Yala
Located 190 miles from Colombo, spanning over a vast 97,878 hectares (979 square kilometres or 378 square miles) over the Southern and Uva provinces of southeast Sri Lanka is Yala, which comprises of six national parks and three wildlife sanctuaries. A designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and designated a National Park in 1938, Yala is amongst the oldest and best known of Sri Lankas National Parks and is the largest cluster of protected areas in the country.
The ecosystems range from moist monsoon forest to dry monsoon forest, semi deciduous forests, Thorn forests, grasslands, fresh water and marine wetlands and sandy beaches – all possessing large numbers of important plant species and smaller animals, enabling Yala to play a very significant role in the conservation of flora and fauna as well as wildlife.
With over 30 leopards, probably the highest density anywhere in the world, Yala West (Ruhuna) National Park is recognised as one of the world’s best parks to observe and photograph leopards. There is also a substantial Elephant population along with Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Buffalo, Sloth Bear, Jackal, Mongoose, Monkeys, Pangolins and Crocodiles. In fact, 44 different types of mammals have been recorded in Yala together with 215 different bird species including six which are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Take either a full day jeep safari or an early morning and a late afternoon/dusk one to maximise your chances of a leopard encounter – either way, be sure to have your camera at the ready!
courtesy – https://www.srilanka.travel