From Colombo
Yala safarifrom Colombo.
A Yala safari from Colombo is a road transfer of roughly 4 to 5 hours via the southern expressway to Tissamaharama, then a private jeep safari from US$68 for up to 6 people, tickets paid separately.
- About 4–5 hours by road
- South on the expressway, then east along the coast.
- From US$68 per private jeep
- About US$43 per foreign adult
The southern expressway takes most of the pain out of the journey, but Colombo to Tissamaharama is still four to five hours door to door.
Book a night in Tissamaharama, take the 4:30 AM drive, and travel back after a late breakfast. It is the difference between a memory and an endurance test.
If you are flying out the same evening, tell us and we will plan the drive so you are back on the road by mid-morning.
What we would do
Arrive the day before and take the sunrise drive. A same-day round trip from Colombo means driving through the night in both directions.
Suits you
Sunrise Safari
The Sunrise Safari is a 4-hour morning drive in Yala from 4:30 AM, 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.
Coming from somewhere else?
Questions
Getting here, and the drive.
01How 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.
02What is the best time of day for a Yala safari?
Early morning is best: the 4:30 AM start puts you at the gate as it opens, when leopards and elephants are still active and the light is good for photographs. The afternoon drive from 1:45 PM is the next best, ending in golden light.
03What is the best month to visit Yala?
February to July is the best stretch: the park is dry, animals gather at waterholes and leopard sightings are at their most frequent. Bundala is best from December to March, when the migrant birds are in.
04Is Yala closed in September?
Yala Block 1 usually closes for about six weeks from early September to mid-October each year for maintenance, but the exact dates are set annually by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Ask us for this year's dates - when Block 1 is shut we run safaris in Bundala or in Yala Blocks 5 and 6 instead.
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.
06Can children join a safari?
Yes, children of any age are welcome and infant seats can be arranged on request. A private jeep is the easier option with small children because you set your own pace and can turn back early.
07Will I definitely see a leopard?
No one can promise a leopard - this is wild country and the animals move where they like. Yala Block 1 has the highest leopard density in Sri Lanka, our trackers know the territories, and a longer drive improves your chances, but we will never guarantee a sighting.
08Which park is best for elephants?
Udawalawe is the most reliable park for elephants, with herds visible all year on open grassland. Yala holds around 350 elephants and Bundala has between 15 and 60 depending on the season, with December the best month there.
09Which park is best for birds?
Bundala is the best park for birds: it is a Ramsar wetland and UNESCO biosphere reserve where lagoons and dunes draw thousands of waterbirds, especially from December to March. Yala is also one of Sri Lanka's 70 Important Bird Areas, with more than 215 species and 6 endemics.
10What should I bring on safari?
Bring a hat, sunscreen, a light jacket for the cold early start, a camera and your passport, which is needed when the entrance tickets are bought. We supply drinking water in a cool box, and binoculars are provided on the Viator tours.
11How 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.
12What 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.
13Do you run shore excursions from Hambantota Port?
Yes. We run two shared shore excursions from Hambantota Port: Yala National Park at US$100 per adult with the park entrance included, and Udawalawe with the Elephant Transit Home at US$110 per adult with all tickets included. Your driver meets you in the arrival hall with a name sign.
14How do I book a safari?
Use the price calculator to pick your park, package and group size, then send the booking to us on WhatsApp or by email. You can pay straight away by PayPal or card, or wait for us to confirm availability and pay by bank transfer.