Udawalawe & Yala Safari from Bentota: Private jeep, both parks

Two parks, two safaris, one full day of wildlife from your hotel

A private full-day safari tour from Bentota that visits Udawalawe National Park and Yala National Park with a live English-speaking guide and hotel pickup. You ride in a private jeep through savanna grasslands and wetlands, watching for Sri Lankan elephants, leopards, crocodiles, water buffalo and birds of prey at both parks. The tour includes park entry, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water and fuel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari at Udawalawe and Yala Parks

• Travel to Udawalawe National Park
• Safari to see elephants and wildlife
• Visit Udawalawe Reservoir banks
• Travel to Yala National Park
• Safari in Yala National Park

The experience

You start from your hotel in Bentota, Aluthgama, Beruwala, Kosgoda, Ahungalla or nearby areas with pickup included. The guide meets you in the morning and drives you to Udawalawe National Park, where the day's first safari begins through savanna grasslands. Herds of Sri Lankan elephants are the draw here. You'll watch them at the banks of Udawalawe Reservoir with mountains in the backdrop, along with crocodiles resting on the banks or swimming, water buffalo, mongooses, deers and foxes. The wetland areas hold crocodiles. The trees overhead carry fishing eagles, brahminy kites, crested serpent eagles, Sri Lankan jungle fowl, grey hornbills, spot-billed pelicans, little cormorants, green bee-eaters and crested tree swifts.

After Udawalawe, you move on to Yala National Park in the southeastern region, the second-largest park in Sri Lanka and the most visited. Yala covers 979 square kilometres across five blocks, three of which are open to the public. The park is known for Sri Lankan leopards, more elephants, and aquatic birds: a different landscape and a different roster of wildlife from the morning. The private jeep stays with your group throughout both parks, and the tour runs roughly 14 hours from pickup to return. An air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water and all park entrance fees are included. Fuel surcharge and taxes are covered in the price.

This is a private tour, so only your group travels together. A minimum of two people per booking is required. Guides who speak Russian, German, French, Italian, Arabic, Tamil or Hindi can be arranged for an extra cost. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy. Moderate physical fitness is expected for the vehicle rides and the time spent in the jeep.

What’s included

• Park entrance tickets for Udawalawe National Park and the Elephant Transit Home.
• entrance to Yala National Park.
• private air-conditioned jeep for both parks.
• live English-speaking guide.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all taxes, fees and fuel surcharge.
• hotel pickup from your area.

Options for this experience

6 options

Ahangama/Koggala/ThalpeGuide in English · 04:00, 04:30 and 05:00Includes pickup

Kosgoda/Ahungalla/BalapitiyaGuide in English · 04:00, 04:30 and 05:00Includes pickup

Bentota/Aluthgama/BeruwalaGuide in English · 04:00, 04:30 and 05:00Includes pickup

See 3 more options

Hikkaduwa/Galle/UnawatunaGuide in English · 04:00, 04:30 and 05:00Includes pickup

Mirrissa/Weligama/MidigamaGuide in English · 04:00, 04:30 and 05:00Includes pickup

Kaluthara/WadduwaGuide in English · 04:00, 04:30 and 05:00Includes pickup

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:00, 04:30 and 05:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 22 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dimtours Srilanka

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Bentota or nearby and want to see elephants at Udawalawe and leopards at Yala in one trip. The private jeep means you set the pace between parks, though the 14-hour day works only if you can commit a full afternoon away from your accommodation.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What animals will I actually see on this safari?

Sri Lankan elephants are the main draw at Udawalawe, especially at the reservoir. Both parks hold crocodiles, water buffalo, mongooses, deers and foxes. Yala is known for Sri Lankan leopards. Birds include fishing eagles, brahminy kites, crested serpent eagles, Sri Lankan jungle fowl, grey hornbills, spot-billed pelicans, little cormorants, green bee-eaters and crested tree swifts.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Hotel pickup is included from Bentota, Aluthgama, Beruwala, Kosgoda, Ahungalla, Balapitiya, Kaluthara, Wadduwa, Mirrissa, Weligama, Midigama, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Ahangama, Koggala or Thalpe. Choose your area at checkout.

How long is the full day?

The tour runs approximately 14 hours from pickup at your hotel to return, covering both national parks with safari time at each.

What's included in the price?

Park entrance tickets for both Udawalawe and Yala, the Elephant Transit Home, a private air-conditioned jeep for the full day, a live English-speaking guide, bottled water, fuel surcharge, all taxes and fees are included. Meals and gratuities are not.

Can I book this if I'm traveling alone or with just one other person?

A minimum of two people per booking is required. If you're traveling solo, you'll need to meet that minimum at checkout.

Is this tour physically demanding?

Moderate physical fitness is expected. You'll spend most of the day in a jeep on park roads. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized infant seat.