Yala Full Day Safari: Private Jeep, Leopards & Lunch
Nine to ten hours in a private jeep, deep into Yala's routes where leopards and bears actually live
A full-day private safari in Yala National Park with pickup from your hotel, an experienced driver, entry fees and lunch included. You travel in your own jeep on routes built to reach leopards, elephants, sloth bears and diverse bird species. The full day gives a higher chance of spotting leopards and bears than a half-day trip. Lunch is served in the park.
Compare the 11 alternatives
Udawalawe Safari Day Trip from Colombo with Lunch & TransfersEvery day · First departure 05:00, last 08:00 · All ages★ 4.63 (8)12h–14hEN · AR · TAUS$ 175View ›
Wilpattu National Park Safari from Colombo: Leopards & LakesEvery day · 09:00 · All ages★ 4.56 (9)12h–14hEN · TAUS$ 125View ›
Udawalawe Safari: Private Jeep, Elephants & Ella TransferEvery day · First departure 04:00, last 13:00★ 4.91 (11)7h–8hENUS$ 180View ›
Sigiriya & Dambulla Day Trip from Colombo with Private SafariEvery day · 06:00 · All ages★ 5.00 (1)12h–14hENUS$ 94View ›
Udawalawe National Park safari from Colombo: Wild elephantsEvery day · 07:00★ 4.67 (6)8h–10hENUS$ 198View ›
Leopard Safari Wilpattu from Colombo: Guided Wildlife TourEvery day · First departure 03:00, last 11:00 · Up to age 80★ 5.00 (1)10h–12hEN · DE · FR · JV +1US$ 290View ›
Udawalawe Safari Day Tour from Colombo: See Wild ElephantsEvery day · First departure 07:00, last 20:30★ 5.00 (11)12hEN · DEUS$ 365View ›
Sigiriya, Dambulla & Wildlife Safari from Colombo: Full DayEvery day · First departure 05:30, last 07:30 · From age 6★ 5.00 (3)12h–14hENUS$ 250View ›
3-Day Sigiriya & Kandy Tour: Lion Rock, temples, elephant safariEvery day · 08:00 and 09:00★ 5.00 (2)3dENUS$ 336per groupView ›
5-Day Sri Lanka Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & SafariEvery day · All ages★ 5.00 (3)5dEN · AR · TA
8-Day Sri Lanka Classic Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy & Wildlife SafariEvery day · 07:00 and 08:00★ 5.00 (9)8dENUS$ 507View › Compare more experiences like this »
Step-by-step itinerary
Full day safari in Yala National Park
- Pick up from accommodation early morning
- Travel to Yala National Park
- Begin private jeep safari with expert guide
- Spot wildlife including leopards and elephants
- Enjoy picnic lunch inside the park
- Continue wildlife safari in the park
- Return to accommodation in the evening
The experience
The jeep leaves between 4am and 5:30am depending on your location, giving you the park's best hours for wildlife activity. A private vehicle means the driver adjusts the route to what you're seeing that morning. If leopards are moving in one zone, you follow. The experienced driver knows where to find them and how to position the jeep for clean sightings without disturbing the animals. You're not on a fixed schedule with other groups. The whole day is built around what appears.
Yala holds leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer and dozens of bird species across its landscape. The full-day route takes you into the deeper sections of the park where these animals actually move, not just the perimeter. Wildlife photographers and serious nature watchers choose the full day specifically because it covers more ground and gives more chances at the sightings that matter. Lunch arrives in the park itself, so you stay in the habitat rather than breaking the rhythm to leave.
Pickup and drop-off happen from your hotel across much of the country. The operator confirms the exact time once you book. Bottled water travels with you. Entry fees, the jeep, the driver and lunch are all included in one price, so there are no surprises at the gate or during the day. The whole package runs 12 to 16 hours door-to-door.
What’s included
- Private return transportation from your hotel.
- pickup and drop-off.
- a private safari jeep with an experienced driver for 9–10 hours.
- Yala National Park entry fees.
- picnic lunch served in the park.
- bottled water.
Options for this experience
11 optionsSee 8 more options
Before you book
Prices and times updated 8 days ago
Operated by Bentota Travel Mart
Is this one for you?Book from your region on the purchase options list. The operator picks you up from hotels across much of Sri Lanka, so confirm your location matches one of the listed departure zones. The full day is built for wildlife photographers and serious nature lovers who want deep routes and more time. If you're short on time, a half-day safari covers the main areas in less time.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 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 animals am I most likely to see on a full-day Yala safari?
Yala is home to leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and deer, along with many bird species. The full-day route reaches deeper into the park than half-day trips, which raises your chances of spotting leopards and bears specifically.
Why does a full-day safari give better odds of seeing leopards than a half-day one?
The full-day safari covers more ground and spends more hours in the park during peak wildlife activity times. More time and deeper routes mean more opportunities to encounter the animals that move through Yala's landscape.
Does the driver adjust the route based on what we see that morning?
Yes. Because you're in a private jeep with an experienced driver, the route can shift to follow animal movement and sightings happening that day, rather than sticking to a fixed path.
When does the pickup happen and how long is the whole day?
Pickup occurs between 4am and 5:30am depending on your hotel location. The operator confirms the exact time after booking. The full experience runs 12 to 16 hours from pickup to drop-off, including the safari itself and travel time.
Is lunch included, and where do we eat?
Lunch is included and served inside Yala National Park, so you stay in the habitat and don't break the rhythm of the day by leaving the park.
Yala Full Day Safari: Private Jeep, Leopards & Lunch
12h–16h · EN
from US$ 175 per person
5.0010 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider