Yala Block 5 safari from Ella: Leopards without the crowds

Yala Block 5 keeps the leopards and leaves the tour buses behind

This 9-hour tour departs Ella, crosses Lunugamvehera National Park, and enters Yala Block 5 for a 4.5-hour safari with a wildlife expert guide. You choose sunrise, morning or afternoon timing. Pickup and drop-off cover Ella to Galle, Mirissa, Dickwella, Tangalle or any southern coastal town. Breakfast or evening snack and bottled water are included. Sunrise and private safaris add a complimentary wildlife photo collection. National park entrance fees are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ella to Galle via Yala and Lunugamvehera

• Pickup from Ella
• Travel through scenic countryside
• Visit Lunugamvehera National Park
• Safari in Yala Block 5
• Enjoy packed homemade breakfast
• Continue transfer to southern coastal town

The experience

Yala Block 5 sits apart from the crowded Block 1 that most safari tours visit. Fewer jeeps mean the wildlife (leopards, elephants, crocodiles, birds) moves without constant disturbance, and every sighting feels less like a checkpoint and more like a moment. The route starts with pickup from your Ella accommodation, then winds through scenic countryside into Lunugamvehera National Park, where shimmering lakes and dry forest edges create the habitats that draw the animals. A wildlife expert guides the whole day and knows where to position the jeep for the best light and the quietest approach.

The safari itself runs 4.5 hours, timed to your choice: sunrise, morning or afternoon. Each shift reveals a different mood of the park: the stillness of dawn, the heat and movement of midday, the golden hour when animals emerge to drink. You travel in a 4x4 built for the terrain, with a packed homemade breakfast or evening snack depending on your departure time. If you book a sunrise or private safari, the guide's crew photographs the wildlife you see and hands you the collection at the end, at no extra cost.

After the safari, the same vehicle continues to the coast. Drop-off reaches Galle, Mirissa, Dickwella, Tangalle or any other southern beach town where you're staying, so the day flows from mountain to jungle to sea without a transfer change. The whole journey takes nine hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• 4x4 off-road safari through Yala Block 5 for 4.5 hours.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Ella to Galle, Mirissa, Dickwella, Tangalle or any southern coastal town.
• wildlife expert guide.
• fresh homemade breakfast or evening snack.
• bottled water.
• complimentary wildlife photo collection on sunrise and private safaris.

Options for this experience

3 options

Sunrise SafariGuide in English · 04:00Private car and safari, includes pickup

Private SafariGuide in English · 05:00 and 11:30Private car and safari, includes pickup

Shared SafariGuide in English · 11:30Shared shuttle and safari, pickup is included

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, 05:00 and 11:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 35

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tuktukdude Leisure

Is this one for you?Choose the sunrise safari if you want the animals at their most active and the light best for photography. Pick the afternoon option if you prefer to start later and watch the park shift into its golden-hour mood. Private safaris give you the jeep alone, while shared safaris keep the cost lower and add other travelers to the vehicle.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

6 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

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. No refund if you cancel.

What's the difference between Yala Block 5 and the Block 1 safaris everyone else does?

Block 5 receives far fewer visitors and jeeps than Block 1, so wildlife roams with less disturbance and sightings feel more intimate. The trade-off is that Block 1 has higher leopard density. Block 5 rewards patience and a quieter approach with a more personal experience.

Can I pick what time of day the safari happens?

Yes. You choose sunrise, morning or afternoon when you book. Sunrise safaris start earliest and catch the animals at their most active. Afternoon safaris let you sleep in and see the park in golden light.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the coast after the safari?

No. The same vehicle and guide that run the safari continue to your coastal destination (Galle, Mirissa, Dickwella, Tangalle or any other southern town), so you travel without a transfer change.

What wildlife might I actually see in Yala Block 5?

Leopards, elephants, crocodiles and birds are common. The park's lakes and forest edges create ideal habitats, and the wildlife expert guide positions the jeep to spot them without disturbing their natural behavior.

Is the breakfast included or do I pay extra?

Breakfast or an evening snack is included depending on your safari time, along with bottled water. If you book a sunrise or private safari, you also receive a complimentary photo collection of the wildlife your guide's crew captured during the drive.

What costs are not included in the tour price?

National park entrance fees are separate and run approximately 9,000 to 12,000 LKR per person, depending on group size.