Last Updated on January 21, 2026 by Sam
One of the biggest decisions for wildlife lovers travelling to Sri Lanka is whether to go on safari in Yala National Park or Udawalawe National Park, or both. Both parks are excellent inclusions on any south Sri Lanka itinerary, but which is better? Yala is famously one of the best places in the world to see wild leopards, but the park gets very busy. By contrast, Udawalawe offers a more peaceful safari experience and is home to huge herds of elephants. Having been on safari in both national parks, we created this guide to help you decide which is the best national park for your safari in Sri Lanka — Udawalawe or Yala.
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How To Decide Between Udawalawe or Yala?
Wildlife in Udawalawe
Udawalawe National Park is home to around 500–700 elephants, so sightings of these gentle giants are almost guaranteed. Often seen in large herds of up to 100 individuals, they’re usually pretty easy to find.
If seeing wild elephants is a priority, then you should opt for Udawalawe over Yala. You can still see elephants in Yala, but sightings aren’t as common because they don’t stay in large groups.
Although elephants are the main attraction at Udawalawe, the park is home to plenty of other incredible species, including crocodiles, monkeys, buffalo, and an impressive variety of birds. While leopards and sloth bears do live in the park, sightings are incredibly rare, so don’t expect to see them.
Wildlife in Yala
Yala National Park has the highest density of leopards in the world, making it one of the best places to see these big cats in the wild. If seeing a leopard is your priority, Yala is definitely the best safari in Sri Lanka.
The park is also home to the elusive sloth bear. Although both sloth bears and leopards are present in Udawalawe, they’re very rarely seen. With a bit of luck, you can have sightings of both sloth bears and leopards on one safari in Yala — something we were fortunate enough to experience.
There are several other amazing species in Yala National Park, including elephants, deer, crocodiles, buffalo, monkeys, and much more. The park is also home to an abundance of birdlife, including hornbills, kingfishers, eagles, and hoopoes, to name just a few.
How Much Does a Safari Cost in Sri Lanka?
The price of a safari in Sri Lanka largely depends on how you book. Both Yala and Udawalawe technically charge the same fees, but safaris in Yala usually cost considerably more.
There are several fees, including the national park entrance fee, a service charge, a vehicle fee, and VAT. Some operators include these costs in the price of their safaris in Yala and Udawalawe, but with others, you’ll need to pay these fees separately.
The exact entry fees are available via the permit reservation form on the Department of Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka’s official website, but to avoid overcomplicating things, the prices listed below give an idea of safari costs, including all fees.
Keep in mind that prices will vary depending on whether you opt for a shared trip or a private safari. It’s easiest to book via your accommodation, a tour operator, or online via Get Your Guide, but we go into this in more detail later on.
Safari Cost in Udawalawe
Safaris in Udawalawe generally cost less than safaris in Yala, with prices starting from around 14,000–15,000 rupees per person for a three-hour safari. Although you can do full-day safaris in Udawalawe, we recommend a half-day, as this gives you plenty of time to see the elephants and other wildlife in the park.
Safari Cost in Yala
Full-day safaris in Yala National Park start from approximately 25,000–30,000 rupees per person, with half-day trips starting from around 15,000–20,000 rupees. It’s best to opt for a full-day safari in Yala if your budget allows, as this gives you the best chance of a leopard sighting.
How Busy Is Udawalawe?
One of the main differences between the two national parks is that Udawalawe is much less busy than Yala. You won’t see many other jeeps, which gives the feeling of a more wild safari experience. Even when you’re watching a herd of elephants, it’s possible to have no other jeeps in sight.
How Busy Is Yala?
In contrast, when on safari in Yala, you’ll see lots of jeeps throughout the day. If there are leopard or sloth bear sightings, it’s likely that you’ll be amongst a group of at least 10 jeeps trying to get a good view.
Leopard and sloth bear sightings are seen as a priority in Yala, so the guides communicate with each other and then all rush to the same spot when there’s a sighting. This can lead to drivers not giving the animals the space and respect they deserve.
We had firsthand experience of this when around 20 jeeps chased after a sloth bear and overcrowded it. It’s understandable that guides want visitors to see the amazing wildlife, but the busyness of Yala means that sometimes the well-being of the animals isn’t put first.
It’s personal preference as to whether the busyness of the park affects whether you’d prefer to visit Udawalawe or Yala. Going on safari when it’s quieter is typically a more enjoyable experience, but then you only have the chance to see leopards and sloth bears in Yala.
Best Safari in Sri Lanka – Udawalawe or Yala?
If your goal is to see a leopard or sloth bear, Yala National Park is undoubtedly the best option for your safari in Sri Lanka. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but you have a reasonable chance of seeing at least one.
Alternatively, if you’re happy no matter what animals you see, head to Udawalawe to enjoy the nature and wildlife without the crowds. It’s a lot less hectic, which can make for a more pleasant visit.
Having visited both national parks, there’s no way to definitively say Yala or Udawalawe is the better of the two. If it weren’t for the unique wildlife sightings possible at Yala, we’d probably say Udawalawe offers a better safari experience.
Seeing a leopard and a sloth bear on safari in Yala was truly special, but being one of the few people on safari in Udawalawe made it more enjoyable on the whole.
If you have the time, we recommend adding both Yala and Udawalawe to your itinerary so that you can see the best each park has to offer. If you have to pick just one, then it largely comes down to whether you want to prioritise seeing a leopard.
Best Time To Visit Udawalawe or Yala
Udawalawe
Udawalawe National Park is open to visitors all year round, so it’s easy to visit whenever you’re travelling to Sri Lanka. There’s a good chance of seeing elephants and other wildlife in the park regardless of when you visit.
Migratory birds visit Udawalawe National Park from November to April, which makes this a good time to visit for any bird lovers.
Yala
Yala National Park’s dry season runs from around February to September. During these months, animals are more likely to be drinking from the waterholes in the park, which gives a better chance of sightings.
Migratory birds visit Yala from October to April, so this is the best time to visit for birdwatching, and also coincides with the peak season for whale watching in Mirissa. If you’re a particularly avid birder, we also recommend visiting the nearby Bundala National Park, which is renowned for its impressive birdlife.
In the past, Yala National Park closed from September to mid-October due to droughts. This hasn’t been the case in recent years, but it’s something to keep in mind when booking your trip.
Booking a Safari in Udawalawe or Yala
Udawalawe
The easiest way to book safaris in Udawalawe is through your accommodation or online via Get Your Guide. Most hotels and guesthouses in the town can help arrange safaris, but it’s best to message ahead of your arrival to book them.
Entrance fees aren’t always included in the price of the safari, so make sure to check if they’re included before booking. It’s normally clearly stated what’s included via Get Your Guide, but if you’re booking through your accommodation, then ask them to confirm if these fees are separate. If you’re not staying in the area, you can still visit Udawalawe on a day trip from spots like Mirissa.
Get Your Guide offers safaris in Udawalawe for as little as 7,000 rupees (excluding entrance fees of approximately 7,500–10,000 rupees, depending on your group size).
Click here to browse the amazing safaris in Udawalawe on Get Your Guide’s website!
Yala
You can book safaris in Yala National Park via local tour operators, online, or through your hotel in Tissamaharama (the nearest major town to Yala). As the park is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular destinations, booking in advance is essential.
For our Yala safari, we went with Yala Kings, who provided a great service at a competitive price. The guide was unbelievable at spotting animals, and we saw a range of wildlife, including a leopard and a sloth bear, so it was an unforgettable experience.
If you’d prefer to be able to book your Sri Lanka safari tour instantly online, you can do so via Get Your Guide for as little as 8,000 rupees per person (excluding fees) for a half-day trip. They also offer day trips from popular destinations like Ella, so you can still visit Yala even if you’re not staying nearby.
Click here to book your Yala safari adventure through Get Your Guide!
Where To Stay in Yala or Udawalawe
Udawalawe
Kalu’s Hideaway
Kalu’s Hideaway is the perfect hotel for your safari in Sri Lanka, situated in a peaceful location near Udawalawe National Park. Its inviting pool overlooks gardens where you can often spot a variety of bird species.
One of the best things about staying at Kalu’s Hideaway is the amazing staff, who will do anything they can to ensure you have a wonderful stay. Rooms at the property are comfortable and air-conditioned, and food is available on site too.
Click here to book a great stay at Kalu’s Hideaway on Booking.com!
Yala
Koragaha Lodge
Located on the outskirts of Yala National Park, Koragaha Lodge is a brilliant accommodation option. The property’s swimming pool and quiet location make it the perfect place to relax when you aren’t on safari spotting leopards!
Rooms at the lodge are comfortable and air-conditioned, and meals can be pre-ordered to suit your schedule. Staff at the property are extremely helpful and can assist in arranging safaris at Yala National Park if necessary.
Click here to arrange a wonderful stay at the Koragaha Lodge on Booking.com!
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