Half-day safari from Galle: Yala National Park with lunch

Yala has one of the world's highest leopard densities.

A half-day safari tour from Galle to Yala National Park includes a three-hour game drive through moist monsoon forests and wetlands, lunch at a local restaurant, and hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle. The park holds 215 bird species, 44 mammals including leopards and wild elephants, and 47 reptile species. A live English-speaking guide leads the drive. Entrance fees and refreshments are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari and lunch at Yala National Park

• Pick up from hotel
• 3-hour safari in Yala National Park
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant
• Return to hotel

The experience

You get picked up from your hotel in Galle, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna or Koggala in an air-conditioned vehicle and driven to Yala, Sri Lanka's second-largest national park and the most visited. The three-hour safari itself is the core of the day: you ride in the safari jeep through the park's mix of moist monsoon forests, freshwater wetlands and marine wetlands bordering the Indian Ocean. The guide points out wildlife as you move through the terrain: leopards, wild elephants, sloth bears, water buffalo and smaller mammals, along with birds and reptiles. Yala is recognized as one of the 70 Important Bird Areas in Sri Lanka, and the recorded species count runs to 215 birds, 44 mammals, 47 reptiles and 18 amphibian species.

After the drive ends, you head to a local restaurant for lunch. The return journey takes you back to your hotel, completing the outing in a single afternoon. Refreshments and water bottles come with you during the safari itself. All entrance fees, the jeep cost, taxes and transport are included in the booking.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle from Galle, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna or Koggala.
• entrance fees to Yala National Park.
• the safari jeep and three-hour game drive with a live English-speaking guide.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• refreshments and water bottles during the safari.
• all government taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Overa Tours

Is this one for you?The tour is led in English by a live guide, so you'll follow the commentary comfortably throughout the drive. The full day, twelve hours from pickup to return, suits travelers with a free afternoon rather than a quick morning excursion.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): 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 wildlife might I actually see on the Yala safari?

Yala holds one of the world's highest leopard densities, and the park records 44 mammal species including wild elephants, sloth bears and water buffalo. You'll also encounter 215 bird species and 47 reptile species, though sightings depend on the time of day and season.

How long does the actual safari drive last?

The safari itself runs three hours, during which the guide drives through the park's forests and wetlands looking for wildlife. The full outing from hotel pickup to drop-off takes around twelve hours, including the drive to Yala, lunch and the return journey.

Is the guide English-speaking, and will I understand the commentary?

Yes, a live guide who speaks English leads the safari and provides commentary throughout the drive, so you'll hear about the animals and habitats as you encounter them.

What should I bring for the safari?

Bring a valid passport for entry to the national park, wear comfortable clothing suited to a safari, and bring sun protection. The vehicle provides refreshments and water bottles during the drive.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The safari is suitable for all physical fitness levels. However, it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health, as the jeep ride over uneven terrain can be bumpy.