Yala National Park is the second largest and the most visited national park in Sri Lanka. The park is located in the southeast region of the island bordering the Indian Ocean. Yala National Park is approximately 305km from Colombo travelling along the western and southern coast-line. Yala could also be reached through Ratnapura and Embilipitiya, passing Udawalawa or via Ella and Wellawaya if travelling from the hill country.

Yala National Park was established in 1938 and is one of the two oldest parks in the country along with Wilpattu National Park, the largest national park in Sri Lanka. Yala is divided in to five blocks and is approximately 125000 hectares in extent including the strict nature reserve.  Visitors could only visit Block 1, which has the highest density of large animals and birds.

Yala is recognised as one of the best parks in the world to spot and photograph the leopard, being a place with one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Yala National Park is famous for large herds of elephants as well as the occasional nasty lone elephant. Sloth bear, spotted deer, sambhur, crocodiles, wild boar, wild buffalo and jackal are the other commonly seen big animals. Apart from which, small mammals such as black naped hare, grey, ruddy & striped necked mongoose, grey langur & porcupine are common small mammals.

Yala is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka with abundant bird life. Approximately 140 species have been recorded so far within the park. Changeable Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Jungle Fowl, Painted Stork, White Ibis and Black Necked Stork are commonly seen in Block 1.