Ella to Yala or Udawalawe Safari Day Tour with Pickup
1/15
MeetingPickup optional
Duration8h
GroupPrivate
Leave at first light and spend hours tracking elephants and leopards through open grassland
A day tour from Ella that pairs private hotel pickup and transport with a choice of two national parks: Yala, where 32 mammal species including sloth bears and leopards roam, or Udawalawe, known for herds of up to 100 Asian elephants. You travel by private tuk-tuk to the park, then ride a safari jeep through early morning hours when animals are most active. Tea and snacks are included. Park entry tickets and the jeep fee are paid on arrival.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Safari tour and hotel drop-off
- Pickup from hotel early morning
- Drive to Udawalawe or Yala National Park
- Buy safari tickets at park entrance
- Take safari jeep tour in the park
- Observe wildlife and enjoy commentary
- Finish safari and drive to hotel
The experience
The tour starts with pickup from your hotel in the early morning, the timing built around when wildlife is most active and before crowds arrive at the gates. You ride in a private tuk-tuk to either Yala or Udawalawe: a 45-minute drive to Yala, or to Udawalawe depending on which park you choose at checkout. Once there, you switch to a safari jeep for the main event: a 3 to 4.5 hour search through the park itself.
Yala National Park holds 32 mammal species, among them sloth bears, leopards, crocodiles, elephants, water buffalo, wild boars, spotted deer and golden jackals. Udawalawe is built around its elephant population, which can reach 100 in a single herd, plus crocodiles, birds and varied plant life. Both parks are vast enough that sightings depend on luck and timing, but the early hour and the jeep's open sides give you the best chance to spot them. You'll have time to ask questions and hear commentary about what you see as the jeep moves through the grassland.
After the safari ends, you return to your hotel by private tuk-tuk. Park entrance tickets and the safari jeep fee are not included in the tour price. You pay both at the gate when you arrive. Tea, snacks and bottled water come with the tour. The operator has been running this route for years and handles pickups across Ella and surrounding areas.
What’s included
- Private tuk-tuk pickup from your Ella hotel and return transport.
- tea, snacks and bottled water during the day.
Options for this experience
29 optionsTangalle to Ella, with a U. Safari04:30 and 05:00Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 7 hours: pickup from your hotel around 4:30 am in the Tangalle area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 12 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Tangalle to Ella (Yala safari)02:30Private safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 12 hours: pickup from your hotel around 3 am in the Tangalle area (4/5-hour safari), return to your hotel around 3 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Polhena to Ella, with an Udawalawe stop04:00Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 8 hours: pickup from your hotel around 4 am in the Polhena area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 1 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, Mahindra safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Polhena, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
See 26 more options
Ella to Tangalle, with a U. Safari04:30 and 05:00Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 7 hours: pickup from your hotel around 5 am in the Ella area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 12 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Ella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Ella to Tangalle (Yala safari)02:30Private safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 11 hours: pickup from your hotel around 3 am in the Ella area (4/5-hour safari), return to your hotel around 3 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Ella, Sri Lanka.
Hirikatiya to Ella, with a Yala safari02:00Private safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 9 hours: pickup from your hotel around 2:30 am in the Dickwella area (4/5-hour safari), return to your hotel around 3 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Dikwella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Ella to Hirikatiya, with a stop at Yala02:30Private safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 9 hours: pickup from your hotel around 3 am in the Ella area (4/5-hour safari), return to your hotel around 2 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Ella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Hirikatiya to Ella, including a U. Safari stop04:30 and 05:00Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 8 hours: pickup from your hotel around 4:30 am in the Dickwella area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 12:30 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Dikwella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Ella to Hirikatiya, including a U Safari04:30 and 05:00Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 9 hours: pickup from your hotel around 5 am in the Ella area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 1 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Ella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Talalla to Ella, with a Yala safari02:00Private safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 10 hours: pickup from your hotel around 2 am in the Thalalla area (4 or 5-hour safari), return to your hotel around 12 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Talalla, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Ella/Talalla, with a Yala Safari02:00Private Toyota safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 10 hours: pickup from your hotel around 3 am in the Ella area (4/5-hour safari), return to your hotel around 3 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Pickup is included.
Galle to Ella, with an Udawalawe safari03:30 and 04:00Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 10 hours: pickup from your hotel around 4 am in the Galle area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 2 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Galle, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Ella to Polhena, with an Udawalawe stop04:30Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 8 hours: pickup from your hotel around 4:30 am in the Ella area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 1 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast and tuk tuk. Starting point: Ella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Ella to Mirissa, with a Yala safari02:30Private safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 12 hours: pickup from your hotel around 3 am in the Ella area (4 or 5-hour safari), return to your hotel around 3 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Ella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Mirissa to Ella, with a stop at Udawalawe03:30, 04:00 and 04:30Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 9 hours: pickup from your hotel around 4 am in the Mirissa area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 1 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Mirissa, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Ella to Mirissa, with a stop at Udawalawe5 departure times: the first at 03:30, the last at 05:30Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 9 hours: pickup from your hotel in the Ella area at 4 am, with a visit to Udawalawe National Park and return to your hotel around 1 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Ella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Mirissa to Ella, with a Yala safari01:30Private safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 12 hours: pickup from your hotel around 1:30 am in the Mirissa area (4 or 5-hour safari), return to your hotel around 3 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Mirissa, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Ella to Weligama with Udawalaw04:00, 04:30, 05:00 and 05:30Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 9 hours: pickup from your hotel around 4 am in the Ella area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 1 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottle. Starting point: Ella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Ella to Weligama with Yala Saf02:30Private safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 12 hours: pickup from your hotel around 3 am in the Ella area (4/5-hour safari), return to your hotel around 3 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Ella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Weligama/Ella With Yala Safari01:00Private safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 12 hours: pickup from your hotel around 1 am in the Weligama area (4/5-hour safari), return to your hotel around 3 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Pickup is included.
Weligama to Ella with Udawalaw5 departure times: the first at 03:30, the last at 05:30Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 9 hours: pickup from your hotel around 4 am in the Weligama area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 1 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Weligama, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Ella to Galle, with an Udawalawe safari04:00, 04:30 and 05:00Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 10 hours: pickup from your hotel around 4 am in the Ella area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 2 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Ella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Day tour from Hirikatiya to Ella01:00 and 04:00Full-day tour, tickets not included (train, tea factory). Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 19 hours: pickup from your hotel around 1 am in the Tangalle area, return to your hotel around 8 pm. Includes tuk tuk and water bottles. Starting point: Dikwella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Tangalle to Arugambay, with an Udawalawe stop04:30, 05:00 and 05:30Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 10 hours: pickup from your hotel around 4:30 am in the Tangalle area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 2 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Arugambay/Tangalle, with a U Park visit08:30, 09:00 and 09:30Private Mahindra safari jeep half-day tour, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 10 hours: pickup from your hotel around 9 am in the Arugam Bay area (3-hour safari), return to your hotel around 7 pm. Includes tea, a small breakfast, tuk tuk, safari jeep and water bottles. Starting point: Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Day tour from Tangalle to Ella01:00, 01:30 and 04:30Full-day tour, tickets not included (train, tea factory). Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 18 hours: pickup from your hotel around 1 am in the Tangalle area, return to your hotel around 7 pm. Includes tea and a small breakfast. Ella tour: visit Little Adam's Peak, Nine Arches Bridge, a tea factory, the Demodara to Bandarawela train, and Rawana Waterfall, then return. Tuk tuk. Starting point: Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Day tour from Tangalle to Ella, with a safari04:30Full-day tour with Udawalawe safari: private safari jeep, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 17 hours: we visit Udawalawe Safari, Rawana Waterfall, Little Adam's Peak and Nine Arches, then return. Includes tea, a small breakfast, water bottles and tuk tuk. Starting point: Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Day tour from Hirikatiya to Ella, with a safari04:00 and 04:30Full-day Ella tour with safari: private safari jeep, tickets not included. Buy tickets at the entrance. Duration 17 hours: we visit Udawalawe Safari, Rawana Waterfall, Little Adam's Peak and Nine Arches, then return. Includes tea, a small breakfast, water bottles and tuk tuk. Starting point: Dikwella, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
Tangalle to Ella, 2-day tour5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00Two-day Ella tour: we can visit Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak, Ella Rock, the Uva Halpewatte tea factory tour and the Demodara to Bandarawela train ride. Duration 2 days 7 hours: pickup from your hotel at 9 am in the Tangalle area, and the next day return to your hotel at 12 pm. Tuk tuk from Tangalle to Ella, two-day tour, hotel, tea factory, Ella Rock and train ride. Prices not included. Starting point: Tangalle, Sri Lanka. Pickup is included.
You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices
Before you book
Days and timesEvery day16 departure times: the first at 01:00, the last at 10:00
AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (1 to 11 years): free
GroupPrivate
Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.
Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.
Prices and times updated 11 days ago
Good to know
Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems
Operated by Paradise Tuk Tuk Tours
Is this one for you?Choose Yala if you want the chance to see leopards and sloth bears in a larger park with more wildlife variety. Choose Udawalawe if you're drawn to seeing large elephant herds and prefer a park known for consistent sightings. The early morning departure is what puts you in the park when animals are feeding and moving, before the day heats up and crowds arrive.
Traveler reviews
5.00
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 11 years): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What animals might I actually see on the Yala safari?
Yala National Park is home to 32 mammal species including sloth bears, leopards, crocodiles, elephants, water buffalo, wild boars, spotted deer and golden jackals. Morning is when they're most active, though sightings are never guaranteed and depend on where the animals are on the day you visit.
How long is the actual safari time in the jeep?
The safari itself runs 3 to 4.5 hours depending on which park you choose. Udawalawe safaris typically take 3 hours, while Yala safaris run closer to 4 or 5 hours. The full day from hotel pickup to return is around 8 hours.
Do I need to buy park tickets separately?
Yes. Park entrance tickets are not included in the tour price. You buy them at the gate when you arrive at either Yala or Udawalawe. The safari jeep fee is also paid on the day, at the end of the tour.
Is the tuk-tuk ride comfortable for the whole day?
You ride in a private tuk-tuk only for the drive to and from the park: roughly 45 minutes each way. Once at the park, you transfer to an open safari jeep for the wildlife viewing. The tuk-tuk is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.
What's included in the tour besides the jeep ride?
Private transportation from your hotel, tea, snacks and bottled water are included. Park entry and the safari jeep fee are paid separately at the gate.
Ella to Yala or Udawalawe Safari Day Tour with Pickup
8h
from US$ 45 per person
5.0046 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider