Private safari holidays · 5 to 8 days
Yala and Wilpattu National Parks Holidays
Two of the best leopard parks in Asia on one trip: the open plains and coast of Yala, the quiet forests and lakes of Wilpattu, and the boat safaris of Gal Oya, with private jeeps, lodges by the jungle and your own car and driver.
4 safari holidays5–8 days100% private24/7 WhatsApp
Leopards on both sides of the island
Yala and Wilpattu National Parks Vacations
Yala and Wilpattu are Sri Lanka’s two great leopard parks, on opposite sides of the island and very different in feel. Yala, in the south-east, has open scrub, rocky outcrops, lagoons and a wild coastline, with leopards, elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles. Wilpattu, in the north-west, is the country’s largest national park: quiet forest dotted with natural lakes called villus, where far fewer jeeps mean long, peaceful sightings.
Our Yala and Wilpattu national parks holidays combine both parks in one private trip, with your own car and English-speaking driver, private jeeps and lodges close to the park gates. Choose a short vacation, a luxury holiday, a longer tour with Gal Oya’s boat safaris, or a tailor-made holiday built around your dates.
5–8 days
From a short safari vacation to a three-park tour
2 safaris per park
Morning and afternoon drives for the best leopard chances
Lodges by the jungle
Comfortable hotels, safari camps and luxury lodges
Local team
A licensed, Sri Lankan-owned tour operator based in Negombo
Pick your safari holiday
Yala and Wilpattu Holidays and Tours
Every holiday starts with airport pickup and is fully customisable: change the length, the lodges or the parks. Filter by length, or tell us what you’d like.
Airport pickup · 4 nights
Yala and Wilpattu National Parks Vacation – 5 Days
Wilpattu · Yala
Four safaris in five days: two nights by Wilpattu’s quiet lakes, then two nights by Yala for leopards and elephants.
Airport pickup · 5 nights
Tailor-Made Yala and Wilpattu Holiday – 6 Days
Wilpattu · Udawalawe · Yala
A base plan you can change: add Bundala birds, more safaris, beach days or luxury lodges.
Airport pickup · 6 nights
Luxury Holiday in Yala and Wilpattu National Parks – 7 Days
Wilpattu · Kandy · Ella · Yala
Luxury safari camps, boutique hotels in the hills, full-day safaris and a luxury car on request.
Airport pickup · 7 nights
Yala, Wilpattu and Gal Oya National Parks Tour – 8 Days
Wilpattu · Minneriya · Gal Oya · Yala
Three very different parks, with a boat safari on the Gal Oya lake and an elephant safari near Sigiriya.
Your safari, your way
Customise it your way
Every Yala and Wilpattu holiday is fully customisable. Tell us your dates, group and the animals you most want to see.
Three parks, three moods
Yala vs Wilpattu vs Gal Oya
Each park has its own character, so combining them gives you the best of Sri Lankan wildlife. See every park on our national parks in Sri Lanka page.
| Yala | Wilpattu | Gal Oya | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Leopards, variety, coast | Quiet leopard and sloth bear sightings | Boat safaris, elephants, birds |
| Landscape | Open scrub, rocks, lagoons, beach | Forest and natural lakes (villus) | A huge lake with islands and hills |
| Crowds | Busy in peak season | Very quiet | Very quiet |
| Location | South-east, near Tissamaharama | North-west, near Puttalam and Anuradhapura | East, near Ampara |
| More info | Yala National Park | Wilpattu National Park safari | Gal Oya boat safari |
What you can see
Wildlife in Yala and Wilpattu National Parks
01
Sri Lankan leopard
The island’s top predator, often seen resting on rocks or crossing tracks at dawn and dusk.
02
Sloth bear
Shy and rare; Wilpattu and Yala are the best places to try.
03
Asian elephant
Herds roam both parks; in Gal Oya they sometimes swim between islands.
04
Mugger crocodile
Common around Yala’s lagoons and Wilpattu’s villus.
05
Spotted deer and buffalo
Large herds graze near water, especially in Wilpattu.
06
Birds
Peacocks, bee-eaters, eagles and wetland birds in every park.
When to go
Best Time for a Yala and Wilpattu Holiday
| Park | Best months | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Yala | February to July | Good most of the year; parts of the park usually close for a few weeks around September and October |
| Wilpattu | February to October | Quiet all year; some tracks are muddy in the heaviest rains |
| Gal Oya | About May to September | Boat safaris depend on the lake level; we check before you travel |
Good to know
What’s Included in Our Yala and Wilpattu Holidays
01
Airport pickup and drop-off
We meet you on arrival and take you back for your flight home.
02
Private car and driver
Air-conditioned car or van with an English-speaking driver, or a luxury car on request.
03
Lodges near the parks
Hotels, safari camps or luxury lodges close to the park gates.
04
Clear quotes
Jeep safaris and park tickets are listed separately, so you choose how many drives you want.
Questions
Yala and Wilpattu Holidays – FAQs
Can you visit Yala and Wilpattu on one holiday?
Yes. They are on opposite sides of the island, so we plan the route with a comfortable drive between them, either on the expressway via Colombo or through the hill country.
How many days do we need for Yala and Wilpattu?
Five days gives you two nights and two safaris in each park. With seven or eight days you can add the hill country, Gal Oya or a luxury stay.
Which park is better for leopards, Yala or Wilpattu?
Yala usually has more frequent leopard sightings; Wilpattu has leopards too, with far fewer jeeps. Doing both gives you the best chance.
Are jeep safaris included in the price?
Jeep safaris and park tickets are quoted separately with your itinerary, so you can choose half-day or full-day drives.
Do you offer luxury Yala and Wilpattu holidays?
Yes. Our 7-day luxury holiday uses luxury safari camps and lodges, and we can arrange a luxury car.
Can we add Gal Oya or other parks?
Yes. Our 8-day tour adds Gal Oya and Minneriya, and any holiday can include Bundala, Udawalawe or Kumana.
When is the best time to visit?
February to July is good for both parks. Parts of Yala usually close for a few weeks around September and October.
How do we book and pay?
Send us your dates on WhatsApp or by email. Once you are happy with the plan, you can pay a deposit or in full in advance, and we confirm every lodge and safari in writing.
Ready when you are
Plan Your Yala and Wilpattu Holiday
Tell us your dates and the animals you most want to see, and we will tailor any of our Yala and Wilpattu holidays for you, with a private, itemised plan within 24 hours. See also our Sri Lanka wildlife holidays and Sri Lanka safari tours.