Top Hotels in Yala National Park
Top Things to do in Yala National Park
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Yala National Park Hotels | Places to Stay in Yala National Park
There are many different reasons to add Yala National Park to your must-see list: the chance to go on safari and see a wild boar or majestic Sri Lankan leopard, the winding trails, and the fact that in some places the park even touches the Indian Ocean. However, two of the most popular reasons to visit are Sithulpauwwa, a Buddhist rock temple, and Magul Maha Viharaya, where folklore says an ancient king wed an abandoned princess. The history and artifacts found here transport you back to those ancient times.
Things to do in Yala National Park
1. Uga Chena Huts
Overall Ratings
5 based on 746 reviews
FANTASTIC!!!
Reviewed By lovelife900Our family with three young boys stayed at Chena Huts in Feb for 3 night, it was the most incredible experience! Our children are still talking about it! The people were helpful and kind, the food was amazing, and the place itself is absolutely beautiful. We had a knowledgable guide, Nuwan he made our safaris interesting and ensured we saw everything possible at the park! Thank you Nuwan! Also our driver, Sopul excellent and experienced. Thank you Sopul!! We look forward to seeing this amazing resort again!!
2. Jetwing Yala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2638 reviews
For centuries, the incredible destination that is Yala has been revered as an unparalleled testament to the beauty of the wild, in its purest and rawest form. Arguably the best place in the world to spot leopards, sloth bears, elephants, and a whole host of birdlife, Yala promises unforgettable discoveries and exciting adventures.Akin to a phoenix rising from the ashes, Jetwing brings a truly one-with-nature concept to a more refined and elegant form with Jetwing Yala. Set within the immediate outskirts of the Yala National Park, Jetwing Yala boasts a tremendous commitment to sustainability and the environment, bringing a wildlife experience complemented with the finest in luxury and comfort. Located on the beach, the property also boasts the only swim friendly ocean stretch is Yala which also houses a fully fledged lifeguard station and beach bar so that guests can enjoy the Indian Ocean to the fullest degree.
Awesome place to stay
Reviewed By dushmanthaeJetwing Yala is a nice place that we can visit within 4 hours of time from Colombo. It offers wide range of foods and relaxing beach view stay to guests. You can easily access nice private beach area and very long infinity pool. We can easily arrange a safari ride to Yala National park and we can watch wildlife as well.
3. Yala Safari Camping
Overall Ratings
5 based on 390 reviews
Our Team who was there from the very beginning of Yala Safari Camping was real wild life and nature lovers who were mixed with wild from childhood. We were born here and most of our childhood memories are connected with jungle experiences. The love and knowledge we gained from childhood came into live since 2003, when we started our first campsite. We could gain the reputation as one of the best safari camping providers of South Asia from the courage of ours and the continuous satisfaction thus came from our guests. Now we have 6 luxury tents and they are identified as the best campsites of Yala and the best location of Yala. We are the only campsite provider who registered with Independent Safari Association of Yala and we are the only provider in such an unique wild life habitat. Yes it is absolutely a wildlife kingdom where we are located in…. We invite you to share our experiences with wild life and nature while enjoying the best safari camping features of Sri Lanka. Yala National Park is located in the south eastern region of Sri Lanka and extends over two provinces of Hambantota district of southern province and Monaragala district in Uva province. There are 2 popular entrances to the park which are t Palatupana and Katagamuwa. Since Palatupana is always busy , we use Katagamuwa entrance. Yala National Park that consists of five blocks is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Though Yala spreads over an area of 1260 square kilometers, only one fifth of the area is open to the visitors. Four-fifths of the park is a strictly designated Natural Reserve. Adjoining the eastern border of the park is Kumana. The gateway to Yala National Park is Tissamaharama. The well-designed visitor center provides the information to the tourists and assigns a tracker to all incoming vehicles. Dawn and dusk bring about the best timing for Safari tours in the Yala National Park. Being located in one of the arid regions of Sri Lanka, the Climate of Ruhuna National Park is usually hot and dry. The mean annual temperature is 27 Celsius, although in the dry season the temperature could go as high as 37 Celsius. The rocky outcrops scattered over the park provides vantage points to enjoy the sprawling areas with Sri Lanka’s dry zone landscape: low scrub and woods. Still more, the southern border of the park being the south-eastern coast, the brackish lagoons and dunes enhances the distinctive charm of the Yala National Park.
Great hospitality, delicious food, super fun safari with the best guides!
Reviewed By 452chiaracWe just came back from 2 days safari at this camp, it has been the most amazing experience! The camp it is a 4 hours car drive from Colombo, our transfer was organised as well by the camp and our driver and guide Mahesh was so friendly, helpful and informative. Closer to the camp site we switched to the jeep who brought us on top of the location given the rocky road. Once reached the camp we were greeted with fresh fruit juice and a warm welcome by the manager Mahesh and Ravi who took care of us and made us feel home. The view from the main unit of the camp site is breathtaking, I believe it is the only camp with a top view of the jungle and it is one of the reasons why we chose it. The sound of all the animals of the jungle is so present at all times and you are completely immersed in the nature. The misty sunrises are unbelievably beautiful, from the bridge which is extending from the unit you can really appreciate the beauty of the nature. The tents are 6 and all down the hill easily reachable with a short hike, our tent was in the middle, spacious and with all the comforts you need. It was so relaxing to open the detachable windows to let in the cool air and to sleep with the jungle sounds. The camp is all inclusive, three meals per day are provided, drinks and snacks, chef Dumi prepared delicious dinners, one evening he made for us one whole baked fish, fresh, juicy and so so good. The safari was of course the main experience of the stay, we did a full day in one zone of the park and we spotted all of the animals, including a young leopard sleeping on a branch and a male adult that crossed the road right in front of us. Elephants, monkeys, buffalos, so many birds. Achintha is the best animal spotter and guide, he drove us around tirelessly and pointed at all the wildlife we encountered. Breakfast was takeaway and we enjoyed it in the pick nick area where we were allowed to jump off the jeep, so many monkeys were trying to steal our food and it was so funny to capture the successful thefts. From 12:00 to 14:00, as per park rules, no one is allowed to drive around the park, the team set up chairs and table for us to have lunch on the riverside, Achintha even cut open a fresh sweet pineapple that we enjoyed directly from the cutting board. After the safari ended were were welcomed back to the camp with fresh lime juice and the usual warmest greeting from Ravi. The second day we did a morning game in another area of the park and once back at the camp, fresh watermelon juice and fresh fruit platter was waiting for us with an astonishing view. Everything from from start to end was absolutely perfect and we cannot recommend it enough, we hope to come back and stay longer. Thank you all for your amazing hospitality, our stay was really beyond expectations!!
4. Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 426 reviews
Wild Coast is part of the Resplendent Ceylon “best of Sri Lanka” circuit, created by the family-owned Dilmah Tea Company. Three Relais & Chateaux resorts; Tea Trails, Cape Weligama & Wild Coast Tented Lodge, form an enchanting "Route de Bonheur (Happiness)" from tea fields to clifftop beach & safari lodge. Wild Coast Tented Lodge sits on a rugged beach on the edge of Yala National Park, where the jungle meets the Indian Ocean. 28 vaulted Cocoons & Urchin tents offer the comfort of a luxury hotel with the excitement of a raw wilderness experience. The open-air bamboo-clad Den and Dining Pavilion – designed to mirror the boulders scattered across the golden beach beyond – wrap around the free-form swimming pool. Guests can enjoy creative daily-changing menus of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and sundowner cocktails and picnics al fresco on the sand dunes, watching dusk settle over the Indian Ocean.
Excellent and beautiful
Reviewed By Jac TExcellent hotel with excellent service , exceptional good food and a great safari experience. The price is really worth the stay. The lodges are simply beautiful and unique. We actually never stayed in such a lovely lodge and hotel. The service is very good and everyone is trying their best to make your stay unforgettable. The manager also let us stay a little longer on our check out date as we had a later pick- up. Really appreciated and would definitely recommend the hotel to everyone coming to Sri Lanka. Thanks for having us !
5. Leopard Nest
Overall Ratings
5 based on 117 reviews
For wildlife travellers who seek luxury glamping experience, Leopard nest is a unique campsite that returns the true essence of an ultimate glamping experience with elegance, romance and adventure while minimizing the environmental footprints. We make the difference in the wild and provide authentic wild experience with large tents and tree houses that are unique in design and exclusive in comfort.
Awesome Safari Experience, Amazing Team And Treehouse
Reviewed By InKi2007We had a wonderful time at this very special place due to the amazing team, great safari experience and unique ambience. It is not the right place for everyone (see below), but we loved it. Safari and guide: We booked a 3 night package and spent 2.5 days at Yala National Park and one morning at Bundala National Park. We saw a huge variety of animals and birds incl. leopards (3 times on 2 days, see photo), elephants and most other famous residents of the park. The biodiversity and landscape at Yala National Park is awesome and our guide Rumesh was an excellent guide and driver. If you are interested in birds and beautiful landscape, Bundala is also worth a visit. The tours were very well planned and we had an amazing lunch and 2 hour break inside the park at a very nice place near a river. This break is needed on a 12-14 hour safari day and it is great to experience both the early morning and the late afternoon in the park (perfect light for photography and most animals are more active). Before departure at 5 a.m. you will just get a Nescafe or tea, but you will have packed breakfast and plenty of snacks and fruits on the jeep too. Team, accomodation and food The service of the entire team was excellent. If you let them know what you want, they will do everything possible to customize the experience for you. We loved the wide selection of vegetable curries from chef Isha and they arranged special dishes for us even if the planned theme of the evening was different, like e.g. BBQ. The ambience of the camp is unique and it really feels like a camp. Our room (Skynest) was very comfortable and special (canopy level above most trees). At night lamps are setup along the trail to the main building, but better bring a torch additionally. If you bring a several electronic devices (cameras, phones, etc.) to be charged at night, the two power sockets in the room might be insufficient. A power extention with multiple sockets might be a useful addition to the room. Reasons to book or to stay away If you want fast and reliable internet, a swimming pool, a wide selection of drinks or excellent coffee, you should chose another place. If you want to have a very special experience, if you like nature a lot and if you want to get out of the stressful urbon life, Leopard Nest will be a very good choice. Thank you very much to the great team of Leopard Nest!
6. Laya Safari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 726 reviews
Tucked away on the gently undulating sand dunes bordering Yala which is the second largest National Park, and, on the threshold of the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Laya Safari beckons you to a memorable stay enjoying mesmerizing vistas all around you. Yala National Park, designated as a wild life sanctuary in 1938, covers a vast area of 979 Sq. Km.
Excellent Staff & awesome holiday
Reviewed By 643gayathrikDuring the stay at Laya Safari we could get the excellent service from the very friendly staff.Need to give a special thank to Executive Hemal Silva for the friendly & Excellent service during the stay. Delicious food with peaceful environment make the holiday most enjoyable. Eco friendly cottages are very comfortable & well designed.Sea facing rooms are the best. A big thank again for Hemal & friendly staff to make our holiday most enjoyable & remarable.
7. Mahoora Tented Safari Camp Yala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 380 reviews
Mahoora is a holistic experience from your arrival to the departure focused on living in the wild and wildlife viewing and not just an accommodation option only.All the Safaris are included in the price. Mahoora safaris include high quality Safari Jeep / all the entrance and permit fees, sumptuous picnic basket and an unlimited supply of chilled beverages and a Mahoora Naturalist to ensure the best animal sightings and interpretations. All of Mahoora elite tents are set-up just prior to your arrival, and are moved out after your departure, thereby minimizing impact on the environment. This "Pack in and Pack out" aspect combined with all other green initiatives; guarantee to make your stay with Mahoora the one of the most environmentally friendly accommodation in Sri Lanka.Mahoora is an all inclusive stay and Tea / coffee, Tropical Fresh Fruit Juices, Beer & Spirits, Wine, and Snacks all are included in to the price. Mahoora's Fine Dining Executive Chefs will prepare tantalizing meals to suit your personal tastes, whilst adding in a few culinary surprises. This is just one aspect of the unique Mahoora adventure which keeps clients returning to the wild, time and time again.
A great safari experience and a trip to remember
Reviewed By traveller422015We stayed at Mahoora Yala for 3 nights and cannot praise the team enough. Pre-trip: We booked directly with Eco Team and the office team were really responsive to emails, organised our transfers and were very helpful. The camp: The camp itself is lovely- it's next to the buffer zone of the park and there are lots of birds etc. The tents are impressive in terms of their facilities, especially if you remember that these are not permanent structures! They are both functional and comfortable and had lovely touches e.g. freshly lit candles every evening. The fans do a good job at keeping you cool at night. The camp staff are very friendly and helpful. The food was great. The safaris: These really are the star of the show- we did both half day and full day trips. The safaris have both a driver and naturalist and this really enhances the experience. Moreover, their enthusiasm for the park and sharing it with others was clear. Avinka looked after us so well. He was excellent at spotting animals, explained lots to us about the park and really took the time to get to know us. We got some beautiful leopard sightings but we were also interested in all the other different animals and birds, we were never rushed and could ask to stop and watch whenever we wanted. We also want to make a special mention of how hard everyone is working to make the trips a success despite the challenges in Sri Lanka at the moment. The camp's generators supply power during the regional blackouts and our driver worked overtime (after we came back from our drives) to ensure there was always fuel for the safaris. Despite the adversity, the hospitality we were offered and the experience we had was second to none. In summary: if you've come to Yala to experience the beautiful park and the abundant wildlife we would definitely recommend Mahoora!
8. Leopard Trails Camp Yala Sri Lanka
Overall Ratings
5 based on 606 reviews
Leopard Trails bespoke tented safaris redefine the original tented safari with convenient modern-day amenities, all the while staying true to the romantic ambiance of a by-gone British colonial era filled with adventure. Tented Safaris is the most authentic form of safari, a true immersion into the sights and sounds of the wilderness.
Superb Wildlife Viewing!
Reviewed By bioprofThis was one of our most anticipated places to stay on our trip and we were not let down. Our rooms were very large, and our little backyard area was nice for viewing wildlife. The food was good, although we were told that there were some shortages of various items because of the current economic situation and the gas shortage in Sri Lanka. But the offerings were good, from breakfast to dinner, although I am challenged by the level of spice in many Sri Lankan dishes. The level of guiding was very high here, and though we didn’t have the best luck compared to some other recent days, regarding seeing leopards, we had some sightings at a distance and saw a lot of other very great wildlife, especially the birds. Our guide was super nice and very experienced, and also gave me some recommendations regarding getting a new camera. What made Leopard Trails one of our favorite places on this trip was that we felt at home here. Our guide really looked out for our desire to see certain wildlife and also our comfort. We wish we had had more time here!
9. Big Game Camp Yala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 456 reviews
Big Game Camp Yala is located on the edge of Yala National Parks, a 20-minute drive from the park entrance. Surrounded by beautiful nature landscapes, it provides spacious tents with a private bathroom. Barbecue dinner is provided around a campfire.All tents are fitted with comfortable mattresses and pillows. Free drinking water will be provided. All bathrooms are equipped with a shower.Big Game Camp Yala is 261 km from Colombo and 310 km from Bandaranaike International Airport.Safaris, airport transfers and laundry services can be arranged at an extra charge.Please note, guests booking the all inclusive package enjoy: - 3 meals daily - Tea, coffee & beer. - Snacks - Half-day Safari to Yala National Park with jeep, entrance and permit fees.
Great place to stay when visiting Yala
Reviewed By D372IZmarkdI highly recommend this place if you want to see and experience Yala. I have stayed at this camp for 5 nights in June 2022, and it was just great! The tents were clean, food was amazing, and the whole team was very friendly and helpful. And of course, the game drives - the driver and the guide weer just super, we've got to see quite a lot. Additional comment - Sri Lanka is getting some attention in the news lately because of the political and economic situation, and I had my concerns before visiting. However, everything was very smooth and with no problems whatsoever, so don't let this to stop you from visiting. There was even advantage to visit now - the park was not crowded at all, which is very different from what it was before - so if you want to see it, now is the time!
10. Nil Sisila Beach Resort Yala
Overall Ratings
5 based on 17 reviews
Surrounded by beautiful nature landscapes, Nilsisila Beach Resort situated along the shores of undisturbed white sandy Yala-Gurugoda beach. Nilsisila Beach Resort, Yala offers eco-friendly luxury accommodation within close proximity to Yala National park in Gurugoda. An American or authentic Sri Lankan breakfast is available daily at the resort. It offers variety of outdoor activities and guests
A lovely location and a great host!
Reviewed By sachinunambsOur stay at Nil Sisila was nothing short of excellent. Hansa was a delightful host who looked after our every need. The property was very comfortable, spotlessly clean, and the food was excellent. I can safely give it a 5 star review, and I will definitely be visiting more often.
