Yala’s varying habitats – consisting of scrub plains, jungles, rocky outcrops, forest, mangroves fresh water lakes, rivers and coastal lagoons – provide homes for many species of animals including sloth bear, herds of elephants, buffalo, monkeys, sambar, deer, crocodiles. For many, though, the chief attraction is the endangered leopard sub-species Panthera pardus kotiya, which is found only in Sri Lanka. You may see it slinking in the undergrowth or lolling on one of the rock boulders which dot the park. Yala has some the best accommodation options of Sri Lanka’s national parks, but can be busy in peak season.

Yala receives an annual rainfall of less than 1,000 mm from the north-east monsoon from about November to January. The rest of the year remains dry with the period from July to September showing severe drought conditions. Mean temperature is around 27C. The dry months from May to September are the best time for viewing big game in Yala, including leopards and sloth bear. From October to April, Yala becomes home to many species of migratory birds and is a hotspot for bird watching. The first few months of the year are also good for observing leopard cubs.