I pay?
You can pay online by PayPal or card when you book, or by bank transfer once we have confirmed your booking. If we cannot run your date, an online payment is refunded in full. The park entrance fee is paid separately, and we will tell you the current amount when we confirm.
07What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel 24 hours or more before the start time and you get a full refund; inside 24 hours there is no refund. If a safari has to be cancelled for bad weather, you choose between a new date and a full refund.
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